Metro
SCRANTON — Abington Heights lost and Scranton Prep won in games against New Jersey teams during the Electric City Showcase, a Top Tiers girls basketball event at the Lackawanna College Student Union Dec. 13-15.
The 11-game, 19-team event primarily matched local teams with college prospects on their rosters against out-of-state teams with similar credentials.
Abington Heights lost to West Orange 65-51 in the event’s finale Dec. 15.
The day before, Scranton Prep led an impressive series of wins by District 2 teams when it routed Plainfield 60-27.
West Orange 65, Abington Heights 51
The Coleman sisters, Emma and Maggie, helped Abington Heights to a strong start, holding the lead at times until West Orange began taking control over the final two minutes of the first half.
Sophomore Emma Coleman finished 7-for-11 from the floor, including 3-for-6 on 3-pointers, to finish with 17 points and eight rebounds.
“Last year, she was hindered by a broken hand so that was really tough for her,” Abington Heights coach Deanna Klingman said. “I know what kind of summer she had. I’m really happy with where she’s at.”
Maggie Coleman had 15 points and three assists.
They combined for 20 of the points that had Abington Heights up 25-22 midway through the second quarter.
“We do have shooters and we proved that in the first half,” Klingman said. “ … We’re very unselfish. They share the ball nice.”
Rhyan Watt hit three times from 3-point range in one minute for a 9-1 surge late in the half to put West Orange ahead to stay. She finished 9-for-13 with 25 points and three steals.
Annaya Karriem, a 6-foot-2 center who is committed to North Carolina A&T, had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
“We are not going to see a team with this athleticism and size the whole year,” Klingman said.
Karriem helped West Orange outscore Abington Heights 18-4 in the paint, but the Lady Comets managed to overcome the size disadvantage for a 33-28 rebounding lead.
“This is the toughest exhibition schedule that we’ve put together in the last 10 years,” Klingman said. “I’m really happy with our progress. We have four new starters in the lineup. Our young kids are all coming along. They’re learning.
“ … We see a lot of good things.”
The Lady Comets went from shooting 57 percent in the first half to 29 percent in the second.
Lily Scoblick chipped in eight points, five rebounds and three assists while Madeleine Walsh had seven points and three assists.
Scranton Prep 60, Plainfield 27
Scranton Prep was in control throughout, opening leads of 15-4 after one quarter and 35-12 at halftime.
Bella Dennebaum led a dominance on the boards.
Scranton Prep outrebounded Plainfield 42-19.
Dennebaum finished 8-for-10 from the floor with game-highs of 18 points and nine rebounds.
Claire McGrath, who had 10 points and two steals, and Ashlynn Moore had four assists each.
The Classics held Plainfield to 22.7 percent (10-for-44) from the floor.
