By TIM TAYLORValley Sports Report
ATHENS — The Tioga defense tightened the reins on defense as it worked its way to a 42-30 victory over Avoca-Prattsburgh in the consolation game of the 2025 CHOP Out Hunger Holiday Basketball Tournament here Tuesday.
“Definitely played a lot better today, for sure on the defensive end,” coach Connor Hutchinson said. “I think we gave up 30 points and regardless of who you're playing, that's a good night on the defensive end.
“Getting after it on defense is what allowed us to get it going a little bit more on offense,” Hutchinson said. “We still didn't shoot outstanding, but we played good enough on defense to be able to get it done.”
The Tigers didn’t allow a single A-P player to score in double figures and supported that effort with a pair of double-doubles. Gavin Kithcart pumped out 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while Brady Landmesser had 10 points and 11 boards.
With Tioga trailing, 12-8, Kithcart took command of the court in the second period, scoring 11 consecutive points to help the Tigers forge a 21-14 advantage.
“That was a product of good team basketball,” Hutchinson said. “We were getting after it on the defensive end, getting some steals. We were able to get out and transition and run, which allowed Gavin to get some easy layups, and he was finishing well today, so that was good stuff.
Having two players record double-doubles was huge, according to the coach.
“Those guys got after it tonight,” he said. “They were our bigs inside. Getting after the glass is something we preach about, especially after last night. We didn't do a great job on the glass, so to see us come out today and execute better in that manner was good.
“Once we get (Dominic) Palmer back as well, that's a third guy that can do that on any given night as well, so that's good stuff.”
Jack Bombard scored off the opening tip-off to start the game, then Tioga went cold as the Titans surged in front, 6-2. KIthcart scored twice to knot the score at six, but Carter Button’s traditional 3-point play and Josh Carlton’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer from half court gave A-P a 12-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
After Kithcart’s 11-point run, Bombard scored to make it a 21-14 contest, but A-P’s Austin Swift hit a 3-pointer to make it 21-17 at the break.
Bombard opened the third period with a bucket, but the Titans cut it to 23-20 midway through the quarter.
Kithcart came away with a steal and layup, and Bombard added a basket for a 27-22 lead, but Varlton nailed a trey and Colin Zurlick added a basket to secure a 27-27 deadlock headed into the fourth quarter.
The Tigers buckled down on defense in the final frame, surrendering just three free throws.
Meanwhile, Tioga took the lead for good just 17 seconds into the period when Bombard flipped the ball backward over his head to a trailing Kithcart, who put the ball in for an easy bucket.
Landmesser and Kithcart scored back-to-back to make it 33-27, then Carter Stoughton, Landmesser and Bombard closed out the game with a 9-2 run which saw Landmesser sink three baskets.
In addition to the double-doubles, Bombard scored nine points and dished out four assists and Miller grabbed six rebounds.
Carlton and Swift paced A-P with nine points apiece.
Tioga returns to IAC action Jan. 6 at home against Groton.
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
