NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: ATHENS PULLS AWAY LATE IN 63-38 WIN OVER TOWANDA (5 PHOTOS) (2020-01-24)

Valley Sports Report
TOWANDA "” Athens took the lead early, fended off a pesky Towanda for two quarters, then blew the game open late in a 63-38 win here Friday night in NTL Large School Division boys basketball action.

Senior Aaron Lane pumped in 12 points, including a 3-pointer, in the first quarter, and sophomore J.J. Babcock added eight points to help the Wildcats to a 25-16 lead after the first eight minutes.

Both offenses slowed down in the second quarter, and the Knights outscored Athens, 8-7, to trim the deficit to 32-24 at the halftime break.

Lane scored eight points in the third quarter, and sophomore Tucker Brown added six points in a 16-10 spurt that extended the Athens lead to 48-34 heading into the final eight minutes.

Lane scored nine more points in the fourth quarter, including his second 3-pointer, and senior Damian Hudson added a 3-pointer to fuel a 15-4 blitz that blew the game wide open.

Lane led Athens with 29 points, seven steals, and six rebounds, while Brown scored 12 points and grabbed seven boards, and Babcock added 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Hudson chipped in with six points, six assists, and five steals for the Wildcats, while freshman Mason Lister had five rebounds, and senior Brady Smith had four boards.

Kolby Hoffman led Towanda with 11 points, and Trent Kithcart added 10 points.

Athens, now 12-2 and winners of five straight, returns to action Tuesday at Wellsboro.

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens sophomore Tucker Brown. ... PHOTOS COURTESY OF PETER KENT.