With the experienced lineup coming back expectations were high this season for Tunkhannock. But so far the Tigers have fallen short. Oh, they can still score but to win they need to get better on the defensive side.

Ben Chilson, Tunkhannock Senior says, “ We want to try and replicate the way we played defense against Trinity because in the past game we just have not been locked in defensively. We are scoring the ball well but on the defensive end that is where we really are struggling. “

Spencer Lunger, Tunkhannock Coach added, “ Offensively, I am not too worried about us I know we are going to score but we have to do it on the defensive end also. When we do that we are one of the best teams in the area I believe. “

Hazleton Area only has one senior on the team so the growing pains have shown through.

Chris Catrone, Hazleton Area Senior says, “ We are really young and we shouldn’t be making mistakes we shouldn’t be making but we are getting better but we are definitely having some growing pains but as the season goes on we are getting stronger and those mistakes are going away. We went into 4 games and won 4 in a row and you can see we are getting better and better every day. “

Joey Marshall, Hazleton Area Junior added, “ There are some times we show some maturity like in certain situations like setting the ball up and getting ready and not forcing things when we don’t have it. “ When we have all of us and we are playing together as one we move the ball and when everyone is doing that and knocking down shots. Chris will hit shots, Luke, I will hit shots people off the bench will come and hit shots it flows a lot better when we all play as one. “

With the tail end of the schedule ahead of them both teams know the importance of every game moving forward. No matter what happens in the conference the cougars in 6a and the Tiger in 4A will battle for a district championship.

Lunger says,” We are just trying to get over that hump and make it to that 2nd round game in districts and make it to the arena. That is what we build for every year and that is what every team builds for is an opportunity to go to states.

Marshall added, “ Coach has said that this is the toughest the league as been in a long time and all of the teams are neck and neck so it really anyone’s game it is just who wants it more. “

Due to the weather, this matchup scheduled to air Wednesday with Hazelton Area and Tunkhannock on MYTV WQMY has been canceled.