By Steve Svetovich
Scranton Prep defeated the top ranked Dunmore Lady Bucks, 44-28, in the 17th annual girls Lynett Memorial Basketball Tournament Sunday, December 29, at the Lackawanna College Student Union.
The Lady Classics ended Dunmore’s four-year championship run with a strong defensive effort.
Prep held Dunmore to only three baskets over the final three quarters.
Tournament MVP Rachael Rose scored 12 of her game-high 18 points in the second half.
Lizzie Neville played a strong defensive game for the Lady Classics. Meredith Purcell had a game high eight rebounds and three steals for Prep.
Maria Belardi, Maggie Mills and Cecelia Collins all contributed on the offensive end, hitting big shots for Prep.
The Lady Classics (8-0 at press time) never trailed in the game as coach Bob Beviglia’s tight defense held Dunmore to 3-for-21 shooting over the final three quarters.
Neville’s steal on the first possession set the tempo for the contest.
After Dunmore (6-1 at press time) hit on four 3-pointers, two by Mia Blume, in the first quarter, the Prep defense tightened up.
The second half began with two Scranton Prep steals and scores. However, Blume’s floater in the lane brought Dunmore to within 25-23.
Two field goals by Rose put Prep ahead, 29-23.
Prep then stretched the lead to 42-25 before Dunmore’s Ciera Toomey, an All-Tournament pick, hit on a 3-pointer. By then it was too late for the Lady Bucks.
Dunmore sophomore Moriah Murray led her team with 12 points and five assists in the loss. Toomey had seven rebounds. Blume scored eight points.
The Lady Bucks easily defeated the Scranton Lady Knights, 63-27, in the Lynett Memorial Tournament girls semifinal contest Friday, December 27, at the Lackawanna College Student Union.
The Lady Bucks totaled 20 assists on 24 field goals in the win.
Toomey led the team with 18 points and was one of five players with at least three assists for Dunmore’s team oriented offense under coach Ben O’Brien.
O’Brien called the defensive communication and team effort the keys to the easy win.
The Dunmore defense forced 17 first half turnovers and the Lady Bucks had a commanding 16-2 lead after the first quarter.
Blume added 11 points in the win. Murray had nine points, five steals, five rebounds and four assists. Gianna Delfino scored five points and had four assists. Anna Talutto came off the bench and had four steals for Dunmore. Alexis Chapman scored eight points for Dunmore.
