NTL GIRLS' BASKETBALL: TROY GROWS UP IN 2022/2023 (2023-03-15)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
The Troy girls’ basketball team took another step in their rebuild this season, transitioning from a team looking to be .500 to a team that contending for titles.

They came up just short this year, getting swept by Towanda in the division, but definitely put the rest of the league on notice as to what they’re capable of doing, finishing the year 16-6.

“There was a lot of excitement coming into this season, and a level of expectation that our program hasn’t seen in a few years,” said Troy coach Curtis Miller. “Our girls did a great job of staying focused, and taking the season one game a time. I credit a lot of that or our senior leadership, and their ability to lead by example.”

The Trojans opened with a pair of thrilling road wins, beating NEB (41-32) and Canton (33-31) en route to a 4-0 start to the season.

They would go 2-2 over their next four games, but had a 20-point win over Athens in that run.

They would hit some bumps after that, with back to back losses to Towanda and Shamokin, followed by a tough home loss to NP-Liberty.

After that NPL game, though, they righted the ship, winning 6-in-a-row, including another win over Athens.

They would lose to Towanda at home, but then finished the season strong with a victory over Milton.

In the NTL Showdown tournament they lost to NEB, then lost to Loyalsock in the district playoffs.

“We fell a bit short of some of the goals that we set forth at the beginning of the season, but, overall, I feel that we accomplished a lot, and are more motivated than ever going into next season,” Miller said. “When it comes to actual play on the court, our team really stuck to the game plan, which was to play great defense, and work the ball in transition. We were very successful when we were able to do that.”

Scoring the ball it was a group effort, led by Alyssa Parks (10.3 PPG) while Kailyn Sterling (9.0 PPG) and Katie Lackey (8.3 PPG) provided support.

Rachel Kingsley (6.3 PPG) was a double-double threat every night while Makenna Matthews provided outside shooting.

Off the bench they got contributions from youngsters Kendall Allen, Gloria Andrews, and Ella VanNoy.

“We ended up having 12 girls on the varsity rotation who played consistent minutes, and all 12 played a pivotal role in helping the program win its mosts in the last 16 years. It hurts to say good-bye to our two seniors, Rachel Kingsley and Makenna Matthews, but the culture that they’ve helped create within our program will last for years to come.”

This appear to be looking up for the Trojans as their potential turns into actual.

“Next season we are set to return 12 of our 14 players, and we are looking forward to adding some excellent talent coming up from the current eighth grade class, as well,” said Miller.