Hornets claim NTL Large School title with win over Towanda

By: Ed Weaver  /  February 12, 2019  /  Photo: Brian Fees

The Wellsboro Varsity Boys Basketball team won the 2018-19 NTL Large School Division championship with a 64-36 win over Towanda on Monday, February 11.

It was the Hornets' third straight championship (co-champions in 2016-17) and fourth championship in 7 years.

"It was one of our goals coming into the year and it feels good to get it again," senior Brandyn Tuttle said.

"It's how I wanted to end my career," senior Andrew Brelo said. "Now it's time for districts."

Wellsboro started the game off with a 16-6 first quarter lead then outscored the Black Knights 17-8 in the second to lead 33-14 at halftime. Unlike the last time the Hornet played Towanda during Wellsboro's Senior Night, the Hornets this time kept their turnovers to a minimum. The Hornets started the second half with another 17-8 quarter to pull ahead 50-22.

Both teams scored 14 points each in the final quarter.

Tuttle led all scorers with 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for his 34th career double-double. Brelo and junior Ty Morral had 10 points each, senior Hunter Brown had 8 points, senior Tanner Button and sophomore Joseph Grab added 6 points each, and seniors Holden Kennedy and Cam Tennis pitched in 2 points each.

Brown added 7 rebounds, Button had 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, Grab added 7 assists to his point total, and Tennis had 2 rebounds and a block.

Wellsboro started out the night by rallying late for a 36-33 win over Towanda after leading 23-7 midway through the second quarter and being outscored 26-13 the rest of the game. Freshman Isaac Keane led Wellsboro with 12 and junior Karter Witmer had 9.

The win improves the Hornets' record to 19-2 overall, their 19th straight win, and 15-0 in the NTL Large School Division. The team will be back in action for the final time in the regular season against Troy later this evening.