Miners pull away from Wreckers

Emily Zoscin walked off the court Thursday evening with a bouquet of flowers, a balloon and a special sign noting her achievements. One thing that the feisty and highly-competitive junior hoopster didn’t get was a victory.

Minersville spoiled Zoscin’s and her teammates’ quest for a Weatherly signature win, defeating the Wreckers, 77-47.

The loss was upsetting, but the Battlin’ Miners are the defending PIAA Class 2A champions, and seasoned enough to make a second straight run at a trip to Hershey’s Giant Center come late March. They are also three-time defending Schuylkill Girls’ Basketball League champions.

The anticipation for Zoscin to score her career 1,000th point was captivating, with nearly the entire student body holding a countdown placard every time Zoscin made a trip up or down the floor.

With four minutes and nine seconds to go in the third quarter, Zoscin nailed two free throws for her milestone. By that time, Minersville had it in cruise control, leading 50-37.

“She’s a great player and she earned it,” said Minersville coach Jared Homa. “Believe me, we wanted to try and stop her and make her earn that final point. Our players have a lot of pride in playing defense. She did what she needed to do, and that’s a great accomplishment for an outstanding player.”

The Miners blanketed her with two and sometimes three players.

“Yes it was a big relief, but I really would have wanted a win just as much, if not more, than getting my (1000th) point,” said Zoscin as she led her team with 18 points.

The difference-makers were a trio of Minersville scorers. Alexandra Kroznuskie, a sophomore, poured in a game-high 24 points. Triple-bomber Emily Kriston drained 19, including four threes, and senior Maggie Wigoda had 18 points and 16 rebounds.

“They’ve got so much balance, there isn’t any one player who you can key on,” said Weatherly coach Kevin Kringe. “They’re so good and well-rounded. We have a great player in Emily, who earned every one of her points tonight. They tripled-teamed her at times. They’re a great team, and I think we’re really going to learn from this.”

The Wreckers never backed down, leading 7-4 early, before trailing 19-10 after the first quarter. The visitors started to exhort their talents late in the second quarter to take command. Weatherly pulled to within 28-21 thanks to Tabitha Hinkle, Megan Peifer and Zoscin. Hinkle buried a triple. Peifer sank a deuce and Zoscin was added four points in the rally.

“When we cut it there, we just couldn’t capitalize,” said Kringe. They just took control right before the half, and it was their balance that took over.”

The Miners spread it all around. They rang up a 12-2 rally and zoomed off to a 42-27 lead at the half.

ADDING TO THE CAUSE … Junior Lindsey Hoffman had a strong effort with 10 points for Weatherly, while Peifer led the way off the glass with 12 rebounds.

THE OPENER … Minersville eked out a 34-30 victory in the JV contest. Taking honors for Weatherly were Abigail Hernandez and DeAnna Strouse with nine points each. Grace Miller tossed in eight.

MINERSVILLE

Kroznuskie 8-3-4-24, Kriston 7-1-1-19, Wigoda 7-4-4-18, Graeff 3-0-0-6, Horan 2-0-0-4, Whalen 2-0-0-4, Motley 0-2-2-4, Hossler 0-0-1-0, Arroyo 0-0-0-0, Corby 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 29-10-12-77.

WEATHERLY

Zoscin 5-7-8-18, Hoffman 4-0-0-10, T. Hinkle 3-12-7, Peifer 3-1-2-7, James 2-0-0-5, G. Hinkle 0-0-0-0, Hernandez 0-0-0-0, Barnes 0-0-0-0, Heister 0-0-0-0, Provizzi 0-0-0-0, Cichon 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 17-9-12-47.

Minersville 19 23 19 16 – 77

Weatherly 10 17 13 7 - 47

Three-points: M - Kroznuskie 5, Kriston 4. W - Hoffman 2, Zoscin 1, James 1.