On a night when plaudits were being handed out and seniors were being honored, it was fitting that the Tamaqua boys basketball team found a way to play its best game of the season.

Fans jammed into the gym, hooted and hollered, as the Blue Raiders sped off to an early lead and never let visiting Panther Valley garner momentum to breeze to a 69-45 Schuylkill League victory.

It was also a night when Tamaqua senior guard Noah Mateyak posted his 1,000th career point as he closes in on the end of his career.

“It was great, I always wanted to get my 1,000th point ever since I was little,” Mateyak said. “I (always) wanted my name up on that board.”

Mateyak became only the 16th player in the storied history of Tamaqua boys basketball to reach the milestone. Mateyak needed 10 points to reach the pinnacle and it came 30 seconds into the third quarter, going backdoor as Luke Kane spotted him breaking to the basket.

“He’s special player and it’s been an honor to coach him the last our years,” said Blue Raiders’ coach Jimmy Barron.

Mateyak said he wasn’t pressing to reach the grand club.

“I wasn’t too concerned. We were playing team basketball, and I wanted to leave here on a good note,” the Tamaqua guard offered in scoring 17 points and nine rebounds.

He was one of three players to knock down double digits. Kane led the way with 20 and a game-high 10 rebounds, Ace Schickram, a rising freshman, added 11.

Indeed, it was all good for the Raiders. They took charge with 3:30 on the first quarter clock when Mateyak drained a trey that fueled the energy his team would need.

Even though Panther Valley seemed to start on a good note, that momentum took an about face after Mateyak’s triple. After Kane muscled inside for a bucket, Mateyak bombed in another trey, Kane came back for deuce, and unsung Brady McCabe (six points, eight rebounds) flipped in a basket of his own, lifting his team to a 17-11 lead.

That late surge just seemed to fuel the Tamaqua crowd as well. The Blue Raiders were feeling it, and quickly took off on a 9-0 run to open the third quarter. Cooper Ansbach, McCabe, Schickram and Mateyak led the rally, with the latter burying his third triple of the game to shoot the team in front 26-11.

“They just played lights out,” said Panthers’ coach Pat Crampsie. “They’re a much better team than their record shows, they lost a lot of close games.”

When the half rolled round, Tamaqua was in control. The only interruption in the fast second quarter getaway came from Connor Penberth, who teamed with Danny Wehr in scoring 11 points each, sank a deuce and a foul conversion, making it a 26-14 score.

Kane broke inside for an easy bucket thanks to Ansbach’s assist, and the Raiders finished with the final three points in the half for a commanding 31-18 lead.

The Blue Raiders’ engine wasn’t cooling when the second half opened. After Mateyak put his career numbers up in lights, Tamaqua was dealing big time, as it raced to a 43-24 lead with 3:22 to play in the third quarter. Kane, Mateyak and Shickram were leading the way, and when the horn sounded, Tamaqua was well in command, 51-32.

“Noah is one of my best friends since we were kids,” Ansbach said. “It was so great to see him get that 1,000th point; I am happy for him.”

Barron said his team played the best game of the season against the Panthers.

“It was a complete effort, we played all 32 minutes,” he said. “There were games that we played 27 and 28 (minutes), but tonight we put a full 32 minutes together.”

The Raiders ballooned the score to 65-37 and with 2:28 to play, and Barron had a curtain call for his departing seniors.

BIDDING ADIEU ... Tamaqua cheerleading team mentor Missie Hess had a curtain call of her own. Hess has been coaching the squad for 23 years and is retiring. She was honored for her terrific and loyal service.

COMPLETE EFFORT ... The Raiders were at the top of their game. They dominated off the glass, 46-34, and forced PV into turnovers, scoring off the seven first half miscues. Tamaqua also shot well, going 28-of-61. PV finished the game 18-of-59.

LAST DANCE ... Six seniors played their final home game for the Raiders. In addition to Mateyka, Ansbach, Kane, Reyes and Davis, Matt Vecolitis also departs the program.

PANTHER VALLEY

Penberth 4-2-6-11, Wehr 4-0-0-11, Fisher 3-0-0-6. Williams 2-0-0-4, McArdle 0-4-4-4, Breiner 2-0-0-4, Jones 1-0-0-3, Krynock 1-0-0-2, Neziri 0-0-0-0, Baneravage 0-0-0-0. Edison 0-0-0-0, Harrison 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 18-6-10-45.

TAMAQUA

Kane 8-4-8-20, Mateyak 7-1-3-18, Schickram 5-1-1-11, McCabe 3-0-0-6. Davis 1-2-6-, Ansbach 1-2-2-4, Reyes 1-0-0-2, Fronhnheiser 1-0-0-2, Kamant 1-0-0-2, Tamagini 0-0-0-0, Broadway 0-0—0. TOTALS: 28-10-20-69.

Panther Valley 11 7 14 13 – 45

Tamaqua 17 14 20 18 – 69

Three-pointers: Panther Valley - Penberth 1, Wehr 1, Jones 1. Tamaqua - Mateyak 3.

Records: Tamaqua (7-14); Panther Valley (12-9)