NTL GIRLS BASKETBALL: ATHENS CRUISES PAST TROY, 50-31 - LOCKS UP SPOT IN SHOWDOWN (2019-02-13)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS - Athens raced out to a quick double-digit lead, and cruised to a 50-31 win over Troy here Wednesday night in NTL Large School Division girls basketball action.

With the win, paired with Towanda's loss to Wellsboro, the Lady Wildcats, who wrap up the regular season at 13-9, locked up a spot in the NTL Showdown with a second-place finish in the Large School standings, and will travel to Sayre Thursday night in an opening-round match-up.

With just one senior on the roster, Athens coach Brian Miller is pleased with his team's progress this season.

"We have a young team are excited to be playing in the showdown," he said. "The girls have worked really hard together to get to this point in the season, and I am extremely proud of them."

Sophomore Kayleigh Miller had the hot hand early for Athens, knocking down a trio of 3-pointers and scoring 11 points in the first quarter. Junior Haley Barry added a 3-pointers as Athens raced out to a 21-4 lead after the first eight minutes.

Four different Lady Wildcats scored buckets in the second quarter, and the Athens defense held Troy to just one free throw in an 8-1 spurt that extended the lead to 29-5 at the half.

Barry scored six points in the second half, while freshman Caydence Macik added five points, and Miller and junior Emily Pennison each canned 3-pointers to help Athens maintain a healthy advantage throughout the final 16 minutes.

Miller led Athens with 14 points, including four 3-pointers, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Macik had 10 points, five steals, and four rebounds, and Barry added nine points, four rebounds, and two steals.

Sophomore Megan Collins had four points and three boards in the win, while sophomore Rachel Stevens chipped in with four points, senior Sophie Adams contributed seven rebounds, two steals, and two assists, and junior Avery Priester doled out six assists.

Sydney Taylor led Troy with 10 points.

Athens travels to Sayre tonight for a 7 p.m. tip off.

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IN PHOTO: Athens sophomore Kayleigh Miller.