BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
It was a banner raising season for Towanda boys basketball, their first this decade as they had their best season in over a decade.
“I feel like our group made some very realistic and tangible goals this season which I was pleased with entering the season,” said Towanda coach Landon Henry. “One of those goals being NTL Champs which we were able to accomplish for the first time in over a decade in school history. That alone is something that this group earned together and it cannot be taken away from them.”
It was a nail-biter with several teams still alive going into the second round of divisional games, and some clutch shooting in a come from behind win against Athens proved to be the deciding factor.
The Knights also defeated Athens to claim the NTL Showcase title.
“We have a lot of good kids in our program which makes showing up for one another each day a joy,” Henry said. “We have dudes that care about basketball, that care about wearing the Towanda jersey, and are learning how to be a consistent presence for one another at practice and games as they attack a common goal. Ultimately, the way the season ended is a humbling yet necessary experience for us to go through. It should give us a vision of what it takes to get to that next level while also hopefully lighting a fire within some dudes as we enter the offseason and prepare to work.”
Towanda went 18-4 in the regular season and opened with a six game win streak that included wins over Montrose (55-27), Line Mountain (65-37), and district finalists Muncy (48-41) and NP-Liberty (61-37).
They lost to Mt. Carmel (70-55) but came back to win four more, including a big victory over district champion Sullivan County (59-29).
That run also included wins over playoff teams Troy (62-44) and Wellsboro (62-43).
Then came Towanda’s toughest stretch of the season as they went 1-2 over their next three with losses to NP-Mansfield (56-47) and Athens (72-62) sandwiched around a win against Wyalusing (56-43).
They got a pair of cross-over wins against CV (75-50) and Canton (68-19), but then fell in overtime at district champions NEB (63-56).
With their league title hopes on the line Towanda rallied to beat Athens in OT, 54-49, and that sparked a 5-game win streak to end the seasons they defeated Wyalusing (63-54), Troy (58-42), Wellsboro (37-28), and NPM (53-41).
In the showcase they defeated NPL and Athens, but then lost their home district game to Loyalsock.
They were led by the trio of Boom Thompson, Markell Garner, and Darrius Farrell.
Thompson was a steady hand at point guard, could score when they needed it, and played excellent defense, while Farrell led the team in scoring with his ability to shoot the ball and get to the basket. Garner was their paint protector and rebounder.
Lucas Vincent complimented them with his size and scoring, while role players Landon Clark, Graham Welles, Keegan Stroud, and Joshua Maye all chipped in in different ways.
“For us, we say good-bye to two seniors in Landon Clark and Darrius Farrell, and we thank them for their contributions over the last four years,” Henry said.
They do return three starters, and their entire bench as they look to defend their title next season.
“We will take pride in what we have accomplished this season while also setting our minds on how we can accomplish some bigger and loftier goals,” said Henry. “It comes down to the kids in what they are willing to sacrifice.”
