Winter Sports

It wasn't a surprise that Jim Thorpe defended its Panther Valley Tip-Off Tournament title.

But how the Olympians did it was a surprise.

Jim Thorpe beat Mahanoy Area 49-36 on Saturday night in the title game. That followed on the heels of a 54-49 win over Marian one night earlier.

For a team that lived and died with its high octane offense one year ago, and that returned three double figure scorers from that squad, winning with a pair of strong defensive performances was a huge bonus.

Palmerton and Lehighton will both show a lot of youth in boys and girls basketball with young rosters on the court this season.

The two schools hooked up in their annual boys-girls varsity doubleheader to kick off the 2009-2010 season on Friday night and it was the Blue Bombers who came away with wins in both with underclassmen in the limelight.

A 23-point second quarter sparked by sophomore Ben Andrews and junior Jordan Reinhart off the bench enabled the boys to march out to a big lead and gain a 58-47 win in the nightcap.

For Jim Thorpe's Rashid Epps, it was an opening night to remember.

The same, however, can't be said for Panther Valley.

The Panthers, who were hosting their annual Tip-Off Tournament, turned the ball over 24 times against a tough Mahanoy Area defense and dropped a 42-32 decision.

Epps, meanwhile, poured in 21 points and pulled down 19 rebounds to lead the Olympians to an exciting 54-49 victory over Marian in the evening's opening contest.

Thorpe, who won the tourney a year ago, will now defend its title tonight against the Golden Bears at 7:30.

For Jim Thorpe's Rashid Epps, it was an opening night to remember.

The same, however, can't be said for Panther Valley.

The Panthers, who were hosting their annual Tip-Off Tournament, turned the ball over 24 times against a tough Mahanoy Area defense and dropped a 42-32 decision.

Epps, meanwhile, poured in 21 points and pulled down 19 rebounds to lead the Olympians to an exciting 54-49 victory over Marian in the evening's opening contest.

Thorpe, who won the tourney a year ago, will now defend its title tonight against the Golden Bears at 7:30.