Drew Sechleer’s FTs lift Comets past Hazleton Area

Drew Sechleer’s two free throws with no time showing on the clock gave Crestwood a thrilling 43-42 victory over WVC Division 1 rival Hazleton Area last week in the latest chapter of the boys’ basketball rivalry. He finished with a gamehigh 24 points, none bigger than the two free throws he hit after being fouled on a desperation three-point attempt with time winding down.

Sechleer’s heroics dashed a big comeback by visiting Hazleton Area, which rallied from a 37-27 deficit early in the fourth quarter. The Cougars’ 11-0 run, capped by Luke Gennaro’s 3-pointer, put them in front for the first time all game at 38-37, but it was short-lived.

Chaz Wright’s driving basket and Mason Czapla’s score in the lane made it 41-38, Comets, with 3:14 to play. The Cougars responded with two Chris Catrone free throws and a Gennaro layup that had them back in front 42-41 with 2:29 left.

After a Cougar missed free throw and a held ball, beat Berwick in a WVC Division 1 game last week at Berwick.

Crestwood had possession with 10 seconds remaining, and Sechleer was fouled on what became a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer.

Sechleer delivered the game-winning points, giving him a game-leading 24 points on the night.

Gennaro paced the Cougars with 18 points and Sammy Guzman added a dozen.

Burbank led all scorers with 17 points, Wright had 15 and Drew Sechleer contributed 11 for the Comets (11-9, 6-6 WVC).

Sean Murphy paced Berwick with 14 points. Billy Hanson and Jace DeGroat each netted 11.

CRESTWOOD (58) - R. Sechleer 0 0-0 0, A. Porro 0 0-0 0, D. Johnson 1 0-0 3, D. Sechleer 4 1-2 11, C. Wright 5 5-10 15, B. Burbank 7 2-2 17, M. Sklarosky 2 4-4 8, J. Hilpp 0 0-0 0, M.

Czapla 1 0-0 2, R. Tejeda 0 0-0 0, G. Jennings 1 0-0 2, J. Feisel 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 12-18 58.

BERWICK (41) - S. Murphy 7 6-7 21, B. Hanson 5 0-0 11, M. Lonczynski 2 0-0 5, J. Howie 1

1-4 3, J. Degroat 0 2-2 2, N. Marquez 0 0-2 0, K. Hickman 0 0-0 0, F. Ramiro 0 0-0 0, Totals 15 9-15 42.

Crestwood.....15 13 15 15 - 58

Berwick.........11 12 9 9 - 41 the rest of the way.

3-pointers: D. Sechleer 2, Johnson, Burbank, DeGroat 3, Murphy 2, Hanson, Lonczynski.

Cadence Hiller and Jordan Andrews added 11 and eight points, respectively, for the winners.

For Williamsport (5-11), Alexandra Chilson led the way with 17 points. Payton Baney added 11 and Nadrah Tutler had 10.

Crestwood..........14 10 11 8 – 43

Crestwood 58, Berwick 41 - Brandon

Burbank and Chaz Wright combined for all 15 of the Comets’ points in the third quarter to help the Comets