BRADFORD-TIOGA HEAD START WILLIAMS AUTO GROUPWysox Sand & Gravel BUILDING No. 9 GRILLE Northern Tier Sports ReportFlynn Propane GANNON'S FCCBBC Tourism




NTL GIRLS' BASKETBALL: WYALUSING LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK WITH NEW COACH THIS SEASON (2022-11-30)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It’ll be a new chapter for Wyalusing girls’ basketball this season. They have a new coach in Nick Reynolds and they’re hoping compete for a district spot after missing out last season.

“I think it’s going to be a really good season,” said senior Olivia Leichliter. “A lot better than previous seasons.”


They came up just short of districts a year ago, a season where they lost quite a bit of close games.


“We’re practicing a lot harder,” Leichliter said. “We’ve already started working on plays, and just basic understandings of the game. It’s good to build our foundation.”


Offensive execution was one area they struggled in last year, especially in the fourth quarter, so they hope to improve upon that.


“This year we’re working a lot on shooting,” said Layla Botts, who is a 3-year starter. “We’re moving, making cuts, trying to get to the basket.”


They’ve made it a priority to cut down on turnovers, while also making some changes to the offense.


“We are starting to run more independent plays,” explained Leichliter. “A lot more passing and cutting, rather than set screens here or there. I think that’s going to be really beneficial for us. We’re also working on fast breaks, and just a lot more transition.”


Reynolds’ main goal these past few weeks has been getting everybody to pull in the same direction.


“Teamwork and the desire to win,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of things to work on. They’re a very decent group, and everybody’s on the same page.”


Down low Leichliter was one of the better post players in the league, a double-double threat every time she steps out on the court. She’s hoping to nab her 500th career rebound this year, but also has some high team goals, too.


She had averages of 7.4 PPG and 8.7 RPG a year ago.


“I hope that we can get to an NTL title or district title,” she said. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge. It’s going to be difficult, just like it was last year, but I would say that as long as we all work hard, and want it just as much as I know our seniors want it, I think that we can.”


Botts is one of the better perimeter defenders in the league, and hopes to anchor another pesky Rams’ defense. Of offense she scored 5.9 PPG, and had 3.1 RPG, and 1.8 SPG.


“We’re going to work on shutting them down,” Botts said about other teams. “Getting in their heads.”


Reynolds is glad to see these two step up so far this season.


“I’m very excited for these two, these two are ready to go,” he said. 


However, he also knows he’s going to have to have some other players step up around them if they’re going to be successful.


“Elana Jennings, she’s been on fire,” said Reynolds. “Chloe (Bennett), from the film that I watched, has really come along. We’ve got good size, and we’ve got a good group of kids that are ready to play, and really come along since what I watched on film.”


They’re also hoping to build team camaraderie.


“One of our goals this year is we call ourselves a sisterhood,” Botts remarked. “Just try to bring everyone in.”


That will be key as they mix in several new players.


“I’m really excited for it,” Botts said about the new players. “We have a lot of talent, and, I think if we keep working, we can be really good.”


While the players have high hopes, Reynolds is taking it one game at a time.


“Just play as hard as we can,” he said. “Give 120-percent, play for each other. It’s all about the team. I think if we all play together we’re very dominant.”


ROSTER (Grade)

Layla Botts (12)

Olivia Leichliter (12)

Elana Jennings (12)

Sydney Friedlander (12)

Yulonda Torres (11)

Clare Allen (11)

Rachel Wilson (10)

Chloe Bennett (10)

Treanna Nickeson (9)

Alyssa Sterling (10)

Grace Burridge (10)

Gabryella Gromley (9)

Alissa Baldwin (9)

Emily Fowler (9)


SCHEDULE

Dec. 6 - at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 - at NPL, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 - vs Sayre, 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 - vs CV, 7 p.m.

Dec. 15 - vs Troy, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 17 - vs Elk Lake, 1:30 p.m.

Dec. 20 - at Athens, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 27 - at Hughesville Tournament

Dec. 28 - at Hughesville Tournament

Jan. 4 - vs Towanda, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 - vs Williamson, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 - vs Wellsboro, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 - at Northwest, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 - at NPM, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 20 - vs NEB, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 25 - at Sayre, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 - at Troy, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1 - vs Athens, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 - at Towanda, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 8 - at Williamson, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 - at Wellsboro, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 - vs Sullivan County, 7:30 p.m.




You've asked about helping ...
here's your chance. Click HERE