NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: HOBDAY COMES UP BIG IN ATHENS' 61-50 WIN OVER TROY (January 9, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Senior Eli Hobday hit some key jumpers to help Athens build its lead, then made five straight free throws down the stretch to lead Athens to a 61-50 win over Troy here Thursday night in NTL Large School Division boys basketball action.

"I'm proud of Eli Hobday," said Athens coach Jim Lister. "He shot the ball very well tonight and hit some big-time free throws at the end of the game to get us the win. 

"It was a prime example of a senior stepping up for his team," added Lister. "I love it."

Lister noted his team played well at both ends of the court.

"I am very pleased with the defensive intensity tonight," he said. "The kids were upset over the loss in Mansfield on Tuesday night, and it showed at practice yesterday. They came out ready to play and they were flying around tonight.
 
"Offensively, they were attacking and moving the ball well and that put up those 60-plus points we keep talking about," added Lister. 

Six different Wildcats put their names in the scoring column in the first quarter, including Hobday, who knocked down his first 3-pointer of the game, to help Athens to a 14-13 lead.

Hobday canned a pair of 3-pointers and freshman Aiden Briggs also knocked down a 3-pointer in the second quarter to fuel a 15-9 spurt that put the Wildcats up 29-22 at the half.

Senior Nick Grazul scored five points, including an old-fashion three-point play, in the third quarter, while senior James Friend scored four points and Hobday drained his fourth 3-pointer of the contest as Athens added two points to its advantage and took a 41-32 lead into the final eight minutes.

Both offense found their range in the fourth quarter. Athens junior Lucas Schultz scored six points, including a 3-pointer, and Grazul scored five points.

The Wildcats only made 7 of 14 free-throw attempts down the stretch, but Hobday was 5-for-6, including his last five.

Hobday led Athens with 17 points, including four 3-pointers, while Friend had 12 points and five blocked shots, Grazul scored 12 points, Schultz had 10 points and two blocked shots, senior Adam Kemp had five points and two blocked shots, and Briggs added five points.

Athens, now 6-4, returns to action Tuesday at Wyalusing.

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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Eli Hobday. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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