IAC BOYS BASKETBALL: GROTON KNOCKS OFF TIOGA, 56-48 (January 6, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Groton used a strong third quarter to create separation in a 56-48 win over Tioga here Tuesday night in IAC Small School boys basketball crossover action.

Senior James Miller scored seven points, including a 3-pointers for the Tigers, but Groton led 14-13 after the opening eight minutes.

Junior Jackson Bombard knocked down a 3-pointer in the second quarter, and neither team did much offensively. Groton outscored Tioga, 7-6, in the stanza to take a 21-19 lead into the halftime locker room.

Both offenses clicked into gear in the third quarter, but the Red Hawks used a 21-16 advantage to stretch their lead to seven points, at 42-35, entering the final eight minutes.

Junior Gavin Kithcart scored seven points in the third quarter, while senior Dominic Palmer added four points, and Miller drained another 3-pointer to keep the Tigers within striking distance.

Bombard scored six points, including a 3-pointer, in the fourth quarter and Kithcart added four points, but Groton sealed the win with a 14-13 advantage.

Tioga struggled at the free-throw line, making just 10 of 25 attempts in the game.

Kithcart led Tioga with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Bombard had 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Miller had 10 points and three rebounds.

Palmer added eight points and a game-high 17 rebounds for the Tigers, and senior Brady Landmesser chipped in with six rebounds and three assists.

Tioga, now 4-2, returns to action Friday at state-ranked Moravia.

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IN PHOTO: Tioga's Gavin Kithcart. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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