Dallas Mountaineers Surge Past Hazleton Cougars in Thrilling Match

The Dallas Mountaineers secured a decisive 75-55 victory over the Hazleton Area Cougars on February 3, 2024, at the Hughie McGeehan Gymnasium. Despite a competitive first half that saw the Cougars leading 30-29, the Mountaineers dominated the second half, outscoring their opponents 46-25 to maintain their position at the top of the Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) Division 1 standings.

Mountaineers head coach Mark Belenski emphasized the importance of avoiding complacency after observing Hazleton Area’s struggles in their previous game against Crestwood. Understanding the Cougars’ potential, particularly given their challenging non-conference schedule, Belenski prepared his team for a fierce contest.

The first half proved to be a back-and-forth affair. Both teams exchanged leads multiple times, with the Cougars’ YoYo Moran showcasing his skills by scoring eight of his team-high 19 points in the opening quarter. Hazleton Area took advantage of early offensive rebounds, building a six-point lead at one point. Dallas managed to tie the game at 19-19 by the end of the first quarter, thanks to contributions from Joey Nocito and Tyce Mason.

As the game progressed into the second quarter, the lead continued to shift. The Cougars maintained a slender advantage until halftime, but the momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter. Dallas launched a powerful 23-9 run, leveraging their physicality and strategic adjustments. Belenski noted, “We really stepped up and took away their offensive boards and we were able to get out and run.”

The Mountaineers’ resurgence began with improved shooting from beyond the arc. After failing to make a three-pointer in the first half, Dallas quickly hit three in their first three possessions of the third quarter. Kael Berry and Mason played pivotal roles in this surge, helping to extend Dallas’s lead to 46-37 by the end of the third quarter.

Coach Pat Brogan of Hazleton Area acknowledged missed opportunities that could have secured a stronger position for his team. He remarked, “We should have been ahead by at least eight points in the first half… You can’t miss opportunities against a good team.” Brogan emphasized the need for his players to improve their physical strength, stating, “They were just physically stronger than us.”

In the final quarter, Dallas maintained their momentum, with Pat Flanagan emerging as a key player. Flanagan scored 11 points in the fourth period and contributed significantly to the defensive efforts that prevented Hazleton Area from closing the gap. Flanagan commented on the team’s focus, declaring, “We came out after halftime ready to punch. That’s all it is — focus.”

Despite the loss, Hazleton Area (5-8, 2-2) remains optimistic about their season, with Brogan highlighting the parity in their league. “There are going to be losses for teams in our league because there’s a lot of parity,” he said.

With this victory, Dallas improved to an overall record of 11-3 and solidified their position in the WVC with a 4-0 league record. Looking ahead, Belenski noted that upcoming games against Wilkes-Barre and Crestwood will be crucial as the competition intensifies. “If you take a night off, you get caught… It’s kids. It’s high school basketball. That’s what makes it so much fun,” he added.

The game statistics reflect the Mountaineers’ dominance in the second half, with a total of 27 field goals and 15 free throws. Meanwhile, Hazleton Area managed 10 field goals, relying heavily on Moran and Dylan Stish, who contributed 14 points. The contrasting performances in the second half ultimately determined the outcome, emphasizing the competitive nature of high school basketball in the region.