The Pittston Area boys basketball team is way ahead of schedule just eight days into the 2018-19 season.
Despite losing eight seniors to graduation, the Patriots are already halfway to last season’s win total. They are 3-1 after needing 15 games to get the third win in 2017-18.
“We have a lot more work to do,” Patriots coach Alan Kiesinger said. “But to come out our first four games, playing four really good teams, to be 3-1 out of that, that’s really good for our guys.
“I’m really proud of the effort they’ve given us and are really giving to each other.”
Pittston Area has put up the strong start despite facing teams that are a combined 7-4 in their other games.
Teamwork on both ends of the floor has been a big part of finding early success with a small, inexperienced lineup.
“When they play together, they really move the ball well and, defensively, they help each other,” Kiesinger said. “These guys play for each other.”
Pittston Area has three guards averaging in double figures in points. Two of them, Brennan Higgins and Logan Booth, are among the team’s most experienced players, but junior Mike George has been leading the way with more than 17 per game.
“He’s willing to do whatever it takes to win,” Kiesinger said of George, who, though usually one of the smallest players on the floor has shown the athleticism needed to be effective. “ … He has that laid-back attitude. You can just see that nothing really rattles him.
“Nothing gets to him and he’s just a tough kid.”
Pittston Area 59
West Scranton 52
The Patriots showed their toughness as a team Friday night, recovering from a 24-6 deficit early in the second quarter to pull out an overtime win at home.
Logan Booth hit a 3-pointer from the left corner with 35 seconds left in the third quarter for the first Pittston Area lead, 35-33.
West Scranton ran off the next nine points for a seven-point, fourth-quarter lead, but Pittston Area rallied again.
Booth had seven points in a 9-0 run to the lead.
Brennan Higgins hit one of two free throws with 50.3 seconds left for the last point of regulation, forcing overtime.
Booth’s drive and Andrew Krawczyk’s 3-pointer from the top of the key opened the overtime scoring, putting Pittston Area ahead, 52-47.
West Scranton got within four points three times, but never got any closer.
Higgins made all four of his overtime free throws, finishing 12-for-13 to share the team scoring lead with 16 points.
Booth also had 16, including nine in the fourth quarter, then the basket that put the team ahead to stay on the first possession of overtime.
Mike George had 14 points.
Krawczyk scored five of his eight points in overtime.
Cayden Merrifield hit four 3-pointers and had 20 points to lead West Scranton.
Pittston Area 64
North Pocono 49
Mike George scored 20 points and Brennan Higgins added 19 to lead Pittston Area to a win Wednesday in its only road game to date.
Holy Cross 60
Pittston Area 47
Unbeaten Holy Cross handed Pittston Area its only loss Monday.
The Crusaders were state semifinalists last season, along with Lackawanna League Division 3 and District 2 Class 2A champions.
Mike George hit three 3-pointers in the loss.
George (14), Logan Booth (12) and Brennan Higgins (10) all scored in double figures for the Patriots.
