THE WEEK AHEAD: HOOPS HEATS UP AS THE NTL DUAL MEET SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE (2022-01-23)

Northern Tier Sports Report
The NTL dual meet season comes to a close this week, but league hoops action is just heating up.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Monday, January 24

Troy (9-1) at Athens (9-4), 7:30 p.m.: The Trojans have been rolling in the month of January, recently getting a big win on the road over Canton. Athens has suffered losses in two of their last three games, but were competitive contests against quality teams.

Tuesday, January 25

Sayre (2-11) at Troy (10-1), 7:30 p.m.: The Trojans will take on both valley teams back to back. The two teams are heading in opposite directions, with Troy on a 5-game win streak, and Sayre dropping their last 10.

Canton (10-4) at Towanda (4-10), 7:30 p.m.: The Knights finally got over that hump of pulling out a close game, beating CV last Friday. There is still enough time for them to make a playoff push. Canton is coming off a loss to Troy, and needs this win to stay in the NTL Division-II hunt.

Wyalusing (10-5) at NP-Mansfield (9-2), 7:30 p.m.: The Rams’ come from behind win over Athens may be a turning point game for them, as they have two tough cross-over games this week, beginning with NP-Mansfield. The Tigers have won three of their last four games.

NEB (3-11) at Wellsboro (10-2), 7:30 p.m.: The Panthers were able to shock the Hornets with a buzzer beater last season, and the Hornets are coming off a 6-point win against Sayre, a team NEB just beat. 

Thursday, January 27

Waverly at Troy (10-1), 7:30 p.m.: A homecoming for Wolverine coach Lou Judson, who won three district titles playing for the Trojans. They’ve been playing each other recently as this has become a cross-border rivalry.

Canton (10-4) at Williamson (2-9), 7:30 p.m.: The battle of the Warriors, as Canton looks try and keep pace with Wyalusing in the NTL Division-II standings. Williamson has lost their last four contests coming into this week.

Wellsboro (10-2) at Wyalusing (10-5), 7:30 p.m.: Another big league contest, one with far reaching consequences for both squads. A Ram win here would give them a big leg up over Canton, who lost to the Hornets back in December, while a Hornet loss would put them two behind Troy in the NTL Division-I standings.

Saturday, January 29

Williamsport (8-3) at Troy (10-1), 7:30 p.m.: The Trojans bring the Millionaires into town to end a 4-game week. Troy nearly upset Williamsport on the road last season, Williamsport going 2-2 in their last four games.

NCC (7-2) at NEB (3-11), 5:30 p.m.: The Panthers end the week with a home game against a tough non-league opponent. NCC has won their last five games.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Monday, January 24

CV (1-8) at Towanda (8-3), 7:30 p.m.: Winners of five straight, the Lady Knights are rolling as they head into a big week for them. The Indians are coming off their first win of the season against Williamson.

NEB (10-2) at Sayre (0-7), 6 p.m.: The Panthers will finally get this make-up game made up as they travel to the valley. NEB currently sports the longest win streak in the area, up to seven games, dating back to before Christmas.

Wyalusing (4-8) at Wellsboro (5-6), 7:30 p.m.: The Rams are coming off a season best offensive out put in a win over Williamson. There is still time for Wyalusing to make a playoff push, as the Hornets recently broke a 5-game losing streak with a win over NPM.

Wednesday, January 26

Troy (8-3) at Sayre (0-7), 6 p.m.: The Trojans will look to keep pace with Towanda and stay ahead of Athens this week as they take on the Redskins. Troy is coming off a hard fought 2-point win over Canton.

Towanda (8-3) at Canton (8-6), 7:30 p.m.: It doesn’t get any easier for the Warriors, who host the league unbeaten Knights. Canton is coming off a win over Montgomery, after dropping a heart breaker to Troy.

Wyalusing (4-8) at CV (1-8), 7:30 p.m.: Another opportunity for the Rams to pick up a win as part of a playoff push, though its a long bus ride from Wyalusing to Westfield. Both teams recently recorded wins over Williamson.

Wellsboro (5-6) at NEB (10-2), 7:30 p.m.: Its been an up-and-down season for the Hornets, who started 4-1, but have gone 1-5 since. The Panthers will be looking to extend their seven game win streak at home on this day.

Thursday, January 27

Athens (9-3) at Towanda (8-3), 7:30 p.m.: Hopefully, this will be the day, as this game has been postponed numerous times now. Athens needs a win here to stay alive in the NTL Division-I title race, with losses to NEB and Troy, while the Knights come in undefeated in the league.

Friday, January 28

NEB (10-2) at Troy (8-3), 7:30 p.m.: Part of a tough end to the week for the Panthers, as they have back to back games against quality opponents. Both teams boast close wins over Athens, and tough losses to Towanda this year.

Canton (8-6) at Wyalusing (4-8), 7:30 p.m.: Both teams could use a win as they make they’re playoff push. Currently, Canton is the ninth seed, just behind Northwest and East Juniata, while the Rams are on the outside looking in.

Sayre (0-7) at Towanda (8-3), 6 p.m.: The third game in a row for Towanda, as they host Sayre. The Lady ‘Skins are looking for their first win of the season.

Saturday, January 29

NEB (10-2) at Bloomsburg (11-0), noon: The big test for NEB this week as they take on state power Bloomsburg, in a battle of the Panthers. Bloomsburg has a gauntlet this week, though, with Southern Columbia, Loyalsock, and Central Columbia all before they get NEB.

WRESTLING

Tuesday, January 25

Wyalusing (12-6) at NP-Liberty (5-6) w/Williamson (5-8), 6 p.m.: The Rams have two more matches to try and keep a home playoff match for District duals next week. They’re looking to end the season strong after two narrow losses to Athens and Towanda.

Wellsboro (1-6) at NEB (2-16), 7 p.m.: The dual meet season ending for the Panthers are they look to go out on a positive note. NEB’s Brock Fenton is coming off a 5-0 performance at the NEB duals.

Wednesday, January 26

Towanda (14-5) at Athens (7-2), 7 p.m.: The Knights are looking to hang on to that home district duals match as they look to continue their strong wrestling up in the valley, coming off a big win over Wyalusing. The Wildcats have won four straight dual matches, including a 2-point win over Wyalusing themselves.

Canton (11-2) at NP-Liberty (5-6), 7 p.m.: The Warriors will look to clinch their third straight league title with a win over the Mounties. NPL will likely need a win to make it to the district duals tournament.

Thursday, January 27

Troy (3-4) at Wellsboro (1-6), 7 p.m.: The Trojans will need a win to get into the district duals tournament, and it looks like they could get it against the Hornets. Wellsboro won their season opener, but have lost six straight since.

Friday, January 28 & Saturday, January 29

Canton, Wyalusing, Towanda at West Branch Tournament: It’ll be a whose-who of the NTL at West Branch over the weekend as Athens will be joining them, too. This is the last big tournament of the regular season.

SWIMMING & DIVING

Friday, January 28 &n Saturday, January 29

Towanda at Tunkhannock Invitational: The Knights will hit up their second invitational of the season as they travel down to Tunkhannock.