Hornets Drop Season Opener To Montoursville

By: Ed Weaver  /  December 5, 2023  /  Photo: Lance Larcom/ntwsportsreport.com

The Wellsboro Boys Basketball team dropped their season-opening game to Montoursville at home on Monday, December 4.

Wellsboro got off to a slow start, falling behind 14-8 after the opening quarter, and trailed by 21-8 early into the second. By the half the Warriors, thanks to a 22-point 2nd quarter, built a 36-17 lead. The Hornets adjusted at halftime as the went on a 20-11 run in the 3rd.

The Hornets trailed 47-27 midway through the 3rd quarter, but closed out the quarter, and started the 4th, on a 14-0 run to cut Montoursville's lead down to 8 points. Montoursville then scored 4 quick points to break the Hornets' momentum, then got Wellsboro into foul trouble in a 17-9 4th quarter run to push their advantage back to 18 points, as they won 64-46.

Senior Hayes Campbell led all scorers with 24 points and went 10-for-12 at the foul line. He also grabbed 7 boards and made 2 assists and blocked a shot. Senior Caden Smith and sophomore Luke Rothermel had 7 points apiece, junior Mitchel Lechler added 4 points, and senior Ian Hoose and sophomore Marek Mascho chipped in 2 points each. Smith added 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal, Rothermel grabbed 4 boards and Lechler and Hoose also grabbed 3 rebounds each. Lechler also blocked a shot.

Quinn Ranck led Montoursville with 20 points, including hitting 4 of the Warriors' 9 three-pointers. Bryce Eberhart finished with 12 points and Jimmy Mussina and Shea Ulmer added 9 points apiece.

Montoursville also won the JV game 33-27. Sophomore Aaron Kirk led Wellsboro with 8 points and sophomore Jonathan Carl added 7 points.

The loss starts out Wellsboro's season at 0-1. The team is back on the court at Williamson on Wednesday.