NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: SHOOTING WOES PLAGUE ATHENS IN 55-38 LOSS AT WELLSBORO (18 PHOTOS) (2025-01-04)

Valley Sports Report
WELLSBORO — Wellsboro built a 10-point first-quarter lead, then blew the game wide open in the third quarter on its way to a 55-38 win over Athens here Saturday afternoon in NTL Large School boys basketball action.

The Wildcats shot 29.5 percent (13 of 44) from the field, and just 16 percent (3 of 18) from behind the 3-point arc, while turning the ball over 18 times. They also made just 50 percent (9 of 18) of their free throws.

"The effort is there and for that I am proud of them," said Athens coach Jim Lister. "Effort is not our problem. The kids work hard.

"Our problem is no matter what combination of kids we put on the floor, we have a high turnover ratio and low field goal and foul line percentage.

"Unfortunately, that formula makes it very hard to win basketball games," noted Lister.

"We are getting good looks, but we are just missing the shots," added Lister. "Only scoring 38 points in a game is not going to get it done against good teams."

Luke Rotharmel and Mitchel Lechler combined for 13 points in the opening stanza to help Wellsboro to a 20-10 lead.

Junior Talon Baglini and sophomore Kam Wheeler each knocked down 3-pointers in the first eight minutes for the Wildcats, who made just 2 of 6 free throws in the stanza.

Wellsboro used a 14-13 advantage in the second quarter to extend its lead to 34-23 at the half. Senior Jase Babcock kept Athens within striking range with eight points in the stanza.

The Hornets put the game totally out of reach with a 15-4 third-quarter blitz, extending their lead to 49-27.

Babcock led Athens with 18 points, while Baglini scored 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Wheeler chipped in with four points.

Rotharmel led Wellsboro with 17 points, while Lechler and Jon Carl scored 10 points apiece.

Athens, now 2-7, hosts North Penn-Mansfield Tuesday.

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Talon Baglini. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens senior Jase Babcock. ... PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM.

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