ON TAP TODAY: ATHENS BOYS, GIRLS OPEN 2021 HOOP SEASON ON THE ROAD (2021-01-09)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY - The 2021 winter season tips off today with a pair of basketball games in Tioga County, Pa.

The Athens Lady Wildcats travels to Cowanesque Valley for a very rare Saturday morning tip-off, while the Athens boys are at Williamson for a 2 p.m. tip. (The varsity games will be played first at both locales.)

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Athens at Cowanesque Valley, 11 a.m. (Varsity game first): The Lady Wildcats, coming off a 22-6 season and an NTL championship, travel to Westfield to face Cowanesque Valley.

Athens is led by 1,000-point scorer senior guard Kayleigh Miller and junior low-post ace Caydence Miller.

Cowanesque Valley's leading scorer Makayla Vergason, and two other returning starters are not playing this season, leaving the Lady Indians a bit short-handed.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Athens at Williamson, 2 p.m. (Varsity game first): The Wildcats, coming off a 19-8 season and a trip to the PIAA, Class AAA playoffs, will travel to Tioga Junction to take on Williamson.

The Wildcats finished third in the District 4 playoffs, falling to Montoursville in the semifinals, but rallying in the consolation game to knock off Jersey Shore.

Athens dropped a 70-58 decision to Valley View in the opening round of the state playoffs.

This year's Wildcats return a wealth of experience, led by 6-5 junior J.J. Babcock