SUNDAY DISPATCH, SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2012 PAGE 42
PITTSTON AREA
Hopkins named to All-State second team
Lady Patriots run past WVW
By Don McGlynn
The Patriots cruised to a 96-54 home victory led by Catherine Lombardo, who picked up two wins, claiming the 1600 and 800 on Tuesday April 3. 3200 RELAY - 1. PA (Bolton, K. Lombardo, Kuchta, C. Lombardo) 10:38; 2. WVW 110 HURDLES - 1. WVW Norris 15.4; 2. PA, Lanza; 3. WVW Narius TRIPLE JUMP - 1. WVW Norris 32; 2. PA Grambra; 3. PA Owens 100 - 1. PA Powers 13.4; 2. PA/ WVW Scialpi/Sott 13.8 1600 - 1. PA C. Lombardo 5:28; 2. PA Bolton; 3. WVW Plant SHOT PUT - 1. WVW Stanislow 32’7½”; 2. PA Shimkoski; 3.PA Barnak 400 - 1. PA Dworak 68.1; 2. PA Kuchta; 3. PA Ferek 400 RELAY - 1. PA (Bryan, Williams, Weinstok, Powers) 54.1 300 HURDLES - 1. PA Waleski 50.3; 2. WVW Narins; 3. PA Lanza POLE VAULT - 1. PA Horchos 7; 2. PA Briggs; 3. WVW Tooley DISCUS - 1. WVW Gadomski 76’10”; 2. PA White; 3. PA Talerico LONG JUMP - 1. PA Giambra; 2. WVW Tumarantz; 3, PA Waleski 800 - 1. PA C. Lombardo 2:27; 2. PA Bolton; 3. WVW Paddock 200 - 1. WVW Norris 28.2; 2. WVW Sott; 3. WVW Delevan 3200 - 1. WVW Plant 12:34; 2. WVW Mexicle; 3. PA C. Lombardo JAVELIN - 1. PA Talerico 95’5”; 2. PA Parent; 3. WVW Godomski 1600 RELAY - 1. PA (Bolton, Lanza, Dworak, C. Lombardo) 4:28; 2. WVW HIGH JUMP - 1. PA Owens 4’10”; 2. WVW Cain/Tamarantz
dmcglynn@psdispatch.com
A Pennsylvania Sportswriters All-State second team selection in Class 3A topped off a year of achievements for Pittston Area High School girls basketball player Mia Hopkins. The junior scored her 1,000th career point, and also won the WVC Division I Player of the Year award this season. “I think this is probably the most exciting because it’s a state thing,” Hopkins said of being named to the team. “A lot of people get 1,000 points, a lot of people get player of the year, but All-State, that’s pretty big.” “I wasn’t sure I was going to get it this year, but it was pretty exciting news when I found out. My team was a big part of my success.” Hopkins is the granddaughter of former GAR head coach John Hopkins. Growing up in what she calls a basketball family, Hopkins was exposed to the game early and has been playing as far back as she can remember. “I think going to my grandpa’s games I just grew up around it, and I started to love and have a great passion for the game,” said Hopkins, the daughter of Sharon Hopkins. Hopkins said her grandfather helped her learn the game, and is still offering lessons today. “He still helps me, he knows the game really well,” said Hopkins. He comes to the games, and gives me a lot of pointers and things to help.” Hopkins’ combination of passion and knowledge of the game has had a positive impact on the Lady Patriots since her freshman year when she pulled down 29 rebounds in her first game. “She’s definitely been an impact player for the last three years,” said head coach Kathy Healey. “As far as this season, she brought the rest of our play-
Pittston Area's Mia Hopkins was named to the Pennsylvania Sportswriters All-State second team in Class 3A
ers up to her level of play.” Averaging 20.3 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks per game, Hopkins helped the Lady Patriots get off to a 12-0 start, and finish with an overall 17-7 record. The team made it to the District 2 playoffs, where it lost in the first round to Scranton Prep. “It didn’t define our season,” said Hopkins of the first-round loss. “I think we could have gone further than we did.” Healey credits Hopkins’ ability and leadership for one of the team’s best seasons in years and, with one year left in her high school career, Healy is optimistic to see what Hopkins will do during the 2012-13 season. “I’m expecting great things for her and our team. If she can keep bringing our team up with
her, we could have a phenomenal year,” said Healey. Hopkins is equally positive about next season, and while she’s happy with the individual accolades she has received, her goals for next year are team oriented. “We want to get the banner in the gym because no other team ever got it,” said Hopkins. “And just winning more games than ever this year, we did good this year, but we want more wins and get further in playoffs than we did.” Hopkins will spend the summer working out at camps and playing in leagues to help make sure that happens. After high school, she hopes to continue her basketball career in college at a division 1 or 2 school.
BOYS RESULTS
Josh Ortiz placed first in the 100 (11.2) and the 200 (23.2) to
lead Wyoming Valley West to an 89-61 victory against host Pittston Area. For Pittston Area, Ronnie D’Eliseo won the 300 hurdles and the 110 hurdles. 3200 RELAY - 1. WVW (Williams, Austin, Butkiewicz, Yuscavage) 9:06; 2. PA 110 HURDLES - 1. PA D’Eliseo 15.3; 2. WVW Kilheeney; 3. PA Cummings TRIPLE JUMP - 1. WVW Bunch 39’; 2. WVW Yashinski; 3. PA Aita 100 - 1. WVW Ortiz 11.2; WVW Yashinski; 3. PA Harth 1600 - 1. PA Connors 5:01; 2. WVW Yankonis; 3. WVW Endler SHOT PUT -1. WVW DiBuo 37’3 1½”; 2. PA Poli; 3. PA Musto 400 - 1. PA Harth 55.0; 2. PA John; 3. WVW Donovan 400 RELAY -1. WVW (Acosta, Yashinski, Lawrence, Ortiz) 46.2 300 HURDLES - 1. PA D’Eliseo 41.5; 2. WVW Kilheeney; 3. PA Cummings POLE VAULT - 1. PA Monteforte 11; 2. WVW Temarantz; 3. WVW Harbaugh DISCUS - 1. WVW DiBuo 126’3”; 2. PA Gallo; 3. PA Poli LONG JUMP - 1. WVW Yashinski 19.3; 2. WVW Bunch; 3. PA D’Eliseo 800 - 1. WVW Butkiewicz 2:10; 2. PA Shea; 3. WVW Yunkunis 200 - 1. WVW Ortiz 23.2; 2. PA Harth; 3. PA Naples 3200 - 1. WVW Williams 11:10; 2. PA Connors; 3. WVW Austin JAVELIN - 1. WVW Davidson 145’10”; 2. WVW Kilheeney; 3. PA Prescott 1600 RELAY - 1. WVW (Patrick, Donovan, Wren, Ortiz) 3:50; 2. PA HIGH JUMP - 1. PA Roman 5’6”; 2. PA Skalanka; 3. PA Aito. Pittston Area boys and girls will take on Crestwood at home on Tuesday, April 10.