OLD FORGE – The Pittston Area girls basketball team turned a highly efficient offensive start into the game’s first 22 points Saturday afternoon while breezing to the title of the Anthony “Badger” Marseco Tournament with a 54-17 rout of host Old Forge.

With well-rounded efforts from Daniella Ranieli and Maddie Karp leading the way, the Lady Patriots needed just 11 possessions to score the 22 points.

“The last few games, we did not come out from the tip very well,” Pittston Area coach Jeff Gregory said. “It was something we were focusing on. I didn’t think the other night we came out at the beginning of the first or third quarter very well. So, we really put some emphasis today on having a little energy to start the game.

“They responded and we got off to a tremendous start.”

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Ranieli finished with 18 points, five defensive rebounds and five assists.

The all-state guard had plenty of help.

Karp wound up with nine points, four assists and two steals. Lili Hintze joined Ranieli in double figures, scoring 10 points.

“Our other people are starting to come along,” Gregory said. “As quickly as they come along will determine how successful we will be.

“We just need more consistency.”

Ranieli and Karp were prominent in the fast start. Ranieli had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in the first 5:45 while Karp had seven points, three rebounds two assists and a steal.

The 22-0 lead was the result of shooting 7-for-10 from the floor, 4-for-6 on 3-pointers and 4-for-4 from the line without committing a turnover.

Ranieli made her first two 3-point attempts while Karp and Lili Hintze each made their first. Ranieli made the four free throws.

The Lady Patriots went up 7-0 without missing a shot, leading to Old Forge calling its first timeout with 6:35 still remaining in the first.

Ranieli opened the game with a 3-pointer, then hit two free throws before Karp took a steal the length of the court.

Once Pittston Area missed for the first time, Ranieli retrieved the rebound and hit Ranieli for a 3-pointer and 10-0 lead.

Karp and Hintze added their 3-pointers, leading to the next Old Forge timeout at 16-0 with 3:48 still left in the first.

Ranieli’s three defensive rebounds led to the last six points of the run. She pushed the ball up the floor to assist baskets by Karp and Katie Chernouskas and went all the way to the basket to draw, which she converted into two points.

Ella O’Brien came off the bench to chip in two steals and two blocked shots on defense.

Jewlya McCullon led Old Forge with seven points and three assists.