NTL GIRLS' BASKETBALL: SENIOR LED WYALUSING BREAKS PLAYOFF DROUGHT (2021-03-29)

Northern Tier Sports Report
With a group of seniors leading them, the Wyalusing girls’ basketball team was able to achieve their main goal of earning a playoff berth in the 2021 season.

Their four seniors were key in their 10-6 season, including their second home win over Athens in as many years. They also swept Wellsboro and Troy - two other playoff teams - and even won two road games in the same day, beating Canton in Canton, then hopping on a bus to go to NP-Mansfield, and coming out victorious there.

“I’m happy that the girls got the opportunity to have a season during the pandemic,” said head coach Ricky Lindblad. “The girls had to face adversity, and had to keep their minds focused on the test ahead when shut down. The girls continued to come everyday to practice, and give their all not knowing what tomorrow would bring.”

It was their first playoff berth in the last three or four years.

“They also finished with the best record since 2014-2015,” said Lindblad. “I am proud of the girls and for them getting back to the playoffs. I hope that fuels the girls to look to make another run next year. I’d like to wish the four senior athletes Callie Bennett, Catherine Brown, Hailey Jayne, and Madison Putnam the best of luck in the future.”

Bennett averaged 10.1 points per game with Brown second on the team at 9.1 points per game. Putnam led the team in rebounding at 7.2 a game, with Jayne’s 2.0 assists per game leading the team.

The Rams will have to replace 31 of their 40.7 points per game next year that the seniors averaged, but returnees Layla Botts, Laci Norton and Olivia Leichliter showed what they could do this year. Botts was good at driving into the paint, Norton showed off her all-around game and Leichliter had some big games inside.

If they can find players to fit around them, they can look to having another solid season next winter.