The first half of the Lackawanna League in boys basketball has officially ended and our "titelists" were Scranton, Dunmore and Montrose.
Montrose used a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures in a 47-43 win over Lackawanna Trail in a playoff for the first-half crown in Division III. It was the third game in five days for the Meteors, who sport the best overall record in the division at 15-2.
Scranton defeated West Scranton on Friday night, and Dunmore finished off an undefeated half in Division II with a win over Carbondale in the season finale.
So now we can all start OVER! That's right...Everybody is 0-0 as the second half begins Thursday night...Here's what we can look forward to:
DIVISION I
Scranton at Abington Heights
It will get started very quickly in this division. No. 1 Scranton will be at No. 2 Abington Heights in what promises to be one of the top games of the season. Scranton has won eight straight games, which includes a come-from-behind, 69-64, overtime win over Abington Heights.
The Knights averaged 73.3 points per game in the first half of the regular season. In that first victory over the Comets, Bilal Floyd scored 20 points, Terry Turner added 16, while Tim Fisch and Ian Redtzky each scored 13.
The big question mark coming in will be the status of Abington Heights' center Nathan Basalyga, who missed the final two games of the first half with a shoulder injury. Ross Danzig has been sensational for the Comets and is averaging 20 points a game to lead Division I.
In the first half, Abington Heights is yielding only 39.2 points a game since the loss to Scranton.
Scranton Prep at West Scranton
Also on Thursday -- Scranton Prep will play West Scranton in an important game for teams hoping to contend for the second-half title. West Scranton is a bruising team led by Tom Horan. The Invaders defense held Scranton to 56 points in the regular-season finale.
Scranton Prep has been led by Adam Schroth, who made a game-winning shot when these two teams met in the first half.
DIVISION II
Dunmore at Riverside
Dunmore has a difficult challenge awaiting it when the second half opens. The Bucks must face a talented and improving Riverside team that does not lose at home. In the first meeting, Dunmore won convincingly 57-35. Don't expect the same kind of dominance when Riverside coach Mike Morgan is defending hs home turf.
Watch Riverside's Tommy Armillay and Jerry Reilly -- both are sharp-shooters who can neutralize the Bucks and ther fast backcourt.
Dunmore has been led by Michael Ehnot, whose intensity and senior leadership is key in a tough road game. Jake Rowland has been scoring in double figures and Brian Copeland could be the X factor inside.
Another key game will be Old Forge at Valley View. The Blue Devils want to be a factor in the second half and they need to avoid a loss to Valley View, which defeated them in the first half.
DIVISION III
Montrose at Mountain View
Here's a key game to watch Thursday. Montrose is at Mountain View. Let's face it, Montrose is being asked to do an awful lot this week. Since Friday's regular-season finale, the Meteors have already player three games in five days! Now they open the second half against a physically strong team on the road.
With the first-half title in hand, Montrose may have to try and find a time in the second half to rest some starters. Don't forget the Meteors have a rematch with Lackawanna Trail on Saturday -- that will be their fifth game in nine days.
Thursday's schedule
Scranton at Abington Heights, 7:15
Scranton Prep at West Scranton, 7:15
North Pocono at Wallenpaupack, 7:30
Honesdale at Delaware Valley, 7:30
Division II
Dunmore at Riverside, 7:20
Holy Cross at Lakeland, 6
Old Forge at Valley View, 7:15
Mid Valley at Carbondale, 7:30
Division III
Forest City at Elk Lake, 6
Montrose at Mountain View, 7:30
Lackawanna Trail at Susquehanna, 6
Western Wayne at Blue Ridge, 7:30