New Hope-Solebury defeated Renaissance Academy to capture the District 1 3A title on Saturday. (Photo provided by New Hope-Solebury basketball)
Class 4A title game
#2 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 49, #1 RENAISSANCE ACADEMY 27
The Lions capped an emotional week by capturing the District 1 3A title with a convincing win over top-seeded Renaissance Academy at Harriton High School.
“Renaissance came out – they were very into it, they were physical, they were very well-coached,” New Hope coach Steve Polinsky said. “It was much more competitive than the score.
“We jumped out really good early, and I just thought we maintained everything. I’m really proud of the girls because this week of practice was really tough.”
On Wednesday, the mother of one of the team’s starters - sophomore Kayla Fennell – passed away.
“Soby Fennell was a class lady – she always was at every game,” Polinsky said. “She’s missed by everybody.
“It was challenging, but the girls did a really good job. All the leaders of the team – Emily Wilson, Izzy Elizondo and Nina Meixler – did a great job keeping everyone focused.”
The Lions dedicated Saturday’s game in Soby Fennell’s memory.
“It was definitely hard just because we’ve known Soby for so long,” Elizondo said. “When I was little, I used to play AAU and travel with Kayla, and she was always around, so it definitely was devastating to hear, but the team wanted to play for her this game. This game was more than just basketball. It was a way to honor her.”
Renaissance brought an impressive 21-4 record into Saturday’s game, but the Lions were unfazed, intent on winning this one for Soby Fennell.
“It was so important to win for her and for the team,” Wilson said. “We know our teammate is going through something so hard, so we really wanted to come together as a team and try our best for her and just give it our all on the court, and I think that’s exactly what our team did today.”
In the opening quarter, Elizondo buried a pair of 3s and Wilson had three baskets as both players contributed six points for the Lions, who jumped out toa 15-2 lead after one quarter.
By halftime, Elizondo had three 3s for nine points while Wilson added eight points, and the Lions led 23-14.
“I think the key today was we came together as a team, and we really wanted to make sure we had good ball movement and held them down on defense,” Wilson said. “I think we did a good job of that.
The Lions took a 31-21 lead into the final quarter when the put an exclamation point on the win, outscoring Renaissance 18-6. They were a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. Elizondo was 4-for-4 from the line and scored 10 points in the quarter.
“Today our team was very connected on both offense and defense,’ Elizondo said. “We had good ball movement, we played the right way, and I think that really helped us.”
Elizondo’s 24 points – which included six 3s - led the Lions. Wilson added 12 while Ella Dudick had eight points.
This year’s District 1 3A title was the second in as many years for the Lions.
“It feels awesome to be able to win again, especially since it’s harder competition this year,” Elizondo said.
“I definitely feel like we’re at the highest point of the season,” Wilson said. “It took a lot of adjustments, and we had to learn each other’s game and how to work with each other, which obviously is going to take time. I think we finally clicked together, and it went really well.”
New Hope-Solebury (13-10, 8-8 SOL) will face District 12’s third place team in the opening round of the PIAA 3A state tournament on Friday, March 8.
New Hope-Solebury 15-8-8-18 49
Renaissance 2-12-7-6 27
New Hope-Solebury (49) – Nina Meixler 0 2-2 2; Isabella Elizondo 7 4-4 24; Emily Wilson 4 3-4 12; Ella Dudick 4 -0-2 8; Elena Shire 0 1-2 1; Isha Mukherjee 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 16 10-14 49.
Renaissance (27) – Alyssa Burkholder 2 0-0 4; Kasira Barber 3 0-2 6; Dallas Stewart 2 0-0 4; Saydi Daye 2 2-4 8; Aniyah Jones 2 1-2 5; TOTALS 11 3-8 27.
3-point goals: NH-S – Isabella Elizondo 6, Emily Wilson; Renaissance – Aniyah Jones 2.
- Log in to post comments
