Cayuga Health Simmons-RockwellTioga State Bank Dandy Mini Marts Valley Sports ReportGUTHRIE SPORTS MED Gannon Associates Williams Auto GroupI-R FCU




Knolles.gifcoachesPizza.jpgWSC.jpgSmithBrothers.jpgBodineMotor.jpgBX.jpg
NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: ATHENS' LANE EARNS 'PLAYER OF THE YEAR' HONORS; BABCOCK, HUDSON COLLECT ALL-STAR ACCOLADES (2020-04-28)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS "” Athens senior Aaron Lane led the Wildcats to the NTL Showdown championship, and was voted the NTL "Player of the Year" in recent voting by the league's coaches, while his teammates sophomore J.J. Babcock and senior Damian Hudson earned Large School all-star accolades.

Lane, a dynamic scorer and tremendous all-around athlete, 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.

"Aaron Lane had an outstanding year for us," said Athens coach Bob Woodward.

"We were extremely proud of his leadership and commitment to our team," he noted. "Our team's success was most important to him. He was outstanding in the NTL Showdown championship and District 4 playoffs in all aspects of the game.

"NTL POY is a well-deserved honor that was earned through dedication and hard work," added Woodward.

Troy's Ty Barrett was named the league's "Offensive Player of the Year," while North Penn-Liberty's Brandon Thompson was the "Defensive Player of the Year," and North Penn-Liberty's Colton Litzelman was "6th Man of the Year."

Wyalusing coach Brent Keyes and his staff are the "Coaching Staff of the Year."

FIRST TEAM
J.J. Babcock, sophomore, Athens:
Long and athletic, Babcock made an impact on both ends of the floor. 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.

"J.J. Babcock did some amazing things for us from the beginning of the season until the end," said Woodward.

"J.J is a very versatile player who works very hard for everyone else, not just himself," he noted. "His first-team NTL selection was well deserved.

"J.J is a great teammate, has a great work ethic, and is becoming a great leader," added Woodward. "J.J. is committed to being coachable, and his team play was a huge factor in our success."

Also earning first-team honors are Troy's Mason Imbt, North Penn-Mansfield's Logan Tokarz, Wyalusing's Mitchell Burke and Grayden Cobb, and Wellsboro's Joseph Grab.

SECOND TEAM
Damian Hudson, senior, Athens:
  "Damian was glue that kept us together," said Woodward. "His enthusiasm, effort, and toughness on the defensive end was a key to the NTL Championship, NTL Showdown Championship, and district playoffs.

"Damian has grown so much throughout this journey," noted Woodward. "His NTL selection was well deserved. Damian was never asked to work harder this past season, he gave everything he had for his teammates."

Also earning second-team honors are North Penn-Mansfield's Alex Stein, Wellsboro's Liam Manning, Wyalusing's Matthew Brown, Towanda's Kolby Hoffman, and Troy's Ethan Vannoy.

You've asked about helping ...
here's your chance. Click HERE