Northern Tier Sports ReportWYALUSING — Wyalusing got a much needed win on Tuesday, and got it in a big way, rolled past Athens, 58-32, during NTL boys’ hoops action.
“Just really happy for our guys,” Wyalusing coach Brent Keyes said. “We have been working so hard, and to come out tonight, play really well together, and get contributions all over the place, our guys should be very proud of their effort. Now, we have to get back to work for the rest of this difficult stretch. We were close last week, we really need to string some wins together. Every night in the league this year is going to be a battle. We will work as hard as we possibly can to be prepared each, and every night.”
Wyalusing jumped out to a 16-10 first quarter lead, and extended it to 29-19 at the half. They got up by as much as 21 in the second, then saw Athens cut it to 14, before the Rams pulled away for the 26 point win.
“I told them before the game that we’ve been so close,” Keyes said. “We took a step forward last week. We needed to get one home. The thing I’m most proud of is Athens made a run at us in the third quarter. We knew they would but we really handled it.”
Tyler Caplan had 21 points to lead Wyalusing as Parker Cunningham netted 12, and Myles Kershner notched 11.
Jared VandeMark added seven, Noah Kilmer notched four, and Shay Gartland added three.
“We had different guys step up for us, that was nice,” said Keyes. “Parker in the second half. He had a different look about him tonight, he played really well. He’s improved immensely, and I’m glad he got to show it tonight. We had some great minutes out of Jared. He’s been really good for us. He turned it around a few games back.”
Nick Grazul had 15 to lead Athens.
Kershner started hot, netting seven in the first quarter to lead Wyalusing, while Caplan notched six.
VandeMark took over with seven points in the second as they built the 10-point lead going into the locker room.
Cunningham and Caplan combined for 13 of the team’s 15 third quarter points, with Cunningham netting seven.
In the fourth Caplan, and Cunningham had five points each to pace the Rams.
Wyalusing’s defense held Athens to just 13 second half points.
Wyalusing (4-6) will host Towanda on Thursday.
— —
PHOTOS PROVIDED
