Northern Tier Sports ReportIt was quite a year of indoor sports this winter with some teams keeping their dominant streaks going while others reached new heights.
Top 7 Moments
7. Towanda edges Athens in OT on Darrius Farrell’s bucket: A rivalry game that had it all - league stakes, a buzzer beating 3-ball to send the game into overtime, big time performances all around. Farrell’s bucket at the buzzer gave Towanda new life, and the Knights edged the Wildcats in the extra period, paving their way to the league title.
6. Towanda wrestling claims North Section title: The Black Knights were underdogs going in, but had a few breaks go their way, and saw their newbies grow up in front of their eyes as they pulled out a narrow win over their rivals Wyalusing. Towanda clinched the championship with a fall in the 215 pound consolation bout.
5. Wyalusing tops Athens in front of their student body: The Rams held a student assembly game as they beat Athens 41-26 in front of their entire student body, the first in a while for the area but a tradition that looks to continue.
4. Towanda’s Gage Evans comes through wrestle backs for state medal: Evans fell into the consolations after the first round but three bouts in a row - two on Friday morning - to get on that state podium, and make it three straight years the Knights have brought home state hardware.
3. Troy girls hoops win first state game: The Lady Trojans defeated Cambria Heights for their program’s first state title. This came after their third place win over Mt. Carmel in District IV, showing the Trojans saved their best for last.
2. NEB boys hoops edges Muncy for district title: It may have been closer than they wanted but the Panthers finally got over the hump of a District IV title, their first in 35 years.
1. Towanda coach Bill Sexton becomes Pa’s All-time winningest coach: Sexton’s team gave him an early Christmas present when they beat Central Columbia to make him the all-time wins leader in Pennsylvania for dual meets. It was quite a night for Black Knight wrestling as they celebrated 46 years of excellence.
Notables: Troy boys, Towanda girls claim Elmira Tournament titles…Canton girls comes up just short against Southern Columbia in district play…Towanda’s Brennick Lain takes third in diving at districts…NEB’s Leah Beebe, Towanda’s Brynn Woodruff both reach 1,000 points.
Top 7 Storylines
7. Towanda claims first NTL title in 11 years: The Black Knights started strong and ended strong as they won their first league title since 2015. Behind a strong back court, outside shooting, and solid paint defense Towanda was able to get a title they’d been eyeing for a while.
6. NEB girls hoops claiming their seventh straight NTL title: As constant as the North Star, despite roster turnover NEB rolled to another Small School championship. They had three new starters this year and relied heavily on their starting five but got it done as they went undefeated in divisional play.
5. NEB wrestling posting a strong season: The Panthers started the year 8-0 - the first team to qualify for district duals - and won the Hughesville Tournament. Injuries derailed them the second half of the year, but it was quite a feat for a team that had just three wrestlers five years ago.
4. NEB boys hoops going undefeated in cross-over games: Even with garnering two titles this year the Panthers’ most impressive feat may have been going 5-0 against NTL Large School teams, including an OT win over Towanda, a first for any Small School team.
3. Wyalusing wrestling getting back on top of the NTL: The veteran led Rams saw three wrestlers earn their 100th career wins as they finished the league season with one loss. They got back the Standing Stone Trophy from Towanda during the run, and had big wins over Athens, NEB and Canton.
2. Troy girls hoops romp through the NTL: The Trojans reloaded this past year, going undefeated in league play as they won their third straight title. They did this despite having no seniors, and only returning two key players from last year’s squad.
1. NEB’s Anaiah Kolesar makes her run to fourth in the state: Kolesar won several tournament titles this year and only had one loss going into the PIAA Championships. She ended up taking fourth overall in the state for the third year in a row.
Notables: Another strong season from area girls hoops teams…Youthful wrestling teams Canton, Troy use late push to make District IV Duals
Top 7 Coaches
7. Bill Sexton, Towanda, Wrestling - Sexton is now the All-time winningest coach in the state Pennsylvania for dual meet wrestling as the Knights had another strong season despite huge roster turnover.
6. Ben Beebe, NEB, Girls Basketball - Despite losing several key starters to graduation the Panthers rolled to another Small School titled and finished in the top four in the district.
5. Landon Henry, Towanda, Boys Basketball - The Knights won their first league title in 11 years and reached districts for the second year in a row.
4. David Patrick, Wyalusing, Wrestling - The Rams won the NTL title for the first time this decade while reaching the final four at district duals.
3. Curt Cole, NEB, Wrestling - Despite a very thin line-up the Panthers started the year 8-0 and went on to qualify for districts even after injuries started to pile up.
2. Steve Renzi, Troy, Girls Basketball - Led Troy to the program’s first state win while they blew through the NTL competition during the regular season.
1. Paul Burgert, NEB, Boys Basketball - Led NEB to their first district title since 1991 while during the regular season they claimed the NTL Small School title, and swept the NTL Large School teams along the way.
Notables: Rob Gentile, Towanda, Girls Basketball…Ryan VanNoy, Canton, Girls Basketball…Nick Reynolds, Wyalusing, Girls Basketball…Brock Nichols, Towanda, Girls Wrestling
Top 7 Female Newcomers
7. Lia Fischer, Towanda, Girls Wrestling - The freshman wrestler went 16-15 at a tough weight class, including nine falls on the season.
6. Haidyn Watson, Troy, Girls Basketball - One of the top sixth women in the league, Watson came off the bench to provide defense, passing, and timely shooting for the trojans.
5. Kendal Cook, Towanda, Girls Wrestling - Cook went 23-17 on the year and was a regional qualifier after taking fifth at districts.
4. Izzy Renzi, Troy, Girls Basketball - A strong two-way player for the Trojans as a freshman, her defense and shooting helped Troy claim the NTL title.
3. Raelyn Woodward, Troy, Girls Basketball - A hustle player that rebounded bigger than her size and played fearless defense, Woodward stepped up for the Trojans in her sophomore year.
2. Jenna Morningstar, Wyalusing, Girls Basketball - Averaged a near double-double for the Rams while providing a strong paint presence as a freshmen.
1. Kaylen Sluyter, Towanda, Girls Wrestling - Sluyter went 36-9 on the year as a state qualifier. She was third in the district, and fourth at regionals, while missing a state medal by one spot.
Notables: Maris Cobb, Towanda, Girls Basketball…Kara Dughi, NEB, Girls Basketball
Top 7 Male Newcomers
7. Kellen Colton, Towanda, Boys Swimming - Colton was a district qualifier in the pool as a freshman for the Black Knights.
6. Nate Gross, NEB, Boys Basketball - Gross provided scoring, rebounding, and athleticism for the Panthers off the bench.
5. Graham Welles, Towanda, Boys Basketball - Welles was one of the league’s top marksmen off the bench for the Knights.
4. Hunter Watson, Troy, Wrestling - The freshman went 24-15 on the year and was a North Section runner-up.
3. Pryor Teribury, Troy, Boys Basketball - Teribury helped Troy get back to the district playoffs with his shooting.
2. Josiah Pesesky, Troy, Boys Basketball - The freshman provided size and athleticism for the new look Trojans on the season.
1. Asher Kolesar, NEB, Wrestling - Kolesar went 27-12 on the season as a freshman at an upper weight. He was second at North Section, third at districts, and fourth at regionals to qualify for states.
Notables: Kix Carr, Canton, Boys Basketball…
Top 7 Female Athletes
7. Brynn Woodruff, Towanda, Girls Basketball - The 1,000 point scorer led the Knights to another strong season.
T-5. Leah Beebe, NEB & Cailyn Van Noy, Canton, Girls Basketball - The two point guards led their teams to successful years. Beebe reached 1,000 points as NEB claimed the NTL Small School title, while Van Noy proved to be one of the league’s best 2-way players for the Warriors.
4. Kaylen Sluyter, Towanda, Girls Wrestling - See above.
T-2. Giana Renzi & Kyah Renzo, Troy, Girls Basketball - Troy’s fearsome duo led the Trojans to an undefeated NTL season, a third place finish at districts, and the Sweet 16 in the state tournament. They set the tone for the year defensively and offensively.
1. Anaiah Kolesar, NEB, Girls Wrestling - Kolesar went 40-3 on the year and claimed her third straight fourth place finish at the PIAA Championships. She was also the district and regional champion, the first time she claimed both in the same year.
Notables: Alysha Botts, Wyalusing, Girls Basketball…
Top 7 Male Athletes
7. Brennick Lain, Towanda, Swimming & Diving - Lain took third at districts in diving, just missing a state berth, while also qualifying for districts in multiple swimming events.
6. Trey Teribury, Troy, Boys Basketball - Teribury turned into one of the league’s best scorers with his ability to shoot from anywhere along with attacking the rim.
5. Asher Kolesar, NEB, Wrestling - See above.
4. Boom Thompson, Towanda, Boys Basketball - The floor general for the Knights, Thompson ran their offense with precision while also setting the tone defensively.
3. Carson Rockwell, Canton, Wrestling - The senior went 36-12 on the year, claiming a North Section title, while taking third in districts and regionals on his way to a state berth.
2. Eli Stanton, NEB, Boys Basketball - Led the Panthers to two titles this year, using his quickness and aggressiveness on both sides of the ball.
1. Gage Evans, Towanda, Wrestling - Evans went 38-10 as a sophomore and nabbed that state medal that eluded him last year. While taking seventh at states he was a North Section champion, a fourth place finisher at districts, and a regional runner-up.
Notables: Cole Patrick, Wyalusing, Wrestling…Dan Fox, Wyalusing, Wrestling…Reed Palmer, Troy, Wrestling…Darrius Farrell, Towanda, Boys Basketball…Cooper Brown, NEB, Boys Basketball
WRESTLING
WYALUSING had their best season since 2019, claiming the NTL title and reaching the top four in the District IV Duals. The line-up was senior loaded with three 100 match winners, so they’ll be plenty of spots to fill next year, though state qualifier Dan Fox returns to have somebody to build around…TOWANDA pieced together enough of a line-up to make district duals, then pulled out a North Section title. They say good-bye to some key seniors but return state qualifier Gage Evans, along with Reese Sluyter and Hagen Jones as they look to improve next season…NEB put together one of their best seasons in a decade as they made district duals and saw freshman Asher Kolesar earn a state berth. They say good-bye to half their line-up but return Kolesar, Alex Gomez, and Kale Howland as they rebuild next season…CANTON finished the year strong to qualify for district duals and saw senior Carson Rockwell make states. They return Levi Vermilya and Tommy Preston as they look to build on this year’s success…TROY was able to scrape and make the district duals this year despite being so young. They have plenty of room for improvement as they return state qualifier Reed Palmer, Hunter Watson, and Garret Parks.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TROY made history this year as they won their first state playoff game. During the year they ran through the NTL for their third straight title, and, led by Kyah Renzo and Giana Renzi, they return everybody for next season…NEB claimed another NTL Small School title despite losing another strong class. They say good-bye to 1,000 point scorer Leah Beebe, but return four of five starters, and welcome in a strong freshman class…TOWANDA had another strong year but didn’t quite get where they wanted to go. They say good-bye to 1,000 point scorer Brynn Woodruff, but return three of five starters, plus a deep bench to make a run for the NTL and districts next season…WYALUSING had another winning season, and even won a district game. They say good-bye to senior Treanna Nickeson but return four of their five starters as they look to keep working toward a title…CANTON came up just short of an NTL title, along with falling in their district opener to state semifinalist Southern Columbia. The Warriors return Cailyn Van Noy but will have to retool along a new frontline.
BOYS BASKETBALL
NEB claimed their first district title since 1991 while adding another league title to their collection. They say good-bye to a strong senior class, but return three starters, including big man Clay Wilks, to build around…TOWANDA won their first NTL in over a decade, something they’ve been working for for a while. They say good-bye to two seniors, including 2-guard Darrius Farrell, but return three starters, including point guard Boom Thompson, as they look for the repeat…TROY had a rebuilding year as they retooled after a dominant run through the league and district. They return all five seniors, including premier scorer Trey Teribury, as they look towards bigger things next year…WYALUSING had another youthful year, with just one senior, as they showed promise. Behind guard Tyler Caplan and forward Myles Kershner they’ll look to compete for bigger things next year…CANTON it was a rough year for the Warriors but one not without some bright spots. They return four of five starters, including plenty of freshmen that saw a lot of time, as they look to take the next step.
GIRLS WRESTLING
TOWANDA battled through injuries as they saw four girls reach regionals, and freshman Kaylen Sluyter come one win away from a state medal. Their budding program keeps growing as the Knights hope to be healthier and even more competitive next season…NEB’s Anaiah Kolesar claimed her third straight PIAA medal, but will be off to college. The Panthers return two regional qualifiers in Mackenzie Clark and Dariela Reyes-Ramirez.
SWIMMING & DIVING
TOWANDA will say good-bye to a few key seniors, including diver Brennick Lain, but return a handful of district qualifiers for next year. They also hope their co-op with NEB will net them a few more numbers, especially on the girls team.
