THE WEEK AHEAD: LEAGUE HOOPS TITLES COULD BE LOCKED UP THIS WEEK (2025-02-02)

Northern Tier Sports Report
NTL hoops will take center stage as wrestling teams gear up for the individual postseason in two weeks. Three area teams can clinch this week, while the NTL Showdown bracket gets sorted out, too. 

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

The NEB girls can clinch their sixth straight division title with a win over Sayre on Monday, while in Large School all that stands between Troy and a repeat is Towanda on Tuesday. 

As for the second place spots, Canton girls have the inside lane on CV as long as they can win three of their last four. Canton owns the tie-breaker since they swept CV this season.

Towanda’s big week last week put them in the driver’s seat for the number two spot. Even if they lose against Troy, if they win out that should be enough to get them in, as the Knights have just two league losses going into this week while Wyalusing, and Athens both have three.

Monday, February 3

NEB (13-4) at Sayre (2-14), 6 p.m.: The first of two games NEB still has against Sayre. The Panthers are also leading the District IV, Class AA standings, with Northwest and Muncy right on their tail.

Tuesday, February 4

Wellsboro (5-10) at Wyalusing (11-8), 6 p.m.: The Rams might be too far back in the NTL race but they can still get a home playoff game. They’re just a couple points behind Towanda, so if Wyalusing wins out they might get that fourth seed.

Troy (14-4) at Towanda (12-7), 7:30 p.m.: The clincher for the Trojans with a win as they’ll be two up on Towanda with two games to go, and have the tie-breaker with the season sweep. A win by Towanda would give them a shot at taking the top spot, but would need help.

NEB (13-4) at Canton (11-7), 7:30 p.m.: Canton has an outside shot at getting a home playoff game, just a couple points behind fourth place Southern Columbia. A win against NEB might be enough to leap frog them into fourth, while the Panthers want to hang on to the top seed.

Thursday, February 6

Canton (11-7) at NP-Liberty (7-11), 6 p.m.: Another tough game for the Warriors as they’ll be looking to beat NPL for the third time this season. NPL is battling for their own playoff positioning in the Class A bracket.

Towanda (12-7) at Wellsboro (5-10), 6 p.m.: Barring a late push from Mt. Carmel it looks like the fourth spot in the district playoffs is coming down to Towanda and Wyalusing. If Towanda loses to Troy they’ll likely need to win out to hold on to the home playoff game.

Sayre (2-14) at NEB (13-4), 6 p.m.: For the second time in three days the two divisional teams will meet. Sayre comes into the week on a 2-game losing streak.

Troy (14-4) at Athens (12-6), 7:30 p.m.: Another big match-up for the Trojans as they look to get the season sweep on the Wildcats. Athens is currently seventh in the playoff standings, but a strong finish to the season could see them rise to fourth.

Saturday, February 8

NEB (13-4) at Bloomsburg (8-9), 1:30 p.m.: A big non-league test for NEB as Bloomsburg was a state qualifier last year. Coming into the week they’ve gone 3-1 in their last four.

Jersey Shore (14-4) at Troy (14-4), 1:30 p.m.: A big non-league test for the Trojans to end the week. Jersey Shore recently saw an 8-game losing streak come to an end with a 44-40 loss to Shik.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Troy will be looking to clinch their second straight league title this week with a home win against Towanda. NP-Mansfield has the second place spot in the standings.

In Small School NEB still has a chance to dethrone NPL, but will need to win out, and get some help from either Williamson, CV, or Canton.

Monday, February 3

NEB (12-7) at Towanda (10-8), 7:30 p.m.: Both teams are battling for playoff positioning. Towanda just needs one more win out of their last four games to secure a playoff spot while NEB is sitting in fifth in the playoff standings, but could get as high as third with a good week.

Canton (7-12) at Montgomery (11-4), 7:30 p.m.: The Warriors look to have the eighth spot in the district standings sewn up as they take on a revived Montgomery program.

Wednesday, February 5

Canton (7-12) at NEB (12-7), 6 p.m.: NEB comes in 1-3 in their last four games, while Canton is 2-1 one their last three.

Towanda (10-8) at Troy (16-2), 7:30 p.m.: The Trojans are looking to hold off Warrior Run for the top spot in the district playoffs, along with clinching another league title. An upset by Towanda could go a long ways towards keeping them out of a potential play-in game. 

Wyalusing (2-15) at Wellsboro (9-10), 7:30 p.m.: The Hornets need to win two of their last three to keep their 20-year playoff streak alive. Wyalusing will be looking to finish the season strong, themselves.

Friday, February 7

NPL (12-7) at Canton (7-12), 6 p.m.: NEB is going to be cheering hard for Canton as this is their best shot at a Mountie loss. NPL looks to have the top seed in the Class A district standings sewn up.

NEB (12-7) at Sayre (13-7), 7:30 p.m.: A big game in terms of playoff seedings, and possibly taking second in the division depending on what happens during the week. Sayre won the first meeting 58-33 at NEB.

Troy (16-2) at Athens (8-10), 7:30 p.m.: The Wildcats come in on a five game win streak, and winners in six of their last seven as they make a playoff push. Troy won the first meeting 58-23.

Wellsboro (9-10) at Towanda (10-8), 7:30 p.m.: A big contest with playoff implications. The Hornets may need this one if they’re going to make districts, while Towanda would like to hold on to the seventh seed and avert a play-in game.

Wyalusing (2-15) at NP-Mansfield (16-3), 7:30 p.m.: The final road game of the season for the Rams. NPM won the first contest in Wyalusing.

Saturday, February 8

Troy (16-2) at Jersey Shore (10-7), 7:30 p.m.: Troy gets a tough non-league test to end the regular season while the Bulldogs come into the week seeded sixth in the Class AAAA playoffs as they look to move up.

WRESTLING

Monday, February 3

Loyalsock at Troy, 7 p.m.: The Trojans’ final dual meet of the season as they tune up for sectionals in two weeks.

Tuesday, February 4

Sugar Valley at NEB, 7 p.m.: Both Panther wrestling teams will be in action as they get ready for the postseason.

Wednesday, February 5

NEB at Wellsboro, 7 p.m.: The final dual meet of the season for both squads. NEB boys beat Wellsboro back in December at the Spartan Duals.

SWIMMING & DIVING

Tuesday, February 4

Towanda, Bloomsburg at Athens, 4:30 p.m.: Another tri-meet for the Knights as they gear up for districts in a couple weeks.

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