6 hours Ago By Steve Bennett
YATESVILLE — Based off his offensive numbers on any given night, Pittston Area’s Silvio Giardina always can be counted on for making a big shot, a key pass or drawing a foul on a drive to the basket. With 21 points Friday night against Hazleton Area, it was just another typical night for the shooting guard. But when the Patriots needed him the most, it was his effort on the defensive end of the floor that preserved a Pittston Area victory.
Giardina gathered a missed Hazleton shot and kicked it out to Aiden Lynn, who was eventually fouled, and the Patriots held on for a 53-50 victory at home. “I always tell Silvio he has to come up with the plays,” Pittston Area coach Al Semenza said. “Tonight, he made the play of the game with the steal.
” The win will make for an interesting stretch run in Division 1. Pittston Area is 8-3 in the division and 13-7 overall. Hazleton Area is 6-4 and 9-11.
The Patriots battle for the top seed in the Class 5A District 2 playoff race, while Hazleton Area looks to hold on to the third seed in Class 6A. “The focus is on getting better,” Hazleton Area coach Pat Brogan said. “They played harder than we did for almost three quarters.
The better team won tonight. Our focus is to get better. “We play Valley West on Tuesday, and we have to beat Valley West.
” Friday night was quite the turnaround from the two teams’ previous meeting, when the Cougars won at Hazleton Area, 76-47. Semenza went with a triangle defense the second time around, managing to hold Hazleton Area’s Dylan Stish to three field goals — none of which came in the first half. A 3-pointer by Stish with 1:19 left in the game gave the Cougars a 50-49 lead to cap a 7-0 run and erase a six-point deficit.
Pittston Area’s Paul Jordan McGarry, who finished with 13 points, made one of his two free throws, tying the game with 1:05 left. Next up, it was Lucas Lopresto’s turn to toe the foul line, as he made a pair with 13.2 left to put the Patriots ahead.
Semenza then called a timeout to set up his defense. Once the Cougars crossed midcourt, Brogan called timeout to set up the final play. Pittston Area had one foul to give and took it with 9.
4. That set up Hazleton Area’s last effort to try and tie the game. “Two weeks ago, we were in real trouble,” Semenza said.
“We went through a couple three-game losing streaks. I’m really proud of what they did tonight. “Matt Walter, off the boards, was sensation.
The job, defensively, Aiden Lynn did. The way Lucas Lopresto guarded (Dylan) Stish. Now we hope we are playing our best basketball all year.
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