Hornets top Troy, 50-27

By: Ed Weaver  /  January 19, 2019  /  Photo: Chris Manning

The Wellsboro Varsity Boys Basketball team began their 5-game road stretch with a 50-27 win against Troy on Friday, January 18.

After a slow start in the first quarter's opening minutes the Hornets put some offense together to score 10 points, 4 points each coming from sophomore Joseph Grab and senior Brandyn Tuttle. Wellsboro's defense held the Trojans to just one field goal, a three-pointer, and a foul shot to lead 10-4.

The Hornets put together a 13-2 run in the second quarter to build a 23-6 lead at halftime. Once both teams took the court for the Trojans found new live and their offense heated up. Their defense also caused havoc for the Hornets, who turned the ball over 25 times on the evening. Wellsboro still managed to outscore Troy 14-8 in the quarter, but that gave Troy some life heading into the final 8 minutes.

Both teams scored 13 points each in the fourth quarter, with almost half of Troy's coming from the foul line as Wellsboro got into foul trouble late in the third quarter. Wellsboro's first half lead was too much to overcome for the Trojans as Wellsboro won their 12th straight game.

Tuttle led the way for Wellsboro with his 9th double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds, pushing him past 600 career rebounds. Senior Andrew Brelo scored 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, senior Hunter Brown scored 8 points and had 10 rebounds, and Grab finished with 4 points. Senior Tanner Button and junior Andrew Larson added 3 points each and senior Cam Tennis added 2 points.

Button added 5 assists and 3 steals, Grab finished with 4 rebounds and 3 assists, senior Holden Kennedy added 4 steals, and Tennis added 2 blocks.

Seldon Rogers scored 15 to lead Troy, 12 of those coming in the second half.

Troy won the JV game 43-28 to drop the Hornets to 6-6. Junior Karter Witmer scored 10 for Wellsboro and freshman Isaac Keane added 8.

The win in the Varsity game improves the Hornets' record to 12-2 overall and 9-0 in the NTL Large School Division. The team is back in action at rival North Penn-Mansfield on Tuesday, January 22.