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WILKES-BARRE — Holy Redeemer guard Justice Shoats demonstrated why he’s one of the most dynamic players in Wyoming Valley Conference boys basketball. Three times in the first quarter Friday night, the reigning Times Leader Player of the Year broke away for dunks.
But when Shoats was quieted the rest of the way for the most part, his backcourt running mates had their chance to shine.
Sophomore guard Zach Perta led a much-needed burst in the fourth quarter and sophomore guard Darryl Wright dished out nine assists as the Royals defeated Nanticoke Area 55-39 in a Division 2 game that was much closer than the final score indicated.
Redeemer (2-1 Div. 2, 2-3) kept right behind idle Wyoming Seminary in the divisional standings. Seminary had its game postponed due to a COVID-19 issue with Dallas. The Blue Knights filled the schedule gap with a game with Wyoming Valley West on Saturday night.
Nanticoke Area (0-1 Div. 2, 3-2) chased a first-quarter deficit started by Shoats’ second dunk. The Trojans moved within 26-25 midway through the third on a 3-pointer by Sincere Shiloh, but Redeemer cut off the rally with a 6-0 run started with a fastbreak layup by Shoats and ended with a steal and layup by Perta.
The Trojans had three opportunities to either tie or take the lead in the fourth, with the last of those possessions coming with 5:20 left on a pair of free throws by Jake Krupinski to cut Redeemer’s advantage to 39-37.
Perta ended the threat by scoring the next seven points as part of his 17-point night. He canned a 3-pointer, scored on a fastbreak off a turnover and added two free throws.
“He had a really had a good year for us last year in JV ball and working in practice against the varsity guys,” Redeemer coach Paul Guido said. “We really liked the stuff he did last year and knew he could help us out this year. But I think he’s been a little better than expected.”
Shoats continued the run with a nifty move on a drive to the hoop. He then added a free throw after a steal by Wright. Big man Matt Prociak ended the 12-0 run with an inside basket. Prociak led all scorers with 19 points.
Nanticoke Area did a respectable job handling the ball after six turnovers in the first quarter. The issue was Redeemer was able to transition quickly when the Trojans made a mistake.
“Unfortunately, the turnovers we had resulted in fastbreak points for them,” Nanticoke Area coach Zach Pientka said. “The guys knew that was going to be an issue today. We talked about it before the game that if we give up turnovers and give up possessions we’re not going to get them back later in the game.”
JJ Bielecki led Nanticoke Area with 13 followed by Krupinski, who recorded a double-double of 11 points and 13 boards.
Holy Redeemer 55, Nanticoke Area 39
NANTICOKE AREA (39) — Luke Myers 1 0-0 3, JJ Bielecki 5 0-0 13, Sincere Shiloh 2 2-6 7, Jake Krupinski 4 2-2 11, Joe Fox 1 0-0 3, Justin Spencer 1 0-0 2, Owen Brown 0 0-0 0, Peyton Kepp 0 0-0 0, Colin Mackiewicz 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 4-8 39.
HOLY REDEEMER (55) — Zach Perta 6 2-2 17, Justice Shoats 6 2-4 14, Darryl Wright 0 0-0 0, Jake Pizzolato 1 0-0 2, Matt Prociak 8 1-2 19, Matt Carty 1 0-0 3, Alex Hajkowski 0 0-0 0, Peter Khoudary 0 0-2 0. Totals 22 5-10 55.
Nanticoke Area`8`11`10`10 — 39
Holy Redeemer`13`10`14`18 — 55
Three-point goals: NA 7 (Myers, Bielecki 3, Shiloh, Krupinski, Fox). HR 6 (Perta 3, Prociak 2, Carty).