Northern Tier Sports ReportROME — NEB was held to just 11 second half points as they fell to Athens, 56-32, during NTL Showcase boys’ hoops action Thursday.
“We just didn't have it tonight and Athens did,” said NEB coach Paul Burgert.
“We didn't play well, coach well, just nothing seemed to go right for us. Except Eddie Eastman shredding the National Anthem on guitar, that was awesome. But I don't want to take anything away from Athens, they played really really well and deserved to win. Hats off to them. We just have to flush this one down the toilet and get ready for next week.”
The Wildcats led 14-11 after one, then extended that lead to 35-21 at the half.
The Panthers hung in there in the third quarter, just being out scored by two, but a 13-5 fourth quarter from the Wildcats secured the win.
Athens will play Towanda in the title game at Mansfield University on Saturday after the girls’ game, which begins at 6:30 p.m.
Eli Stanton had 12 points to lead NEB, with Dayton Russell scoring six.
Daniel Barrett, and Cooper Brown had four points apiece, with Brown adding five boards.
Mac Burgert notched three points, as Clay Wilks had three points, and nine rebounds.
Lucas Schultz led Athens with 21 points, while Adam Kemp scored 12, and Aiden Briggs added 10.
Stanton had seven points to lead the Panthers in the opening quarter, but Schultz scored nine to lead Athens.
Nobody had more than three points for NEB in the second quarter, but Kemp led the Athens attack with eight points to give them the 14 lead at the half.
Points were hard to come by in the third quarter as the two teams combined for just 14.
In the fourth Athens held the Panthers to two field goals.
NEB will wait to see who they play in the first round of the playoffs next week.
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PHOTOS BY TINA MAYNARD
