Big Fourth Quarter secures Wyoming Valley Conference Championship for Wyoming Seminary By: Tyler Harden

BERWICK— As the regular season has come to a close, it was time to find out who the best team is in the Wyoming Valley Conference before the District 2 Playoffs start. The matchup for the title was between two teams that played each other earlier in the regular season, and were not of the same classification, Wyoming Seminary being 3A and Crestwood being 5A. Wyoming Seminary won that game 52-41, but this time around, Crestwood was not going to go down without a fight.

Crestwood was fighting right from the tip, as Marcus Vieney hit a three for the game’s first points. It was clear that Crestwood was feeling good from three as Jacob Zaleski, Marcus Vieney, and Mike Zaleski all made threes before Seminary called a timeout down 14-6. But Seminary was able to bring it to a one point game by the end of the first quarter, as Jake Koretz scored 5 points late in the quarter.

Crestwood’s sharp shooting continued into the second, as Jacob Zaleski hit another three. But, Ethan Meuser responded with a three of his own for Seminary to keep it a one point game. As Crestwood was starting to get into a rhythm, Jeremy Callahan hit a three, got fouled, and made the foul shot keeping it a 2 point game. But Jacob Zaleski was not done, as he hit another three, his third of the game. Ethan Meuser kept Seminary in the game still, as he made all 4 of his foul shots before the Blue Knights went into halftime down 29-26.

Jeremy Callahan came up big at the start of the second half, as he gave Seminary their first lead of the game since the beginning of the game with another four-point play. Crestwood responded with an 8-0 run, as Mike Zaleski hit 2 threes. Ethan Meuser and Jeremy Callahan kept Seminary within reachable distance, however, as the third quarter ended with Crestwood in the lead 39-36.

Callahan opened the final quarter with a three to tie the game. But, Jacob Zaleski responded with his fourth three of the game to give Crestwood the lead. Todd Phillips then hit a three for the Blue Knights to bring it back to a tie. Crestwood did not have a response, however, as the Comets did not score a point for the next five minutes.

Seminary took advantage, bringing the game to 48-42, the Blue Knights’ largest lead of the game. Mike Zaleski ended the drought for Crestwood with his fourth three of the game, and kept Crestwood within three points. But foul shots by Callahan and a three point play by Ethan Meuser gave Seminary a 54-45 lead. Crestwood hit some late shots, as Ryan Petrosky had a layup and hit both foul shots, and Marcus Vieney hit a three. But they weren’t enough to take the lead from Wyoming Seminary, as the Blue Knights came out on top 55-52.

Ethan Meuser led the Blue Knights with 20 points, and Jeremy Callahan added 17. Jacob Zaleski led Crestwood with 16 points, Marcus Vieney had 13, and Mike Zaleski had 12.

Both teams will play on Tuesday, February 18th, in the District 2 Playoffs. Crestwood will play Pittston Area in the 5A Tournament, and Wyoming Seminary will play Carbondale in the 3A Tournament. Sites and times for those games will be announced on Sunday.