NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: HIGH-POWERED LOYALSOCK CRUISES PAST ATHENS, 94-57 (2021-02-27)

Valley Sports Report
LOYALSOCK TWP. - Loyalsock ripped the nets for 57 points in the first half on its way to a 94-57 win over Athens here Saturday night in non-league boys basketball action.

Athens went ahead 4-0 early on buckets by juniors Nalen Carling and J.J. Babcock, but the Lancers scored the next seven points.

A 3-pointer by Babcock, and a bucket by sophomore Mason Lister, off a feed from Babcock, gave the Wildcats an 11-9 lead, but it was their last lead of the game.

The Lancers scored 10 straight points, and finished the first quarter on a 22-6 run for a 33-17 lead after the first eight minutes.

Loyalsock kept it rolling, outscoring Athens 24-9 in the second quarter to take a 57-26 lead into the halftime intermission.

Dan Jennings scored 23 of his game-high 28 points, and knocked down five of his six 3-pointers in the first half, and Elijah Gair scored 19 of his 25 points, and made all three of his 3-pointers before the intermission.

The Lancers increased their lead to 81-41 heading into the final eight minutes, by outscoring the Wildcats 24-15 in the third quarter.

Babcock led Athens with 17 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, four rebounds, and three assists, while Lister had 11 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals, and Brown scored 10 points.

Carling added six points and three blocked shots for the Wildcats, and Mitchell chipped in with five points and a team-high six boards.

Athens finished up the regular season at 13-9, and now awaits word on its opening-round opponent in the upcoming District 4, Class AAAA playoffs.