THE SPORTS REPORTS: TOWANDA'S EBERLIN NAMED 2024-25 'GIRLS NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR;' SEVEN OTHER BRADFORD COUNTY GIRLS EARN ALL-REGION HONORS (2025-07-26)

The Sports Reports
Towanda’s Mary-Kate Eberlin took the NTL running scene by storm as a freshman this year, while also proving to be a spark plug off the bench for the Black Knight hoops squad. She is The Sports Reports' 2024-25 All-Region "Girls Newcomer of the Year."

Eberlin helped the Knights to an undefeated league season and the NTL regular-season title, while helping them also earn the NTL Championships title. At a very tough District IV, Class AA race she finished 25th, while the Knights also took third as a team.

On the court, Eberlin proved to be a pest defensively with her quickness and relentlessness. She helped Towanda earn a state berth as they placed third at the District IV, Class AAA tournament.

This spring, Eberlin was a district medalist in the open 800, while teaming with three other Black Knights to take fourth in the 4x800 relay, missing states by .01 seconds.

(NOTE: This award is geared to honor three- and two-sport athletes, but occasionally a one-sport athlete will crack the list.)

The 2024-25 All-Region "Girls Newcomers of the Year"
Mary-Kate Eberlin, Towanda cross country, basketball, track & field: See above.

Memphis Paul, freshman, Athens wrestling, softball: Paul played a key role in Athens' first-ever District 4 softball title, and also had a big season on the mats for the Lady Wildcats. She was the Valley Sports Report "Newcomer of the Year."

Paul proved to be a very good defensive catcher, and a good tandem with sophomore Gretchan Hiley, who had one of the best season in the pitcher's circle in Valley history.

Paul hit .290 (20 hits in 69 ABs) with two doubles, one triple, one home run, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored, and six stolen bases. She walked eight times and was hit by pitches twice for a .380 on-base percentage.

On the mats, Paul finished her freshman season with a 20-11 record, including 18 pin falls. She placed third at the District 4 Championships.

Gianna Soprano, freshman, Waverly soccer, track & field: In the fall, Soprano scored three goals on the soccer pitch, and the biggest was the one that gave the Wolverines a 1-0 lead on its way to a 2-0 win over Chenango Forks for its first-ever Section IV title. She also had four assists on the season.

This spring, Soprano, who was also Waverly's top pole vaulter during the regular season, placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles at the State Qualifier. Soprano won the 400 hurdles at the STAC and Class C Championships.

Samantha Bonnell, 8th-grader, Horseheads basketball, softball: The Southern Tier Sports Report "Newcomer of the Year" on the hardwoods, and an all-state honorable mention pick as an 8th-grader, Bonnell averaged 6 assists to just one turnover per game, and added 3 steals and 8 points per game. 

She also started in the infield, between second base and shortstop, for a state finalist softball team. 

Eva Crawford, 8th-grader, Owego basketball, field hockey: An emerging force in the paint for the River Hawks, Crawford averaged 4.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.4 deflections per game.

In the fall, Crawford was also a force for the Owego field hockey team. She scored three goals and doled out five assists as a midfielder.

Ady Frantz, freshman, Wellsboro softball, volleyball: This spring, Frantz hit .379 with a .471 on-base percentage. She had 22 base hits, including five doubles and four home runs, with 8 RBI, 17 runs scored, 10 walks and eight stolen bases. On the mound, she went 4-11 with 133 strikeouts in 95 innings.

In the fall, she played in 29 sets with 18 kills and 10 digs for the Lady Hornets’ District 4 Championship volleyball team.

Kenzie Brown, Towanda cross country, wrestling, track & field: Brown was a key factor in Towanda’s NTL champion cross country team.

She also earned a starting spot on the first ever girls’ wrestling team, where she posted a 16-16 record for the Knights.

Brown was also a district qualifier in track & field this spring.

Kyah Renzo, Troy soccer, basketball: Renzo was a key newcomer in the midfield for the Lady Trojans.

She was also one of the best sixth player off the bench for the Trojan hoops team.

Zaelea Lane, Northeast Bradford volleyball, softball: It’s never too late to make an impact as this senior became a solid backline player for the district title winning Panthers on the volleyball court. 

On the softball diamond, she became a starter in right field, holding down the position with some big catches in the state playoffs.

Haidyn Watson, Troy volleyball, softball: Watson was a big-time server for the Trojan volleyball team.

She also became a versatile player on the softball team, serving time across the infield and in the circle.

Alissa Vough, freshman, Athens cross country, basketball, track & field: During the fall, Vough quickly became the No. 2 runner on the cross country team with Top-10 finishes at the Forbes Invitational (ninth), and the Owego Dash in the Dark (10th).

During the winter, Vough saw quality minutes, and proved herself to be a top-notched defender. She grabbed three rebounds in Athens' District loss.

In the spring, Vough had a good season, and finished 11th in the 1,600-meter run at the District 4 Track & Field Championships.

Lilly Mezzatesta, junior, Tioga volleyball, wrestling: In the spring, Mezzatesta did a little of everything for the Tigers in their run to a Section IV volleyball title. She was effective at the service line, was a presence at the net, played defense, and set on occasion.

During the winter, Mezzatesta was 13-13 on the mat, and finished third at the IAC Championships.

Brooke Lyon, freshman, Athens girls golf, swimming, track & field: Lyon was a three-sport athlete, but made her bone in the fall on the golf links. Lyon was a consistent starter for the Wildcats, who won their fourth straight NTL title and the program's first-ever District 4 title. She had a scoring average of 101.8 in nine matches, and set a school record for the Lady Wildcats with a round of 85, and also shot an 86.

During the winter, Lyon picked up some points in the freestyle sprints and relays on the swim team. She also contributed on the track & field team this spring.

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