The calendar flipped to February, and that means the high school basketball season heads into its championship run.

Time is running short for teams wishing to challenge the leaders and earn titles in the Lackawanna League. Several key games are coming up this week that should determine the winners.

On Monday night, No. 4 Scranton Prep will visit No. 5 Valley View at 6:45 p.m. in a game that will help determine where each will finish in both the league and in the District 2 Class 4A playoff picture.

Scranton Prep (13-4 overall, 8-1 division) is the defending Division I champion. The Cavaliers are a half-game behind leader Abington Heights (12-5, 9-0). They are also in first place in the district standings with a power rating of .729. Dallas (17-3, .721) is closing fast in pursuit of the top seed.

Valley View (16-2, 8-2) won last year’s District 2 Class 4A title and reached the PIAA semifinals. The Cougars, who have a power rating of .718, only lost this season against Scranton Prep, 67-54, and Abington Heights, 60-56. They slipped below Dallas (.721) in the district standings and are trying to hold off Wyoming Area (18-1, .699).

In the first meeting between the two teams, Packy Doherty scored 28 points and made four 3-pointers, while Brody Martin led the defensive effort and also scored 11 points for Scranton Prep.

Cash Roe scored 20 points, and Noah Symuleski had 11 to lead Valley View.

Abington Heights (12-5, 9-0) will try to maintain its lead over Valley View and Scranton Prep before having to play the two on the road Thursday and Feb. 9. The Comets will host North Pocono (4-14, 1-9) on Monday at 7:15 p.m.

The second City Rivalry game between Scranton (6-11, 3-6) and West Scranton (6-11, 3-6) is Monday at 7 p.m. at Lackawanna College.

Nate Schimelfenig scored 17 points to lead West Scranton to a 54-41 win over the Knights in the first matchup. Schimelfenig is coming off a 44-point performance in an upset win over Delaware Valley and has 943 points in his career.

Tony Battaglia scored 12 points for Scranton.

Both teams look to improve their positioning for the District 2 Class 6A playoffs. Scranton has a power rating of .519, which has it in position for the No. 5 seed. West Scranton has a rating of .465 and is sixth.

Delaware Valley (10-8, .584), third in the District 2 Class 6A power rating standings, is at Wallenpaupack (6-10, 2-7) at 6:45 p.m.

Division II

Riverside (17-1, 9-1) and Dunmore (16-2, 9-1) are tied for first place for the division championship. They are also competing for the top seed and a bye to the District 2 Class 3A semifinals.

On Monday, Honesdale (7-11, 3-7) is at Riverside at 7:15 p.m., and Dunmore is at Mid Valley (7-11, 3-7) at 7:15 p.m.

Riverside has a power rating of .772, and Dunmore has a rating of .723.

Holy Cross (10-8, 6-4), which has gotten healthy, plays Lakeland (7-10, 2-7) at home on Monday at 7:15 p.m. The Crusaders improved their power rating (.593) by winning four of five games. They are battling rival Holy Redeemer (12-7, .578) for the No. 4 seed and a home game in the quarterfinals of the District 2 Class 3A playoffs.

The winner of the No. 5 seed and No. 4 seed quarterfinal will advance to play at the No. 1 seed in the semifinals.

Old Forge (12-5, 7-3) is at Western Wayne (3-15, 0-10) on Monday at 6:45 p.m. Old Forge senior Cameron Parker needs 18 points to reach 1,000 career points.

Division III

Elk Lake (17-1, 10-0) maintained its dominance in Division III. The Warriors won 23 of 24 league games in two seasons and are involved in a tight playoff race in District 2 Class 3A with Riverside, Dunmore and Holy Cross. The Warriors hold the No. 3 seed with a .690 power rating, and are in third place.

On Monday, Elk Lake will host Mountain View (4-13, 2-8) at 6:45 p.m.

Susquehanna (14-4, 9-1) and Lackawanna Trail (13-4, 8-2) are trying to chase down the Warriors. They battle in an important rematch Monday at 6:45 p.m.

In the first meeting, Susquehanna jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter and held off a second-half rally by the Lions, 50-46. Griffin Fisk scored 21 points, and Mason Keyes added 13 in the Sabers’ win.

Lackawanna Trail needs a win to stay within striking distance of first place. The Lions also have a game against Elk Lake on Feb. 5. Susquehanna also plays Elk Lake on Feb. 9.

The game between Susquehanna and Lackawanna Trail will also impact the District 2 Class 2A playoff standings. Lackawanna Trail has a power rating of .587 and is just ahead of Susquehanna, which has a rating of .570.

Blue Ridge (7-9, 5-5) is at Montrose (7-11, 5-5) at 6:45 p.m., and Carbondale Area (2-16, 1-9) is at Forest City (0-18, 0-10) at 6:45 p.m.