Hornets Fall To NEB, 54-46

By: Ed Weaver  /  December 14, 2023  /  Photo: Nick Coyle

Wellsboro's early season woes at home continued in a 54-46 NTL cross-over loss to Northeast Bradford on Wednesday, December 13.

The Hornets are 0-2 at home, losing the season-opener to Montoursville, but 2-0 on the road.

NEB jumped out to a 14-9 lead after the first quarter, mainly due to their foul shooting. The Panthers went to the foul line eight times in the first quarter, making six of them. For the game they shot 15-of-18 (.833). Wellsboro shot just 1-for-4 from the foul line for the game.

Wellsboro made up some ground with a 14-point 2nd quarter to cut the lead down to 24-21 at the half, however NEB outscored them 16-14 in the 3rd to push the lead back to five, and 14-11 down the stretch to secure the win.

Dillon Donnelly led NEB with 12 points and Cayden McPherson added 11.

Senior Hayes Campbell led the Hornets with 12 points, junior Luke Rothermel added 11, and senior Caden Smith pitched in 10. Junior Mitchel Lechler scored 8 points, sophomore Aaron Kirk finished with 3 and sophomore Marek Mascho added 2 points. Smith made 6 assists and a steal, Rothermel grabbed 4 boards, Mascho added 5 assists and a steal, and Campbell finished with 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Senior Ian Hoose blocked a shot and made an assist, and Lechler added 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Wellsboro held on to win the JV game 37-31 to improve to 3-1 on the season. Kirk led the Hornets with 14 points while freshman Colin Fletcher added 9 points and sophomore Jonathan Carl added 8 points.

The loss drops the Hornets to 2-2 (2-1 NTL Large School Division). The team is back home on Friday against Athens.