NTL GIRLS BASKETBALL: TROY PULLS AWAY FROM TOWANDA FOR THIRD STRAIGHT NTL SHOWCASE TITLE (February 15, 2026)
Northern Tier Sports ReportMANSFIELD — Troy used a big second half to pull away from Towanda to win their third straight NTL Showcase Girls Basketball title Saturday, besting the Knights 58-23.
The Trojans have gone 3-0 against Towanda this year, twice during the league season, and now in the Showcase.
“We haven’t changed much,” Troy coach Steve Renzi said. “We make small adjustments. My girls, we told them for the game, you are the toughest, you have the most grit, you give the most effort on the court I’ve ever seen for a girls game. My assistant, Marcus Redline, his dad coached girls for 19 yards, he’s never seen a team this tough, and that’s exactly what they’ve got. They’ve got grit and they give effort, and they give 110-percent. I don’t have to worry about that - when you don’t have to coach stuff, that’s amazing.”
It was tight early as Troy led 9-7 after one, then out scored the Knights 14-8 in the second to extend their lead to 23-15 at the half.
They exploded for 22 points in the third to build a 45-23 lead going into the fourth, where they held Towanda scoreless to secure the win.
“What we want to do is work inside out,” Renzi said about his squad. “My other assistant coach, coach White, says all the time, you’ve got to go inside out, and it’s true. There’s something to be said about that in any basketball game.”
Four different Trojans hit double figures, led by 18 from Kyah Renzo.
“She’s consistent,” said Renzi. “She’s one of the best basketball players in District IV, if not the state. She’s a great player.”
Raelyn Woodward netted 13, Giana Renzi scored 11, and Izzy Renzi netted 10.
Emma Mickley, Haidyn Watson, and Emilee Purcell had two points each.
As for Towanda for three games they’ve started out close to Troy - leading them even in their second match-up - only to watch the Trojans pull away in the second half.
“I know they’re a really, really good basketball team,” said Towanda coach Rob Gentile. “They’re well coached. Honestly, when that job came open I knew everybody was in trouble because Steve is such a good coach. A lot of people don’t know this, Steve and I played against each other about four years ago, and he’s one of the toughest competitors. He’s translated that to his team, and they’ve got five kids that can shoot the ball. They’re not afraid to shoot the ball, they move the ball quickly so it’s hard to get them into traps.”
Brynn Woodruff scored 11 to lead the Knights, with Payton Perry, and Mya Maynard netting four points each.
Maris Cobb had three, with Reese Sullivan netting one.
Woodward led Troy out of the gates with four points in the opening quarter, while Woodruff hit a 3-ball for Towanda.
Giana had six points - including a 3-pointer - to propel Troy in the second quarter. Woodruff led Towanda with four points on two of their three made field goals.
Woodward and Renzo combined for 17 of the team’s 22 points - nine from Woodward, and eight out of Renzo - to take control of the game.
Giana added five more points in the fourth, as Renzo scored four.
Both teams will be at home to start district play next week.
Towanda welcomes Mt. Carmel at 6 p.m. on Thursday in a rematch of last year’s third place game.
Troy welcomes the winner of Wyalusing and South Williamsport on Friday with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
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PHOTOS BY PETER KUTBAY
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