THE SPORTS REPORTS: TIOGA'S McKEE TOPS BAKER'S DOZEN AS ALL-REGION 'NEWCOMER OF THE WINTER;' NEWARK VALLEY'S CALLAHAN ALSO MAKES THE LIST (2024-04-02)

The Sports Reports
Tioga freshman Declan McKee made an immediate impact in the powerhouse Tigers’ line-up, and finished the season on the podium at States. He is The Sports Reports’ 2023-24 Boys “Newcomer of the Winter.”

During the regular season, McKee placed second at the Knuutila Memorial Tournament, and second at the Southern Tier Memorial. He was fourth at the rugged Windsor Christmas Tournament.

McKee, who finished his freshman season at 34-7, won the IAC Championship, and the Qualifier A, before winning his first Section IV title at 101 pounds.

At States, McKee won his first two matches, before losing by fall in overtime to eventual champ Andrew Juliano of Holland Patent in the semifinals. McKee bounced back with a win in the consolation semifinals, and ended up finishing fourth, dropping a 1-0 decision in the consolation finals.

2023-24 All-Region Boys Newcomers of the Winter
Declan McKee, freshman, Tioga wrestling: See above.

Bryce Pequignot, freshman North Penn-Liberty wrestling: Bryce Pequignot recorded a 33-8 record in his first varsity season. He won a North Section title at 107 pounds, finished third at the District 4 Championships, and was a runner-up at the Northeast Regionals to qualify for the PIAA Class AA Championships.

Peyton Nelson, junior, Corning, bowling: Nelson averaged 215.6 on the season to help Corning win a team state bowling title. Had a top-10 average in the STAC this season.

Maddox Hughey, senior, Horseheads basketball: Hughey burst onto the scene as a senior this year,  averaging a double-double at 15 points and 12 rebounds per game.

Luke Kreger, sophomore, North Penn-Liberty basketball: Kreger came off the bench this season and averaged 8.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Tanner Vanderpool, sophomore, Towanda, wrestling: After missing last year with an injury, he made up for lost time, going 34-8 on the season and just missing a state berth. He placed second at the North Section Tournament, and fifth at the District 4 Championships.

Brayden Pettitt, freshman, Athens swimming: Pettit, who qualified for two events at the PIAA Championships, placed third in the 100-yard backstroke, and fourth in 200-yard IM at the District 4 Championships, and received an at-large bid to the state meet in both events.

Titus Callahan, sophomore, Newark Valley wrestling: Callahan was 28-15 this season, and was a state qualifier. He finished fourth at the IAC Championships, and third at the Section IV state qualifier at 190 pounds, despite only weighing in the low-160s.

Cooper Brown, junior, Northeast Bradford basketball: Brown led NEB in scoring with  a smooth jumper, and gave them some much needed size underneath in his  first year as a big-time varsity player.

Brayden Spencer, freshman, Towanda, wrestling:  Spencer went 21-13 while nearly making Regionals. He was a strong dual meet wrestler, sometimes bouncing around the line-up to where the Knights needed him. He placed second at the North Section Tournament, and seventh at the District 4 Championships.

 Reed Palmer, freshman, Troy wrestling: Palmer finished the season at 21-17, but came on strong the  second half of the season, getting some tournament hardware, and nearly getting to regionals despite being a freshman at the heavier weights.  He placed third at the North Section Tournament, and eighth at the District 4 Championships.

Jazick Brown, freshman, Towanda wrestling: Brown went 23-6 despite battling some illness, and managed to take second at the North Section Tournament. He was a key cog in their dual meet success, too.

Luke Rothermel, sophomore, Wellsboro basketball: Rothermel averaged 8.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game as a starter for the Hornets. He scored career-high 16 points in a Wellsboro win over Jersey Shore.