Big NTL games this week

Area basketball division and league titles are beginning to be decided.

In IAC boys' basketball, Waverly needs to win at Newark Valley Tuesday to win the South Division I crown for the second year in a row.

The Sullivan County boys' are in the thick of things in the Heartland Conference Division III for basketball.

In NTL boys' basketball, undefeated Athens (8-0) has a two game lead on their nearest competition Towanda (6-2) coming into the week.

In the West, It will likely come down to Wellsboro (7-0) and Mansfield (7-1) again.

As for the girls', Tioga will bring home another IAC South Division II crown.

In NTL West, girls undefeated Cowanesque Valley (8-0) has a two game lead on Wellsboro (5-2) as they face each other this week.

The NTL East is the most convoluted of the group.

Sayre (7-1) and Athens (7-1) sit on top with Wyalusing (5-2) and Towanda (5-3) waiting in the wings.

BOYS TEAM OF THE WEEK

Towanda Black Knights

Towanda went 3-0 in the week, beginning it with a narrow win over NTL West Wellsboro. On Wednesday, they had a big win over Troy, then ended things with a win over rivals Wyalusing.

Casey Huff averaged 20 points per game over that stretch to lead the Knights while Mason Roof had 14.3. Role players Noah Huff, Robbie Abrams and Joel Miller also stepped up in the wins.

BOYS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Nate Williams, Sayre

The freshman had a career high 27 points against North Penn and averaged 20.3 points per game during the week 3-0.

GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK

Williamson Warriors

The Warriors went 3-0 during the week but more importantly they got on the sunny side of .500 in their pursuit for a district berth.

Williamson defeated Troy, North Penn and Wellsboro during the week. Against North Penn Lori Horton had the rare 20-20 game with 21 points and 23 rebounds.

GIRLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Reylynn Schwartzhoff, Waverly

Schwartzhoff had a career high 27 points while adding 10 boards for the double-double as the Wolverines defeated rivals Notre Dame.

LOOKING AT THE PLAYOFFS

As games begin to dwindle local teams will feel the squeeze as they make a run for the playoffs.

In New York all six local teams will be in Section IV play while the Sullivan County boys have a high seed for the Class A playoffs in District IV.

In NTL girls' action Sayre, Athens, Wyalusing, Towanda and Cowanesque Valley have already clinched their spot in districts.

Still fighting for their spots are Williamson (9-8), Canton (9-8), Northeast Bradford (8-9), Mansfield (7-9), Wellsboro (7-9) and Liberty (7-9).

On the boys' side Athens (15-2), Wellsboro (15-2), Mansfield (12-5), Towanda (12-5) and Sayre (11-6) have already clinched. Williamson (9-8), Wyalusing (8-8), North Penn (7-9) and Troy (6-11) are still in the hunt.

The magic number is 11 wins.

GAMES OF THE WEEK

Boys

Monday, Feb. 6

Sayre at Athens

In the Wildcats' run through the first half of their NTL schedule their game at Sayre was the closest, 57-45 win.

Athens has picked up momentum since then as Mark Wright has averaged 20.6 points per game over his last six games. Brothers Curt and Craig Moore have been averaging double figures over the last three games as well.

Freshman Nate Williams has averaged over 20 points per game in the last six for the Redskins while Riley Card, Alex Lyons and Trey Hildebrandt have averaged double figures over the last three games.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Athens at Towanda

A match-up of the top two teams in the NTL East standings.

Casey Huff has been on fire for the Black Knights, reaching the 20 point plateau in three of the last four games.

In the first match-up freshman Brandon Fauver helped lead the Wildcat charge with 12 points off the bench.

Friday, Feb. 10

Wellsboro at Mansfield

Another classic battle appears to be shaping up.

The Hornets edged the Tigers at home 45-41 in their first match-up.

For Wellsboro Dylan Prough and Matt Reese are averaging 13 points per game over their last three while lead guard Jordan Jackson is putting up nearly 14 a game on the season.

Mansfield's three-headed monster of Alec Simpson, Marquis Delgado and Taylor Hillson have been averaging 47 points of the Tigers' 65 over the last four games.

Girls

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Athens at Sayre

The Redskins only league loss came at the hands of the Wildcats last time around.

Sayre's Mollie Robinson is beginning to hit her stride, averaging 18.2 points per game over the last five.

For Athens, since losing to Wyalusing nine games ago they haven't allowed an opponent to get over 40 points. They held Sayre to 21 the first time around.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Towanda at Athens

The Wildcats shot well the last time to edge the Knights 54-48.

This game is key for both teams in their chase for an NTL East title. The Wildcats have Wyalusing, their only loss last half, at home. A win here and at Sayre would put them in good position going forward.

That's a big if, though.

The Knights are red hot after coming off a win over Wyalusing last week.

Darien Lantz has been averaging 18.5 points per game over the last six.

In the first match-up Christin Dunkling and Danielle Stopper proved the key for the Wildcats with 13 and 12 points.

Mansfield at Williamson

A key game for either team in their race for a district berth.

The Warriors are riding high after surpassing the .500 plateau since early in the season.

Center Lori Horton is averaging 13.7 points per game over the last three.

For the Tigers, they are coming off their first win in five games. However, point guard Jackie Hillson seems to have her stride, averaging 18 points per game over that span.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Sayre at Wyalusing

The Redskins travel to Wyalusing where the Rams are undefeated.

Ram Arielle Kneller has improved her scoring of late, averaging 17.7 points per game over the last three.

In their first match-up the vaunted Redskin defense held Wyalusing to 30 points.