First Posted: 1/16/2015
YATESVILLE – Alan Kiesinger inserted freshman Alex McAndrew into the Pittston Area starting lineup in hopes of finding a boost for the team’s floundering offense.
Kiesinger got much more than he asked for Friday night.
McAndrew, making his fourth varsity start, reached his scoring high by halftime, led the defensive effort and also made contributions with his rebounding and passing when the Patriots blew out host Dallas, 76-44, in a meeting of the bottom two teams in the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 standings.
While senior Tyler McGarry, the team’s season scoring leader, was scoring 30 points, the Patriots got offensive help from their younger players.
McAndrew made all four of his shots from the floor, including a pair of 3-pointers, while finishing with 16 points, five steals, five rebounds and four assists.
“He did a tremendous job finding open guys,” Kiesinger said. “He got his hands on a ton of balls. He had a ton of deflections.
“He was tremendous tonight.”
Sophomore Joe Delucca came off the bench to go 3-for-5 on 3-pointers while scoring more than a point per minute and also hitting his career-high with 11 points.
Pittston Area (1-4, 5-9) ended a three-game losing streak by hitting its season-high in scoring while exceeding its average offensive output by more than 29 points.
“That’s the best the team has played,” Kiesinger said.
The Patriots were at their best in a 27-10 second quarter to build a 37-17 halftime lead. Delucca had eight points while McGarry and McAndrew had seven each in the quarter.
“It’s best an amazing experience,” McAndrew said of landing in the starting lineup. “I’m having some much fun out there.
“I just had open shots and I made them.”
McAndrew produced on both ends of the floor. He made five steals, knocked away three other passes and stepped into the passing lane to force another turnover.
“I was cheating out a little, using my length against them and trying to tip some passes,” McAndrew said.
McAndrew averaged 3.7 points in the first 10 games, at times finishing as the team’s second-leading scorer while coming off the bench. His average remained there while scoring 11 points in his first three starts before exceeding that total with a 12-point first half against Dallas (0-5, 3-10).
The freshman had five points in the first quarter when Pittston Area took a 10-5 lead.
Delucca entered the game with 4:52 left in the half and the Patriots ahead 25-10. He scored the game’s next five points and the rout was on.
“Joe gave us some big minutes,” Kiesinger said.
McGarry had 20 points in the second half and also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
Michael Delaney led the Patriots with six assists.
Allen Fell scored 10 points to lead Dallas, but Pittston Area held the 6-foot-6 senior center without a field goal in the first half.
Wyoming Area 58, MMI 46
Wyoming Area also had a breakthrough night Friday.
The Warriors won their first game since the 2012-13 season earlier this season, then came through with their first home win.
Friday’s 58-46 win over MMI Prep in a Division 2-3 crossover represented the end of a 22-game WVC losing streak for Wyoming Area.
Jeremy Zezza scored 28 points in the game and the Warriors defense held the Preppers to 22 points in the first three quarters.
Freshman P.J. Angeli added two 3-pointers while scoring seven.
Lake-Lehman 70, Wyoming Area 43
Lake-Lehman took charge early on the way to a 70-43 Division 2 romp over visiting Wyoming Area Tuesday night.
The Black Knights opened a 21-10 lead after one quarter, then extended it to 42-18 at halftime and 58-27 after three quarters.
Mike Symeon scored 14 points and Brian Devine added 11 for Lake-Lehman.
Jeremy Zezza scored 10 points and Evan Musto had nine for Wyoming Area. P.J. Angeli hit a pair of 3-pointers while scoring six.
Hazleton Area 62, Pittston Area 32
Hazleton Area destroyed host Pittston Area in the first half on the way to a 62-32 rout in a Division 1 game Tuesday night.
After Pittston Area managed just one first-quarter field goal, the Cougars outscored the Patriots, 26-10, in the second quarter to take a 45-14 halftime lead.
Zach Zukoski led Hazleton Area with 11 points.
Pittston Area was led by Tyler McGarry with nine and Jordan Black with eight.
