Roundup: Lebanon edges E-town for key section win

That was close.

Surviving a close finish with Elizabethtown, the Lebanon boys basketball team claimed at least a share of the Section Two title with a 72-69 home win Friday. The Cedars (14-5, 11-3 Lancaster-Lebanon) jumped out to a 13-point lead after the first quarter and held on with three players finishing in double figures. Allan Escoto notched a team-high 15 points, followed by Shaq Ortiz and Dante Vargas, who scored 12 and 10, respectively.

The Bears were led by Joey Lonardi's game-best 22 points, but failed to sweep the season series with Lebanon after an upset earlier this season. The Cedars can win Section Two outright with a victory over Solanco on Monday.

Also in Friday's action:

Palmyra 59, Susquehanna Twp. 51: Despite trailing by three with a quarter to go, Palmyra (16-4, 9-4 Mid-Penn Keystone) survived a trip to suburban Harrisburg thanks to Austin Yetter's season-best 36 points. The senior guard nailed seven 3-pointers, one night after dropping 32 points on five treys against Hershey. Isaac Blatt also had 19 points for the Cougars.

Cocalico 57, Northern Lebanon 47: Playing without leading scorer Isaac Bicher, the Vikings (7-14, 3-12) let a home test slip against the hard-charging Eagles. Alex Yeager and Shane Reese each scored 11, while Cocalico's Tucker Lescoe posted a game-high 26, supported by a half dozen 3-pointers.

Columbia 56, Annville-Cleona 45: Donald Friday dropped a season-high 16 points and Isaac Burris poured in 13, but the Little Dutchmen (6-14, 4-11) nonetheless fell on the road. The Crimson Tide held Annville-Cleona to two points through the first quarter and later scored 27 over the fourth to seal the victory.