Third Quarter Trojans Run Ends Hornets Six-Game Win Streak

By: Ed Weaver  /  January 21, 2024  /  Photo: Chris Manning

Wellsboro had their six-game win streak snapped on Saturday afternoon as they fell 57-42 to the undefeated Troy Trojans in an NTL Large School Division match up.

The Hornets kept it close early on in the game, trailing 13-12 after the first quarter and 27-22 at the half. Turnovers, however, doomed the Hornets as they accumulated 27 in the game and 15 in the first half.

"I'm proud of the effort we gave," head coach Ron Doughtie said. "The team left everything on the court. You have to hand it to Troy, they just keep coming with pressure and effort. They are an excellent team. We will be a better team for having played in that game, against a team that plays that style."

Troy put the game firmly in their favor in the second half, thanks to a 21-8 run in the third quarter. Jack Burbage, who led all scorers on the afternoon with 26 points, scored 10 of them in the quarter. Evan Woodward (12) and Lincoln Chimics (10) also scored in double-digits for the Trojans.

Wellsboro outscored Troy 12-9 in the final frame but couldn't close the gap anymore.

Senior Hayes Campbell led the Hornets with 16 points and sophomore Marek Mascho had a career-high 12 points. Senior Ian Hoose and sophomore Luke Rothermel scored 6 points apiece and junior Lucas Cuneo added 2 points. Senior Caden Smith tied former Hornet Jake Coolidge's record with 12 assists and also grabbed 7 rebounds, and Campbell and Rothermel grabbed 6 boards each.

Wellsboro won the JV game 38-28 to improve to 10-2 on the year. Freshman Colin Fletcher led the team with 12 points and freshman Ethan Keane added 10.

The loss drops Wellsboro to 9-4 overall and 7-3 in the NTL Large School Division standings. The team is back in action on Monday at North Penn-Liberty.