Northern Tier Sports Report

Athens Canton NEB Sayre Towanda Troy Wyalusing Youth College Preview/Wrap-Up Opinion

NTL GIRLS' BASKETBALL: TOWANDA'S MANCHESTER HIGHLIGHTS BRADFORD COUNTY ALL-STAR TEAM (2023-03-18)

Northern Tier Sports Report
It was another exciting year for Bradford County girls’ basketball. Towanda and NEB won their division titles, while Troy, Athens, Canton, and Wyalusing all made districts. Even Sayre took some positive steps this season.

These Bradford County All-Stars are reflected by their performances this season.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Towanda’s Paige Manchester

Manchester was a force every night with her scoring (19 PPG), rebounding (8.8 RPG), defense (three steals per game) and passing (2.5 APG). She led Towanda to their fourth straight NTL title, and third straight season of being undefeated in league play.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Wyalusing’s Layla Botts

Botts got it done every night for Wyalusing at 15.2 PPG. She was fearless going to the basket, and had a knack for drawing fouls, along with hitting the occasional 3-ball. She also more than doubled her scoring average from last year to keep the Rams afloat during the season.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: NEB’s Kayleigh Thoman

Thoman was the best 1-on-1 defender in the NTL this year. Her combination of quickness and strength was unmatched, and led the Panthers to an NTL Showdown win with her defense on Towanda’s Paige Manchester.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Towanda’s Brynn Woodruff

Woodruff was Towanda’s second leading her scorer this season at just under 10 PPG. She was a good finisher under the basket, and could step out and hit the occasional jump shot. Woodruff was also active on the glass and defensively for the Knights.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Troy’s Curtis Miller

In his first year at the helm Miller took a young team to the brink of winning a divisional title. They beat NEB this year, swept Athens, and even gave Loyalsock a tough game in their district contest.

FIRST TEAM

Towanda’s Paige Manchester: see above.

Wyalusing’s Layla Botts: see above.

NEB’s Kayleigh Thoman: see above.

Canton’s Molly Ward: Ward averaged over 14 rebounds and nearly four steals per game as she helped the Warriors stay afloat during a tumultuous season. Her hustle spurred Canton to a district playoff appearance.

NEB’s Alena Beebe: The most prolific 3-point shooter in the league, hitting over 50 on the season. Beebe was also a tough defender on the perimeter, and ran the Panther offense to a fourth straight division title.

Troy’s Alyssa Parks: Parks averaged 10.3 PPG to lead the Trojans, and was the tip of the spear for their long armed defense. Her size and length helped her become a better finisher around the basket, and one-on-one defender.

SECOND TEAM

Towanda’s Brynn Woodruff: see above.

Towanda’s Gracie Schoonover: Schoonover’s interior defense was the best in the league, controlling the paint and the defensive boards for the Knights. She anchored a Towanda defense that allowed just 33 PPG.

Athens’ Addy Wheeler: Wheeler averaged 9.4 PPG and 7.9 RPG for Athens while running their offense, along with defending some of the top perimeter players in the area.

Troy’s Kailyn Sterling: Sterling proved to be one of the best paint scorers (9.0 PPG) despite being a guard, using her strength and footwork to get to the basket. She was also a strong defensive player.

Athens’ Karlee Bartlow: Bartlow scored 11.7 PPG for the Wildcats between her outside shooting (35 3-pointers), and driving to the basket.

Troy’s Rachel Kingsley: Kingsley was a double-double threat every night for the Trojans with her paint scoring and work on the boards.

THIRD TEAM

Wyalusing’s Chloe Bennett: Bennett hit 40 3-pointers on the season and averaged 9.1 PPG for the Rams. She used a quick release and some nifty dribbling moves to get her shot off.

Canton’s Kendall Kitchen: Kitchen was one of the best shooters in the area, hitting 32 3-pointers despite missing a big chunk of the season. Kitchen also ran the point for the Warriors, averaging 9.3 PPG.

Sayre’s Kaitlyn Sutton: Sutton did a little bit of everything for the Redskins at 7.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 2.4 SPG. She would also occasionally run the point, and defend the paint.

Athens’ Emma Bronson: Bronson was a defensive workhorse for Athens, usually guarding the opposing team’s best player, while also showing off some scoring chops with her jumper.

NEB’s Kate O’Connor: O’Connor was a double-double threat every night, averaging 7.4 PPG along with using her size and length to defend the paint.

Wyalusing’s Olivia Leichliter: Leichliter only played half a season but made a big impact for the Rams. She averaged 8.7 PPG and 11.7 RPG while also blocking a fair amount of shots.

All-Rookie Team

Towanda’s Brynn Woodruff

NEB’s Leah Beebe

Athens’ Sara Bronson

Troy’s Gloria Andrews

Wyalusing’s Chloe Bennett

Wyalusing’s Sydney Friedlander

Wyalusing’s Treanna Nickeson

Sayre’s Kaitlyn Sutton

NEB’s Lillie Maynard

All-Defensive Team

NEB’s Kayleigh Thoman