Hornets tame the Wildcats

By: Ed Weaver  /  December 22, 2012

The Wellsboro Varsity boys basketball team picked up a non-league win Friday night over NTL East foe Athens by final score of 55-49.

The Hornets trailed early in the contest but battled back on the steady shooting from Sophmore Michael Pietropola, Junior Joey Doganiero, and Senior Jordan Jackson, and used another strong defensive performance to hold Athens' big men in check.

The Hornets held a 25-23 lead at the half, but traded baskets with Athens in the third quarter, but after the three-pointer from Pietropola the Hornets stretched their lead to 32-23 and never looked back.

"This was big," said head coach Todd Outman. "We can gain a lot out of this, but there are still things we have to improve on. Obviously our free throw shooting is still a nemesis for us and something I think we will improve on."

Pietropola led the team with 19 points, Jackson added 18, Sophomore Kieron Smethers and Doganiero had 6 points each, and Senior Matt Reese and Junior Dylan Prough pitched in 4 points each.

Reese accumulated 5 steals and 4 assists, and Smethers tallied 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals in the win.

In the JV game, the Hornets fell to Athens 48-39. Freshman Dawson Prough led the team with 20 points and Sophomore Nick Marple had 14. The JV team's record is now 4-3 on the year.

With the win, the Varsity team keeps their undefeated season alive at 7-0. The Varsity team will be in action on Thursday, December 27 as they play Montoursville in the opening round of their Christmas Tournament.

Information from the Towanda Daily Review was used in this post.