MS Basketball drops pair of games with Athens

By: Ed Weaver  /  November 18, 2019

The Wellsboro Middle School Basketball teams dropped a pair of games with Athens on Saturday, November 16.

In the boys game the A team lost 34-26. The Wildcats jumped out to an early 10-3 lead after the first quarter and the Hornets closed the half strong to trail 13-9. Wellsboro briefly took the lead early in the third quarter, but Athens rebounded to outscore Wellsboro 14-10 in the third quarter to extend the lead to 27-19 and closed out the game in the fourth quarter.

"This was a good challenge for us today and we were unable to overcome a slow start," said head coach Kyle Smith. "I was very happy with the response in the second quarter after Athens came out hot today and taking the lead in the third quarter gave us a little momentum, but Athens made some timely baskets and shot well from the foul line to secure the win. We can use this game as a learning experience and make improvements in necessary areas."

Caden Smith lead the Hornets with 10 points, Hayes Campbell had 8, Watson Feil scored 6 and Ian Hoose scored 2 points.

The B team also lost 28-8. Mitchell Lechler scored 4 points, Micah Vickery and Micaiah Fitch added 2 points each.

In the girls game the A team lost 22-14. After being tied at 8 after the first quarter Athens outscored Wellsboro 4-2 in the second to take a 12-10 lead at the half, then outscored Wellsboro 6-2 in the third to lead 16-12 after three.

Chloe Brandenburg (3 rebounds), Maddy Mascho (2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist), and Paige Logsdon (2 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist) had 4 points each, Emily Richardson chipped in with 2 points and 1 rebound, Emily Morris added 3 steals and 1 assist, Olivia Chilson grabbed 2 rebounds, Hannah Gilmour and Hannalee Cleveland grabbed 1 rebound each.

"We kept pace the first half, but the rebounding and loose ball battles all went to Athens in the 2nd half and we struggled to score," head coach Darrell Morris said. "The first loss is always disappointing, but we will refocus in practice on Monday and get ready for the next challenge."

Wellsboro's B team won 23-8 in the second game. Chloe Brandenburg had 11 points, Emily Pierce added 10 points, and Eva Anderson added 2 points.

The boys team is at North Penn-Mansfield tonight and the girls travel there on Tuesdday, November 19.