First Posted: 2/21/2014
We’ve all seen the picture that captures our eyes and our imaginations. Well, one Sunday in 1984 gave the Greater Pittston area readers plenty of that. Then-photographer Ken Feeney decided to get an aerial look at the action between Pittston Area and Wyoming Valley West on the hardwood. He was way before his time, especially at the high school level. You’ll see photos such as these by the Associated Press or Getty Images from time-to-time, but not often. Kudos to you, Ken, for risking the livelihood of your camera. I’ve seen some pretty incredible air balls in my time. Check out the details from 1984 below.
February 2004
Three local basketball teams were ousted from the District 2 playoffs in the first round. The seasons ended for Wyoming Area boys and girls, and Pittston Area boys.
In the 3A boys game, Wyoming Area was upset at home by Dallas, 60-53. In girls 3A, the Warriors were in Scranton where they lost 57-34. Cara Bell scored 11 points, while Angie Kleback had eight.
Pittston Area lost to Tunkhannock 59-57 in the boys 4A game. The Tigers hit a late three for the win. Paul Chmiel led the Patriots with 18 points.
February 1994
Seton Catholic’s boys basketball season came to an end with an 87-71 final at the hands of Northwest. Kevin Silinskie and two other seniors — Donnie George and John Cicon — were honored for their final game.
Silinskie scored a game-high 26 points in his final game. The Eagles finished the season 3-13 in the Wyoming Valley Conference and 5-17 overall.
This was coach Art Kunigel’s first shot as a varsity head coach. The Eagles finished the season 39 percent from the free throw line.
February 1984
Pittston Area boys basketball team lost two games this week. The second loss was 49-40 against Coughlin.
However, in the first game of the week, Dispatch photographer Ken Feeney got some of the coolest photos you’ll ever see in a small, local newspaper. Ken used a remote-control camera to get shots, literally, ‘above the rim.’ Pittston Area ended up losing to Wyoming Valley West 58-52, but the photos show much more than that.
The Dispatch ran about six ‘above-the-rim’ shots in that Sunday’s edition. And, to my knowledge, it hasn’t been done since.
February 1974
Wyoming Area pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the Wyoming Valley Conference when they went to Bishop Hoban and came away with a 76-73 win over the Argents.
Four Warriors scored in double figures with George Oschal’s 22 points leading the way. Paul Gillespie had 18 points, Mike Supczynski had 17 and Mike Perlock finished with 10.
