WILKES-BARRE TWP. – All season, Cameron Parker, Logan Fanning, Ryan DeMarco and Cam Krushnowski were showered with adulation for their grit, determination and the heights to which they lifted the Old Forge boys basketball team.
Nick Salerno, the fifth starter of the group, is the definition of determination, grit and desire on every possession.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRarely is he going to fill up a box score or revel in his individual statistics. He is all about the team.
On Saturday afternoon on the biggest stage in District 2, he stole the spotlight.
His confidence swelled with every made shot, and he finished with 14 points, equaling his season total for 3-pointers with two, and had tears in his eyes as he clutched a gold medal.
Top-seeded Old Forge rolled to a 69-34 win over No. 2 Susquehanna in the District 2 Class 2A boys basketball final. The Blue Devils (18-6) defended their crown with a dominant performance that catapults them into the PIAA first round next Saturday against East Juniata, the third-place team from District 4.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I have to give credit to my guys,” Salerno said. “They have been carrying the workload the entire season. It was nice that I could help them tonight. It’s been them all season; they are the guys. I know my role, but it was nice to have a few points.”
Old Forge has been on a mission.
Winning the district title was one of the steps on a path laid out when this group of seniors first started playing together in elementary school. To an athlete wearing the blue and gold, they are all inspired by the memory of their former coach, the late Art Lucarelli, who died of cancer.
“Coach Lucarelli passed away, and it was his thing, wanting us to always play hard,” Salerno said, his voice cracking with every word. “We broke down and said we were going to play for him tonight.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs one of the seniors, Salerno understands what is expected of him, and it’s why he has been one of the unsung heroes during this run of success. He made all five of his shots, including two from beyond the arc, in the third quarter and added a final jumper in the fourth to earn massive hugs from his teammates on the bench.
“I think I had two 3-pointers all season coming in,” Salerno added. “It is awesome to be here and score here. To have the great support from the community is so awesome.”
Old Forge, having played and challenged for the Lackawanna Division II championship, had high expectations for the postseason.
In the final, in addition to enjoying Salerno’s success, the other members of the talented starting group did their parts too.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCameron Parker, a career 1,000-point scorer, accelerated by defenders and attacked the basket for layups. He also drained 3-pointers to finish with 24 points.
“There is a lot of talk that it is tough to shoot here in the arena,” Parker said. “I have confidence in my shot. My teammates have confidence. Being a senior, going back-to-back with my friends who are my family is special.
“It’s amazing to get to do this with guys who I love.”
Logan Fanning, the towering 6-foot-6 center, displayed a soft shooting touch while scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He and Parker combined for 22 of Old Forge’s points on the way to establishing a 26-4 first-quarter lead as they were a reflection of the slogan on their blue pre-game shirts that read, “Empty the Tank.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“That has been our motto all year,” Fanning said. “We want to leave everything out on the court every game. Now that it is playoffs, it is win or go home, and that is what drives us. We want to push as hard as we can, knowing that any game could be our last.”
Cam Krushnowski scored eight points, and Ryan DeMarco had six assists for the Blue Devils, who led 43-16 at the half and put the running clock into motion in the third when they closed with a 61-30 advantage.
Susquehanna’s Griffin Fisk had 15 points and six rebounds, and Preston Wolf finished with seven points. The Sabers (19-6) have qualified for the PIAA playoffs. They will play District 4 champion Northeast Bradford in the first round.
“Obviously, Old Forge is a battle-tested team, and everybody has them projected to make a deep run in the state playoffs, so coming down here and playing as hard as we could only makes us better,” Susquehanna coach Lawrence Tompkins said. “We are extremely proud to represent Lackawanna Division III and all of Susquehanna County as we move forward.
“We are now looking forward to next week and whatever that opponent may bring. We are excited to be in the state playoffs.”
AdvertisementAdvertisement
