NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: ATHENS SHUTS DOWN WELLSBORO IN 40-27 WIN; LISTER LOGS 100TH CAREER WIN (January 15, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
WELLSBORO — Athens turned in a strong defensive effort in a 40-27 win over Wellsboro here Thursday night in NTL Large School Division boys basketball action.

The win is the 100th for Athens coach Jim Lister.

"It’s been a few years since we won out there," said Lister. "So, I will definitely take that for 100."

The Wildcats allowed just 15 points through three quarters, but only led by nine points entering the fourth quarter.

"We have really been struggling to score on the road all season," said Lister. "So, we really got on the kids at practice (Wednesday) going over the fact that just because we are not scoring on the road doesn’t mean we cannot win in other ways — such as playing great defense.

"Great defense fixes a lot of things and tonight we played great defense," added Lister. "We held a good team to 11 points at half tonight, and 27 points overall. I'm proud of them."

Senior Nick Grazul canned a 3-pointer in the first quarter to help Athens to a 6-5 lead after the first eight minutes.

Junior Lucas Schultz scored five points, including a 3-pointer, and Grazul added four points in a 9-6 spurt that pushed the lead to 15-11 at the halftime intermission.

Senior James Friend scored five points in the third quarter to fuel a 9-4 spurt to extend the lead to 24-15 entering the final eight minutes.

Grazul scored seven points in the fourth quarter, and the Wildcats made enough free throws — 6 of 12 — to seal the win.

Grazul led Athens with 16 points, while Friend had 11, and Schultz and senior Eli Hobday added five points apiece.

Jonathan Carl led Wellsboro with nine points.

Athens, now 7-5, hosts Towanda Saturday in a 1 p.m. JV start.

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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Nick Grazul. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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