NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: ATHENS' LISTER EXCITED FOR 2021-22 SEASON AS PRESEASON OPENS (2021-11-24)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportATHENS "” Second-year Athens coach Jim Lister has been looking forward to the 2021-22 campaign, and he has good numbers at his disposal the season.
"I've been looking forward to this season," said Lister. "I'm really excited for this team.
"Our numbers are good. We have five seniors coming back - our entire starting five is back, which is great.
"And, we have a good mix," added Lister. "We have several juniors and sophomores, and eight incoming freshmen, who are very talented basketball players."
Lister said his team has been building toward the regular season with a strong offseason.
"Our offseason was very good," he said. "Our AAU traveled all over the place and was very successful.
"And, we had a good summer league at Waverly, which is always competitive and fun," noted Lister. "We got to the finals there, but came up a little bit short against Watkins Glen.
"The kids had a great experience there," Lister added.
Lister said his team will be challenged in its preseason scrimmages.
Athens hosts Horseheads Dec. 1, Tioga Dec. 2 in a JV-only scrimmage, and Corning on Dec. 3 in a varsity-only competition.
"I'm excited about our scrimmage schedule, too," he said. "We will get some good preseason competition heading into our openers at the Johnson City Tip-Off Tournament on Dec. 10."
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior J.J. Babcock. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
