Hornet basketball picks up 56-43 win over Athens

By: Ed Weaver  /  January 11, 2014

The Wellsboro Varsity boys basketball team rebounded from a loss to Towanda on Wednesday to defeat Athens in NTL Division 1 action, 56-43.

The Hornets started out strong and held an 11-6 first quarter lead. Athens would rally in the second quarter as they outscored Wellsboro 16-12, and took a 22-20 lead with just seconds to go in the half. Junior Michael Pietropola changed that on the Hornets' next possession, however, as he connected on a three-point shot to put the Hornets up 23-22 at the half.

Pietropola hit four three-pointers on the night for a game-high 24 points.

The Hornets picked up where they left off in the second half, scoring 17 points in the third quarter and 16 in the fourth to claim their first NTL Division 1 victory of the season.

Senior Joey Doganiero was the only other Hornet in double figures on the night, scoring 14 points. Senior Dylan Prough, Sophomore Dawson Prough, and Junior Kieron Smethers all had 6 points each to round out the scoring.

Smethers and Dawson Prough had 11 rebounds each, Doganiero had 5 assists and 2 steals, and Dawson Prough also blocked three shots.

In the J.V. game, the Hornets dropped their seventh straight game as they lost 44-18.

With the Varsity win, the Hornets improve to 7-4 (1-1 NTL Division 1). The team will be back in action on Thursday, January 16 as they travel to Troy.