Week 5 Standouts: NEPA Hoops FXL

After a much-needed bye week, the Fall Exposure League returned for its final week of regular season action.

With the postseason just around the corner, players across all teams came out with urgency — looking to make one final statement before the playoffs start.

Here are the top performers from Week 5 who rose to the occasion and helped set the tone heading into the postseason.


Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Nico Antoniacci (CG, Team Red)

Yes, you read that number correct on the box score — 61 points in a single game.

Back in Week 4 of the FXL, Nico Antoniacci led Team Red in scoring over both contests — posting 23 against Team Purple and 19 against Team Grey in two tough losses.

With this week’s honors, Antoniacci has now earned standout recognition three times during the league. However, none of his previous performances compared to what he did last Sunday.

Antoniacci showcased his all-around game — tallying 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block — in Team Red’s 75-64 loss to Team Yellow.

With another defeat looming, Team Red was facing a potential 1-9 finish. Antoniacci had other plans in mind.

The only thing that could’ve slowed him down in Team Red’s 106-82 win over Team Purple was a restraining order.

The 6’1″ guard exploded for 61 points on 26 made field goals, including five three-pointers, while adding 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

In the most dominant performance the Fall Exposure League has ever seen, Antoniacci left no doubt that he’s one of the premier scorers in the league.

Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Ayden Agapito (SF/PF, Team Light Blue)

After earning a spot on “Matt’s Top 5 to Watch” for Week 3, Ayden Agapito has now secured standout honors in two of the last three weeks.

While he didn’t make the standout list in Week 4, Agapito’s presence remained instrumental in Team Light Blue’s 1-1 weekend.

In an 82-71 win over Team Purple, Agapito contributed 10 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and a steal. He then led all players with 10 rebounds in Light Blue’s hard-fought 81-79 overtime loss to Team Green.

Agapito’s commitment on the defensive end was reflected in his tie for 11th place on Week 4’s overall defensive impact (REB, STL, BLK) leaderboard.

The Crestwood senior looked to make one more statement before the postseason, delivering in Week 5 for Light Blue.

Agapito dropped 18 points, 7 rebounds, an assist, and a steal in Light Blue’s 97-64 rout of Team Pink.

He followed that performance with a team-high 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in an 86-64 loss to Dark Blue to close out regular season play.

Agapito’s steady play and two-way impact have made him an essential part of Light Blue’s postseason push.

Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Shazier Bethea (CG, Team Grey)

Following his selections to “Matt’s Top 5 to Watch” in Weeks 3 and 4, Shazier Bethea finally earns his first standout honor of the FXL.

Rewinding to Week 3, Bethea played a pivotal role in securing Team Grey’s 2-0 weekend.

In a 73-67 win over Team Purple, he contributed 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He followed that up with 9 points, 2 rebounds, and an assist in Grey’s 65-55 victory over Team Red.

After missing Week 4, Bethea returned to the Riverfront Sports Complex and looked like a man on a mission.

He delivered one of his most complete performances of the season against Team Purple, compiling 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in Grey’s 90-79 win.

Bethea’s two-way impact was on full display once again in Grey’s 86-48 rout of Team Yellow, where he added 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal to help close out the regular season with a win.

With his mix of scoring, playmaking, and defensive toughness, Bethea looks primed to carry this momentum into postseason play.

Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Logan Fanning (C, Team Grey)

Any team that wants to win the FXL championship is going to have to go through Logan Fanning and Team Grey. Good luck with that.

Since earning his first standout honors back in Week 2, Fanning has secured four consecutive standout selections.

The Old Forge senior dominated Team Red in Week 4, totaling 22 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks in a 35-point blowout win.

While he only scored 4 points in Grey’s 69-61 win over Team Pink, Fanning still made his presence felt with 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

For the third consecutive week, he finished atop the league’s overall defensive impact leaderboard, further cementing himself as one of the FXL’s premier defenders.

Fanning carried that momentum right into Week 5, continuing to control the paint with his physicality and defensive prowess.

In a 90-79 win over Team Purple, he contributed 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block. He followed that up with a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double in Grey’s convincing 86-48 rout of Team Yellow.

With the postseason around the corner, Fanning’s dominance on both ends makes him the heartbeat of a Team Grey squad that looks built to go all the way.

Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Xaivier Jackson (SG/SF, Team Grey)

Another standout for Team Grey has been Xaivier Jackson — a do-it-all talent whose impact is felt in every corner of the court.

Jackson capped the FXL regular season having been named a standout three times in five weeks, a testament to his consistency and versatility.

In Week 4, he was virtually unstoppable offensively, tying for 8th on the scoring leaderboard with an average of 18.5 points per game. He also showcased excellent court vision, tying for 10th in assists with 3.5 per game.

The Selinsgrove Area product dropped 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal in Grey’s 105-70 win over Team Red. He elevated his play in a narrow 69-61 win over Team Pink — totaling 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.

Jackson carried that momentum into Week 5, continuing to establish himself as one of the league’s most versatile two-way threats.

The 6’4″ forward recorded 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in Team Grey’s 90-79 victory over Team Purple. He rounded out the regular season with another all-around effort against Team Yellow, contributing 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal.

As the postseason gets underway, Jackson’s ability to impact the game in every way makes him vital to Grey’s championship hopes.

David Jannuzzi (CG, Team Dark Blue)

David Jannuzzi set the tone all weekend, controlling the pace and creating offense with confidence.

His blend of composure, shot-making, and court vision made him the engine behind Team Dark Blue’s 2-0 weekend.

The Wilkes-Barre Area senior secured his first standout honors of the league back in Week 3 — tying for 9th on the weekly scoring leaderboard with 16.5 points per game.

Jannuzzi totaled 16 points, 5 rebounds, an assist, and a steal in Dark Blue’s 75-55 win over Team Red. He followed up that performance with a 17-point, 10-assist double-double in Dark Blue’s 11-point win over Team Pink.

After missing Week 4 of the FXL, Jannuzzi picked up right where he left off.

The 5’8″ guard helped secure a pivotal 72-64 win for Dark Blue in a big-time matchup against Team Green — totaling 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.

In Dark Blue’s second matchup against Team Light Blue, Jannuzzi erupted for 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in a 86-64 win.

Much in large part thanks to Jannuzzi, Dark Blue finished regular season play with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-1 mark within the South Division.

As the postseason begins, Jannuzzi’s leadership, consistency, and ability to rise in big moments make him one of the most reliable floor generals in the league.

Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Shawn Remplet (PF, Team Dark Blue)

After earning a spot on the Standouts list back in Week 2, Shawn Remplet closed out the regular season by reminding everyone why he’s a key factor in Team Dark Blue’s championship hopes.

That week, he made his mark defensively by finishing third on the league’s overall defensive impact (REB, STL, BLK) leaderboard with a score of 18, demonstrating his ability to anchor the paint and create extra possessions.

In Week 3, Remplet didn’t find his name on any of the leaderboards but still provided much-needed minutes for Dark Blue.

The Binghamton junior scored 15 points and added 3 rebounds in a 75-55 win over Red.

Remplet didn’t slow down in Week 5, maintaining the same two-way presence that has made him one of Dark Blue’s most consistent performers.

The 6’7″ center recorded an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double in Dark Blue’s 72-64 win over Team Green.

To finish off his regular season campaign, Remplet added 4 points, 7 rebounds, and an assist in Dark Blue’s 86-64 win over Light Blue.

As the postseason arrives, Remplet’s size, rebounding, and defensive presence make him a dependable anchor for Team Dark Blue when it matters most.

Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Sebastian Sacci (SF/PF, Team Green)

Sometimes, it’s best to save the best performances for last. As the postseason nears, Sebastian Sacci is turning it up a notch at the perfect time.

Sacci earns this standout selection after being named to “Matt’s Top 5 to Watch” list for Week 4.

The Pleasant Valley junior provided a spark for Team Green in their two Week 4 contests.

Sacci posted 8 points, 7 rebounds, an assist, and 2 steals in Green’s close 74-68 win over Yellow. His 7 points and 2 rebounds helped Green secure an 81-79 overtime win over Light Blue to improve to 5-3 on the season.

His contributions in Week 4 were no match for what he’s capable of, evident by his Week 5 outings.

Even though Green ended up losing both games, Sacci showed out.

The 6’5″ forward put up 12 points, 7 rebounds, a steal, and a block in Green’s 72-64 loss to Dark Blue. In a heartbreaking 87-86 loss to Team Pink on a buzzer-beater, Sacci exploded for 29 points along with 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.

Sacci’s late-season surge proves he’s peaking at the right time and could be a major difference-maker for Team Green heading into the postseason.

Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Jordan Shaffer (SG/SF, Team Dark Blue)

Ever since making the inaugural “Matt’s Top 5 to Watch” list in Week 3, Jordan Shaffer has been a model of consistency, earning three consecutive standout selections.

After ranking No. 1 on the scoring leaderboard in Week 3, Shaffer followed up with a No. 2 finish in Week 4, averaging 32.5 points per game.

He also slotted in at No. 3 on the overall defensive impact (REB, STL, BLK) leaderboard with a score of 10.5, showcasing his two-way ability.

Despite Team Dark Blue suffering two narrow losses by a combined six points in Week 4, Shaffer kept his squad competitive.

In a 66-62 loss to Pink, he posted 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists while knocking down four three-pointers. Then, in a 92-90 loss to Yellow, he exploded for a dominant 38-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Shaffer carried that momentum into Week 5, continuing to dominate on both sides of the ball.

The 6’4″ forward recorded yet another double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 72-64 win over Green.

He ended the regular season with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals in an 86-64 victory over Light Blue.

As Dark Blue shifts its focus to the playoffs, Shaffer’s steady leadership and all-around production continue to prove him as one of the most reliable stars in the FXL.

Photo Courtesy of NEPA Hoops

Walker Swann (SG, Team Light Blue)

After earning his first standout honors back in Week 4 of the FXL, Walker Swann heads right back to the list.

Swann’s offensive production in Week 4 saw him take 6th place on the scoring leaderboard, averaging 21 points per game.

The Blair Academy junior led all scorers in Team Light Blue’s 82-71 win over Team Purple — recording 27 points, including three three-pointers, a rebound, an assist, and two steals.

In an 81-79 overtime loss to Team Green, Swann tied for a team-high 15 points with three more triples, along with six rebounds.

He perhaps had his best game of the season in Week 5.

Swann couldn’t miss in Light Blue’s 97-64 blowout win over Pink — scoring 28 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals while catching fire from downtown, connecting on six three-pointers.

The 6’3″ guard finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists in an 86-64 loss to Dark Blue to wrap up regular season play.

With his elite shooting touch and ability to score in bunches, Swann has proven he can take over a game at any moment — a dangerous weapon for Light Blue heading into the postseason.


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  • Matt Mascarenhas — NEPA Hoops Reporter

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