Lebanon boys close in on section crown

The Lebanon High boys basketball program prides itself on chasing championships each and every season.

The Cedars are on the brink of catching another one.

Lebanon inched closer to adding another Section Two title to its collection on Thursday night, courtesy of a 60-43 win at Ephrata.

The victory moves the Cedars to 13-5 overall and 10-3 in Section Two and two games clear of defending champ Conestoga Valley with three games remaining.

Allen Escoto paced the winning effort with 16 points and Matty Lopez added 15 as Lebanon used a 16-8 run through the second quarter to take control of the contest.

Lancaster Catholic 63, Lebanon Catholic 35: In Lancaster, the Beavers ran into the Section Four-leading Crusaders, who showed little mercy during the meeting.

Lebanon Catholic (2-15, 0-13 Section Four) found itself in a 20-5 hole after the first quarter and never escaped.

Joe Gates paced the Beavers with 13 points and Davian Perez added 12 in the loss. Sean Landis paced the Crusaders (11-7, 10-3) with 13 points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Ephrata 44, Lebanon 33: At Lebanon High, the Cedars continued to struggle despite a 12-point effort from Morgan Truax.

The defeat left Lebanon 4-14 overall and 3-10 in Section Two.

New Covenant 40, Hershey Covenant 34: In Hershey, the Flames used a hot 15-5 first-quarter start as the catalyst for the road win.

Kylie Murray led the way for New Covenant, pouring in a game-high 23 points.