DV and Scranton Prep hang tough through a hard-fought game

Wednesday night, Feb. 10, Delaware Valley braced up to play Scranton Prep.

Scranton Prep is one of those private schools that can draw or recruit players from anywhere that they see fit. It is a big advantage over public schools who can only suit up athletes from their actual school districts.

Having seen some of the powerful teams that Prep put on the floor in years past I was expecting DV to experience a pretty sound beating to the tune of a 20 to 30 point loss. But DV had other plans for the night.

In the first period both teams were struggling with outside shooting but the inside game for both was strong. The period ended with Prep up 8-6. Now the scoring was low because DV was playing the absolute best defense that I ever saw them play. Poor outside shooting from both teams also contributed to a low period scoring. Finally although both teams rebounded well on defense both were weak on the offensive boards.

In my day we were always highly motivated to get offensive rebounds because that can give you a second and third shot at scoring. No matter where we were on the court trying to get open for a shot, the second someone squared up to shoot, as soon as the ball left his hands we all crashed the boards for that all important offensive rebound. This could make a big difference in point totals.

Well anyway in the second period DV started making their move. At one point they were up by 6 points and it became clear that DV was really here to play tonight. The half ended with DV up 19-15.

In the 3rd period Prep woke up and DV ran cold and at one point fell 7 behind. They refused to quit though and closed out the third slightly behind 30-27.

In the final period DV came back to life but so did Prep. At this point it was a shooting gallery. Scoring for DV was Lukas Schutz, Mike Leonardo and Mark Cavallaro. The lead went back and forth by one point margins. Prep manager to finally spread their lead to 3 as the game wound down. DV had two final attempts at 3 point shots but missed both, and had to settle for a moral victory for playing Scranton Prep so tough and taking them to the final seconds. Prep won out in the end by a score of 44-41.

My compliments to DV for playing so tough and keeping this game so close. I have seen their toughness in the past but this was one of the best yet. Prep must be admonished also for not quitting and hanging in for a hard fought victory.