Dallas, Valley View and Wyoming Area all have better overall records, but with a boost from the strength of schedule, it was Scranton Prep that had the highest playoff power rating among District 2 Class 4A boys basketball contenders.
The Cavaliers followed up their Lynett Tournament title to close out 2025 by going 8-2 in January, then rallying from a double-digit deficit to pull out a 57-54 victory at Valley View Feb. 2.
Scranton Prep’s only losses in the last 15 games came to Abington Heights, the Lackawanna League Division 1 and District 2 Class 5A leader, and in non-league play against Pocono Mountain West, the District 11 Class 6A leader.
The Cavaliers were set to try to catch the Comets in Lackawanna Division 1 with a home game for the Feb. 5 rematch. Abington Heights handled Scranton Prep 84-61 in a first-place battle Jan. 13.
Since that loss, the Cavaliers have won all five of their league games and split a pair of road trips against potent District 11 teams.
Scranton Prep was set to take 10-1 division and 14-4 overall records into its rematch with Abington Heights. Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 champion Dallas (17-3), Valley View (16-3) and Wyoming Area (18-1) continued the chase in the district standings.
The highlight of last month may have come with the Jan. 24 road trip to Allentown for a 91-71 victory over Executive Education Charter Academy.
Packy Doherty’s scoring exploits continue to lead the Scranton Prep offense. He is averaging close to three 3-pointers and more than 22 points per game.
Those abilities were on full display against Executive Education.
Doherty had 26 of his 35 points in the first half, including 17 in a little more than seven minutes to end the half to open a 50-37 lead. He finished 7-for-11 from long distance.
Max McGrath added 17 points and eight rebounds in the win.
Brody Martin contributed 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Chicky Skoff added 11 points.
Executive Education came in with just two losses in 12 games, but fell behind 75-54 going into the fourth quarter after Martin scored eight points and McGrath added seven in the third quarter.
The Cavaliers lost at Pocono Mountain West 62-53 Jan. 28.
In league play after the loss to Abington Heights, Scranton Prep defeated West Scranton 67-37, Wallenpaupack 73-18, Delaware Valley 77-58 and North Pocono 87-55 to close out January.
Doherty led the scoring in each game. He had 17 against West Scranton, 25 against Wallenpaupack and 29 each against Delaware Valley and North Pocono.
Scranton Prep led 29-2 after one quarter at Wallenpaupack. Doherty had 13 points at halftime and finished his scoring with 12 points in the first three minutes of the second half. The Cavaliers then limited the Buckhorns to three second-half points.
Doherty hit six 3-pointers against Delaware Valley and five against North Pocono.
Valley View scored the game’s first 11 points and held Scranton Prep scoreless until the last minute of the first quarter in the Feb. 2 game.
The Cavaliers came back behind 10 baskets from 3-point range while the Cougars opened the door by struggling through 7-for-15 foul shooting.
Packy Doherty led the way with 16 points while freshman Jimmy Doherty had three of the 3-pointers.
Chicky Skoff had 13 points.
