To view game action photos, visit the photo gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
WARMINSTER— Too many cooks aren't spoiling anything for Abington. This particular broth is turning out just great. The talented Ghosts rolled to a 57-35 win over host William Tennent on Friday night.
Abington (4-1 overall, 2-0 SOL) has won three straight games by at least 21 points. In the Ghosts' four victories, the average margin has been 29.8 points.
Future opponents should be concerned because coach Dan Marsh thinks that Abington is only going to get better.
"We've been a little sloppy," the Ghosts' coach said. "We're trying to develop our chemistry."
Junior Emily Leer scored a team-high 16 points for Abington and guard Jen Kelly scored 12 points and made three 3-pointers. Freshman Aiyannah Peal finished with nine points, and senior Ajanae Boone added seven points.
The 6-2 Leer was good as a sophomore, averaging about 14 points and 10 rebounds. But Marsh thinks she has improved significantly.
"Emily has been very good for us so far. She really developed her game over the summer, and people have taken notice," Marsh said. "She's stronger. She's improved her ball handling and her play facing the basket. It's made her more difficult to guard."
Peal and Boone are Abington's two talented newcomers. Boone, a transfer from Cardinal Dougherty, is a versatile guard headed for the University of Rhode Island. Peal is a physical freshman forward just beginning what should be a stellar high school career.
"(Boone) is a great 3-point shooter. Adding her to Jen Kelly makes it difficult for teams to zone us," Marsh said. "Peal is a strong kid. She's going to be a heck of a player."
Too much talent is a good problem to have, but sometimes it can be a problem nonetheless. Abington had two starting quality players coming in and four returning starters. Fortunately, former starting forward Liz Layton has readily accepted her new role as a dangerous player off the bench. Layton had six points vs. Tennent.
"It's funny. I said to the Neshaminy coach (Joanne McVey) that this is the most talent I've ever had," Marsh said. "But it will be my most difficult coaching job. But it's nice. I'm not going to complain."
The Panthers (2-2, 0-2) got solid contributions from sophomore Liz Koval (eight points) and junior Hannah Sellers (four points), but were unable to keep up with Abington.
Tennent was without forward Sarah Godfrey (illness), guard Megan Zimmerman (illness) and guard Laura Kosma (sprained knee).
The Ghosts led by 20 points, 26-6, early in the second quarter. Tennent did close to within 11 points, 30-19, just before halftime, but Abington put the game away with a 20-0 run that stretched well into the second half.
Kelly hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter, and Boone had a 3-pointer of her own. Leer had six points in the first quarter and had all of her points in about 2 1/2 quarters.
"Abington is a very well rounded team," Tennent coach Paul Veltre said. "They were able to score at will from all over."
"We have every weapon," Boone said. "Nothing's missing. We have everything we need to win a championship."
Five games into the season, Abington appears to be erasing concerns about any potential chemistry problems. Marsh is worrying because that's what coaches do, but Boone and Peal feel like they've blended in quickly.
"I think we've meshed really well," Boone said. "We play really well together."
"In the beginning it was hard," Peal said. "But it became easier. Now we're working together as team.”
Abington (57)
Kelly Gregorio 1 0-0 2; Jen Kelly 4 1-3 12; Ajanae Boone 3 0-0 7; Emily Leer 8 0-1 16; Aiyannah Peal 4 1-4 9; Felicia Strother 0 0-0 0; Chynna West 0 0-0 0; Liz Layton 3 0-0 6; Tess Johns 1 0-0 3; Sam Stutz 0 0-0 0; Jess Schmidt 0 0-0 0; Sarah Listenbee 0 0-0 0; Jaime Shectman 1 0-0 2. Totals: 25 2-8 57.
William Tennent (35)
Alison Malatesta 0 2-2 2; Ashley Alden 1 0-0 2; Deanna Schneiderreit 1 0-0 3; Liz Koval 2 4-8 8; Hannah Sellers 2 0-2 4; Taylor Morgan 2 0-2 4; Becky Allen 2 0-0 5; Emily O'Donnell 0 0-0 0; Melissa Wasserleben 2 0-0 5; Melissa Horn 0 0-0 0; Gina Tyson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 13 6-14 35.
A: 20-14-18-5—57
WT: 6-13-7-9—35
3-pointers: Kelly 3, Boone, Johns (A); Schneiderreit, Allen, Wasserleben (W).
- Log in to post comments
0
