THE WEEK AHEAD: DISTRICT DUALS IS THIS WEEK, ALONG WITH SOME BIG HOOPS GAMES (2023-01-29)

Northern Tier Sports Report
The first district tournament is this week with the District IV Duals beginning on Wednesday, and ending on Saturday. There are also some key basketball games this week as the calendar goes from January to February.

WRESTLING

Wednesday, February 1

Wyalusing at Towanda, 7 p.m.: Two weeks after they settled the Standing Stone Trophy the two teams will meet again to see who goes to the District IV Duals quarterfinals in Milton. The Black Knights won the first match thanks to a big pin by Rylee Sluyter, but it was close enough to suggest a different outcome is possible.

Milton at Canton, 7 p.m.: Plagued by injuries for much of the season, Canton will now have to get healthy if they’re going to make some noise this week. They’re pretty big favorites going up against the Black Panthers, but anything is possible.

Thursday, February 2

NP-Liberty at Canton, 7 p.m.: The Warriors can clinch their fourth straight league title with a win against NPL. Liberty will also be partaking in a district duals match, so both will be coming off matches.

Troy at Jersey Shore, 7 p.m.: The final dual meet of the season for the Trojans as they gear up for the North Section Tournament in a couple weeks.

Saturday, February 4

NTL at District IV Duals: The quarterfinals will be at 11 a.m. in Milton, followed by the other rounds up through the finals. Canton has a good shot at returning for the second straight season, while one of Wyalusing or Towanda is guaranteed a spot. In fact, if Canton wins they get either Wyalusing or Towanda in the quarterfinals.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Tuesday, January 31

Wellsboro (12-4) at Towanda (8-8), 7:15 p.m.: A key NTL Large School game as the Hornets have just one league loss - to their rivals NP-Mansfield. The Knights are just three wins away from a guaranteed district berth, and a win over the Hornets would give them a lot of points towards the standings.

Troy (12-5) at NP-Mansfield (17-1), 7:15 p.m.: The first game was a 3-point Tiger win that came down to the wire. NPM is riding a 16-game win streak, with the Trojans winning their last five contests, all of them comfortably.

NEB (7-7) at Sayre (8-9), 7:15 p.m.: The Panthers held on to beat Sayre at their place just before Christmas, and both teams are currently in the running for the NTL Division-II title. Sayre has won their last two games, with NEB on a 2-game skid.

Canton (8-8) at NPL (9-7), 7:15 p.m.: The other big Small School game. NPL beat Canton at their place, but the Warriors are riding a 2-game win streak that moved them into essentially a tie atop the Division-II standings. NPL is 1-2 in their last three contests.

Wyalusing (3-14) at Athens (11-6), 7:15 p.m.: The Rams saw another winnable game get away from them on Saturday as their losing skid reaches five games. Athens ran away from them in their first meeting, but the Wildcats are just 2-3 in their last five games.

Thursday, February 2

Wyalusing (3-14) at Towanda (8-8), 7:15 p.m.: The Knights won the first match-up down there, though the Rams were without Blake Morningstar. This is a rivalry game, so records shouldn’t matter. 

Troy (12-5) at Athens (11-6), 7:15 p.m.: Another close loss for the Trojans in their first meeting, but two teams that have been going in different directions recently. Both teams are young and this could be setting up another rivalry for down the road.

Williamson (2-11) at NEB (7-7), 6 p.m.: The Panthers won the first match-up in Tioga Junction, and could use another win before their game against Athens at the end of the week. Williamson hasn’t won a game since December 5.

Canton (8-8) at CV (7-10), 7:15 p.m.: The Warriors won the first match-up at home, but CV can be a tough place to play, so they can’t take anything for granted. The Indians, though, have lost their last five league games.

Saturday, February 4

Athens (11-6) at NEB (7-7), 7:15 p.m.: One of those tough cross-over games the Panthers still have to make up. The Wildcats have beaten every other NTL Small School team, so if NEB could pull out a win they’d have a leg up on their division rivals.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Monday, January 30

Towanda (12-3) at Jersey Shore (13-3), 7:15 p.m.: Another tough test for the Knights as Jersey Shore has beaten Troy and Wyalusing already this season. Towanda will put their 4-game win streak to the test as they hit the road.

Troy (10-5) at Wyalusing (5-10), 7:15 p.m.: The second meeting between these two teams in four days. Troy used a strong second quarter to top Wyalusing at the Commons Building, now it’s Wyalusing’s turn to host. The Rams are battling for their playoff lives, while Troy needs a win to keep pace with Towanda in the division.

Bloomsburg (14-2) at NEB (12-2), 7 p.m.: The Panthers will face the top ranked team in Class 3A for District IV. This should be a good test to see where they stand when it comes to the postseason.

Wednesday, February 1

Athens (12-5) at Wyalusing (5-10), 7:15 p.m.: The Rams came up just short against Athens up there, and have a chance to pick up a lot of points for the playoff standings. Athens is still in the running for taking top two in the division, and will likely need a win here to get there.

NP-Liberty (8-8) at Canton (7-10), 7:15 p.m.: The two teams split their first two meetings, both of them at Liberty. Canton has fallen on hard times without their starting point guard, but gave Athens a game last Saturday, so they still have some fight in them. 

NEB (12-2) at Sayre (3-12), 7:15 p.m.: An NEB win coupled with an NPL loss would clinch the Panthers’ fourth straight division title. The Panthers rolled to a win over Sayre before Christmas, though the Redskins have shown improvement since then.

Williamson (5-10) at Troy (10-5), 7:15 p.m.: The Trojans pulled away for a win at Tioga junction back in December, and will be looking for the series sweep. It’s been a hard luck season for the Warriors, who have several single digit losses to big NTL teams this season.

Friday, February 3

Wyalusing (5-10) at Towanda (12-3), 7:15 p.m.: They’ve given the Knights their biggest scare of the season so far when it comes to league play. They were leading Towanda in the fourth quarter when their starting center went down with an injury. Towanda remains undefeated in the league so far this season.

NP-Mansfield (2-13) at NEB (12-2), 7:15 p.m.: Assuming NEB beats Sayre then they would be able to clinch outright against the Tigers at home on Friday. The Panthers won the first game by 31 points.

CV (5-11) at Canton (7-10), 7:15 p.m.: Canton’s troubles this season began with a loss at CV, so they’ll be looking to get revenge to end the week. The Indians have gone 2-5 since that game, both wins coming to Oswayo Valley.

Saturday, February 4

NEB (12-2) at Muncy (11-5), 7:15 p.m.: A match-up of two heavyweights in District IV, Class 2A, as the Panthers edged Muncy in the playoffs last season. This is NEB’s fourth game in six days, so fatigue might be a factor here. Muncy comes into the week with back to back wins.

SWIMMING & DIVING

Wednesday, February 1

Athens, Bloomsburg at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.: The Knights host back to back meets this week, beginning with Athens and Bloomsburg. The boys are coming off a close win over Lewisburg.

Thursday, February 2

Athens, Danville at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.: Another swim meet for the Knights as their swimmers look to hit a few more district marks.