Jarrad Saffren recaps Thursday’s SOL boys basketball action. Bensalem/Truman photos provided courtesy of Diana Leferovich, Cheltenham/Quakertown by Keith Clemens Photography and CR South/McDevitt by John Gleeson. Check back for photo galleries...CLICK HERE.
By Jarrad Saffren
Fourteen Suburban One League boys basketball teams played league games Thursday night.
There were three Suburban One League National Conference games, two Suburban One League Continental Conference games and two Suburban One League American Conference games.
Two SOL teams—Council Rock South and North Penn—played nonleague games.
The results and recaps are below.
SOL National
Pennsbury 62, Neshaminy 45
Abington beat Neshaminy last Friday night by slowing down Chris Arcidiacono. The Ghosts held Arcidiacono to eight points, a season-low.
Arcidiacono still came into Thursday night’s game averaging 24.5 points. Pennsbury held him below that average. But it did not stop him like Abington did.
Arcidiacono still dropped 20. He still got to the foul line a lot, shooting 8-of-10. He still outscored his opponent’s top scorer. Pennsbury’s Mark Flagg dropped 17.
But Neshaminy did not have much firepower around Arcidiacono. Anthony Papeo was Neshaminy’s second-leading scorer Thursday night, with nine points. No other Redskins player scored more than four.
Pennsbury had two other prolific scorers—Billy Warren and Addison Howard—complementing Flagg. Warren scored 16 and Howard 14. Howard also nailed four threes.
“I love having Billy on the team. I don’t have to rebound every ball like last year,” Flagg said. “Billy killed it. He had a great game today.”
Warren—a 6-foot-7 forward—prevents opponents from doubling Flagg. He transferred to Pennsbury from Neshaminy after his family moved into the Fairless Hills area. Pennsbury is a short drive from Neshaminy. So a section of Neshaminy students attended Thursday night’s game.
They heckled Warren the whole night with chants like, “Traitor!” and “Nice haircut!”
“I had a little extra motivation. The guys in the locker room got me pumped. They had my back on the floor,” Warren said. “It means a lot, having guys who have your back. The players trash talked here and there, but nothing major.”
Warren also said, “Nothing really got in my head,” and that must have been true. He finished with a double-double.
“Mark is a great player. When he plays inside, I can play outside, and vice versa,” Warren said.
Both played inside in the first quarter. And Neshaminy clogged the lane.
Neshaminy led 9-8 after one quarter. But Pennsbury coach Bill Coleman switched to a 1-2-2 press to start the second quarter. Pennsbury’s tall, long, athletic lineup tipped and intercepted Neshaminy passes and raced out in transition.
Pennsbury also started passing to Flagg outside the 3-point line. Neshaminy did not double him because, if it did, Warren would have been open in the post. Flagg blew by every defender Neshaminy threw at him, going on a personal 15-0 run that put Pennsbury up for good.
“Our defense got out and pressured the ball and I got a lot of run-outs and easy baskets,” Flagg said. “I knew I could blow by my man, and there wouldn’t be much help with Billy in the paint.”
Pennsbury went on a 23-4 run to go up 31-16. Neshaminy’s Mark Gentry sank a three with 15 seconds left in the half, Neshaminy’s first field goal of the quarter.
The game was never close again. Flagg spread the ball to his teammates in the third. Warren (six), Howard (six) and Vaughn Ward (six) combined for 18 of Pennsbury’s 20 points in the quarter.
Reserves played most of the fourth for both teams.
Pennsbury (4-2, 1-1 SOL) earned its first league win of 2016-17, the first of many, most likely. Neshaminy (2-3, 1-2 SOL) suffered its second straight loss, overall and in league play.
Pennsbury 8-23-21-10 62
Neshaminy 9-7-13-16 45
Harry S. Truman 50, Bensalem 49
Harry S. Truman trailed 44-32 going into the fourth quarter.
“I told the guys, 'The first two minutes - let's get some stops, let's get this in single digits.' They were in foul trouble, and I told the guys, 'Just keep attacking, keep attacking. Make the referees blow the whistle,’” Truman coach Byron Conover said. “They kept attacking. We started getting some huge steals. Kelechi Ogbonna's on-ball defense was outstanding. Zierr Reid came up with a couple of steals, Jeff Nixon came up with a couple of steals. We just kept putting the pressure on.”
Truman went on a 13-4 run to cut Bensalem’s lead to 48-45 with 1:30 left. Then Danell Snelling grabbed a rebound and passed the ball to Jeff Nixon on the run. Marvel Rogers trailed Nixon, and Nixon dished it out to a wide-open Rogers at the top of the key. Rogers nailed a three-pointer out of the secondary break.
“The place is going nuts,” Conover said.
But then Truman fouled. Bensalem’s shooter made one of two shots at the line. Down 49-48, Conover called time with 18 seconds left.
“I told the guys, 'Listen, we don't need a three. We just need a basket, get to the basket,’” Conover said. “I diagrammed a play.”
Snelling dribbled at the top of the key.
“I said, 'We're going to go when it gets to four. That way we can get the offensive rebound,’” Conover said.
Snelling drove the lane and kicked to Nixon on the wing. Nixon drove the lane and floated the ball in with 1.8 seconds left.
“It seemed like the ball was hanging up there forever. He got it on the back of the box and it went in. He had missed a couple of chip-shots before, and I almost took him out,” Conover said. “My assistant said, 'Let him ride.' We left him in. I'm glad for the kid's confidence. He stepped up.”
Bensalem called time.
“I put sophomore Gabe Gipli on the ball to try and tip the pass,” Conover said.
Bensalem threw the ball down the court and chucked up a shot. The ball bounced off the rim and onto the floor.
“We win,” Conover said. “I told the guys. You could have easily folded. We learned our lesson on Tuesday night in the Council Rock South game, where we didn't have any energy. We came back in that game, but we came back late. I challenged the guys yesterday at practice. These Truman-Bensalem basketball games - you can throw the records out because this is a neighborhood rivalry. The kids played tough. They played all 32 minutes.”
It was a big win for Truman.
“We needed that win. We did not want to go 0-2 in the league,” Conover said. “We only have seven home games all year, so we only have four home games left. The whole month of January we're on the road, so we have to protect our home court.”
Gipli made his first varsity start.
“I told my seniors, ‘Take care of my young guy. It's his first start,’” Conover said. “He played great.”
Snelling (15) and Ogbonna (12) combined for 27 points. “It’s my veterans that won us the game,” Conover said.
Ward Roberts led Bensalem with 19 points. Isaiah Carpenter had nine.
Conover praised Bensalem coach Mike McCabe after the game.
“I have nothing but respect for Coach McCabe,” Conover said.
Truman (4-1, 1-1 SOL) plays in the Jack Schott Memorial Holiday Tournament at Holy Ghost Prep starting Dec. 28.
Bensalem (3-3, 1-2 SOL) hosts the two-day Dick Dougherty Holiday Tournament starting Dec. 27.
Harry S. Truman 10-17-5-18 50
Bensalem 11-17-16-5 49
Harry S Truman (50) – Jeff Nixon 8, Kelechi Ogbonna 12, Danell Snelling 15, Mike Philipps 1, Marvel Rogers 8, Zierr Reid 1, Javeer Peterson 4, Gabe Gipli 1.
Bensalem (49) – Douglas 6, Ward Roberts 19, Parrish 4, Quarterman 3, Smith 8, Isaiah Carpenter 9.
Abington 48, Council Rock North 34
Council Rock North hung around for a half. The Indians trailed just 21-19 at halftime. But Abington won the second half 27-15.
The Ghosts won despite an ice-cold shooting performance. They shot just 1-of-12 from three-point range. Abington overcame the shooting performance by getting to the line, shooting 15-of-22.
Robbie Heath (14), Joseph O’Brien (13) and Eric Dixon (12) combined for 39 points. Heath had a double-double, with 11 rebounds. He also had five assists.
Dixon posted nine rebounds and three blocks. O’Brien had five boards and two blocks. Robert Young added five points for the Ghosts, who were without Lucas Monroe for the second straight game.
Noah Ehlin led CR North with 10 points. Drew Burton and Matt McAlister added six.
Abington (6-2, 3-0 SOL) has won three straight league games to open 2016-17. North (2-6, 0-3) has lost three straight.
Abington will play in the 12th Annual Pete and Jameer Nelson Classic at Chester starting Dec. 29.
North battles Spring-Ford Tuesday night at seven.
Abington 13-8-11-16 48
Council Rock North 11-8-6-9 34
Abington (48) – Eric Dixon 12, Robbie Heath 14, Joseph O’Brien 13, Robert Young 5, Eric Dougherty 2, Brandon Coffman 2.
Council Rock North (34) – Eric Levine 6,, Drew Burton 6, James Kosyla 1,Tyler Shields 4, Noah Ehlin 6, Matt McAlister 6, Angad Ahluwalia 3.
SOL American
Cheltenham 56, Quakertown 47
Quakertown built a 25-20 lead going into halftime.
“We needed to get out to a great start in the Upper Moreland game. We did exactly the opposite,” Cheltenham coach John Timms said of Tuesday’s win over the Golden Bears. “I think we put all our energy into avenging that loss that tonight it was like, 'It's Quakertown, we're home, we're okay.' We didn't have that sense of desperation.”
Cheltenham woke up in the second half, winning the third quarter 23-14.
“They're not going to beat themselves. That’s what we had to do,” Timms said. “In the third quarter, we were able to create some turnovers, and it changed the game. That's kind of what separated the game and gave us comfort.”
Cheltenham also won the fourth quarter, 13-8.
“We were so dejected after that first half. I'm just elated that we were able to get a W,” Timms said. “What I learned tonight was, that coach (Kevin Keeler) has been coaching that team for 30-plus years, and it showed. No matter what the name of the school is, if the coach is experienced and successful, that team will come ready to play.”
Jack Clark led Cheltenham with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Ahmad Bickley had 14 points and eight assists. Tim Spencer scored 12 points.
JR Grimmage (12), Ryan Howard (11) and Nick Drosnock (10) combined for 33 points for Quakertown.
“I have never played Quakertown, but I have grown a great deal of respect for them in my first game, knowing they are going to run their offense, and it's your job to beat them,” Timms said. “That's a well-coached team. I'm a coach, but I'm still in this to learn. I grew a great appreciation for the coach. He gets the most out of those kids. A good coach can always keep his team relevant and in the game. I learned that real fast from Quakertown.”
Cheltenham (5-1, 3-0 SOL) plays Pennsbury in the Jameer Nelson Classic at Widener University Dec. 29, at 11:30 a.m.
Quakertown (0-5, 0-2 SOL) will play in a holiday tournament at Salisbury High School starting Dec. 27.
Cheltenham 5-15-23-13 56
Quakertown 16-9-14-8 47
Cheltenham (56) – Trevonn Pitts 5, Ahmad Bickley 14, Jack Clark 15, Tim Spencer 12, Myrick 8, Rodney Carson 2.
Quakertown (46) – Ryan Howard 11, Jashua Rodriguez 4, Nick Drosnock 10, Dakota Suchanec 4, Kevin Juszynski 4, JR Grimmage 12, Mitchell 2.
Upper Moreland 40, Springfield-Montco 37
Damian Washington buried two big three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
The first tied the game at 34. The second gave Upper Moreland a 40-37 lead with 1:22 left.
Washington led the Golden Bears with 10 points. Shane Stone also had 10.
Ryan Daley led Springfield-Montco with 18 points.
Upper Moreland took a 17-12 advantage into halftime. Springfield-Montco won the third quarter by three and trailed 30-28 going into the fourth.
Upper Moreland (3-3, 1-2 SOL) will play in a holiday tournament at Jenkintown starting Dec. 27. Springfield-Montco (1-5, 0-3 SOL) will play in a holiday tournament at Dock Mennonite starting Dec. 27.
Upper Moreland 7-10-13-10 40
Springfield-Montco 5-7-16-9 37
Upper Moreland (40) – Christian O’Donnell 2, Tommy Jacob 3, Damian Washington 10, Green 8, Brett Brossman 3, Shane Stone 10, Jake Villanueva 4.
Springfield (37) – Ryan Daley 18, Goodson 2, Perry 5, Krewson 6, Johnson 6.
SOL Continental
Pennridge 45, Souderton 27
The Yoder bros sparked Pennridge to its first league win of 2016-17.
Sean (22) and Kyle (10) combined for 32 of Pennridge’s 45 points.
Someone had to score for Pennridge’s outstanding defensive effort to stand up. But it was the defense that truly sparked the win.
Souderton scored nine points or less in all four quarters. Souderton’s leading scorer—Mike Bealer—scored just eight points.
Pennridge built a 21-11 lead going into halftime and never trailed in the second half.
Pennridge broke a four-game losing streak with this win.
The Rams (3-4, 1-2 SOL) play Boyertown Wednesday night, Dec. 28, at seven, in the Boyertown Christmas Tournament.
Souderton (3-3, 1-1 SOL) takes on West Chester Rustin Tuesday night at six, in the Winter Classic at Malvern.
Pennridge 11-10-17-7 45
Souderton 7-4-9-7 27
Pennridge (45) – Jordan Roehrer 3, Sean Yoder 22, Ryan Kinky 2, Kyle Yoder 10, AJ Demarco 2, Jon Post 6.
Souderton (27) – Mike Bealer 8, Matt Cartwright 4, DJ Landis 4, Rodriguez 4, Trevor Watts 7.
Central Bucks West 37, Central Bucks East 33
Jake Reichwein scored 15 points and Collin MacAdams added 10 to lead the Bucks to a win over their neighboring rival in front of a full house for the second half of a girls/boys doubleheader.
The Bucks took a 17-8 lead after one quarter and led 22-13 at halftime, but East used a 19-9 third quarter tear to go on top 32-31 heading into the final quarter. The Bucks turned up the defensive pressure, limiting the visiting Patriots to just one point in the final eight minutes.
Reichwein also had five rebounds, and MacAdams led the Bucks under the boards with eight. Shane McCusker contributed seven points and six rebounds while Jack Traina had five points and three assists.
Matt Pattyson led the Patriots with 13 points. Elijah Seger added nine.
Central Bucks West earned its second straight win overall, and in Continental play.
The Bucks—at 2-1 in league play—are tied in second-place with Central Bucks South.
Central Bucks East dropped to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in league play.
CB West (3-2, 2-1 SOL) plays in a holiday tournament at Penncrest starting Dec. 28. CB East (4-3, 1-2 SOL) plays in the Athletes Helping Athletes Classic at Council Rock North, starting Wednesday night.
Central Bucks East 8-5-19-1 33
Central Bucks West 17-5-9-6 37
Central Bucks East (33) – Collin Stein 5, Matt Pattyson 13, Ryan Plack 2, Elijah Seger 9, Ben Markowitz 4.
Central Bucks South 56, William Tennent 40
Three players scored in double figures to lead the Titans to the come-from-behind win. Nate Johnston led the way with a game-high 17 points, Danny Tecce added 13, and Nate Robinson scored 10. Alex Karras was one point shy of double figures with nine points.
The visiting Titans led 11-9 after one quarter but found themselves trailing the Panthers 23-22 at the intermission. The second half belonged to the Titans. They outscored the Panthers 18-7 to blow open the close game and then put the finishing touches on a dominant second half performance with a 16-10 fourth quarter to close it out.
Central Bucks South (3-3, 2-1 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North for the Athletes Helping Athletes Classic on Wednesday. William Tennent (0-5, 0-2) will see action in its own holiday tournament, beginning on Tuesday.
Central Bucks South 11-11-18-16 56
William Tennent 9-14-7-10 40
Central Bucks South (56) – Alex Karras 9, Nate Robinson 10, Danny Tecce 13, Nate Johnston 17, Colin Sauers 3, Ian McCaw 2, Coin Kenney 2.
William Tennent (40) – Shannon 6, McCauley 6, Berndlmaler 2, Baxter 7, Soto 6, Savage 2, West 9, Krier 2.
Nonleague
Council Rock South 46, Bishop McDevitt 27
Four Council Rock South players—Austin Thomas (14), Kevin Newbert (10), Ryan McNamee (10) and Alex Nordenholt (eight)—scored between eight and 14 points.
CR South continued its hot start, improving to 6-1. South has given up 42 points or less in five of seven games.
The Golden Hawks (6-1, 2-0 SOL) play in the Galloway Holiday Showcase at Girard College Wednesday night at eight.
Council Rock South 12-12-8-14 46
Bishop McDevitt 4-7-10-6 27
Council Rock South 12-12-8-14 46
Bishop McDevitt 9-7-10-6 27
Council Rock South (46) – Austin Thomas 14, Christian Jabbar 2, Alex Nordenholt 8, Kevin Newbert 10, Ryan McNamee 10, Boyd 2.
Bishop McDevitt (27) – Williams 5, Beasley 2, Bridges 3, Boone 7, Garnder 8, Manigo 2.
La Salle College 46, North Penn 45
North Penn fell to 4-2 overall.
AJ Mitchell scored 12 points and David Giuliani scored 11 for the Knights.
This one was close throughout. North Penn trailed by two at halftime and after three quarters. The Knights won the fourth quarter 17-16, but it wasn’t enough.
North Penn (4-2, 2-0 SOL) plays Lansdale Catholic Friday night at 7:30.
La Salle College 14-9-7-16 46
North Penn 12-9-7-17 45
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