Truman, Souderton and Central Bucks South are featured in this week’s notebook, which also recaps last week's action.
By Scott Huff
Add the Truman Tigers to any discussions about the strong Suburban One League National Conference basketball teams.
Truman entered that conversation with a thrilling 48-45 road victory over Council Rock North last week. The Tigers (7-3) tied the Indians (7-3) for second place in the conference standings behind first place Abington (9-1).
“To be able to go onto their court and come away with an important win in a close game does a lot for the confidence of this team,” said Harry S Truman head coach Alan Munford. “We went into the game confident that we could win, but when you win, it generates a lot more confidence.
“Our program wants to be a program like Council Rock North,” added Munford. “We have gotten closer to that the last few years. We want to establish ourselves as one of the best programs around.”
The conversation about the Tigers cannot be complete without the discussion of mercurial senior Merdic Green. Green scored a game-high 20 points in the win over Rock North, and also put a clamp down defense on Indian sharpshooter Kyle McCloskey.
“Everyone likes to talk about how well Merdic does on the offensive end of the floor,” said Munford. “But he can be a tremendous defensive player. McCloskey scored 19 points in the first three quarters against us, and I told Merdic that he was going to have to step up and play him strict man-to-man in the fourth quarter. He held him without a point.
“His skills on offense are tremendous,” added Munford. “He can create his own shot on any possession, and he can play any position on the floor. He has a motor that never stops.”
Green will have to have that motor on Tuesday when the Tigers host first place Abington.
“A win against Abington would get us a much better seed in districts, plus gives us a chance to win the league,” said Munford. “We have played some excellent non-league teams this year – Penn Wood, Souderton, Norristown, and Lansdale Catholic. And Abington, Council Rock North, Pennsbury, and Bensalem are all good teams within our league. And you can’t overlook a (CR) South or a William Tennent.
“We have a tough road ahead of us the final four conference games,” added Munford as the Tigers play Abington, Pennsbury, Bensalem, and William Tennent to close out the season. “It will be a grind, but we know that this team can play with anyone.”
In the SOL National Conference Rear View Mirror
Harry S Truman moved into contention for a conference title as the Tigers captured a pair of huge victories last week. Truman stunned Council Rock North 48-45 to move into a second place tie in conference standings with the Indians behind conference leading Abington. Merdic Green sparked the Tiger win over North with a game-high 20 points. Truman opened the week with a 59-48 win over CR South as Green led all scorers with 24 points.
Abington reclaimed sole possession of first place in conference standings as the Ghosts collected two big conference victories. Abington opened the week with a critical 55-53 overtime win over CR North to slide back into sole possession of first place in the conference. Anthony Lee led the Ghosts with 16 points, while Anthony Durham added 14 points for the winners. Abington concluded the week with a 77-30 win over winless Neshaminy.
Council Rock North slipped from a first place tie for the conference lead at the beginning of the week to a tie for second place in the conference by the end of the week as the Indians lost a pair of tough games. CR North lost a 55-53 contest to Abington as Chris Rowland led the Indians with 24 points. Rock North fell into a second place tie with Truman as the Indians lost a 48-45 contest to the Tigers. Kyle McCloskey led Rock North in the Truman loss with a team-high 19 points.
Bensalem moved back to over .500 in the conference as the Owls soared to a pair of wins last week. Bensalem kept Neshaminy winless in its opening game of the week and followed with a 68-38 win over William Tennent later in the week. In the win over the Panthers, Owl senior guard Leo Vincent had a spectacular outing with a 37-point effort.
Pennsbury split its pair of games last week as the Falcons soared to a 74-45 victory over Council Rock South and opened the week with a stunning 72-52 loss to William Tennent. In the win over CR South, Cameron Jones scored 20 points while Steve Ciotti chipped in with 13. In the loss to Tennent, Mekhi Bryant scored a team-high 15 points.
William Tennent split its pair of games last week as the Panthers scored a 72-52 victory over Pennsbury and followed with a 68-38 loss to Bensalem. Matt Alden scored 25 points in the win over the Falcons, while Horace Spencer added 23 points and 15 rebounds. Connor Spornak the Panthers in scoring in the loss to the Owls with 9 points.
Council Rock South had a tough week as the Golden Hawks lost both of its conference games last week. Rock South opened the week with a 59-48 loss to Turman and closed the week with a 74-45 loss to Pennsbury. Tom Townsend led the Hawks against the Tigers with 15 points, while Christian Crane scored 15 points to pace Rock South in the loss to the Falcons.
Neshaminy is still in search of its first win of the season as the Skins dropped a pair of conference games last week. Neshaminy opened the week with a loss to Bensalem and closed the week with a 77-30 loss to Abington. The Redskins are 0-10 in the conference and 0-16 overall.
SOL National Conference Standings
1. Abington Ghosts - 9-1
2. Council Rock North Indians – 7-3
Truman Tigers – 7-3
4. Bensalem Owls – 6-4
Pennsbury Falcons – 6-4
6. Council Rock South Golden Hawks – 3-7
7. William Tennent Panthers – 2-8
8. Neshaminy Redskins – 0-10.
Suburban One League American Conference
Norristown is back in sole possession of first place in the conference standings after beginning the week in a three-way deadlock for the conference top spot. The Eagles won both of their conference games last week, while both Cheltenham and Wissahickon suffered conference losses last week that jettisoned them from first place in the standings.
“The league is very good this year, and if you are not on the top of your game you’re going to get beat,” said Norristown head coach Michael Evans. “This is a year where if you have a letdown, bad things are going to happen.”
One good thing that has happened for Norristown in recent weeks has been the play of 6-foot, 6-inch senior Josh Johnson.
“Josh has been our ‘X’ factor lately,” said Evans. “He is playing his best basketball right now, and he is starting to finish at the rim. Josh has developed some real good low post moves, and now he is getting some looks by Division II college teams.”
Johnson is in the starting lineup along with BJ Gordon, Marquis Bryant, Luke Kelley, and Jahbri Hargrove. And when the Eagles substitute, an entirely different five players replace the starters.
“We feel we are a very deep team, and right now this five-in and five-out rotation has been working,” said Evans. “Each of the units has developed its own chemistry.
“We expected to be able to play a lot of players at the beginning of the season,” added Evans. “And that is pretty much how it worked out. It has been successful.”
And sole possession of first place in the SOL American Conference is proof of that.
In the SOL American Conference Rear View Mirror
Norristown moved back into sole possession of first place as the Eagles swept their two conference games last week. Norristown opened the week with a 52-35 victory over Upper Dublin as Josh Johnson fueled the Eagle attack with 22 points. Norristown closed the week with a 49-37 victory over Upper Moreland. The Birds had three players – Luke Kelley (15), Chris Evans (10), and Jahbri Hargrove (10) scored in twin digits.
Cheltenham fell out of first place as the Panthers were stunned by Upper Dublin 49-46 in overtime. Cheltenham opened the week with a 52-46 victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh. Aaron McGlawn led the Panthers with a team-high 21 points in the win over the Colonials, and was also the leading scorer in the loss to the Flying Cardinals with 9 points.
Wissahickon fell out of first place as the Trojans were routed by Plymouth Whitemarsh 74-56 despite a terrific 25-point scoring performance by Chase Wilson. Wissahickon opened the week with a 64-53 win over Springfield as Todd Bentley scored 18 points to pace to Trojans.
Springfield gained its first conference win of the season as the Spartans marched to a 62-56 victory over Upper Merion. Chris Stone scored a game-high 24 points in the win over the Vikings. Springfield opened the week with a 64-53 loss to Wissahickon – Luke Pollack ledeh Spartans with 17 points.
Plymouth Whitemarsh spilt its pair of games last week as the Colonials lost a 52-46 contest to Cheltenham and followed with a 74-56 upset victory over Wissahickon. Aaron McKie scored 19 points in the loss to the Panthers. McKie scored 29 points in the win over the Trojans while teammate Andre Mitchell added 16 points.
Upper Dublin split its pair of games last week as the Flying Cardinals dropped a 52-36 contest to Norristown but followed with a 49-46 upset victory over Cheltenham. Andrew Carber led UD with a team-high 10 points against the Eagles. Carber also led the Flying Cardinals with 18 points in the victory over Cheltenham, while teammates Zach Greenburg (14) and Simeon Fryer (10) also scored in double figures.
Upper Moreland spilt its pair of games last week as the Golden Bears opened the week with a 46-39 win over Upper Merion and closed the week with a 48-37 loss to Norristown. Matt Kohn led the Bears in scoring with 13 points against the Vikings, while Tommy Robinson scored a team-high 10 points in the loss to the Eagles.
Upper Merion had a tough week as the Vikings lost both of their conference games. Upper Merion opened the week with a 46-39 setback against Upper Moreland and followed with a 62-56 loss to Springfield. David Stecz scored a game-high 17 points in the loss to the Golden Bears, while Conner McGrath scored a team-high 16 points in the loss to Springfield.
SOL American Conference Standings
1. Norristown Eagles – 9-1
2. Cheltenham Panthers – 8-2
Wissahickon Trojans – 8-2
4. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials – 5-5
5. Upper Moreland Golden Bears – 4-6
6. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals – 3-7
7. Upper Merion Vikings – 2-8
8. Springfield Spartans – 1-9.
Suburban One League Continental Conference
Souderton finished the 2012 calendar year with a 4-4 record that included a pair of painful losses in the Norristown Triangle Club Tournament. The Indians lost to Central Dauphin 61-60 and followed with a 51-49 setback to John Paul II.
“We talked about our need to be able to do the little things necessary to win close games,” said Souderton head coach Pete Chimera. “In losing close games, not doing the little things gets magnified. We wanted to come into the New Year with the idea that we were going to concentrate on every possession and do the right things.”
The 2013 calendar year has been much kinder to the Big Red as Souderton is 7-2 and is in contention for a conference title. The Indians took a huge step toward their goal of winning a conference championship with a 49-46 victory over Hatboro-Horsham last week. Hatboro-Horsham (8-1), Souderton (8-2), and Central Bucks South (7-2) will begin the stretch run in hopes of adding a championship banner to the school gymnasium.
“We had the tough loss to CB South (39-37), but we rebounded well from that,” said Chimera. “We’re hoping they can help us and themselves by beating Hatboro-Horsham, and, of course, we would have to beat South the second time we play them.”
Souderton has received excellent play from a trio of players recently. Senior John Kanas, senior Austin Murphy, and junior Brandan Wagner have been consistent in their performances.
“John Kanas plays the game with so much energy, it is hard to imagine,” said Chimera. “His competitiveness is contagious, and that all begins with the way that he practices.
“Austin was a junior varsity player last year as a junior,” added Chimera. “He also plays with a lot of energy and is one of our best shooters. He has played well the second half of the season.
“We knew what we were getting from Brandan coming into the season,” continued Chimera. “He came back this season after playing AAU ball much leaner and stronger. He has been terrific.”
Just like the 2013 calendar year for the Big Red.
In the SOL Continental Conference Rear View Mirror
Souderton came up with a pair of impressive wins as the Indians moved back into contention for a conference title. Souderton opened the week with a huge 49-46 victory over first place Hatboro-Horsham and then went to the road to defeat an always tough CB West – 53-47. John Kanas (15), Austin Murphy (13) and Brandan Wagner (13) each scored in double figures in the huge Hatter win, while Wagner led the Indians with 16 in the win over CB West.
Hatboro-Horsham lost its first conference game of the season as the Hatters were topped by Souderton – 49-46. Michael Brown scored a game-high 18 points for Hatboro-Horsham, while Zach Quattro chipped in with 17 points. The Hatboro-Horsham at Pennridge contest was postponed until Wednesday (1/30/13).
Central Bucks South inched closer to first place in the standings as the Titans routed North Penn – 62-35. There were 11 players that scored for CB South. The leading scorer was Chase Vonder Schmalz with eight points. The Titans will travel to Quakertown on Wednesday (1/30/13) for a make-up game with the Panthers.
Pennridge won its only game of the week as the Rams handled rival Quakertown – 62-42. Pennridge was led in scoring by Jeff Garner with 24 points, while Drew Dietterich scored in twin digits with 13 points. Pennridge will host Hatboro-Horsham on Wednesday (1/30/13) to make up its game with the Hatters.
Central Bucks West split its pair of conference games last week as the Bucks defeated rival Central Bucks East 47-37 and followed with a 53-47 loss to Souderton. Evan Dunn (11) and Jared Kelly (10) scored in double figures for CBW in the Patriot win, while Kelly scored a team-high 17 points in the loss to Souderton.
North Penn split its pair of conference games last week as the Knights opened the week with a 62-35 loss to Central Bucks South and followed with a nice 53-51 victory over Central Bucks East. Eleven players scored in the loss to CBS with Kevin Shue scoring a team-high five points, while Stephan Brown (16) and Mike Swanson (11) scored in double figures in the win over CBE.
Quakertown lost its only game of the week as the Panthers were handed a 62-42 loss against Pennridge. Quakertown was led in scoring by Mark Repsher with a team-high 17 points. The Panthers will host Central Bucks South on Wednesday (1/30/13) in a make-up game.
Central Bucks East had a tough week as the Patriots lost both of their conference games. CB East opened the week with a 47-37 loss to Central Bucks West and followed with a 53-51 loss to North Penn. Matt Stauffer led the Patriots in scoring in the CB West game with 15 points, while Brendan McLaughlin scored 24 points in the loss to North Penn.
SOL Continental Conference Standings
1. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters – 8-1
2. Souderton Indians – 8-2
3. Central Bucks South Titans – 7-2
4. Central Bucks West Bucks – 5-5
5. Pennridge Rams – 4-5
6. North Penn Knights – 3-7
7. Central Bucks East Patriots – 2-8
8. Quakertown Panthers – 1-8.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Abington Ghosts
2. Norristown Eagles
3. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
4. Council Rock North Indians
5. Souderton Indians
6. Wissahickon Trojans
7. Cheltenham Panthers
8. Truman Tigers
9. Pennsbury Falcons
10. Central Bucks South Titans
On Deck in the SOL
Tuesday – January 27, 2013
SOL American Conference
Norristown Eagles (9-1) @ Springfield Spartans (1-9)
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-5) @ Upper Merion Vikings (2-8)
Cheltenham Panthers (8-2) @ Wissahickon Trojans (8-2)
Upper Moreland Golden Bears (4-5) @ Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (3-7)
SOL Continental Conference
Quakertown Panthers (1-8) @ North Penn Knights (3-7)
Central Bucks West Bucks (5-5) @ Pennridge Rams (4-5)
Central Bucks South Titans (7-2) @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (8-1)
Central Bucks East Patriots (2-8) @ Souderton Indians (8-2)
SOL National Conference
William Tennent Panthers (2-8) @ Neshaminy Redskins (0-10)
Bensalem Owls (6-4) @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks (3-7)
Abington Ghosts (9-1) @ Harry S Truman Tigers (7-3)
Council Rock North Indians (7-3) @ Pennsbury Falcons (6-4)
Wednesday – January 30, 2013
SOL Continental Conference
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Pennridge Rams
Central Bucks South Titans @ Quakertown Panthers
Friday – February 1, 2013
SOL American Conference
Upper Merion Vikings @ Wissahickon Trojans
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Norristown Eagles
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals @ Springfield Spartans
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Cheltenham Panthers
SOL Continental Conference
Quakertown Panthers @ Central Bucks East Patriots
Pennridge Rams @ Souderton Indians
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Central Bucks South Titans
North Penn Knights @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
SOL National Conference
Neshaminy Redskins @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
William Tennent Panthers @ Abington Ghosts
Pennsbury Falcons @ Truman Tigers
Council Rock North Indians @ Bensalem Owls
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