NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: FAST START PROPELS ATHENS TO 74-27 ROMP OVER SAYRE (24 PHOTOS) (January 28, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
SAYRE — Athens scored the first 24 points of the game on its way to a 74-27 win over Sayre here Wednesday night in NTL boys basketball action.

"The kids played hard, and everybody played," said Athens coach Jim Lister. "It was another nice team win for the 'Cats. 

"Now, we're off to Towanda Friday night for a big Large School showdown," added Lister.

Freshman Aiden Briggs knocked down a pair of 3-pointers, and senior Nick Grazul and junior Lucas Schultz added six points apiece in the first quarter, while senior Adam Kemp added five points, and senior Eli Hobday added a 3-pointer to fuel a 30-7 blitz in the opening stanza.

Schultz and senior James Friend scored six points apiece in the second quarter, and Briggs added five points, including a 3-pointer, in a 21-7 run to extend the lead to 51-14 at the halftime break.

The second half was played in running time, and the Wildcats outscored the Redskins, 23-13.

Schultz led a balanced Athens offense with 14 points, while Briggs scored 11 points, and Friend and Kemp added 10 points apiece.

Grazul scored eight points in the win, while Hobday, junior Gage Marmor, and Dom Robbins added five points apiece.

All 11 players on the Athens roster put their name in the scoring column in the win.

Sophomore Riley Johnson led Sayre with seven points, while junior Declan Barry and sophomore Brayden Northrup added six points apiece.

Athens, now 10-6, returns to action Friday at Towanda, while Sayre (3-14) hosts Williamson.

—————————

PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.

Print Friendly Version