NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: ATHENS BOUNCES BACK WITH 60-48 WIN OVER WELLSBORO (20 PHOTOS) (February 2, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Athens used an 11-0 run early in the second quarter to take control in a bounce-back, 60-48, win over Wellsboro here Monday night in NTL Large School Division boys basketball action.

The Wildcats, who dropped a 64-59 overtime decision to Towanda Friday, improve to 11-7 with the win.

"The kids played hard tonight once again," said Athens coach Jim Lister. "They continue to play great defense and good team basketball. 

"They also responded very nicely tonight after that tough one on Friday," added Lister. "I am extremely proud of them."

Senior Eli Hobday knocked down a 3-pointer, while junior Lucas Schultz and senior Nick Grazul each scored in the paint to give the Wildcats a quick 7-0 lead.

Wellsboro responded with 8-0 run to take an 8-7 lead in the final minutes, but Schultz scored from close range with 10 seconds remaining to give Athens a 9-8 lead after the opening stanza.

The Wildcats might have had a double-figure lead after the first quarter but had at least a half-dozen shots from close range rim out.

The Hornets scored the first two buckets of the second quarter to take a 12-9 lead, then those shots from close range started falling for the Wildcats, who also started knocking down 3-pointers.

Senior Eli Hobday knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to fuel Athens' 11-0 run that pushed them ahead 20-12.

After a Wellsboro free throw, senior Adam Kemp and Hobday canned 3-pointers in a 12-run that put the Wildcats up 32-15 with 2 minutes left in the second quarter.

Athens finished off the second quarter with a 25-9 advantage that made the lead 34-17 at the half.

Hobday drained another 3-pointer in the third quarter, and Schultz scored points as Athens used a 12-8 advantage to take a 46-25 lead into the final eight minutes.

Wellsboro outscored Athens 23-14 in the closing stanza, but never got closer than 12 points.

Hobday led Athens with 18 points on six 3-pointers.

"A big shout-out to senior Eli Hobday, who handled the point very well and shot lights out tonight," said Lister. "That's senior leadership ... I'm proud of him."

Schultz scored 12 points in the win for the Wildcats, while Grazul had 10 points, Friend and Kemp added six points apiece, and Marmor chipped in with four points.

Colin Fletcher led Wellsboro with 16 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, and Luke Rothermel added 11 points.

Athens returns to action Wednesday night when it hosts North Penn-Mansfield.

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Eli Hobday. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens senior Nick Grazul. ... PHOTOS BY DAVE ALLIGER.

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