Northern Tier Sports Report

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

NTL BOYS' BASKETBALL: WYALUSING'S MORNINGSTAR HEADLINES BRADFORD COUNTY ALL-STARS (2023-03-19)

Northern Tier Sports Report
It was another exciting NTL season for boys’ basketball. Troy won a district title, Sayre won their first league title, Canton nearly won a league title, while NEB, Athen, and Towanda all made districts. Even Wyalusing had their moments during the season.

These Bradford County All-Stars reflect how the season went.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Wyalusing’s Blake Morningstar

Morningstar put together one of the best individual seasons in recent NTL history. He averaged 25.2 PPG and 12.9 RPG, including two 40-point performances on the year. Morningstar kept Wyalusing in most of their games, and played his best in the fourth quarter.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sayre’s Jackson Hubbard

Hubbard put up an NTL high 25.8 PPG this year to lead Sayre to their league title. He hit 53 3-pointers while also grabbing 6.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 3.2 SPG.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Canton’s Weston Bellows

Bellows was a tenacious competitor on the court, with 4.9 RPG from the point guard position to go with 2.6 SPG, and even one block per game despite being 5-feet, 8-inches tall. He also poured in 13.9 PPG to lead his team.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Troy’s JB Burbage

The sophomore went from JV as a freshman to starting varsity this year, manning the center position at 6-foot, 1-inches tall. He averaged 12.2 PPG, with several 20-plus point performances on the year, while also coming close to getting a triple-double with his rebounding and passing.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Troy’s Bob Woodward

Woodward took over an experienced but young team that was transitioning between classes and led them to their first District IV title since 1997. They played their best at the end of the year with two blow-out district wins and then beating NP-Mansfield in the title game after losing to them twice during the regular season.

FIRST TEAM

Wyalusing’s Blake Morningstar: see above.

Sayre’s Jackson Hubbard: see above.

Canton’s Weston Bellows: see above.

Troy’s JB Burbage: see above.

Athens’ Mason Lister: Lister led a revamped Athens squad to the district semifinals, putting up 18.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, and 3.1 SPG. He was one of the best in the league at attacking the basket, and a very good passer in transition.

Troy’s Evan Woodward: Woodward led Troy in scoring this year at 12.9 PPG with a little bit of everything: driving to the basket, mid-range jumpers, and even a few 3-balls (36 on the year). Woodward was also a good rebounder and defender for the Trojans.

SECOND TEAM

Towanda’s Teagan Irish: Irish led the resurgent Knights at 11.5 PPG. He was their most consistent scorer on the year, and was very strong at attacking the basket.

Athens’ Luke Horton: Horton was second on the team in scoring at 8.2 PPG while doing a little bit of everything: 3.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG.

Athens’ Xavier Watson: Watson came on to score 7.1 PPG for the Wildcats while also grabbing 4.9 RPG. He was also good at getting to the free throw line.

Troy’s Justice Chimics: Chimics averaged 9.1 PPG while also being a solid rebounder, defender, and ball handler for the Trojans.

Sayre’s Nick Pellicano: Pellicano was a solid offensive option next to Hubbard with his shooting, and also proved to be an important ball handler.

NEB’s Brayden Miller: Miller came on strong the second half of the season, averaging 12.6 PPG the second half of the season, including a 36 point performance at Sayre.

THIRD TEAM

NEB’s Josh Stanton: Stanton averaged 9.4 PPG to lead the Panthers, while also running their offense. He could drive and dish while also scoring from the outside with 22 3-balls on the year.

Canton’s Kyle Kapichok: Kapichok came on strong at the end of the season, averaging 9.8 PPG and 5.9 RPG for the Warriors.

Towanda’s Elias Shrawder: Shrawder put up 7.5 PPG for the Knights while running their offense. He was also a threat from deep with 27 3-pointers on the year.

Troy’s Colin Loveland: Loveland came on strong at the end of the season, averaging 9.2 PPG, upping that to 11 PPG the second half of the year.

Athens’ Chris Mitchell: Mitchell was a key cog for Athens underneath with 6.8 PPG and 5.2 RPG.

Towanda’s Logan Lambert: Lambert averaged 8.5 PPG and was one of the best 3-point shooters in the league with 38 3-balls on the season.

All-Rookie

Troy’s JB Burbage

Athens’ Xavier Watson

NEB’s Brayden Miller

Canton’s Ben Fitch

Wyalusing’s Trehnon Hugo

Wyalusing’s Parker Petlock

Canton’s Talin Williams

Troy’s Lincoln Chimics