Abington Heights challenged itself at the start of the season, hoping those experiences would pay off in late February.

They did more than that.

The Lackawanna League Division I champions are rolling into Friday night’s District 2 Class 5A championship game at Mohegan Arena. The top-seeded Comets (18-5) have won 14 straight games and will defend their title against second-seeded Crestwood (16-7) at 8 p.m.

Both teams have qualified for the state playoffs.

On Dec. 30, Abington Heights lost to Cardinal O’Hara, 58-47. Their record stood at 4-5 and 3-5 against nonleague opponents. Including Cardinal O’Hara, the Comets lost to Dallas (23-3), which is playing in the District 2 Class 4A championship game, Holy Ghost Prep (17-3), Berks Catholic (23-2), and Pocono Mountain West (19-4).

That is a daunting schedule, to say the least.

Abington Heights regrouped and put together an undefeated season in the Lackawanna League. That 14-0 mark included two wins over rival Scranton Prep (19-5), a District 2 Class 4A finalist, and two wins over Valley View (18-6).

Jordan Shaffer averaged almost 20 points a game, and he eclipsed 1,000 points for his career. Andrew Kettel emerged as a floor leader. The Comets also used their size to overmatch teams inside with Cooper Manning, Finn Goldberg, and Carter Plantz. Ben and Thomas Reese have also provided power and skill, and the team’s deep bench, which includes fiery guard Christopher Begley, has provided sparks at different times and in key games.

Shaffer had 19 points, and Kettel added 11 in the semifinal win over North Pocono. Shaffer has scored 68 points in seven career games in the district tournament.

Abington Heights is accustomed to playing in District 2 championship games and winning titles. The Comets have won 16 championships in various classifications, including the last three in Class 5A. They have been more dominant since the PIAA moved to six classifications, winning six of nine titles in Class 5A and capturing the 2018 PIAA gold.

Crestwood, which won the District 2 Class 5A title in 2021, played three Lackawanna League Division I teams this season. Crestwood defeated West Scranton, 56-52, and North Pocono, 61-41, and lost to Scranton, 56-47.

Ayden Agapito scored 18 points to lead Crestwood to a 41-33 win over Pittston Area in the district semifinals.

DISTRICT 2 CLASS 5A CHAMPIONSHIP

2-Crestwood (17-8) vs. 1-Abington Heights (18-5)

When: Friday, 8 p.m.

Where: Mohegan Arena

Tickets: $8. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the arena box office on the day of the event. There will be no free admission for adults over 65 and children under 5.

How they got here: Crestwood received a bye in the quarterfinals and defeated No. 3 Pittston Area, 60-37; Abington Heights received a bye in the quarterfinals and defeated No. 5 North Pocono, 63-35.

Up next: The winner plays the fourth-place team from District 1. The runner-up plays the third-place team from District 1 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs on March 6.

Players to watch: Crestwood — Ayden Agapito (15.7 points per game), Miles Mertz (10.2), Gio Barna (8.5), Jack Rodgers (7.3), Connor Wagaman (6.3); Abington Heights — Jordan Shaffer (19.8), Andrew Kettel (14.7), Cooper Manning (7.0), Finn Goldberg (7.0).

Noteworthy: Abington Heights has won three straight and six District 2 Class 5A championships overall since the PIAA moved to six classifications in the 2016-17 season. Abington Heights is the Lackawanna Division I champion and has won 14 straight games since starting the season 4-5. Abington Heights senior Jordan Shaffer has scored more than 1,000 points in his career. Crestwood won its last District 2 Class 5A championship in 2021.