VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: WAVERLY'S WOODRING NAMED BOYS HOOP 'PLAYER OF YEAR;' SAYRE'S FABBRI, SHAW, WAVERLY'S MCCARTY ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2020-03-19)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY "”
Waverly senior Scott Woodring put up numbers that haven't been seen in decades in the Valley, and is the 2019-20
Valley Sports Report boys basketball "
Player of the Year."
Sayre sophomore Dom Fabbri is the 2019-20 "Newcomer of the Year," while
Waverly senior Jalen McCarty is the "Defensive Player of the Year," and first-year
Sayre coach Devin Shaw is the "Coach of the Year."
At 6-foot, 8-inches tall, Woodring was a dominant force in the low post, but also played the game like a guard in some respects.
Woodring has great hands, tremendous footwork, and a soft touch on his jumper, which he consistently knocked down from 15 feet and in. He also brought the ball up floor at times, and on more than one occasion pulled up in transition and knocked down a 3-pointer.
He "only" blocked 2.2 shots per game, but altered countless shots, and was judicious in his efforts to block shots, saving those efforts for when the game was on the line, and avoiding foul trouble throughout the season.
Woodring averaged 26.3 points and 14.8 rebounds per game, as well as 2.2 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. He shot 56.9 percent from the field, and made 10 3-pointers.
An all-around player, Fabbri scored taking the ball to the bucket, and from behind the 3-point arc, as well as creating easy scoring opportunities with his defense.
He will be an even bigger part of the Redskins' success over the next two years.
Fabbri averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, and knocked down 35 3-pointers this season.
A tenacious and tireless defender, McCarty played a physical brand of defense on the perimeter, and often took opposing scorers out of their usual style of play. He also created easy buckets for himself and his teammates within Waverly's defensive scheme.
Over the last two seasons, Sayre won a total of 13 games. Shaw directed the Redskins to a 13-13 record in 2019-20, as well as a third-place finish in the District 4, Class AA playoffs, and the program's first appearance in the PIAA playoffs in 10 years.
Shaw weathered struggles early in the season, and directed the Redskins to an 11-11 record in the regular season, thanks to four wins in the final six games.
The remainder of the
All-Valley Boys Basketball Super 7 are:
Aaron Lane, senior, Athens: Nearly a foot shorter than Woodring, Lane pushed the Waverly big man for "Player of the Year" honors.
An offensive juggernaut, Lane could score from anywhere on the floor, doing equal damage from behind the 3-point arc, in the mid-range, and taking the ball to the rim.
A tenacious defender, Lane also created easy points in transition for himself and his teammates.
Lane averaged 23.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.5 assists per game. He also knocked down 45 3-pointers, and made a Valley-best 135 free throws, shooting 82 percent from the line in the process.
J.J. Babcock, sophomore, Athens: A smooth 6-foot, 5-inch forward, Babcock effortlessly moved from the low-post to the perimeter and was equally effective in both realms.
He averaged 13.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steal, and 1 block per game, and knocked down 17 3-pointers on the season.
Sam Taylor, senior, Tioga: A heady player, Taylor was relied upon to do just about everything for the Tigers, and put together a strong senior season despite being the focus of opposing defenses on a nightly basis.
Taylor averaged 14 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He made 31 3-pointers and 71 free throws.
Corbin Brown, senior, Sayre: Long and athletic, Brown excelled when attacking the bucket, and did a nice job on the boards this season, especially on the offensive glass.
He averaged 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, including 3.3 offensive boards, and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 46 percent from the field.
Matt Lane, junior, Sayre: Quick and athletic, Lane played both ends of the floor with equal energy. A streaky shooter, Lane could knock down 3s in bunches, as well as score in transition.
Lane averaged 9.3 points, 3.8 rebonds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, and canned 43 3-pointers on the season.
Troy Pritchard, sophomore, Athens: A tireless worker who improved as his confidence grew, Pritchard did the dirty work for the Wildcats, setting screens and getting on the floor after loose balls among other things.
He averaged 6.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per game.
All-Defensive TeamJalen McCarty, senior, Waverly.
Gavin Godfrey, sophomore, Tioga.
Damian Hudson, senior, Athens.
Peyton Bowen, junior, Waverly.
Matt Lane, junior, Sayre.
All-Valley Newcomer Team
Dom Fabbri, sophomore, Sayre: See above.
Mason Lister, freshman, Athens: Long, lanky, and athletic, Lister can handle the ball, shoot the 3, take the ball to the bucket, and hit the boards. He is also among the best on the defensive end.
He averaged 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, and knocked down 23 3-pointers this season.
Lucas Horton, freshman, Sayre: Another long, lanky, and athletic player, Horton made the most of his time on the court, scoring from the perimeter and in transition. He will be a big part of the Redskins' success over the next three years.
He averaged 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, and canned nine 3-pointers on the season.
Joey Tomasso, 8th-grade, Waverly: Poised beyond his years, Tomasso did a nice job running the Wolverine offense, and knocked down some big shots in his first varsity season. He will be at the helm during what should be some very good Waverly teams over the next four years.
He averaged 6.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, and made 24 3-pointers on the season.
Ethan Perry, 8th-grade, Tioga: Lightning-quick and a strong defender, Perry's offense improved during the course of the season as his confidence grew.
He averaged 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal per game.
All-Overlooked Team
Zach Moore, junior, Sayre: Moore scored in bunches at times, and could be one of the top scorers in the area next year.
Peyton Bowen, junior, Waverly: A good all-around player, Bowen can score when he looks to. I expect a big senior year for him.
Aidan Westbrook, junior, Waverly: Athletic and explosive, Westbrook shows flashes of being a big-time player. He needs to find some consistency.
Damian Hudson, senior, Athens: A very good on-ball defender, Hudson enjoyed his best season in terms of decision-making while running the Wildcat offense.
Caleb Allen, senior, Tioga: Long and athletic, Allen had some very good games for the Tigers.
Derrick Gage, junior, Tioga: Physical and athletic, Gage bangs on the boards, gets on the floor after loose balls, and does all the little things coaches want.
Players to Watch in 2020-21The underclassmen listed above are most certainly players to watch next year, but there are also others:
Tucker Brown, sophomore, Athens: His season cut short by injury, Brown showed flashes of being an effective scorer, while playing strong defense and handling the point-guard duties.
Chris Mitchell, freshman, Athens: An athletic and physical low-post player, Mitchell has nice touch on his shots around the bucket, and could give the Wildcats quality minutes next year.
Davis Croft, sophomore, Waverly: Long, lanky, and athletic, Croft can score in the low-post, and knock down the 3-pointer. He should make an immediate impact for the Wolverines next year.
Nalen Carling, sophomore, Waverly: Like Croft, Carling is tall and athletic, and is an all-around player. He may have the most up-side of any of Waverly's JV re-enforcements headed to the varsity ranks next year.
Jackson Hubbard, freshman, Sayre: Hubbard can take the ball to the bucket, and knock down the 3-pointer. He'll give the Redskins another scoring threat as early as next season.
Zach Garrity, freshman, Sayre: A hard-nosed competitor, Garrity brings intangibles to the court along with his athleticism. He will play a much bigger role for the Redskins in coming years.
Brennan Traub, sophomore, Waverly: Brennan Traub can take the ball to the bucket, and creates points for himself and his teammates with his defense. He'll contribute next season.
Liam Traub, sophomore, Waverly: Like his brother, Liam Traub can take the ball to the bucket, and knock down the 3-pointer. He'll contribute next year on what could be a very deep Wolverines team.
Casey Stoughton, sophomore, Tioga: Hampered by injuries this season, Stoughton showed flashes of being an offensive weapon for the Tigers, who will likely need him at point guard in 2020-21.
Keon Staples, freshman, Tioga: An explosive performer, Staples will have an opportunity to contribute in the low-post next year for the Tigers.
Brady Blauvelt, sophomore, Waverly: Another athletic player who can get after it on defense, and score in a variety of ways, Blauvelt will likely contribute for the Wolverines next year.
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IN PHOTO: Waverly's Scott Woodring.
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"Player of the Year"2009-10 - Taylor Skerpon, Sayre
2010-11 - Nick Zwierlein, Waverly
2011-12 - Ryan Hewitt, Waverly
2012-13 - Nate Williams, Sayre
2013-14 - Nate Williams, Sayre
2014-15 - Brandon Fauver, Athens
2015-16 - Hunter Bodine, Waverly
2016-17 - Hunter Bodine, Waverly
2017-18 - Connor Hutchinson, Tioga
2018-19 - Dylan Ward, Waverly
