By HUNTER O. LYLE
With the majority of the basketball season in the rear view mirror, the North Tier League has moved forward in announcing their 2025-2026 All-Star selections, a class led by the Port Allegany boys and Otto-Eldred girls.
As the last team alive, the Gators fittingly lead the NTL boys in postseason honors. This season, Port is represented by their senior trio of Isac Amell, Nick Wilfong and Jarrod Funk.
Helping lead the Gators to their first NTL title in a quarter century, their first PIAA state tournament bid in 30 years and their first-ever PIAA win, Amell averaged 11 points per game alongside six rebounds, 2.7 assists and one steal per game, followed by Wilfong with seven points, four rebounds, three assists and 1.4 steals per contest. Funk, who was selected as the NTL Most Valuable Player this season and who reached 1,000 career points just before the end of the regular season, wrapped up his career on the court by contributing 16 points, eight rebounds, 1.4 blocks and one steal per game.
Alongside his players, head coach Kyle Babcock was selected as the boy’s Coach of the Year. Advancing to the PIAA second round, the Gators will face Sewickley Academy on Wednesday at PennWest Clarion University at 7:30 p.m.
Over in Duke Center, Otto-Eldred earned one All-Star selection this year. Coming over from Smethport, Jack Sherry hit the ground running, averaging 13.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, two steals and one block throughout the Terrors’ 15-9 campaign.
Cameron County tied Port with three selections, having Malakai Zucal, Isaac Grovanz and Beckett Bure represent the Red Raiders. Other selections include Brennan Ogden from Austin and Dawson Welch from Oswayo Valley.
For the girls, Otto-Eldred led the league in All-Star selections with three. Leading the Lady Terrors to a 21-6 overall record, a NTL league title and another PIAA state tournament berth, Baylee Francis, Ayla Van Scoter and Rayel Hakes all represented the Blue and Gold in postseason awards.
Francis finished with a team-high 13.2 points per game, also recording 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Van Scoter finished her junior campaign with 10 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game and two steals per game, followed by Hakes with 10 points per game, seven rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game and two steals per game.
For Smethport and Port Allegany, both were awarded one All-Star selection. Madey McKean represents the Lady Hubbers, who finished 8-13 overall, averaging 13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.5 blocks a night. Jenna Renner helped carry the Lady Gators to a 16-9 record, as well as another District 9 Class 2A playoff berth, turning in 12 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 2.2 steals per game and 1.1 assists per game each outing.
Other selections from the girls were Emma Haynes and Lillian Steele from Northern Potter, Cailyn Ogden from Austin and Ava Hilfiger and Elsie Bresslin from Cameron County. Bresslin also took home the girl’s MVP award.
