The Sports ReportsThere were plenty of talented male newcomers to the area in 2025-2026. Tioga junior Jackson Bombard extended his talents beyond the basketball court to the football gridiron and golf this year to be The Sports Reports / Ziff Law Firm 2025-26 "Boys Newcomer of the Year."
On the gridiron, Bombard stepped under center after a year off, and threw for 470 yards and six touchdowns with a 57.4 completion percentage. He also rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns, while lead Tioga to a Class D state championship.
In the spring, Bombard stepped away from being a two-year starter on the baseball tame, and moved to golf, where he averaged 42.4 for nine holes, including a pair of 37s at Shepard Hills.
He also qualified for the Section IV Individual Championships.
2025-26 ALL-REGION BOYS NEWCOMERS
Jackson Bombard, Tioga football, golf: See above.
Gage Baltzley, Wellsboro baseball, soccer: On the baseball diamond, Baltzley hit .362 with four doubles, 25 RBI, and 20 runs scored. He also competed on the soccer team that went 12-6-2.
Shea Davidson, Athens football, baseball: The Wildcat showed good production in football and baseball as a freshman. On the gridiron, he had three starts under center, throwing for 818 yards and six touchdowns with a 57.3 completion percentage. On the baseball diamond, he hit .304 with 11 RBI, and seven runs scored.
James Doughtie, Wellsboro tennis, basketball, soccer: Doughtie was a three-sport performer for the Hornets. He went 5-1 in singles matches for the NTL champs, while contributing off the bench in hoops. He also competed on the soccer team that went 12-6-2 on the year.
Braiden Judson, freshman, Waverly basketball and track & field: Judson started in his first varsity game. He averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, including 2.4 offensive boards, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals per game, and canned 10 3-pointers on the season. This spring, Judson contributed on the track team in the 400-meter dash, and the 400-meter hurdles.
Emmett Klees, Towanda cross country, track & field: Klees was a two-time state qualifier. He made states in cross-country while helping the Knights to a league title. In track and field, he qualified for States in the 3200, and just missed it in the 1600.
Asher Kolesar, Northeast Bradford: Kolesar went 27-12 as a freshman in the upper weights on the wrestling mat. He was a place-winner at North Section, District IV, and Northeast Regionals, while also qualifying for States.
Patrick Laney, Horseheads track & field: A starting outfield on Horseheads' state championship baseball team last year, Laney was a state third-place finisher in the 100 as he took on outdoor track and field for the first time. He also won sectionals in the 200.
Ely Newman, Waverly football, wrestling: Newman proved to be a stout defender on the gridiron, registering 62 tackles, including 23 solo stops, with three sacks and three tackles-for-loss. On the wrestling mats last winter, he went 8-6 and won the heavyweight title at the Armbar at the Armory.
Josiah Pesesky, Troy football, basketball: Pesesky was a two-way contributor to the Trojan football teams, using his size and athleticism to blanket receivers on defense, while also being a threat downfield himself. On the hardwoods, he started, averaging 6.1 PPG and 6.4 RPG.
Pryor Teribury, Troy basketball, baseball: Pryor stepped up in basketball and baseball this year. He provided spacing on the basketball court, while on the baseball diamond, he hit .375 with 22 RBI and 18 runs scored.
Trey Teribury, Troy football, baseball: After contributing to varsity hoops as a sophomore, Trey did so in football and baseball as a junior. In football, he was the Trojans' top target downfield, while on the baseball diamond he hit .278 with 14 RBI, and 17 runs scored.
Chace VanDyke, Athens wrestling: The freshman posted a 21-15 record, and came in second at the District IV, Class AAA Championships. He nearly made it through the tough Class AAA Northeast Regionals, coming up one spot short of making it to States.
