Team Callahan, Reagan open with tournament victories

MANHEIM – Two JB Hoops 17U teams won their opening-round games, earning a second-round championship bracket outing later Friday night in the Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest at Spooky Nook Sports.

Greg Eck’s 3-pointer from the right corner at the final buzzer lifted JB Hoops Reagan to a come-from-behind, 71-68 victory over Maryland’s Finest.

Hazleton Area’s Josh Samec finished with 22 points and led JB Hoops back from a nine-point deficit in the final 5:25.

Seth Maxwell scored 18 points and led a first-half surge that carried JB Hoops Callahan past the New York Jayhawks Blue, 60-52.

JB Hoops scored 15 straight points for a 28-12 lead in the final minute of the half.

Both teams were scheduled to start their second-round games at 9:30. JB Hoops Callahan faced Bridge City Basketball HGSL and JB Hoops Reagan played New York Gauchos.