THE WEEK AHEAD: LOCAL SPORTS HIT FULL THROTTLE WITH BIG CONTESTS ACROSS THE BOARD (2021-01-17)
Northern Tier Sports ReportThe first week of NTL play is in the books with the second even more jammed packed.
The week starts with a match-up between the two defending NTL champions in girls’ basketball, followed by big wrestling matches on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
And pretty much any day there is a boys’ basketball game is a big day with the way league is shaking out.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Monday, January 18
Towanda (2-0) at NEB (3-1), 6 p.m.: The Lady Knights opened the season with back to back big wins over Williamson and NP-Liberty. The Panthers are on a 3-game win streak after falling in their opener to Athens. Both teams feature strong duos in the backcourt with Paige Manchester and Porschia Bennett for Towanda and Maisie Neuber and Lauryn Jones for NEB.
Tuesday, January 19
NP-Liberty (0-1) at NEB (3-1), 6 p.m.: The Panthers are right back at it as they host the Mountaineers. Guard Eva Rice is a key player for NPL.
Towanda (2-0) at Troy (1-2), 6 p.m.: The Trojans will be looking to build off their win on Saturday while the Knights play their first divisional opponent. Hannah Zimmerman and Sydney Taylor have been key players for Troy so far this season as they will try to handle the size of the Knights.
Williamson (1-3) at Canton (2-1), 6 p.m.: The battle of the Warriors. Behind some balanced play Canton is above .500 early this season while Williamson is looking to break a 3-game losing streak.
Wyalusing (1-1) at Wellsboro (0-1), 6 p.m.: The Rams are coming off a loss to NEB as they hit the road for the first time. The Hornets are coming off a loss of their own, 28-22 to Athens, in their season opener.
Thursday, January 21
NP-Mansfield (0-1) at NEB (3-1), 6 p.m.: The Tigers are coming off a season opening loss to Canton at home as the Panthers welcome them. NPM is always a tough game as NEB continues cross-over play this week.
Towanda (2-0) at CV (0-3), 6 p.m.: The Knights make the long trip out to Westfield for a cross-over NTL game. The Indians are still searching for their first win of the season.
Troy (1-2) at Canton (2-1), 6 p.m.: The Route 6 rivalry renews as the two foes lock horns down in Canton. Both teams feature young rosters so this is a look at the future as well as the present.
Wyalusing (1-1) at NP-Liberty (0-1), 6 p.m.: The Tioga County road trip continues for the Rams in this cross-over match-up.
Saturday, January 23
Troy (1-2) at Athens (3-1), noon: An NTL Division-I match-up between the two teams as Troy’s road trip continues. This marks a tough week for the Trojans as the get the top two teams in their division to begin and end the week.
Wellsboro (0-1) at Wyalusing (1-1), noon: The two teams meet again, this time at Wyalusing, as the Rams return from a 2-game road trip.
Montoursville at Towanda (2-0), 1:30 p.m.: The Knights’ first non-league game of the season is a tough one against the Warriors of Lycoming County.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Monday, January 18
NEB (0-3) at Towanda (1-0), 6 p.m.: The Panthers look for their first win after dropping three competitive games in a row. The Knights will be looking to build on their first win of the season as their homestead continues.
Wellsboro (0-1) at Canton (3-0), 6 p.m.: The Warriors put their undefeated record on the line in this cross-over match-up. Wellsboro is coming off a loss to Athens in their season opener.
NP-Mansfield (0-0) at Wyalusing (1-0), 6 p.m.: The season opener for the Tigers as it’s the home opener for the Rams. Both teams have division title aspirations this year, with Wyalusing coming off a close win over Sayre.
Northwest at Troy (2-0), 7:30 p.m.: A regularly scheduled varsity game is Troy’s first non-league contest. They are coming off wins over Athens and Wiliamson to start the season.
Wednesday, January 20
NEB (0-3) at NP-Liberty (1-0), 6 p.m.: The Panthers hit the road to take on the NTL Division-II defending champions. The two teams split their meetings a year ago.
Troy (2-0) at Towanda (1-0), 6 p.m.: The Knights welcome the Trojans for their third straight home game in a row. Troy swept the season series a year ago.
Canton (3-0) at Wyalusing (1-0), 6 p.m.: A big match-up in the NTL Division-II as both teams will look to compete for the season title. The Rams beat Canton by 1-point in the district semifinals a year ago.
Friday, January 22
NEB (0-3) at Williamson (0-4), 6 p.m.: Both teams come in winless to start the week in this cross-over match-up.
Troy (2-0) at Canton (3-0), 6 p.m.: The two teams are a combined 5-0 coming into the week in this rivalry match-up. The Warriors have been getting off to fast starts so far this year while Troy’s been led by strong guard play.
Wyalusing (1-0) at Athens (3-2), 7:30 p.m.: A regularly scheduled varsity game as the Wildcats look to get back into the division title hunt. The Rams dropped both their games to Athens a year ago, though they only play once this season.
Saturday, January 23
CV (1-2) at Towanda (1-0), 4:30 p.m.: The Knights early season home stand continues as they welcome the Indians for this cross-over match-up.
Troy (2-0) at Williamsport, 7 p.m.: The Trojans try their luck against 6A power Williamsport for this evening game.
WRESTLING
Tuesday, January 19
Canton (5-0) at Towanda (3-2), 7 p.m.: The top teams in the NTL to start the week as the Knights welcome the defending league champions. Canton is rolling coming off an undefeated weekend while Towanda went 2-1 at their Flynn Duals.
Athens (4-3) at Wyalusing (1-0), 7 p.m.: Another big league match-up. The Rams will be looking to build on their win over Tunkhannock as they dive into their league schedule this week.
Thursday, January 21
Canton (5-0) at Troy (1-2), 7 p.m.: The two renew their rivalry on the mat. Both teams have young rosters as they get into the teeth of their league schedule.
NEB (0-3) at Athens (4-3), vs Sayre (0-5), 6 p.m.: The Panthers take on both valley squads. NEB is coming off two losses from Saturday, but should be at full strength this week.
Friday, January 22
Wyalusing (1-0) at Towanda (3-2), 7 p.m.: One of the biggest rivalries in the county, regardless of the sport. This ends a tough week for both squads.
Saturday, January 23
NEB at Line Mountain Duals, 9 a.m.: The Panthers head down south to take on some of the best teams in the state.
Canton, Towanda at Athens’ Jarvis Tournament: The Wildcats always bring in some top talent for their tournament as area teams look to sharpen their skills for quickly coming post season.
SWIMMING & DIVING
Tuesday, January 19
Towanda at Athens, 4:30 p.m.: A dual meet between the two Bradford County teams up at Athens.
Saturday, January 23
Athens, Danville at Towanda, 11 a.m.: The Knights host their second meet of the season on Saturday morning as they welcome the Wildcats along with the Ironman.