THE SPORTS REPORTS: HORSEHEADS' LANEY NAMED ZIFF LAW FIRM "BOYS NEWCOMER OF SPRING;" THREE VALLEY BOYS MAKE THE LIST (July 29, 2026)

The Sports Reports
A Section IV champ in two events, and a state medalist, Horseheads senior Patrick Laney is The Sports Reports / Ziff Law Firm 2026 All-Region "Boys Newcomer of the Spring."

A center fielder on the Blue Raiders' state championship team last year, Laney switched to track for his senior season.

A Section IV champ in the 100-meter dash, Laney clocked in at 10.87 seconds to take home a bronze medal at States. He also won Section IV gold in the 200-meter dash, clocking in at 22.17 seconds.

The 2026 All-Region "Boys Newcomers of the Spring"
Patrick Laney, Horseheads track & field: See above.

Jackson Bombard, junior, Tioga: Bombard, a standout on the Tioga baseball team as a freshman and sophomore, led the Tiger golf squad to the Section IV, Class C team championships, and qualified for the Section IV Individual Championships.

Bombard averaged a plus-6.4 per nine, roughly 84.8 for 18 holes, 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 Section IV Individual Championship.

Mason Markle, junior, Horseheads baseball: Markle was dominant on the mound. His four-pitch mix kept hitters off balance. He posted a 0.94 ERA, going 8-3 on the year, allowing 10 earned runs in 74 1/3 innings. He pitched the deciding game of sectionals and also the regional final. He was also a strong defensive shortstop on days he didn’t pitch. 

Brody Ayers, freshman, Troy: Ayres hit .417 with 16 RBI and three doubles as a designated hitter for the Trojans.

Gage Baltzley, freshman, Wellsboro baseball: Baltzley hit .362 with 17 base hits, 20 runs scored, 25 RBI, 18 stolen bases and a .557 on-base percentage. He went 4-0 on the mound with 30 innings pitched, a 2.40 ERA and 32 strikeouts.

Ryder Breon, freshman, North Penn-Mansfield baseball: Breon hit .338 with 22 base hits, 13 runs scored, 12 RBI and a .403 on-base percentage. He also threw 16 innings with 15 strikeouts and a 3.94 ERA.

Cooper Hugo, freshman, Northeast Bradford baseball: Hugo had a big year, hitting .390 with 20 RBI, 15 runs scored, and three doubles, while sporting a 3.19 ERA and striking out 29.

Daniel Inman, freshman, Canton baseball: Inman hit .444 with 18 RBI, while sporting a 3.88 ERA and striking out 53 in 43 1/3-innings.

Anthony Johnson, junior, Northeast Bradford: Johnson hit .323 with 13 RBI and 14 runs scored while striking out 38 in 28 innings on the mound.

Gavin Kithcart, junior, Tioga golf: Another former baseball standout, Kithcart averaged a plus-8.4 per nine holes, roughly a 44.4 scoring average. His low round on the season was a plus-2 37 at Shepard Hills.

Emmett Klees, freshman, Towanda track & field: Klees was a state qualifier on the track. He punched his ticket for the PIAA Championships in the 3,200-meter run, and narrowly missed in the 1,600. 

Zeke Noble, freshman, Athens baseball: Noble 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.

Benicia Del Bianchi Prado, Notre Dame tennis: Prado went 13-2 this year for the Crusaders, and reach the Section IV State Qualifiers semifinals.

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