Both 17U teams dropped close, high-scoring games early Sunday to conclude the NEPA Elite boys program’s participation in The Hoop Group’s Pittsburgh Jam Fest at the Lawrence Convention Center.
The Coyle 17U and Cooper 17U teams were the last from NEPA Elite to be active in bracket play at the event, which began Friday and wrapped up for some teams Saturday.
New York Lightning HGSL pulled out a 77-75 victory over NEPA Elite Coyle 17U in the 17 HGSL-3 Sweet 16 Losers Bracket. DuBois Dream downed NEPA Elite Cooper 17U, 78-71, in the 17 Allegheny Sweet 16 Losers Bracket game.
The Coyle team finished 2-2 in bracket play after losing a Hoop Group Showcase League game to begin the weekend. The Cooper team went 1-2.
Danny Nemitz and Will Marion led the Coyle team with 18 points each. Gabe Gonzales scored 12 and Eli Yusavage added 10.
Nemitz is from Mid Valley, Marion from Abington Heights, Gonzales from Holy Cross and Yusavage from Valley View.
The Cooper team showed outstanding balance with Mason Fedor scoring 13 points to lead the way. The team’s two players from Pocono Mountain West, Justin Love and Julian Pagan, joined Fedor in double figures with 12 and 11 points.
James Pettinato added nine points, Kellen Casey eight and Joe Macciocco seven.
Fedor is from Abington Heights, Pettinato and Casey from Scranton Prep and Macciocco from Old Forge.