Check out the results for SOL boys/girls basketball teams in action. To view photos of the CB East/Villa Joseph Marie contest, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Boys
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 67, GEORGE WASHINGTON 64
It’s been quite a holiday break for the Colonials.
On the heels of their inspired win over defending district champion Chester, the Colonials recuperated from a slow start to knock highly regarded George Washington from the ranks of the undefeated, rallying from a six-point deficit entering the final quarter to send the game into OT. Xzavier Malone, who scored a game-high 26 points, scored six of PW’s 10 points in overtime.
“PW-Chester is a fun game to play,” said coach Jim Donofrio. “If you’re fortunate to beat a Chester and you’re like we are, rising but not sure what we are – when you win that game, you almost want to take two weeks off and just enjoy it.
“Then on top of that you’re on winter break, and now you’re in ‘little kid’ mode. Practice the last two days was very good, but we were just emotionally flat to start. I could see it.”
Despite limiting the Eagles to just six points in the first quarter, the Colonials led by just three (9-6).
“Washington is long, they’re big, they’re fast, they have shooters,” Donofrio said of an Eagles squad that brought a 9-0 record into the game. “That’s a heck of a basketball team. We had a great opening quarter defensively, and then we didn’t take advantage of it, so here we go – now it’s going to be a war, which all these games are.”
Washington – which boasts wins over Chester and St. Joe’s Prep – outscored to Colonials 18-15 in the second quarter, and the two teams were deadlocked 24-24 at the intermission. The Eagles continued to have the better of play in the third quarter, outscoring PW 18-12 to go into the fourth quarter with a 42-36 lead.
“They played a great 1-3-1 zone, so you throw your plays out the door, and your young guys have to step up,” Donofrio said. “We were struggling. You could tell we were just emotionally flat for three quarters, and then we’re down eight. We couldn’t figure out what to do against this team.
“The Suburban One League games are very much chess matches, but when you play the Chesters of the world and this Washington type team, they are a different kind of game. It’s really about the players taking over the game. We kind of just spread the floor and said, ‘Pick your spots, and attack the (heck) out of the basket.’”
The Colonials responded, outscoring Washington 21-15 in the final quarter.
“Like all programs that can draw on a history like we can, I can look the kids in the eye and say, ‘We’ve had plenty of games when we’ve not been at our best, been down six or eight or 10 in the fourth and really cranked it up. You beat Chester – now use it. A lot of people came to watch you play – now show them why,’” Donofrio said. “You try all that motivating talk, but you don’t know if it will work or not. I give credit to the kids. That’s a great sign for these kids.”
Kevin Ashenfelter, who gave the Colonials a lift off the bench, scored all four of his points in the fourth quarter, including the bucket to tie it with 30 seconds remaining in regulation.
Malone connected on a pair of buckets to open the overtime, and the Colonials buried 6-of-6 from the foul line to close it out. Malone also was 2-for-2 from the foul line while Andre Mitchell, who had 22 points in a standout effort of his own, buried 6-of-6 from the charity stripe in OT.
“We played 10 guys and had a lot of unsung guys off the bench,” Donofrio said. “We had two starters foul out (Jimmy Murray and Mike Lotito), and Ashenfelter came off the bench and was tough as nails.
“Devon Monteiro-Gray came in for Lotito, and he just got incredibly physical with guys twice his size. Monteiro-Gray, Oakley Spencer and Davon Burrell – these kids work so hard and they can play.
“We’re trying to play more guys this year. It was a total team win. This was all on the kids – great, great heart.”
In addition to scoring 26 points, Malone also had nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. A transfer from Martin Luther King this fall, he is fitting in quite nicely.
“He’s a very gifted, natural player,” said Donofio, who received word of Malone’s transfer in late August. “I had no idea who he was.
“Sometimes when this happens it’s great, and sometimes it’s not great for the team, and I was concerned because the kids were like a band of brothers. I really like the natural ability of this kid, but is he going to acclimate? Are we going to accept him? There are a whole lot of questions when that happens.
“I give him a lot of credit. Here’s a kid that knows nothing about PW, and he’s trying to acclimate. It’s not been easy for him. He’s in a new environment trying to make friends, and he’s trying to figure out our system. He listens very well. He takes to heart what you say, and that’s all that matters. It’s been fun.”
Mitchell – in addition to scoring 22 points – had five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Spencer had three points and a block. Murray added six points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Burrell had two points and two boards while Lotito had two points, eight rebounds and one assist.
Cameron Johnson had just two points but made his presence felt in the paint with nine rebounds and four steals
“Cameron Johnson is 6-1, and I think he thinks he’s 6-11,” Donofrio said. “He is the shortest 6-8 guy in the world. This kid is always no less than the second most important guy on the floor every night, and some nights he scores absolutely no points. He goes up against 6-8, 6-10, and he loves it.
“He loves to battle. He’s a three-year starter. He’s the transmission to the engine.”
The win capped a daunting one-week stretch that featured games against Friends Central, Chester and George Washington. The Colonials won all three to up their record to 10-0 a month into the season.
“It’s been such an interesting schedule – the way things have fallen together,” Donofrio said. “It’s been an interesting team all offseason long.
“You had a heartbreaking ending to a great regular season last year (a second round district loss to 22nd-seeded Central Bucks West), and for our three captains and returning guys – Andre Mitchell, Jimmy Murray and Cameron Johnson – and the other guys that were part of that, I think that’s paying dividends right now.
“They were 19-3 in the regular season and rolling along, and yet we were a little naïve and a little young. They weren’t overly cocky – they just needed to try to understand what the district playoffs are all about where teams really prepare for you. We just blinked in the moment, and the next thing you know it’s over.
“We had to go seven months with that, and then you add a kid like Xzavier Malone who is totally new to us and brings in a whole different style and a whole bunch of juniors who can really play but are really naïve with playing time – I figure we’re going to be really something in February.”
The Colonials – with yet another win over a ranked team – appear to be well ahead of Donofrio’s schedule.
“We’ve had some great, great teams, and I didn’t know if this team is of that pedigree where you win and expect to win most of them,” PW’s veteran coach said. “That’s rare air. We’ll see where it goes.”
George Washington 6-18-18-15-7 64
Plymouth Whitemarsh 9-15-12-21-10 67
George Washington (64) – Aaron Curry 10, Asanti Ali 7, Quadere Allen 12, Jerome Blume 8, Charles Brown 12, Watson, 15.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (67) – Andre Mitchell 22, Kevin AShenfelter 4, Davon Burrell 2, Cameron Jonson 2, Mike Lotito 2, Oakley Spencer 3, Jimmy Murray 6, Xzavier Malone 26.
RADNOR 52, UPPER MERION 40
The Vikings gave the Red Raiders all they could handle in Saturday’s non-league contest. They led 16-15 after one quarter only to watch the Raiders answer with a 14-8 second quarter to go into halftime with a five-point lead (29-24). It was still a three-point game heading into the final quarter (38-35) when the Red Raiders closed it out with a 14-5 run.
Matt Faw led the Vikings (1-9) with 13 points. Aidan Newall and Chris Carita both added eight while Connor McDermott had six points.
Radnor 15-14-9-14 52
Upper Merion16-8-11-5 40
Radnor (52) – Alex Hino 19, Vinnie Kelly 14, Jack Thompson 1, Michael Li 4, Mason Ressler 7, Jake Schug 3, Thomas Mogan 4.
Upper Merion (40) – Aiden Newell 8, Matt Faw 13, Ethan Miller 2, Chris Carita 8, Connor McDermott 6, Andrew Persuad 3.
PENNRIDGE 75, CHRISTOPHER DOCK 52
Four players finished the game in double figures for the Rams. Dan Long led the way with 19 points while Zach Muredda added 18. Joe Molletierre had 14 points, and Kyle Yoder contributed 11. Joe Unangst was just one point shy of double figures with nine.
The Rams won every quarter, opening up an 18-13 lead after one quarter and extending that to 36-28 by halftime. They went on to outscore their visitors 39-24 in the second half.
Pennridge upped its record to 9-1 overall (4-0 SOL).
Christopher Dock 13-15-16-8 52
Pennridge 18-18-17-22 75
Christopher Dock (52) – Hinson 13, Willis 13, Addley 19, Landes 4.
Pennridge (75) – Joe Molettiere 14, Dan Long 19, Zach Muredda 18, Steve Lowry 2, Joe Unangst 9, Ryan Kinky 2, Kyle Yoder 11.
PENNSBURY 50, HOLY GHOST PREP 39
CHELTENHAM 66, GLEN MILLS 59
METHACTON 58, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 47
SOUDERTON 60, PERKIOMEN VALLEY 47 (Friday, Jan. 2)
The Indians outscored the Vikings 35-22 in the second half to win going away. Early on, it looked like the Indians were in command when they sprinted to a 19-11 lead after one quarter only to watch the Vikings rally to knot the score 25-25 at halftime.
Three Souderton players finished the game in double figures, led by the 18-point effort of Tracy Simick. Ty Salone added 16, which included a pair of three-pointers and a perfect 4-for-4 effort at the foul line. Evan Slone added 12 points, and Tim Markow had nine.
The Indians improved to 7-4 overall (3-1 SOL).
Perkiomen Valley 11-14-13-9 47
Souderton 19-6-18-17 60
Perkiomen Valley (47) – Jaworski 4, Owens 5, Stanton 7, Krause 25, Millheim 2, Morairity 4.
Souderton (60) – Evan Slone 12, Ty Salone 16, Tracy Simsick 18, Tim Markow 9, Austin Eberhart 4, Ian Beardsley 1.
Girls
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 60, VILLA JOSEPH MARIE 46
Briana Talbot saved her best for last.
East’s sophomore guard didn’t score a point in the first three quarters but exploded for 13 – which included a 6-for-6 showing at the foul line – in the pivotal fourth quarter that saw the Patriots outscore their visitors 22-11.
“I think our team was able to break down the defense and create opportunities for everyone, and I was lucky enough to get some of those opportunities,” Talbot said. “We kept pushing it in transition and breaking them down. The whole team created opportunities for each other.”
The Patriots, who trailed by as many as five, found themselves on the short end of a 29-28 score at halftime. A steal and basket at the buzzer by senior Amanda Conley sent East into halftime with some momentum.
“The first half I wasn’t pleased with our defense,” Potash said. “We can’t give up 29 points in a half. Our goal every game is to give up 40.
“We held them to 17 in the second half, but we can’t give up 29.”
The Patriots (6-5, 2-2 SOL) outscored the Jems 10-6 in the third quarter, setting the stage for the big fourth quarter.
“In the first half, our defense wasn’t as packed in as it should have been,” junior Kyra Scaliti said. “We went into the half knowing we had to lock down and regroup.”
The Patriots put on a clinic at the foul line in the fourth quarter, burying 13-of-16 shots. For the game, the Patriots connected on 20-of-23 from the charity stripe, shooting a blistering 87 percent from the line.
“I give them credit,” Villa coach Steve Polinsky said. “I told my team – this game was closer, but they made (13) foul shots in the fourth quarter, and I think that was the difference.”
Freshman Bailey McManus – in her second start at point guard – scored 12 points.
“She cracked herself into the starting lineup, not as a discredit to anyone – we just felt it was time to get her in,” East coach Liz Potash said. “We encourage her to shoot, but she hasn’t shot the ball much. For her to come out and be an offensive threat was huge. That gives us another piece.”
Sophomore Grace Stewart scored nine points while sophomore Bridget Birkhead had seven and junior Kyra Scaliti had six.
“A lot has to be credited to our underclassmen like Bri (Talbot) and Bailey (McManus) – they both really had good games today,” Scaliti said. “I think this is just a boost of confidence for everyone, not just the underclassmen.”
The Patriots started a junior, three sophomores and one freshman while the Jems’ starting lineup featured three sophomores and two juniors. Villa featured an impressive young point guard of its own in sophomore Marissa Morano and also boast a sharpshooter in sophomore Julia Hagan, who buried six three-pointers and led all scorers with 17 points.
The Patriots improved to 6-5 overall (2-2 SOL).
Villa Joseph Marie 16-13-6-11 46
Central Bucks East 11-17-10-22 60
Villa Joseph Marie (46) – Marissa Morano 10, Julia Hagan 17, Megan Mulhern 8, Dumsie Ebo 4, Ani Javardian 7, Megan VanLeer 2.
Central Bucks East (60) – Bridget Birkhead 7, Kyra Scaliti 6, Bailey McManus 12, Briana Talbot 13, Grace Stewart 9, Abby Charlton 4, Megan Lapioli 5, Amanda Conley 4.
NESHAMINY 54, METHACTON 46
The Redskins found themselves trailing 21-18 at halftime but pulled to within one at the end of three quarters and then seized control with a 22-13 fourth quarter.
“We were losing at halftime, but we felt we were in the game,” coach Joe Lally said. “We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well in the first half, so that didn’t help us.
“In the second half, we worked hard on defense and got some really good looks on offense and knocked down our shots.”
The story of the game was the Redskins’ torrid shooting in the fourth quarter when they connected on 7-of-9 shots from the floor.
“The fourth quarter was a really good quarter for us,” Lally said. “We had good ball movement, good rotation.
“We got a lead by a point or two, and they got out of their zone and played man. We were able to execute really well against their man. Getting them out of their zone was really important.”
Morgan Goldenbaum filled a stat sheet with 15 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and six steals.
“She’s playing really well,” Lally said.
Tiara Porterfield added 13 points, which included a pair of three-pointers. She also had seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
“She’s all of 5-2 or 5-3, and she’s easily the smallest kid on the floor,” Lally said. “A lot of teams are focusing on Maddie Murray, and everybody is playing their role.”
Murray also had a big day with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Devon Storms added 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist and two steals.
“They’re really clicking,” Lally said. “As a team, we’re getting it.
“It was a good win. They’re a good team, especially in their gym. The kids did a great job. They’re executing in close games, so I have to give the credit to them. They’re the ones that are making it happen in these close games.”
The Redskins upped their overall record to 7-2 (3-1 SOL).
Neshaminy 12-6-14-22 54
Methacton 10-11-12-13 46
MOUNT ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY 47, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 42
The Indians struggled through a miserable shooting quarter to open Saturday’s game at the Mount, connecting on just one of 13 shots and falling behind 11-2. They outscored the Magic 40-36 the rest of the way but never could make up the ground they lost in the opening quarter.
Senior Jessica Gerber led the Indians with 20 points, which included six three-pointers. Michaela Finneyfrock had 10 points, two rebounds, three steals and one block, and Becca Margolis added seven points, three steals and two assists.
The Indians are 6-3 overall (3-1 SOL).
Council Rock North 2-13-11-16 42
Mount St. Joseph 11-10-11-15 47
Council Rock North (42) – Becca Margolis 7, Jessica Gerber 20, Michaela Finneyfrock 10, Samantha Saifer 2, Emily Mackin .
Mount St. Joseph (47) – Mark Kate Ulasewicz 9, Emily Carpenter 6, Libby Tacka 12, Caitlyn Cunningham 12, Sarah Willis 3.
HAVERFORD 48, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 33
The Colonials took a 12-11 lead into the second quarter of Saturday’s non-league game, but the rest of the game belonged to the Fords, who outscored the Colonials 37-21 over the final three quarters.
Alynna Williams led the Colonials (6-3) with 18 points, and Taylor O’Brien added six points.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 12-8-9-4 33
Haverford 11-15-11-11 48
Plymouth Whitemarsh (48) – Taylor O’Brien 6, Alynna Wililams 18, Ali Diamond 4, Alison Spinelli 2, Khadijah Hickson 3.
Haverford (48) – Lyons 2, Hallagan 7, Reynolds 14, Murphy 5, Batistia 20.
UPPER MERION 58, INTERBORO 35 (Friday, Jan. 2)
The day belonged to senior Regie Robinson, who surpassed the coveted 1,000-point milestone late in the first period when she sank one-of-two foul shots and led the Vikings with a game-high 15 points.
The senior standout was hardly a one-woman show. Sophomore Jess Michael, who added 12 points, buried three three-pointers in an opening period that saw the Vikings open up a 24-4 lead.
“Jessie Michael is a solid shooter,” Schurtz said. “She’s a spot-up shooter. I don’t know how many three’s she has on the season, but I think she’s averaging almost two a game.
“The majority of her points have come from the three-point line. It’s not a secret. Anyone who scouts us knows that she can shoot, but we try to create opportunities where she can get easy, clean looks, and she’ll knock them down. She’ll flat out knock them down.”
A Tatiana Pleasant putback gave the Vikings a 28-8 lead early in the second period. Pleasant finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds to collect her fifth double-double of the season.
UM took a 32-17 lead into halftime and never looked back on their way to the big win.
“We played pretty clean in that first quarter,” Schurtz said. “I give Interboro credit. I thought we were going to put them away, but they just kept scrapping, scrapping, scrapping. They kept it at that same lead all game.
“I was just happy to get out with a win, Regie gets her thousand, and now we turn our attention to Upper Dublin.”
With the win, the Vikings upped their record to 7-3 (2-2 SOL).
Interboro 4-13-11-7 35
Upper Merion24-8-14-12 58
Interboro (35) – Barnett 2, Reiter 5, Amy Hudell 4, Amber Hudell 8, Suydam 3, Gina McNamer 13.
Upper Merion (58) – Katie Valeri 2, Jordan Wilson 2, Regie Robinson 15, Jessica Michael 12, Linda Sobeck 2, Tatiana Pleasant 14, Eryn Brady 9, Andrea Davis 2.
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