TOWANDA HOLDS OFF ATHENS, 34-29

TOWANDA HOLDS OFF ATHENS, 34-29

January 26, 2022 Chris Manning

ATHENS — Despite having a gauntlet of matches at the end of the season, Towanda had a goal of finishing their NTL schedule strong, and they accomplished that on Wednesday with a 34-29 win over Athens.

The victory pushes the Knights into second place in the league behind Canton, and sees them end the dual meet regular season on a three-match winning streak with victories over Wellsboro, Wyalusing and the Wildcats.


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ATHENS ROLLS TO 58-21 WIN OVER NORTH PENN-LIBERTY

ATHENS ROLLS TO 58-21 WIN OVER NORTH PENN-LIBERTY

January 26, 2022 Tim Birney

LIBERTY — Athens raced out to a quick double-digit lead, and blew the game wide open by halftime on its way to a 58-21 win over North Penn-Liberty here Wednesday night in NTL girls basketball action.

Junior Emma Bronson scored seven points in the first quarter, while senior Caydence Macik had six points, and junior Karlee Bartlow add four points in a 17-6 run in the opening stanza.

Freshman Addy Wheeler canned a trio of 3-pointers in the second quarter, and Macik added six points to fuel a 24-6 blitz to extend the lead to 41-12 at the half.

Athens’ starters played just three minutes in the third quarter, and exited the game with the Lady Wildcats up 54-16.

Macik led Athens with 16 points, five rebounds, and five steals, while Wheeler had 14 points, including four 3-pointers, and three assists, and Karlee Bartlow had 11 points, seven assists, and four steals.

Bronson added seven points and three boards in the win, while junior Natalee Watson chipped in with four points and three rebounds, senior Olivia Bartlow grabbed six rebounds, sophomore Mya Thompson had five rebounds, three steals, and one blocked shot, and Izzy Davis pulled down four rebounds.

Elizabeth Ritchie and Jaclyn Nelson led NP-L with seven points apiece.

Athens, now 10-3, returns to action Thursday at Towanda.

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ATHENS JVs SHUTS OUT NP-L IN SECOND HALF OF 25-12 WIN

ATHENS JVs SHUTS OUT NP-L IN SECOND HALF OF 25-12 WIN

January 26, 2022 Tim Birney

LIBERTY — Athens held North Penn-Liberty scoreless in the second half to pull away for a 25-12 win here Wednesday night in NTL junior varsity girls basketball action.

The teams played to a 6-6 draw in the first quarter, but Mya Thompson scored six points in the second quarter to help Athens to a 14-12 halftime lead.

Six different Lady Wildcats put their name in the scoring column in the second half, outscoring NP-L after the break.

Thompson led Athens with 10 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and two blocked shots, while Izzy Davis had four points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one blocked shot, and Sara Bronson had four points, eight rebounds, and six steals.

Ella Coyle added three rebounds, five steals, and one blocked shot in the win, while Ravyn Glisson had three rebounds and two assists, and Savannah Persun had three boards.

Athens returns to action Thursday at Towanda.

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ATHENS TOPS NP-LIBERTY, 66-59, FOR SECOND BIG WIN IN 24 HOURS

ATHENS TOPS NP-LIBERTY, 66-59, FOR SECOND BIG WIN IN 24 HOURS

January 25, 2022 Tim Birney

ATHENS — Athens overcame a slow start with a big third quarter, let a 14-point lead slip through its fingers, then pulled out a 56-49 win over North Penn-Liberty here Tuesday night in NTL boys basketball action.

It was the second win in as many nights for the Wildcats, who topped division-leading Troy Monday night.

“Whenever you win a big game, like we did (Monday) night, you’re always concerned when you have to come back and play another game 24 hours later, especially against a good team,” said Athens coach Jim Lister.

“It’s just not easy, but the kids battled through it tonight, and I’m proud of them.

“I hate to say it, but most times when you come off a big win that next game can be a bit of a struggle,” noted Lister.

“For us, it was a struggle offensively in the first half, but we had a big third quarter,” continued Lister. “We started pounding the ball inside and getting some lay-ups.

“We got a little sloppy and let them back into the game, but the kids were able to close it out,” added Lister. “Like I said, it’s not easy to come back and win 24 hours after a big win like last night.”

The win is also a bit of redemption for the Wildcats, who lost at North Penn-Liberty in each of the last two years.

“We’ve had to play down there (Liberty) the last two years, and we’ve lost down there the last two years.,” said Lister. “They’ve had our number.

“We did not take them lightly,” noted Lister. We knew they are a good team, and they are well-coached. We knew we’d have to play well to beat them.

“The kids are responding right now. I’ve been saying all season the NTL is extremely tough, there’s a lot of good basketball here, and you have to play well every night,” added Lister. “And, we’ve played pretty well the last two nights.”

Babcock knocked down a 3-pointer early in the first quarter, and scored five points to help to a 12-8 lead after the first eight minutes.

The Mountaineers rallied with a 15-10 run in the second quarter, taking the lead, at 23-22, in the closing moments of the first half on a pair of free throws by Derek Litzelman.

Athens re-gained the lead on its opening possession of the second half on a lay-up by senior Troy Pritchard, off a nice feed from Babcock.

The teams traded multiple turnovers over the next two minutes, before senior Nalen Carling came up with a steal and lay-up to make it 26-23 with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter.

After a bucket by Babcock in transition made it 28-23, NP-L’s Noah Shedden made 1 of 2 free throws to stem the tide momentarily.

Moments later, Babcock fed Carling for an uncontested lay-up, then a blocked shot by junior Mason Lister turned into a fast-break dunk by Babcock to make it 32-24 with 4:39 left in the third quarter.

Consecutive buckets in quick succession by Carling, Lister and Babcock made it 38-24 with 3:44 remaining in the third quarter.

Hunter Thompson’s 3-pointer with 3:04 left in the stanza was NP-L’s first field goal of the half, and also triggered a 17-2 run that gave the Mounties a 41-40 lead early in the fourth quarter. The run was capped by Kyle Davis’ 3-pointer with 6:58 remaining in the contest.

With 6:25 remaining, Babcock tipped-in an errant shot to give the Wildcats the lead for good, at 42-41. Carling, off a feed from Babcock, up the lead to 44-41 with 5:48 left.

Thirty seconds later, Carling scored from point-blank range, and added the free throw to complete the three-point play to extend the lead to 47-42.

A pair of free throws, and a driving lay-up by Litzelman closed the gap to 47-46 with 4:08 left in the contest.

After an Athens turnover, senior Tucker Brown came up with a steal and converted it into a lay-up to make it 49-46 with 3:40 left in the game.

Following a defensive stop, the Wildcats extended the lead to 51-46 on a tip-in by Babcock on the offensive glass.

After an exchange of turnovers, Lister converted an old-fashioned three-point play to make it 54-46 with 1:55 left in the game.

Davis drained a 3-pointer to close the gap to 54-49 with 1:16 left in the game, but Brown scored moments later, off a feed from Babcock to push the lead back to seven, at 56-49.

After NP-L missed its next shot, Athens rebounded and was able to run out the clock.

Babcock had 17 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocked shot, and Carling had 17 points and four boards to lead the Wildcats.

Brown had eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and five steals for the Wildcats, while Lister added seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals, and Pritchard chipped in with five points and five rebounds.

Shedden led NP-L with 17 points, and Litzelman added 13 points.

Athens, now 11-4, travels to Cowanesque Valley Thursday.

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ATHENS WINS FINAL SIX BOUTS IN 51-18 WIN OVER WAVERLY

ATHENS WINS FINAL SIX BOUTS IN 51-18 WIN OVER WAVERLY

January 25, 2022 Tim Birney

ATHENS — Athens won the final six bouts of the night to top Waverly, 51-18, here Tuesday night in non-league wrestling action.

The Wildcats also picked up key wins early in the match from senior Collin Rosh, and freshmen Caleb Nason, and Keaton Sinsabaugh.

Senior Karter Rude received a forfeit to open the match at 152 pounds to give the Wildcats a quick 6-0 lead.

Junior Braeden Hills tied the bout quickly, scoring a quick five-point move with a headlock in the opening second of his 160-pound bout with freshman Landon Kizer. After Kizer worked his way off his back, Hills turned him again for the fall at 30 seconds.

At 172 pounds, junior Gage Tedesco put the Wolverines ahead 12-6 with a pin of senior Cameron Whitmarsh in the third period.

Tedesco scored a pair of takedowns, and two near-fall points for a 6-1 lead at the end of the first period. He recorded three more takedowns in the second period, and led 12-3 entering the final two minutes.

At 189, Waverly scored the initial takedown for a 2-0 lead over Rosh, but Rosh scored a reversal and three near-fall points for a 5-2 lead, then turned Kimble to his back for a fall at 1:35 to tie the match at 12-12.

At 215 pounds, Waverly junior Ty Beeman built a 6-2 lead with takedown and two near-fall points late in the second period.

Beeman started the third period on the bottom, and scored a reversal with 1:35 remaining to up his lead to 8-2.

Midway through the third period, Nason escaped, then caught Beeman in a headlock moments later, taking him directly to his back for a fall at 5:29 to give the Wildcats an 18-12 lead.

At 285 pounds, Waverly freshman Kam Hills slapped a headlock on Athens sophomore Josh Nittinger, taking him directly to his back near the edge of the circle for a 5-0 lead.

Moments later, Hills returned Nittinger to the mat and directly to his back for a fall at 1:31 to tie the match at 18-18.

Sinsabaugh, who won a pivotal match in the Wildcats’ 32-30 win over Wyalusing last week, gave up takedowns to Waverly 7th-grader Nico Rae in each of the first two period, and trailed 4-0 entering the final two minutes.

Sinsabaugh scored a takedown early in the third period to close the gap to 4-2, but was penalized for a “full nelson” and trailed 5-2.

After the re-start, Sinsabaugh locked in a half and turned Rae for the fall at 5:34 to give the Wildcats a 24-18 lead.

Sophomore Mason Vanderpool extended Athens’ lead to 30-18 with a 46-second pin of freshman Jake Besecker.

Athens senior Gavin Bradley, ranked No. 1 in the state at 113 pounds, pinned freshman Payton Fravel in 43 seconds at 126 pounds to make it 36-18.

In the marquee match-up of the night at 132 pounds, Athens senior Kaden Setzer used a pair of first-period takedowns, and two sets of swipes to take a 9-1 lead on junior Connor Stotler after the first two minutes.

Setzer stretched his lead to 13-2 with a pair of second-period takedowns, but Stotler scored a reversal late in the period to close the gap to 13-4 entering the final two minutes.

Stotler started the third period on bottom, scored an escape, and then used a headlock to take Setzer down to close the deficit to 13-7. Setzer was able to stay off his back, and preserve a 13-7 decision to give the Wildcats an insurmountable to 39-18 lead.

Junior Jake Courtney and senior Lucas Forbes closed out the match with first-period pins at 138 and 145 pounds.

Athens, now 8-2, returns to action when it hosts Towanda Wednesday night, while Waverly (8-11) hosts Owego Thursday.

——————

IN PHOTO 1: Waverly junior Ty Beeman and Athens freshman Caleb Nason. … PHOTOS BY DAVID ALLIGER — TRAVELING PORTRAITS.

——————

ATHENS 51, WAVERLY 18
152: Karter Rude (A) by forfeit;
160: Braeden Hills (W) by fall over Landen Kizer (A), 0:55;
172: Gage Tedesco  (W) by fall over Cameron Whitmarsh (A), 5:20;
189: Colin Rosh (A) by fall over Andrew Kimble  (W), 1:35;
215: Caleb Nason (A) by fall over Troy Beeman  (W), 5:29;
285: Kam Hills (W) by fall over Joshua Nittinger (A), 1:31;
106: Keaton Sinsabaugh (A) by fall over Nico Rae (W), 5:34;
113: No Match;
120: Mason Vanderpool (A) by fall over Jake Besecker (W), 0:46;
126: Gavin Bradley (A) by fall over Payton  Fravel  (W), 0:43;
132: Kaden Setzer (A) dec. Connor Stotler (W), 13-7;
138: Jacob  Courtney (A) by fall over Seth Noto (W), 0:52;
145: Lucas Forbes (A) by fall over Braeden Nichols  (W), 1:11.

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ATHENS JVs ROLL OVER NORTH PENN-LIBERTY, 44-20

ATHENS JVs ROLL OVER NORTH PENN-LIBERTY, 44-20

January 25, 2022 Tim Birney

ATHENS — Athens used a strong second half to blow open a close game on its way to a 44-20 win over North Penn-Liberty here Tuesday evening in NTL junior varsity boys basketball action.

Kolsen Keathley scored five points in the first quarter, and Troy Rosenbloom knocked down a 3-pointer to help Athens to a 14-8 lead after the opening stanza.

The two teams played the second half evenly, and the Wildcats led 21-15 at the half, but Connor Mosher scored five points, including a 3-pointer, in the third quarter, and Keathley added four points in an 11-2 run that upped the lead to 30-17.

Matt Aquilio converted a rare four-point play in the fourth quarter, and Jack Cheresnowsky scored four points in a 12-3 run that put the game away.

Keathley led a balanced Athens attack with nine points and three rebounds, while Mosher had seven points, four assists, and four steals, and Korey Miller had six points, five rebounds, four assists, and six steals.

Aquilio had six points and four rebounds in the win, while Rosenbloom had four points, three steals, and one blocked shot, and Cheresnowsky had four points, three boards, and three steals.

Athens travels to Cowanesque Valley Thursday.

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ATHENS EDGES TROY, 61-57, IN MUST-WIN GAME

ATHENS EDGES TROY, 61-57, IN MUST-WIN GAME

January 24, 2022 Chris Manning

ATHENS — With two league losses already, and playing league unbeaten Troy, Athens knew this game was do-or-die if it wanted to stay in the hunt for an NTL title. And, with their backs against the wall, the Wildcats did that, beating the Trojans 61-57 in boys basketball action Monday.

“We’ve been preparing all last week, and this week,” said Athens seniorJJ Babcock, who finished with 14 points, six rebounds, six assists, and a block. “We had a couple of games last week, but we were still preparing for tonight.”


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ATHENS BOYS TOP DANVILLE; LADY WILDCATS FALL

ATHENS BOYS TOP DANVILLE; LADY WILDCATS FALL

January 24, 2022 Tim Birney

DANVILLE — Junior Chris DeForest won four events to lead Athens to a 57-37 win over Danville Monday afternoon in non-league swimming action, while the Lady Wildcats dropped a 76-25 decision.

The meet also included Towanda, which was also swimming exclusively against Danville.

BOYS
Athens 57, Danville 37

DeForest won two individual events and was on a pair of winning relays, while junior Ethan Denlinger was a double-winner, swimming on a pair relays.

DeForest won the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 24.17 seconds.  DeForest also won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 1:02.03, and freshman Josh Leonard was second in 1:12.9.

DeForest teamed with Denlinger, and freshman Ethan Hicks and Ronel Ankam to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in a time of 1:42.45. The same foursome won the 400-yard freestyle relay in a time of 3:51.13.

Freshmen Pierce Oldroyd, Aiden Oldroyd, Carter Lewis, and Treyvon Simpson won the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 2:44.92.

Denlinger was second in the 200-yard IM in 2:24.20, and Hicks was third in 2:24.26.

Hicks finished second in the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 1:02.75, and Lewis was third in 1:21.85.

Ankam finished second in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 57.16 seconds.

Simpson was third in the 1-meter diving competition with 144.8 points, and Lewis was fourth with 111.25 points.

Junior Joe Blood was third in the 500-yard freestyle in 6:44.56.

Gorman finished third in the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:29.64, and Aiden Oldroyd was fourth in 1:38.14.

Senior Reuven Gifeisman finished fourth in the 200-yard freestyle in 2:30.27.

GIRLS
Danville 76, Athens 25

The Wildcats had three second-place finishes in a 76-25 loss to powerhouse Danville.

Junior Taegan Williams finished second in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.88 seconds, and senior Hannah Walker was fourth in 30.73 seconds.  Williams finished third in the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 1:08.13, and junior Macaria Benjamin was fourth in 1:24.38.

Freshman Abby Panek was second in the 1-meter diving competition with 170.5 points.

Senior Brooke Kopatz finished second in the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:15.93, and junior Alli Thoman was third in 1:22.45. Kopatz finished third in the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 2:17.31, and sophomore Grace Cobb was fourth in 2:30.58.

Fisher finished third in the 200-yard IM in 2:34.36, and sophomore Emily Marshall was fourth in 2:56.36. Fisher  (1:13.2)and Marshall (1:19.86) also finished third and fourth, respectively, in the 100-yard backstroke.

Cobb finished third in the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 6:48.53, and freshman Elizabeth Talada was fourth in 7:08.14.

Athens will compete at the Tunkhannock Swimming & Diving Championships this weekend.

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TROY STARTS FAST, HOLDS OFF ATHENS, 40-33

TROY STARTS FAST, HOLDS OFF ATHENS, 40-33

January 24, 2022 Tim Birney

ATHENS — Troy jumped out to a big lead early, then made its free throws down the stretch to hold off Athens for a 40-33 win over Athens here Monday night in NTL Large School junior varsity boys basketball action.

The junior Trojans knocked down five 3-pointers in the opening stanza, including two apiece by Jack Burbage and Joseph Frye, in a 19-10 game-opening run. Korey Miller and Connor Mosher canned 3-pointers for the Wildcats.

Xavier Watson scored five points in the second quarter, and Mosher connected on another 3-pointer, but Athens only trimmed one point off the Troy lead, and trailed 26-18 at the break.

Mosher drained his third 3-pointer in the third quarter to spark a 7-2 spurt that closed the gap to 28-25, but the Wildcats missed a golden opportunity to pull closer, or take the lead by doing 0-for-4 at the free throw line.

Mosher and Troy Rosenbloom made 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, but Troy was 8-for-8 from the free throw line, including a 6-for-6 performance by Lance Heasley, to sew up the victory.

Mosher led Athens with 12 points — all on 3-pointers, while Watson had nine points and five rebounds, and Miller had five points, five rebounds, six assists, and nine steals.

Rosenbloom had five points, three steals, and one blocked shot for Athens, and Jase Babcock added six rebounds and one blocked shot.

Heasley led a balanced Troy attack with 10 points, and Burbage added eight.

Athens hosts NP-Liberty Tuesday.

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ATHENS JVs TOP BENTON; FALL AT NP-MANSFIELD

ATHENS JVs TOP BENTON; FALL AT NP-MANSFIELD

January 22, 2022 Tim Birney

BENTON — Athens took the lead early, maintained the lead throughout, and pulled out a 27-20 win over Benton here Saturday afternoon in non-league junior varsity girls basketball action.

Sara Bronson scored five points in the first quarter to help Athens to a 10-7 lead after the first seven minutes.

Both teams struggled to score in the second quarter, with Athens outscoring Benton, 3-1, to take a 13-8 lead into the halftime locker room.

Bronson scored four more points in the third quarter in a 6-5 advantage to stretch the lead to 19-12 entering the final stanza.

Mya Thompson scored five points int he fourth quarter, including an old-fashioned three-point play to help Athens maintain the lead.

Thompson had nine points, 15 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and five blocked shots, and Bronson had nine points, seven rebounds, and six steals to lead Athens.

Izzy Davis had six points and five rebounds in the win, and Ella Coyle grabbed five rebounds.

Athens returns to action Wednesday at North Penn-Liberty.

North Penn-Mansfield 36, Athens 26

At Mansfield, Athens fell behind early, and never made up the difference in a 36-26 loss at North Penn-Mansfield Thursday.

NP-M led 115 after the first quarter, and 17-10 at the half. The Lady Tigers stretched their lead to 12 points, at 28-16, with an 11-6 run in the third quarter.

Sara Bronson led Athens with 11 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and nine steals, while Mya Thompson had six points, four steals, and two blocked shots, Ravyn Glisson had six points and two assists, and Ella Coyle grabbed five boards.

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MACIK HAULS DOWN MILESTONE REBOUND IN ATHENS' 50-16 WIN OVER BENTON

MACIK HAULS DOWN MILESTONE REBOUND IN ATHENS' 50-16 WIN OVER BENTON

January 22, 2022 Tim Birney

BENTON — Senior Caydence Macik scored 22 points, and hauled down her 600th career rebound to lead Athens in a 50-16 win over Benton here Saturday afternoon in non-league girls basketball action.

With 5:37 remaining in the first quarter, Macik pulled down the milestone carom.

“Congrats to Caydence on a great achievement,” said Athens coach Brian Miller. “Rebounding is about effort and attitude, and Caydence plays that game at a high level.

“I’m so proud of her,” added Miller.

The Wildcats limited the Tigers to just one field goal in the first quarter, and one in the entire second half.

“We played great team defense tonight, and had some great fast-break passing in transition,” said Miller.

Junior Karlee Bartlow scored five points in the first quarter, and Macik added four points to fuel a game-opening 14-3 blitz.

Five different Lady Wildcats found the scoring column in the second quarter, but they were only able to add one point to their advantage, taking a 24-12 lead into the halftime locker room.

Macik pumped in 12 points in the third quarter, and Karlee Bartlow added four in an 18-2 run that gave Athens a 42-14 lead entering the final eight minutes.

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ATHENS GIRLS TOP LEWISBURG; BOYS DROP CLOSE DECISION

ATHENS GIRLS TOP LEWISBURG; BOYS DROP CLOSE DECISION

January 22, 2022 Tim Birney

TOWANDA — Senior Brooke Kopatz, and juniors Taegan Williams and Taylar Fisher were double-winners to lead Athens to a 60-36 win over Lewisburg here Saturday afternoon, while the Wildcat boys dropped a 53-48 decision in non-league swimming action.

Lewisburg was also swimming against Towanda at the meet.

GIRLS
Athens 60, Lewisburg 36

Athens won six events, and also had seven second-place finish in the three-team meet, pulling out a 60-36 win over Lewisburg.

Williams won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 1:10.39, and sophomore Emily Marshall was third in 1:24.04.

Fisher won the 200-yard IM in a time of 2:38.62, and Kopatz was second in 2:41.89.

Kopatz won the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:17.43, and junior Alli Thoman was second in 1:21.93.

Kopatz, Williams and Fisher teamed with Marshal to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in a time of 1:57.14.

Sophomore Grace Cobb won the 500-yard freestyle in a mite of 6:43.28, and freshman Elizabeth Talada was second in 7:08.07

Freshman Abby Panek won the 1-meter diving competition with 181.35 points.

Williams finished second inn the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 2:14.78, and Cobb was fourth in 2:28.83.

Fisher finished second in the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 1:14.73, and Marshall was third in 1:21.40.

Thoman finished second in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 30.78 seconds, and Talada was fourth in 33.15 seconds.

Senior Hannah Walker finished second in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 1:16.98.

BOYS
Lewisburg 53, Athens 48

Junior Ethan Denlinger was a double-winner, but Athens came up just short in a 53-48 loss to powerhouse Lewisburg in the three-team meet that also included Towanda.

Denlinger won the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 2:05.7, and junior Joe Blood was fourth in 2:32.77. Denlinger finished second in the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 5:52.34.

Chris DeForest won the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 24.0 seconds, and freshman Ryan Gorman was third in 27.35 seconds. DeForest finished second in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:00.64.

Freshman Ethan Hicks won the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 1:06.08. He was third in 200-yard IM in a time of 2:27.57, and freshman Ronel Ankam was fourth in 2:46.11.

Ankam won the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:21.44, and Gorman was third in 1:28.38.

Denlinger teamed with Blood, senior Reuven Gifeisman and freshman Aiden Oldroyd to win the 400-yard freestyle relay in a time of 4:23.5.

Freshman Treyvon Simpson was second in the 1-meter diving competition with 131.25 points, and freshman Carter Lewis was third with 100.05 points.

Gifeisman finished second in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 1:02.33, and Lewis was fourth in 1:04.63.

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ATHNES EDGES WYALUSING, 32-30

ATHNES EDGES WYALUSING, 32-30

January 21, 2022 Tim Birney

ATHENS — There are two keys to winning dual meets: unheralded wrestlers stepping up with big wins, and those same wrestlers avoiding giving up bonus points if they don’t win.

Athens checked both those boxes Friday night in a 32-30 win over Wyalusing in NTL wrestling action.

“It was a great team effort. We wrestled well today,” said Athens coach Shawn Bradley. “We beat a really good team that has a really good record.

“We had to move around a lot today, so we had a lot of guys step up.

“Lucas Forbes and Cameron Whitmarsh came up big, and Keaton Sinsabaugh won the darn match,” added Bradley. “Those kids don’t get a lot of the accolades or the glory, but the bottom line is to win dual meets everyone has to perform.”

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 7-2.

“We’re trying to get to Milton (District 4 Duals semifinals) for the first time,” said Bradley. “In order to do that, we have to win some dual meets.”

Senior Kaden Setzer opened the match with a 36-second pin of Isaac Shaffer at 132 pounds, and junior Jacob Courtney locked up Cade McMicken in a cradle at 4:35 in their 138-pound match to put the Wildcats up 12-0.

“Two of our hammers (Kaden Setzer and Jake Courtney) got us started,” said Bradley.

Skyler Manahan won by fall at 145 pounds to put the Rams on the board, then Hunter Manahan topped Lucas Forbes, 7-2, at 152 pounds, to close the gap to 12-9.

Senior Karter Rude put Wildcats back up by nine, at 18-9, with a pin of Jordan Lamb at 160 pounds.

Alex Hunsinger triggered a mini run for the Rams with a 5-1 decision over Whitmarsh at 172, and Brian Arnold followed with a 56-second fall at 189 to tie the match at 18-18.

Nicholas Woodruff received a forfeit at 215 pounds to give Wyalusing a 24-18 lead, but sophomore Josh Nittinger tied it at 24-24 with a 61-second fall over Zach Fenton at 285 pounds, setting the stage for Sinsabaugh.

Evan Johnson scored the first takedown in the 106-pound bout, but Sinsabaugh battled back. In the closing seconds of the third period, Sinsabaugh went head-hunting and flipped Johnson, who was riding top, off his back for a reversal to win an 8-6 decision, giving the Wildcats a 27-24 lead.

Wyalusing had an opportunity to send Clayton Carr out to receive a forfeit at 113 pounds, but chose to bump him up to face senior Gavin Bradley at 120 pounds.

The unbeaten Bradley put on a takedown clinic, scoring 11 takedowns in a 23-8 technical fall in 5:18 to sew up the win for the Wildcats.

Wyalusing’s Ayden Hunsinger closed out the match with a third-period pin of sophomore Mason Vanderpool to provide the final margin.

Athens returns to action Tuesday at Waverly.

——————

IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Gavin Bradley. … PHOTOS BY DAVID ALLIGER — TRAVELING PORTRAITS.

——————

ATHENS 32, WYALUSING 30
132: Kaden Setzer (A) by fall over Isaac Shaffer (W), 0:36;
138: Jacob  Courtney (A) by fall over Cade McMicken (W), 4:35;
145: Skyler Manahan (W) by fall over Gavin McGrath (A), 3:12;
152: Hunter Manahan (W) dec. Lucas Forbes (A), 7-2;
160: Karter Rude (A) by fall over Jordan Lamb (W), 3:13;
172: Alex Hunsinger (W) dec. Cameron Whitmarsh (A), 5-1;
189: Brian Arnold (W) by fall over Landen Kizer (A), 0:56;
215: Nicholas Woodruff (W) by forfeit;
285: Joshua Nittinger (A) by fall over Zachary Fenton (W), 1:01;
106: Keaton Sinsabaugh (A) dec. Evan Johnson (W). 8-6;
113: No Match;
120: Gavin Bradley (A) tech. fall Clayton Carr (W), 23-8 @ 5:18;
126: Ayden Hunsinger (W) by fall over Mason Vanderpool (A), 4:46.

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 ATHENS RIDES DEFENSE AGAIN; ROLLS TO 56-21 WIN OVER NP-MANSFIELD

ATHENS RIDES DEFENSE AGAIN; ROLLS TO 56-21 WIN OVER NP-MANSFIELD

January 21, 2022 Tim Birney

MANSFIELD — Athens limited North Penn-Mansfield to just two first-half field goals, and built a 19-point lead on its way to a 56-21 win over North Penn-Mansfield her Friday night in NTL girls basketball action.

“I thought we played a great team game, especially on the defensive end,” said Athens coach Brian Miller. “We played very physical defense on our end  

“Mansfield played a physical game, too,” noted Miller. “The only thing we didn't do great tonight was make some open looks, but that's part of the game. Sometimes they fall, sometimes they don't.

“But the rest of our game was top-notch,” added Miller. “It was nice to see us play this way two games in row.”

Senior Caydence Macik scored five points in the first quarter, including an old-fashioned three-point play late in the stanza to help the Lady Wildcats to an 11-2 lead.

Junior Emma Bronson had five points, including a conventional three-point play, in the second quarter, and freshman Addy Wheeler canned a 3-pointer to fuel a 14-4 run that extended the Athens lead to 25-6 at the half.

Macik scored nine more points in the third quarter, including her third three-point play of the game, and Bronson added four points in a 16-11 advantage in the stanza to help the Lady Wildcats to a 41-17 lead entering the final eight minutes.

Junior Karlee Bartlow had six points — on a 3-pointer and a three-point play — in the fourth quarter, and Macik canned a 3-pointer and scored five points in a 15-4 run in the final eight minutes.

Macik led Athens with 22 points, including a 5-for-5 effort at the free-throw line , six rebounds, three steals, and one blocked shot, while Bronson had 13 points, four steals, and one blocked shot, and Karlee Bartlow had 10 points and five boards.

Wheeler added six points, eight rebounds, four assists, and seven steals in the win, while senior Olivia Bartlow hauled down 10 rebounds, and blocked two shots, and sophomore Mya Thompson and junior Natalee Watson each had three rebounds, and one blocked shot.

Ella Swingle led NP-M with five points.

Athens, now 8-3, travels to Benton Saturday. The JV game tips off at noon.

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WYALUSING TAKES ADVANTAGE OF TECHNICAL; TOPS ATHENS, 66-61

WYALUSING TAKES ADVANTAGE OF TECHNICAL; TOPS ATHENS, 66-61

January 21, 2022 Chris Manning

WYALUSING — Athens may have played one of its best first halves offensively this season, taking an 8-point lead on Wyalusing, but couldn’t continue it in the second half as the Rams chipped away at the lead. Then, with both teams going back-and-forth in the final minutes, a technical foul against Athens set them back, and Wyalusing pulled out a 66-61 win in NTL boys’ basketball action Friday.


“I thought both teams played very, very well,” said Wildcat coach Jim Lister. “I give a lot of credit to Wyalusing, they came to battle tonight.

“(Grady) Cobb was hot from the outside in the first half, and we made some adjustments to change that — we went to a man defense, it kind of slowed him down a little bit, but (Blake) Morningstar got us underneath, so it just wasn’t our night.”

Athens was down 60-58 with 50.2 seconds to play when Athens was called for a technical foul after a foul call against the Wildcats. The personal foul put them in the bonus, and Cobb went 3-for-4 from the line, extending the Ram lead, and Athens never recovered.

“I’m frustrated with that type of foul at the end of the game,” Lister remarked. “You just don’t make that call with 45 seconds left to go in the game. The player said ‘it was a travel,’ he didn’t say anything bad. You know, you don’t make that call — that won the game. If we had a shot, you know, that was gone at that point.”

Lister was pleased with how well his team shot the ball — the ‘Cats were 6-for-11 from deep, and 45.5 percent overall.

“We’re going to get our points underneath because were long and tall, but we have to be able to hit the outside shot, which we’re starting to do now,” he said.


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