NTL GIRLS' BASKETBALL: ROUGH SECOND HALF DOOMS TOWANDA AGAINST RIVER VALLEY (2025-03-07)

Northern Tier Sports Report
A rough second half hurt Towanda as they fell to River Valley, 77-30, in the PIAA, Class AAA girls’ basketball bracket Friday.

“We kept it as close as we could as long as we could,” said Towanda coach Rob Gentile. “Our goal was to get to the second half with a chance to win it, and we were able to do that by playing Towanda basketball and just being tough and being super aggressive offensively for most of the first half.”

It was 31-22 at the half, but River Valley out scored the Knights 43-8 in the second half.

“For some reason we came out after the half and just got super timid and started turning it over at a rate that is not conducive to winning basketball and just got blitzed in the second half against a really good team with a legit Division-I kid running the show,” Gentile said. “Ava Persichetti is probably the best player I have personally coached against, and she is going to have a fantastic career at Richmond University.”

Mya Maynard had a double-double of 12 points, and 12 rebounds, to lead the Knights, with Brynn Woodruff adding six points, five boards, two steals, and two blocks.

Payton Perry had five points, and six rebounds, as Reese Sullivan scored four points. Mary-Kate Eberlin chipped in with two, as London Decker scored one.

Kinady Kitner led River Valley with 25 points, while Persichetti added 15.

“This was a great experience for our young team,” said Gentile. “Nobody thought this was possible from this group, but all year long they just fought and truly created this opportunity for themselves. As I explained to them numerous times this week, maybe we aren't quite at a state competitive level yet, but there wasn't a team in this tournament that deserved to be their anymore than us. We earned the right to play in this game, and even though it didn't turn out the way we wanted, it will not take away what this group accomplished this season.”

It was a fast paced start as River Valley led just 21-18 after one, with Maynard netting seven to lead the Knights.

The second half was a defensive battle, with River Valley out scoring Towanda 10-4 behind seven points from Kitner.

Then came the big second half from River Valley.

All good things have to come to an end, and Gentile was happy to have spent his time this winter with this group.

“As their coach, I truly feel blessed and very grateful for each one of them,” he said. “They are a special group of players who love to be challenged and love to compete. No coach is as lucky as I am. I am extremely proud of each one of them, and the best part of it all....they will all be back next year too. That can't come soon enough.”

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