WILKES-BARRE – The state Class 6A semifinalist Hazleton Area Cougars were the only team Dallas could not beat in Wyoming Valley Conference boys basketball play this season.

The Mountaineers did not have to try Monday night.

Three players each from the WVC’s two most powerful teams joined forced to make up more than half the roster while leading the conference’s top seniors to a 115-91 romp over the Lackawanna League in the first Battle of the Valley All-Star Classic at Wilkes University’s Marts Center.

“They’re on my (JB Hoops) AAU team,” Alex Charlton said of Hazleton Area’s Jeff Planutis, Joey Grula and Josh Samec who joined him and Dallas teammate Jay Bittner in the spring and summer. “They’re some of my best friends, so it was awesome to get back together and play with them.

“We have good team chemistry, so it was fun.”

Charlton, Bittner and Joey Parsons represented Dallas in the game.

Planutis led the WVC in scoring with 20 points, while Charlton was one of seven players to score in double figures and was also a big part of the run that put the team in control.

Charlton scored 11 points, including a powerful dunk in transition as part of a 9-0 run to a 41-28 lead with 4:10 left in the first half. The Lackawanna League never got closer than six again.

“It was just fun to go out and compete and let go,” said Charlton, who said the WVC thought it probably had the stronger team going into the game.

Charlton went 5-for-11 from the floor and made a 3-pointer. He also grabbed four rebounds and had an assist, steal and blocked shot.

Bittner had six points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. He was 3-for-6 from the floor and 0-for-1 from the line.

Parsons also scored six points, along with three assists, a rebound and a steal. He was 2-for-7 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the line.

Sean Harder represented Tunkhannock in the game and finished with four points, five rebounds and an assist. He made two of his five shots.

Wyoming Area’s Sam Greenfield had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

Wes Simons from Scranton Prep led the Lackawanna League with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

The WVC also defeated the Lackawanna League, 87-70, in the girls game that opened the doubleheader.

Alex Charlton of Dallas goes in for a dunk against the Lackawanna League in the Battle of the Valley All-Star Classic at Wilkes University’s Marts Center on Monday.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_TTL032718BattleOfTheValleyBoys_2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAlex Charlton of Dallas goes in for a dunk against the Lackawanna League in the Battle of the Valley All-Star Classic at Wilkes University’s Marts Center on Monday. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post

By Tom Robinson

For Dallas Post

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