VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: TIOGA'S BOMBARD HEADLINES SUPER 7 AS THE 2025-26 'BOYS NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR' (June 29, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY — Already established as the point guard and team leader on the Tioga basketball team since his freshman year, Tioga junior Jackson Bombard made a dramatic impact on two sports in his first varsity season, and is the 2025-26 Valley Sports Report "Boys Newcomer of the Year."

After playing JV as a freshman and sitting out his sophomore season, Bombard stepped into quarterback the Tigers to a state title last fall.

Bombard completed 57.4 percent (35 of 61) of his passes for 470 yard and six TDs, and two interceptions. He also rushed for 130 yards and two TDs, as well as four two-point conversions.

However, Bombard's biggest impact on the team was his leadership and his execution in Tioga's misdirection offense.

This spring, Bombard transitioned from the diamond, where he had started the last two seasons. He led the team to a Sectional berth, and qualified for the Section IV Individual Championships.

Bombard averaged a plus-6.4 per nine, roughly a 42.4, including a low round of plus-2 37 at Shepard Hills.

He shot an 88 at the Class C team championships, and a 96 at the Individual Championship.

2025-26 Super 7 "Boys Newcomers of the Year"
Jackson Bombard, junior, Tioga football and golf: See above.

Shea Davidson, freshman, Athens football and baseball: Davidson started three games on the gridiron in the fall, including a District 4 playoff game. He completed 57.3 percent of his passes (63 of 110) for 818 yards and six TDs, while being picked off seven times.

This spring on the diamond, Davidson hit .304 (14 hits in 46 ABs) with 11 RBI, seven runs scored, and three stolen bases.

Ely Newman, senior, Waverly football and wrestling: Newman registered 62 tackles, including 23 solo stops, three tackles-for-loss and three QB sacks. He was also a contributor on the offensive line.

Newman posted an 8-6 record this winter on the mats, and won a 285-pound title at the "Armbar at the Armory."

Chace VanDyke, freshman, Athens wrestling: VanDyke posted a 21-15 record with six pins and six technical falls in 2025-26.

In one of his best performances of the season, VanDyke placed sixth at the rugged Coal Cracker Invite.

VanDyke finished second at the District 4, Class 3A Championships, and placed sixth at the "meat-grinder" known as the Class 3A Northeast Regional Championships, missing a trip to Hershey by one spot.

Braiden Judson, freshman, Waverly basketball and track & field: Judson started in his first varsity game. He averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, including 2.4 offensive boards, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals per game, and canned 10 3-pointers on the season.

This spring, Judson contributed on the track team in the 400-meter dash, and the 400-meter hurdles.

Zeke Noble, freshman, Athens baseball: Noble made an immediate impact for the Wildcats, and was in the staring line-up to open the season.

He hit .420 (21 hits in 50 ABs) with three doubles, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored and two stolen bases. He had a .517 on-base percentage and a .997 OPS.

Aiden Briggs, freshman, Athens basketball: Briggs made an immediate impact for the Wildcats. He averaged 8.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal per game, and knocked down 37 3-pointers on the season.

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