THE SPORTS REPORTS: ELMIRA'S MATIAS HEADLINES BAKER'S DOZEN AS GIRLS 'NEWCOMER OF THE WINTER;' TWO TIOGA COUNTY GIRLS MAKE THE LIST (2024-04-02)

The Sports Reports
Elmira freshman Mariah Matias was a dominant force in the paint for the Elmira Express in her first varsity season. She is The Sports Reports’ 2023-24 Girls “Newcomer of the Winter.”

Matias registered 18 double-doubles in 21 games, and set school records for rebounds in a game, with 28, and for  a season, with 301.

She averaged 16 points and 14.3 rebounds per game, as well as 3.1 steals and 1.2 blocks a game.

2023-24 All-Region Baker's Dozen Girls Newcomers of the Winter
Mariah Matias, freshman, Elmira basketball: See above.

 Giana Renzi, freshman, Troy basketball: Renzi’s bulldog defense fit right in with Troy’s scheme, while her ball handling and shooting were just what they needed on the offensive end. She averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

Ashlyn VanFleet, freshman, Athens wrestling: There were newcomers with better records than VanFleet, but none stepped on to a mat for the first time in November. She started the season at 4-5, but thanks to a nine-match win streak late in the season finished at 18-11.She won a District 4 title, and finished second at the PIAA Central Regionals. She was 1-2 at States, finishing one win shy of a medal.

Amelia Toomey, freshman, Tioga wrestling: Toomey was 22-11 with 17 pins in her first varsity season. She finished second at the Section IV Championships. She was 1-2 at States.

Abigail Wagner, freshman, Athens wrestling: Wagner finished 23-12 with 15 falls in her first varsity season. She won a District 4 title, and was fourth at Regionals. She was 1-2 at States, finishing one win shy of a medal.

Emma Renninger, junior, Athens wrestling: Renninger finished the season with a 22-13 record, including 17 falls. She finished third at the District 4 Championships.

Brynna Walsh, Corning, skiing: A state qualifier in her first season of high school skiing as a 7th-grader, Walsh placed fourth in giant slalom and fifth in the slalom at Sectionals. She finished 29th at states in giant slalom.

Dallas Fanning, SVEC, wrestling: A freshman, she posted a 15-8 record with 13 pins. She won titles at the Southern Tier Memorial and IAC championships, was second at the Section IV Championships and the Section IV Ranking Event and competed in the state invitational.

Cailyn VanNoy, freshman, Canton basketball: VanNoy did it all for Canton — scoring, ball handling, defense, rebounding — as she teamed with Kendall Kitchen to get the Warriors back to the playoffs. She averaged 9.4 points, 3.1 assists and 3.3 steals per game.

Mya Maynard, freshman, Towanda basketball: Maynard was a double-double threat down low for the Knights, being a strong offensive rebounder and shot-maker to go with fellow forward, Brynn Woodruff.

Olivia Chilson, senior, Wellsboro wrestling: Chilson posted an 11-7 record for the Hornets’ in Wellsboro first year with girls wrestling as a varsity sport. She also won a District 4 title at 142 pounds.

Courtney Castellana, senior, Corning wrestling: Castellana was 14-5 on the year, winning a STAC Championship and taking third at both the Section IV Championships, and at the Section IV State Ranking event.

Char Starns, freshman, Corning basketball: Carns averaged 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game this year  for the Hawks.