IAC BOYS BASKETBALL: NEWARK VALLEY RALLY COMES UP SHORT IN LOSS TO T-BURG (February 3, 2026)
Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — The Newark Valley boys basketball team made a valiant effort to rally from a 39-20 halftime deficit, but the Cardinals’ comeback wasn’t enough in a 59-52 loss to Trumansburg here Tuesday.
“The guys were committed to getting themselves back in the game little by little, and we certainly did,” said coach Scott Stratton. “We cut a 17-point halftime deficit to two in the third quarter. It was a great run on both offense and defense.”
Tristna Veruto put up eight points in the third and Tim Wojtysiak added another seven as NV scored 20 points, narrowing the gap to 50-40 heading into the final stanza. Cooper Davis and Nate Hinckley accounted for the other five points.
“For a small chunk of the third quarter, we went stale,” Stratton said. “We weren't moving without the ball as well and we were shooting some shots out of rhythm. And then again in the fourth there were a string of possessions where we weren't patient enough, didn't shoot the best look, or turned the ball over. That stretch hurt us as well.”
NV managed to outscore the Blue Raiders, 12-9, in the fourth as Veruto had sic points, Wojtysiak four and Davis two.
The opening period was close with T-burg grabbing a 14-11 edge, then erupted for 23 points in the second quarter. Aidan Clarke-Cabezas pumped out 11 of his team-high 15 points, including three of his four 3-pointers.
Dafydd Williams added 15 points on the night for the Raiders and Arlo Peake tacked on 13 more.
Veruto and Wojtysiak shared scoring honors with 18 points apiece. Veruto also had four rebounds and three steals, and Wojtysiak added a pair of treys.
Davis had seven points and 10 rebounds; Hinckley added seven points, nine boards and three steals; and Austin Green recorded two points and four deflections.
“I'm proud of the boys for battling through the adversity and making a game of it,” Stratton said. “We just needed one more good offensive run to finish the job.”
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IN PHOTO: Tristan Veruto. … TCSR STOCK PHOTO.
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