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NTL GIRLS' BASKETBALL: TOWANDA SENIORS LOOK TO FINISH THEIR CAREERS ON TOP (2022-11-30)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
This year’s seniors on the Towanda girls’ basketball team are looking to do something that’s never been done before in Lady Knight history - win a fourth straight league title.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” said coach Rob Gentile. “We’re just going to take it day by day to try to get better right now. We’ve got some injuries to deal with, and some things to figure out, but there’s probably not going to be a lot of surprises as to what we’re going to do, or how we’re going to try to be successful. But the kids work hard, and things work out in the end…it always seems to be that way.”


They have one big missing piece in Porschia Bennett graduating. The 6-foot forward was a 1,000-point scorer, and a terror on defense.


“It’s hard,” admitted returning starter Paige Manchester. “I’m learning, everyone else is learning or adjusting to not have Porschia, and I think we’re going pretty good.”


Defense will likely be the biggest adjustment.


“I think we have to focus more on the fundamentals of defense as opposed to getting out in pressure, and getting deflections, and using her athletic ability. She’s a rare athlete. I don’t think we’ll ever see anybody like her again.”


They still have Manchester, who is the rare triple-double threat with her scoring, passing, and rebounding. At over 6-feet tall she can do a lot of things that make it difficult for the other team.


She averaged 16.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 3.9 APG, 3.0 SPG, and 1.4 BPG a year ago.


“Her best attribute is that she can do a lot of things and play a lot of positions,” said Gentile. “We’re going to use her in a lot of different ways, but we worked pretty hard this summer on not depending on her as much, and not playing her at the point as much.”


This year, though, she’s really taken it upon herself to help the younger players get adjusted.


“I’m definitely teaching them different things,” said Manchester. “Teaching them how we play, because it’s a lot different than junior high. Teach them to go fast, and do things that they’re not comfortable with, and making them comfortable with it.”


They do bring quite a bit of returnees from last season, including defensive stalwart Gracie Schoonover, and do-it-all forward Bella Hurley. Schoonover had averages of 4.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 3.1 BPG, while Hurley averaged 4.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 1.2 SPG.


Bennett’s graduation allows Hurley an opportunity to step up and fill that role.


“I’m definitely trying to make my mindset bigger,” said Hurley. “Using my teammates who are trying to score more, and defend better.”


Schoonover is coming off a volleyball injury, and will likely be out for the first few games.


“It’s difficult,” she said. “I thin if I just do whatever I need to do to get back healthy I’ll be good again.”


Her rim protection and defensive rebounding were key to their run to the district final a year ago, but she’ll be called upon to pick up the offensive load more, too.


“Everybody will just have to work a little harder than they did before,” Schooover said. “I’ll be looking for my offense.”


Seniors Eliza Fowler, Aziza Ismailova, and Athena Chacona will also be back, and they’re hoping to fill out the rotation with some younger players, particularly freshman Brynn Woodruff.


“Brynn Woodruff is an athletic kid that’s just going to step in, and compete for minutes,” Gentile said. “And we’ve got some other kids that have worked really hard in Melody Hakes and Alonna Ayres. Kids that go a lot of experience last year, and put in a lot of time and work over the summer.”


“I enjoy sharing what I know with the younger kids,” Hurley said. “Hopefully, I’m making an impact on them.”


As for their team goals this year, it looks like both the league and district got a lot harder. In the league Athens returns, while Troy and Wellsboro have young teams are that are maturing into contenders. 


“It’ll be tougher,” said Schoonover.


In cross-over play NEB is definitely going to want to get back at Towanda after losing to them the past two seasons, while Canton has a veteran group.


“Troy’s going to be significantly better in terms of experience,” said Gentile. “They’re got a lot of young kids back, they’re athletic, they’re well coached. Athens still has two really good guards. Northeast, they lost (Maisie) Neuber, but they’re always consistently good in all levels of their program.”


And then in the district they add Southern Columbia, a state finalists in Class AA last year, and Mt. Carmel, a state final four team in Class AA, along with Loyalsock, Bloomsburg, Line Mountain, Troy and Wellsboro.


“It’ll be tough, but I think we can do it,” said Schoonover. “We have a really good chemistry together as a team, so I think we will do it.”


ROSTER (Grade)

Alonna Ayres (10)

Tae-Lynn Brabant (10)

Athena Chacona (12)

Alyssa Dulaney (9)

Eliza Fowler (12)

Melody Hakes (10)

Molly Henley (10)

Kennedy Heyer (9)

Bella Hurley (12)

Aziza Ismailova (12)

Lexi Lamphere (10)

Paige Manchester (12)

Deztine Matthews (10)

Shaylynn Morris (10)

Madleina Pajarola (11)

Gracie Schoonover (12)

Hannah Sherman (9)

Brynn Woodruff (9)

Aubree Spragia (10)


SCHEDULE

Dec. 2 - vs Loyalsock, 7:30 p.m.

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

Dec. 13 - vs Canton, 7:30 p.m.

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

Dec. 17 - at CV, 1:30 p.m.

Dec. 20 - vs Wellsboro, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 28 - vs Athens (Valley Christmas Tournament), 6 p.m.

Dec. 29 - Valley Christmas Tournament 

Dec. 30 - Valley Christmas Tournament 

Jan. 4 - at Wyalusing, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

Jan. 18 - vs NPL, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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

Jan. 28 - vs Berwick, 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 - at Jersey Shore, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1 - at Wellsboro, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 - vs Wyalusing, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 - vs Hughesville, 7:30 p.m.

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

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




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