Hornets capture NTL West title

By: Ed Weaver  /  February 18, 2012

The Wellsboro Hornets defeated Mansfield 60-47 to bring home the NTL West boys basketball championship. After a close first half, the Hornets took a 28-25 lead into the locker room and never looked back en route to their 20th win of the 2011-12 season.

The key to Wellsboro's victory was their defensive effort in the third quarter. The Hornets scored 18 points to Mansfield's 7 to give them a 46-32 advantage after the third quarter. Wellsboro was able to maintain their lead during the fourth quarter, as Mansfield was forced to foul every chance they could get.

"Overall the kids played really well," said head coach Todd Outman. "Their execution was enough to get us a lead so that Mansfield's pressure at the end of the game didn't come back to haunt us."

Junior Matt Reese led all Hornet scores with 16 points, while Jordan Jackson and Michael Pietropola contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively. Rounding out the rest of Wellsboro's scores was Dylan Prough with 9 points, Joey Doganiero with 8 points, and Sam Mitchell with 6. The win was Wellsboro's second consecutive NTL West title.

The Hornets now await their opponent in the PIAA District 4 playoffs. Stay tuned to WellsboroAthletics.com for all the latest news during the playoffs.