Tunkhannock’s Jordan Faux drives the ball during a Tiger practice on Wednesday while coach Dustin Babcock looks on from the sidelines. STAFF PHOTO/ROBERT BAKER

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

Wyoming County Press Examiner

Tunkhannock Area’s boys’ basketball team, guided by first-year coach Dustin Babcock, are eyeing a division title.

The Tigers, who finished 14-10 last season under then coach Bob Miller, return three starters to the court in seniors Brian Stephenson and Jordan Faux, along with sophomore Austin Yanora.

The Tigers are looking to compete in a crowded division with Hazleton, Wyoming Valley West, Dallas, Pittston, Coughlin, Crestwood and Berwick.

“We are in what is regarded as the toughest division in 20 years,” Babcock said. “With that schedule we are looking to compete for a division title.”

Babcock said the Tigers have plenty of young talent to guide them through their schedule.

“We have a lot of young talent on the team this year, and our goal is to continue to develop that talent,” Babcock said. “We want to play an exciting, up-tempo style of basketball.”

Tunkhannock will look to Yanora, a Times Leader Rookie All-Rookie Team and Wyoming Valley Conference Second-Team All-Conference player, Stephenson, a Wyoming Valley Conference Second-Team All-Conference player, Faux, a returning point guard, and junior Sean Soltysiak, to guide the team.

“Everyone in this division is tough,” Babcock said. “We will have to be focused and on top of our game every single night to have a chance at a division title this year.”

Tunkhannock Area’s boys’ basketball team is comprised of seniors Stephenson, Faux, Brent Christy, Jimmy DeWitt, juniors Soltysiak, Adam Billings, holt Wiggans, AJ Passarelli, sophomores Yanora, Brian Beauchemin, Matt Grebeck, Ryan Ell, Eric Stamer, and freshmen Tony Maloney, Andy Mills, pat Casey, Cody Brown, Brett Soltysiak, Josh Flaherty and Brett Hughes.

Tunkhannock gets its season underway on Friday, Dec. 7, at Lackawanna Trail at 7 p.m.

Full schedule:

Dec. 7, Lackawanna Trail, A, 7 p.m.

Dec. 12, Riverside, A, 7 p.m.

Dec. 14, Montrose, H, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 15, Wyoming Seminary, H, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 18, Honesdale, A, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 21, Elk Lake, H, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 23-26, Forest City Rotary, 7 p.m.

Jan. 3, Hazelton, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 5, Wyo. Valley West, H, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 8, Berwick, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 11, Pittston, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 15, Dallas, H, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 18, Coughlin, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 22, Crestwood, H, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 25, Hazleton, H, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 29, Wyo. Valley West, A, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 1, Berwick, H, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 5, Pittston, H, 7:15 p.m.

Feb, 8, Dallas, A, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 12, Coughlin, H, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 14, Crestwood, A, 7:15 p.m.