OK, the spring sports season got going full-steam ahead — then of course we had a snow storm — but tennis teams are playing and getting their matches in.
Let’s begin by explaining what we do here ON THE BLOG.
Throughout the season, we will try our best to keep you posted on all of the happenings, while also maintaining records and posting rankings, which we try to compile to the best of our abilities.
All records are based upon matches that are reported to The Times-Tribune on a regular basis. Coaches can email results to sports@timesshamrock.com. Please try to get the results emailed in as quickly as possible to Herb Smith.
Also, because of the weather in NEPA please try and report postponements to the best of your ability, as well. Keeping track of all these records is very difficult.
We will publish a post — hopefully EVERY WEDNESDAY — however, there will be weeks when there are important matches on a Wednesday, so naturally that date will be pushed back a day or two. But keep reading and we will do our best.
So, without further delay, here’s what we have to start the season.
Right off the bat, Scranton, which many coaches picked as a sleeper team in the preseason, knocked off Delaware Valley, the favorite and defending league champion.
That certainly shook things up a bit.
Scranton 3, Delaware Valley 2
Singles: Tomas Reese (DV) over Harsh Patel, 6-1, 6-1; Peter Wilson (DV) over Camus Howie, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Mit Patel (SCR) over Matt Lombardo, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Doubles: Tirth Patel-Pujan Patel (SCR) over Ryan Mrozinski-Tim Leonard, 6-3, 7-5; Maulih Patel-Sneh Desai (SCR) over Nick Strzalka-Patrick Moniot, 6-3, 6-3.
Records: SCR 1-0, DV 0-1.
2019 SEASON
TOP TEAMS
After the first couple of match dates, we have our first official rankings of the 2019 season. Delaware Valley would have started at No. 1, but after its opening-match loss will have to battle back to return to the poll.
Abington Heights seized the No. 1 spot with a pair of 5-0 wins to open the season. Scranton Prep is in at No. 2 and Scranton debuts at No. 3. Then, Holy Cross, which handed Abington Heights a loss last season, is at No. 4 and Valley View, a program that coach Jerry Pickard always has in the hunt, is at No. 5.
WEEK 1 POLL
1 |
Abington Heights COMETS |
2–0 |
|
2 |
Scranton Prep CAVALIERS |
2–0 |
|
3 |
Scranton KNIGHTS |
1–0 |
|
4 |
Holy Cross CRUSADERS |
1–0 |
|
5 |
Valley View COUGARS |
2–0 |
SEASON RECORDS
TOP PLAYERS
Western Wayne’s Lenny Maiocco is bigger, stronger and faster and is coming off a Player of the Year award as a freshman. Not going to be easy to knock him off from the No. 1 ranking he has held since last season.
There are plenty of outstanding players. Delaware Valley’s Tomas Reese and Holy Cross’ Logan Gregory were All-Region players in 2018.
WEEK 1 RANKING
1 |
Lenny MAIOCCO WESTERN WAYNE |
1–0 |
|
2 |
Tomas REESE DELAWARE VALLEY |
1–0 |
|
3 |
Rory HARRIS ABINGTON HEIGHTS |
2–0 |
|
4 |
Logan GREGORY HOLY CROSS |
1–0 |
|
5 |
Carlo POSSANZA VALLEY VIEW |
2–0 |
SINGLES RECORDS
SCHEDULE
TODAY
Delaware Valley at Riverside
Montrose at Mid Valley
Holy Cross at North Pocono
Holy Cross at Western Wayne
THURSDAY
West Scranton at North Pocono
Scranton Prep at Western Wayne
Abington Heights at Holy Cross
Honesdale at Valley View
Dunmore at Mid Valley
Montrose at Delaware Valley
Riverside at Scranton
MONDAY
Valley View at Western Wayne
North Pocono at Mid Valley
Delaware Valley at Wallenpaupack
Scranton at West Scranton
Scranton Prep at Riverside
Holy Cross at Montrose
Honesdale at Dunmore
STANDINGS
AS OF MARCH 27
W |
L |
|
Abington Heights |
2 |
0 |
Scranton Prep |
2 |
0 |
Valley View |
2 |
0 |
Holy Cross |
1 |
0 |
Mid Valley |
1 |
0 |
Scranton |
1 |
0 |
West Scranton |
1 |
0 |
Honesdale |
1 |
1 |
Delaware Valley |
0 |
1 |
Montrose |
0 |
1 |
Riverside |
0 |
1 |
Western Wayne |
0 |
1 |
Dunmore |
0 |
2 |
North Pocono |
0 |
2 |
Wallenpaupack |
0 |
2 |
Joby Fawcett has covered high school sports — including football, girls and boys volleyball, girls and boys tennis, girls and boys swimming, boys basketball, girls and boys track and field, and girls and boys lacrosse — for 22 years. The High School Sports Blog offers deeper insights plus statistical and historical information for fans and features photos, videos and graphics along with Top 5 polls for tennis and volleyball. Contact: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5367; @sportsTT