SCRANTON — Given another chance to measure itself against an elite girls’ basketball program on Friday evening, Hazleton Area again didn’t back down. Again, though, the Lady Cougars came up short. Just like the Lady Cougars did in season-ending losses to eventual PIAA Class 6A champions Cardinal O’Hara and Perkiomen Valley in the PIAA playoffs in 2024 and last season, respectively, they showed only flashes of their customary form against New Jersey power-Red Bank Catholic in the Electric City Shootout at Lackawanna College. Hazleton Area’s inconsistency resulted in a 56-43 loss to the Caseys the nation’s No. 15 team according to MaxPreps. It was the...
