Valley Sports ReportATHENS — Athens got out to a quick start, then pulled away in the second half of a 63-45 win over North Penn-Liberty here Tuesday night in NTL boys basketball action.
Athens coach Jim Lister said his squad was motivated by its losses over the weekend at the Johnson City Tip-Off Tournament.
"They were upset over the JC Tournament," said Lister. "They practiced hard, and with an edge yesterday and it showed tonight.
"It's a nice team win, everyone contributed," added Lister. "It's a good start to a busy week. I'm proud of them."
Senior Nick Grazul scored nine points in the first quarter, and senior Eli Hobday added a 3-pointer to help the Wildcats to a 17-9 lead after the opening eight minutes.
Freshman Aidan Briggs drained a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight points in the second quarter, but NP-L trimmed one points off its deficit. Athens led 29-22 at the half.
Briggs canned two more 3-pointers in the third quarter, while Grazul and junior Gage Marmor added trey as Athens used a 20-16 advantage to up the lead to 49-38 heading into the final eight minutes.
Senior Troy Baglini and Hobday scored four points apiece in the fourth quarter in a game-clinching 14-7 run.
Grazul, who knocked down 7 of 11 shots from the field, led Athens with 19 points, while Briggs scored 16 points and four assists, and senior James Friend had five points, 14 rebounds, four steals, and six blocked shots.
Hobday had seven points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one blocked shot in the win, while Marmor added seven points in the win, and junior Kam Wheeler chipped in with four rebounds and three assists
Luke Kreger led NP-L with 17 points.
Athens, now 2-2, returns to action Thursday at Cowanesque Valley.
