FROM THE PRESS BOX: A GLIMPSE INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL AT THE 2022-23 BOYS BASKETBALL SEASON (2022-03-24)

All four Valley boys basketball teams qualified for the playoffs, but it was Athens that stole the postseason spotlight.

Waverly and Tioga each recorded one win before falling out of the postseason, but Athens won a pair of games to reach its first District 4 title game since 2000.

Despite losing in the D4 championship game, the Wildcats advanced to the PIAA playoffs and recorded the program’s first state playoff win in 66 years before bowing out in the Class 4A “Sweet 16.”

The 2022-23 season is still more than eight months away, so the crystal ball is a bit murky, but it looks to me as if two teams in the Valley could improve on this season, one will definitely struggle to equal this year’s success, and the fourth could reach the postseason again despite failing to play .500.

Athens Wildcats: Athens graduates four starters and one of its top reserves from a team that saw its postseason success start with a win over arch-rival Troy to claim the NTL Showdown title, and carried through to the PIAA “Sweet 16.”

Mason Lister and NTL “Sixth Man of the Year” Chris Mitchell will return for their senior seasons, but the remainder of the roster coach Jim Lister will put together won’t have much varsity experience.

Sophomore Korey Miller and freshmen Kolson Keathley and Xavier Watson will need to step up from role players to starters and major contributors.

Prediction: There’s no doubt the Wildcats will take at least one step back next season, but don’t expect a collapse. The starting five should be pretty good … if two or three players from this year’s bench or JV team develop into contributors, Athens will compete for another Showdown title. … 2022-23 record: 15-8.

Sayre Redskins: The Redskins graduate three starters, and their sixth man from a 6-16 team, but will return Jackson Hubbard and Zack Garrity for their senior seasons, and sophomore Nick Pellicano, who should become a major contributor with a season under his belt.

Sayre’s JV team was inexperienced to begin the season, but has some athletes that could develop into contributors.

The Redskins junior high team was unbeaten this year, but the jump to varsity is a big one, and asking a freshman to contribute consistently is a big ask.

Prediction: Aside from Wyalusing, the rest of the teams in the Small School Division will suffer major graduation losses, so it’s not unreasonable to think the Redskins will be competitive against the teams in its division. They only needed six wins to reach the postseason this year … I think if they get to six wins again next year, they’ll be headed back to the District 4 playoffs. … 2022-23 record: 7-16.

Tioga Tigers: The Tigers bring back three starters with a lot of experience in juniors-to-be Evan Sickler, Ethan Perry, and Gavin Fisher, as well as their classmate Valentino Rossi, who averaged 12 points and nine rebounds in three games after a late season call-up.

Two more juniors-to-be — Ethan Landmesser, who got quality varsity minutes this season, and Karson Sindoni, as well as sophomores-to-be Shea Bailey and Garrett Godfrey could round out coach Brian Card’s eight-player rotation.

Improving on this season’s 12-10 record should be a fairly simple task.

Prediction: The foursome of Sickler, Perry, Fisher, and Rossi could be as good as any other Small School foursome in Section IV. If they play up to their capabilities, the key will be how the others develop. This could be a very good team … it could win the Small School title, and make a deep run in the Class C playoffs. … 2022-23 record: 16-6.

Waverly Wolverines: The Wolverines graduate six seniors, including four starters, but return junior-to-be Joey Tomasso, who will be among the best players in Section IV.

Lou Judson’s team next year will look a lot different. This year’s team was long, athletic, and not very physical. Next year’s team— with seniors-to-be Nate DeLill, and Isaiah Bretz, and juniors-to-be Jacob Benjamin, and Jay Pipher expected to see more court time — will be athletic and physical.

Waverly has a handful of juniors-to-be coming up from JV ranks, and a few of them will need to contribute. Jake VanHouten, Carter George, and Jon Searles are the most likely candidates, but Nehemiah Anthony and Thomas Morley could also force their way into the mix.

Prediction: Watkins Glen also graduates four starters, so the Wolverines will likely again be in the mix for a Large School title. If you haven’t seen Tomasso play, you’re missing a good show. He will score 20-plus points per game next season, and is capable of putting up 30 or more on any night, but he’ll need some help. … 2022-23 record: 16-5.