NTL GIRLS' BASKETBALL: WYALUSING LOOKS TO RELOAD FOR 2025-2026 SEASON (November 30, 2025)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
The Wyalusing girls’ basketball team continued to make strides last season, and with plenty of returnees they’re hoping to keep the train going this season.

“Having kids return each year has a huge impact on our program’s culture,” said Wyalusing coach Nick Reynolds. “Because we’re already familiar with each other, we’re able to keep growing together as a team. Our upperclassmen play a major role in driving this program, and setting the standard for everyone who comes after them.”

The core of Emily Johns, Alysha Botts, and Treanna Nickeson all bring something different to the able for Wyalusing. 

Johns is one of the best low post scorers in the league, and hopes to take her game to another level as a junior.

“I want to stay confident,” said Johns. “Last year I struggled with confidence a lot, so this year I’m trying to work on that better.”

Nickeson was the team’s Swiss-Army-Knife a year ago, and one of the better defenders in the league.

“We’ve just been trying our best to pick up our confidence, knowing that we can beat anyone if we play our best,” Nickeson said. “That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

Botts was one of the best point guards in the league a year ago.

They do have two big starters to replace in sharpshooter Chloe Bennett and rebounding machine Rachel Wilson.

“You can never replace a Chloe Bennett or a Rachel Wilson,” said Reynolds. “Those two helped build our program into what it is today. They’ve set the standard, and now they pass the torch to the next group.”

One of those younger players is Liz Kilmer, who will look to replace some of that shooting that Bennett did.

“It’s a really big role,” said Kilmer. “But JV last year taught me when to shoot, and I got way more confident in my shot, so I think that I’m ready to step into the role.”

Kilmer saw some varsity action late last year, and feels that will help her.

“I had to learn that I had to be ready to go in the game at any point in time,” she said. “I have to be ready to shoot, and ready to play defense.”

The injury bug has hit Wyalusing early this season with Alissa Baldwin and Emily Fowler both out. That means they’ll have to find some other players to step up, with eyes on freshmen Brinley Sterling and Jenna Morningstar.

“It’s going to be big shoes to fill, missing our two starters from last year that aren’t here anymore,” Nickeson said. “We’ve been practicing hard, and I think we’ll do just fine.”

They have other JV players from last year in Callee Warner and Ireland Coats that they hope will fill some roles.

“Mixing in our younger and older players is always fun,” said Reynolds. “New faces bring new energy and new dynamics to our team, and we’re seeing great things for everyone. Our returning players are showing off the work they put in during the off season, and our freshmen are already proving what they can bring to the table. We love every part of it as we gear up for this season.”

They split with the eventual league champions Troy a year ago, but couldn’t quite keep that consistency from game to game. With Troy graduating most of last year’s team they hope to be in the mix for the Large School title.

“There’s definitely some good teams out there, but I feel like a lot of people lost everybody last year,” Johns said. “I think it’s going to be good.”

ROSTER (Grade)
Treanna Nickeson (12)
Emily Fowler (12)
Alissa Baldwin (12)
Sara Valentini (12)
Alysha Botts (11)
Liz Kilmer (11)
Ireland Coats (11)
Chloe Whipple (11)
Camryn Gesford (11)
Emily Johns (11)
Callee Warner (10)
Katelyn Trowbridge (10)
Brinley Sterling (9)
Jenna Morningstar (9)
Rayna Noble (9)
Riley O’Connor (9)
Kaylie Goodwin (9)

SCHEDULE
Dec. 6 at Shamokin, 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 at Canton, 7 p.m.
Dec. 12 vs NEB, 7 p.m.
Dec. 15 vs Hughesville, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 at Sayre, 6 p.m.
Dec. 19 at Troy, 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 at Waverly, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 at Hughesville Tournament
Dec. 30 at Hughesville Tournament
Jan. 7 vs Wellsboro, 7 p.m.
Jan. 9 vs NPM, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 vs Athens, 1 p.m.
Jan. 16 at Towanda, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 vs Williamson, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 at NPL, 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 at Delaware Valley, 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 vs CV, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 vs Troy, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 at Wellsboro, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 at NPM, 7 p.m.
Feb. 7 vs Towanda, 7 p.m.
Feb. 9 at Athens, 7 p.m.



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