THE WEEK AHEAD: TOWANDA-NEB GIRLS' BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHTS A WEEK FULL OF BIG MATCH-UPS (2023-01-22)

Northern Tier Sports Report
NTL cross-over games end this week as the two divisions start their second cycle in area hoops, while the wrestling dual meet season, for the most part, wraps up this week. However, Mother Nature could have other plans, particularly for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Wednesday, January 25

Towanda (10-3) at NEB (11-2), 7:15 p.m.: The game of the week, assuming the winter weather holds off. The Knights are undefeated in the league, with NEB’s only loss coming to Troy early in the season. Both teams are poised to reclaim their division titles.

Athens (9-5) at Canton (7-8), 7:15 p.m.: The Warriors are holding onto that last playoff spot, and a win over Athens would help, maybe even see them move up a spot. The Wildcats are coming off a win over Blue Ridge.

Troy (9-5) at NP-Mansfield (2-13), 6 p.m.: The Tigers ended a six game losing streak early last week before falling to Towanda on the road. This is Troy’s last cross-over game this year.

Wyalusing (5-9) at Sayre (3-11), 6 p.m.: The second time the Rams are playing Sayre, though only game counts towards the NTL standings. The Lady ‘Skins have an outside shot at the playoffs, and would need a win here to likely have a chance. Wyalusing won their first meeting down there.

Friday, January 27

Wyalusing (5-9) at Troy (9-5), 7:15 p.m.: The second meeting in five days for the two teams. The Trojans will need this game to have any hope of catching Towanda for the league title, while the Rams will likely need one win against Troy to catch Canton for a playoff spot.

NEB (11-2) at Canton (7-8), 7:15 p.m.: The Panthers will be able to start counting down the wins until they clinch the Small School title. A win here for the Warriors would go a long way towards helping them make the playoffs.

Towanda (10-3) at Williamson (5-9), 6 p.m.: The Knights stay on the road as they start the second cycle over again. They beat the Warriors back in December in the first time around.

Saturday, January 28

Berwick (2-12) at Towanda (10-3), 2:30 p.m.: The Knights have an opportunity to get a big non-league win to end the week. Berwick plays a tough schedule, so take their record with a little bit of salt.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Monday, January 23

NEB (7-6) at Towanda (8-7), 7:15 p.m.: Both of these teams are scrapping for wins as we head into the final throes of January. Any NTL win gives the Panthers an edge in the battle for the Small School title, while the Knights are hoping to end their playoff drought by finishing the season above .500.

Tuesday, January 24

Sayre (6-9) at Wyalusing (3-10), 7:15 p.m.: The Rams will be glad to be at home after being on the road all last week. Sayre is coming off a close loss to Athens as they try to make a push in the division and district standings. Wyalusing will be honoring Blake Morningstar for grabbing his 500th career rebound before the game.

Canton (6-7) at Athens (10-4), 7:15 p.m.: The gauntlet continues for the Warriors. After facing Wellsboro and NP-Mansfield last week they travel to the Wildcats for another cross-over game. Athens edged Sayre last week but came up short against Wellsboro on Saturday.

Williamson (2-11) at Troy (10-5), 7:15 p.m.: The Trojans will be looking to keep pace in the district standings as they look to host a home playoff game. They’re currently just ahead of Loyalsock for fourth, and could catch Southern Columbia for third this week.

Thursday, January 26

Canton (6-7) at NEB (7-6), 7:15 p.m.: The Warriors won the first meeting between the two teams at home, but NEB hopes to get even with them this time around. The two teams are battling for the Small School title, though Canton probably needs the win more than NEB.

Troy (10-5) at Wyalusing (3-10), 7:15 p.m.: The second time within a week’s span that these two teams would meet. Troy jumped out early to beat the Rams at the Commons Building.

NP-Mansfield (15-1) at Towanda (8-7), 7:15 p.m.: The Tigers are on a 14-game winning streak and have a tight hold on the top spot in the district standings. Towanda is 4-2 in their last six games as they look to avenge a loss to NPM from earlier in the season.

Saturday, January 28

Canton (6-7) at Wyalusing (3-10), 1:15 p.m.: The final cross-over game for either team. The Warriors are trying to hold off Montgomery for the final district playoff spot, while also looking to catch Sayre and NEB. This is the third straight home game for the Rams.

WRESTLING

Monday, January 23

Canton (11-1) at Troy (5-3), 7 p.m.: The Trojans will host their rivals as they look to try and give the Warriors their first league loss of the season. Canton went 4-1 at the Bison Duals, while Troy recently picked up a league win over Wellsboro.

Wellsboro (2-7) at Towanda (12-5), 7 p.m.: The Knights are coming off a big rivalry win over Wyalusing, while the Hornets fell to Troy last week. This is the first of three straight matches for both teams.

Tuesday, January 24

Athens (3-3) at Towanda (12-5), 7 p.m.: The Knights will wrap up their league dual meet season as they host the Wildcats. Athens will need a win here to make district duals, while the Knights are hoping to get a first round home match for that.

Canton (11-1) at Montoursville (15-3), 7 p.m.: The Warriors took third at the Bison Duals as Canton finished fifth this past weekend. Both teams figure to be in the running for the district duals title next week.

Wyalusing (7-5) at Williamson (5-6) vs NP-Liberty (7-5), 5:30 p.m.: The Rams will take on both teams as they look to try and improve their district duals standings. NPL also has a shot to make district duals, while Williamson will likely need to upset Wyalusing to get into the tournament.

NEB (1-13) at Wellsboro (2-7), 7 p.m.: The Panthers are coming off a win over Sayre as they look to end their league dual meet season strong on the road against the Hornets.

Wednesday, January 25

NP-Liberty (7-5) at Canton (11-1), 7 p.m.: The Warriors could be wrapping up their fourth straight league title at home by Wednesday of this week. It also ends their dual meet season as they get ready for district duals next week.

Towanda (12-5) at Central Columbia (5-8), 7 p.m.: The Knights will be looking to end their dual meet season on the road. The Blue Jays have won their last three dual meets as they look to end the year strong.

Friday, January 27

Towanda, Wyalusing, Canton at West Branch Tournament: The three teams will be heading out to Ultimate Warrior, one of the premier tournaments in the state.

NEB at Bedford Tournament: The Panthers will end the regular season by traveling to the Bedford Tournament, one of the premier tournaments in the state.

Saturday, January 28

Towanda, Wyalusing, Canton at West Branch Tournament: The final day of the Ultimate Warrior Tournament as they prepare for the postseason.

NEB at Bedford Tournament: The final day of the Bedford Tournament as the Panthers gear up for the postseason.

Troy (5-3) at Line Mountain Duals: How the Trojans do here will likely decide if they make district duals or not. A good showing here and they’re into the tournament next week.

SWIMMING & DIVING

Monday, January 23

Athens, Danville at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.: After a week on the road the Knights return home for this dual meet.

Saturday, January 28

Athens, Lewisburg at Towanda, 10:30 a.m.: The Knights end the week with another home dual meet as they welcome Athens and the Green Dragons.