ATHENS' MILLER 'COACH OF YEAR' — MACIK, MILLER REPEAT AS FIRST-TEAM LARGE SCHOOL ALL-STARS

By: Tim Birney  /  March 21, 2021  /  Photo: David Alliger

ATHENS — Athens’ Brian Miller was named the NTL “Coach of the Year” for the second straight season, and his star players — senior Kayleigh Miller and junior Caydence Macik — were voted first-team NTL Large School Division all-stars for the second straight year in voting by the league's coaches.

Senior Megan Collins was a second-team selection.

Towanda sophomore Paige Manchester was named the NTL “Player of the Year,” while NEB’s Maisie Neuber was voted the “Offensive Player of the Year,” Towanda’s Porschia Bennett was tabbed the “Defensive Player of the Year,” and Wyalusing’s Olivia Leichliter was named the “Sixth Man of the Year.”

Miller directed the Lady Wildcats to a 17-7 record in 2021, including a 54-42 win over Milton in the District 4, Class AAAA quarterfinals. The season ended in the semis with a 32-25 loss at Shamokin.

Athens is 39-12 under Miller the last two seasons.

FIRST TEAM
Caydence Macik, junior, Athens: An athletic low-post player, Macik was a standout on both ends of the floor for the Lady Wildcats.

Macik led Athens at 17.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 2 blocks per game. She also averaged 2 assists per game.

Kayleigh Miller, senior, Athens: A dead-eye shooter from behind the 3-point arc, Miller graduates fifth all-time on the school’s scoring list with 1,187 points, and first all-time with 222 career 3-pointers.

This season, Miller averaged 17.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 assists per game. She shot 80 percent from the free-throw line, and 40 percent from the field.

Also named to the first team were Towanda’s Erin Barrett, Wyalusing’s Callie Bennett, Wellsboro’s Emma Coolidge, and Troy’s Sidney Taylor.

SECOND TEAM
Megan Collins, senior, Athens: A dangerous 3-point shooter, Collins averaged 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. She made 23 3-pointers on the season, and finished with 60 for her career.

Also named to the second team were Wyalusing’s Catherine Brown and Madison Putnam, Wellsboro’s Bailey Monks Towanda’s Amanda Horton, and Troy’s Rachel Kingsley.