Quakertown, Truman and Norristown are featured in this week’s notebook, which also recaps last week’s SOL action.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Quakertown Panthers
Quakertown opened the 2014-2015 season with a 3-6 record after nine games, and an invitation to the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs seemed all but lost for the Panthers. But Quakertown rebounded with an impressive four wins in its last five games and stands at 9-9 as the regular season rapidly comes to a close.
“When we were 3-6, we were strictly on survival mode,” said 32-year veteran head coach Kevin Keeler. “And now we are at 9-9 and hoping we can get ourselves into districts.”
The game that snapped the four-game Panther winning streak was a competitive 47-43 loss to North Penn – but Quakertown did not give the game without a fight.
“We were playing our fifth game in eight days, and we were down 15 points in the fourth quarter,” said Keeler. “We made a great comeback to tie the game, but we didn’t have enough left to finish it. Jack Perrine was great, scoring 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.
“I think that we showed people we could play with the good teams during our recent winning streak,” added Keeler. “To beat teams like Central Bucks West (14-4) and Souderton (10-8) in our league, and Bensalem and Upper Perk out of our league, does a lot for our confidence.”
Quakertown has used the scoring talents of Griffin Schmidt, Kevin Norvaisas, and Brian Rejniak throughout the season, but it has been the play of the ‘football players’ that have changed the fortunes of the Panthers.
“Griffin, Kevin, and Brian do our scoring and have done an excellent job,” said Keeler. “But Hunter Nice and Kyle Baskin are finally healthy after a long football season and do a lot of the little things that don’t show up in the box score. They provide a physical presence under the basket with screens and rebounding.
“We have changed our rotation,, and now we have Hunter starting,” added Keeler. “Kyle comes in to spell Hunter – and that is quite a nice two-headed monster.”
The stretch run for Quakertown in the SOL Continental has some winnable games as the Panthers (3-7 conference) finish with Hatboro-Horsham (3-7), Central Bucks East (0-10), Central Bucks South (6-4), and Pennridge (9-1).
“In our league – everyone can beat everyone – we just proved that,” said Keeler. “We would like to get into districts – and right now it is a one game season every game.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks West (7-3) moved into sole possession of second place in the conference with a pair of wins last week. The Bucks opened the week with a 59-54 victory over first place Pennridge (9-1) and followed with a 49-45 win over Souderton (6-4). CBW was led in scoring by Nico Munari (16) in the victory over the Rams, while Cal Reichwein (20) led the Bucks in the win over the Indians.
North Penn (6-4) moved into a third place tie with a pair of wins last week. The Knights opened the week with a 50-28 victory over CB East (0-10) and followed with a 47-43 win over Quakertown (3-7). North Penn was led in scoring in the win over the Patriots by Ricky Johns with 14 points, and Joey Richards led the Knights with 14 points in the win over the Panthers.
Pennridge (9-1) split a pair of conference games but maintained the conference lead. The Rams opened the week with a 59-54 loss to Central Bucks West (7-3) and followed with a 64-52 win over Central Bucks South (6-4). Danny Long led the Rams in scoring in both games with a 28-point performance against the Bucks and a 26-point effort against the Titans.
Central Bucks South (6-4) split a pair of conference games last week. The Titans opened the week with a 45-40 win over Hatboro-Horsham (3-7) and closed the week with a 64-52 loss to Pennridge (9-1). CB South was led in scoring in the win over the Hatters by Tim Waddington with a team-high 14 points, while Chris Hones scored a team-high 11 points in the loss to the Rams.
Quakertown (3-7) split a pair of conference games last week. The Panthers opened the week with a 55-49 victory over Souderton as Griffin Schmidt scored a team-high 16 points. Q-town closed the week with a 47-43 loss to North Penn as Kevin Norvaisas scored a game-high 16 points.
Hatboro-Horsham (3-7) split a pair of conference games last week. The Hatters fell to Central Bucks South (6-4) by a 45-40 margin as Walter Kimble scored a team-high 15 points. Kimble scored a game-high 20 points as the Hatboro-Horsham defeated Central Bucks East (0-10) by a 48-45 score.
Souderton (6-4) had a difficult week as the Indians dropped a pair of conference games. Souderton opened the week with a 55-49 loss to Quakertown (3-7) and closed the week with a 49-45 loss to Central Bucks West (7-3). Evan Slone led the Big Red in scoring in both games with a 19-point performance against the Panthers and a 16-point effort against the Bucks.
Central Bucks East (0-10) continues to search for its first conference win, dropping a pair of conference games last week. The Patriots fell to North Penn 50-28 and closed the week with a 48-45 loss to Hatboro-Horsham. Travis Ives scored 17 points to lead East against the Hatters.
SOL Continental Conference Standings
1. Pennridge Rams (15-2 overall, 9-1 conference)
2. Central Bucks West (14-4, 7-3)
3. North Penn Knights (11-7, 6-4)
Central Bucks South Titans (10-7, 6-4)
Souderton Indians (10-8, 6-4)
6. Quakertown Panthers (9-9, 3-7)
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (7-9, 3-7)
8. Central Bucks East Patriots (5-13, 0-10)
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Tuesday (1/27/15)
CB South @ CB East
CB West @ North Penn
Hatboro-Horsham @ Quakertown
Souderton @ Pennridge
Friday (1/30/15)
Quakertown @ CB East
Souderton @ CB South
Hatboro-Horsham @ CB West
Pennridge @ North Penn
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Truman Tigers
Truman did not shy away from scheduling outstanding non-league games this year – even though the results did not turn out well for the young Tigers.
“We played some great non-league teams like Glen Mills, Washington, Woodson (Va), Central Bucks West, and Methacton,” said seven-year head coach Alan Mumford. “We didn’t beat any of them – but I have always said that playing good teams takes your program to where you want to go.
“Our schedule outside the league was tough – and we play in a tough league,” added Mumford. “All our scores in the league – with the exception of Abington – have been competitive.
“We have four games left – Pennsbury, Bensalem, Neshaminy, and Abington – and we really feel that we could win three of those four games,” continued Mumford. “And if we can do that, maybe we make a push for the playoffs. If not – then we look forward to next year.”
The Tigers are a young team that starts just two seniors – leading scorer TyQuan Law – and Jaier Brown.
“TyQuan has done most of our scoring this year, and we will have to replace his scoring by committee next year,” said Mumford. “But we have a nice group of players coming back next season to build a winning team around.”
That core of players include junior James Clowney, sophomore Danell Snelling, junior Maurice Jackson, junior Justin Fant, and junior Mark Lopez.
“This is a team that will continue to work hard to improve,” said Mumford. “This is a team that will continue to look forward.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Abington (10-0) kept a firm grip on first place in the standings with a pair of wins. The Ghosts opened the week with a 63-36 win over Neshaminy (1-9) and closed the week with a 64-42 victory over Council Rock South (3-7). Amir Hinton led Abington in scoring in both games with a 20-point effort in the win over the Redskins and a 29-point performance against the Golden Hawks.
Pennsbury (8-2) kept pace with Abington with a pair of conference victories. The Falcons soared to a 50-40 victory over Council Rock North (6-4) and closed the week with a 74-47 win over Bensalem (4-6). Mekhi Bryant scored a game-high 15 points in the win over Rock North while Derrick Woods scored a game-high 15 points in the win over the Owls.
Council Rock North (6-4) split a pair of conference games to remain in sole possession of third place. The Indians opened the week with a 50-40 loss to Pennsbury (8-2) and closed the week with a 53-48 victory over Truman (4-6). Matt Margolis led Rock North with 15 points in the loss to the Falcons while Riley Thompson, Steve Nowmos, and Tyler Nowmos each scored 14 points in the win over the Tigers.
Bensalem (4-6) split a pair of conference games last week. The Owls opened the week with a 51-41 victory over Council Rock South (3-7) and closed the week with a 74-47 loss to Pennsbury (8-2). Keith Howard scored a team-high 15 points in the win over the Hawks, while Neel Patel scored a team-high 11 points against the Falcons.
Truman (4-6) split a pair of conference games last week. The Tigers opened the week with a 53-51 overtime win over William Tennent (4-6) and closed the week with a 53-49 loss to Council Rock North (6-4). TyQuan Law led HST in scoring in the win over the Panthers with a game-high 15 points, while Law and James Clowney each scored 15 points in the loss to the Indians.
William Tennent (4-6) split a pair of conference games last week. The Panthers opened the week with a 53-51 overtime loss to Truman (4-6) and closed the week with a 41-33 win over Neshaminy (1-9). John Ryan was the leading scorer for the Black Cats in both games with a 17-point effort against the Tigers and a 19-point performance against the Redskins.
Council Rock South (3-7) had a tough week as the Golden Hawks lost a pair of conference games. Rock South opened the week with a 51-41 loss to Bensalem (4-6) and closed the week with a 64-42 loss to Abington (10-0). The Hawks were led in scoring in both games by Austin Thomas, who scored a game-high 16 points in the loss to the Owls and scored a team-high 18 points in the loss to the Ghosts.
Neshaminy (1-9) had a tough week as the Redskins lost a pair of conference games. Neshaminy opened the week with a 63-36 loss to Abington (10-0) and closed the week with a 41-33 loss to William Tennent (4-6). Chris Arcidiacono led the Skins with a 12-point effort against the Ghosts, while Zach Tredway and Jenkins Kimbers each scored six points in the loss to the Panthers.
SOL National Conference Standings
1. Abington Ghosts (14-3 overall, 10-0 conference)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (13-4, 8-2)
3. Council Rock North Indians (10-7, 6-4)
4. Bensalem Owls (7-11, 4-6)
Truman Tigers (6-12, 4-6)
William Tennent Panthers (5-13, 4-6)
7. Council Rock South Hawks (6-12, 3-7)
8. Neshaminy Redskins (5-11, 1-9)
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Tuesday (1/27/15
Bensalem @ Abington
Truman @ Pennsbury
CR South @ William Tennent
CR North @ Neshaminy
Thursday (1/29/15)
William Tennent @ Abington
Pennsbury @ Neshaminy
Friday (1/30/15)
CR South @ CR North
Saturday (1/31/15)
Truman @ Bensalem
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Norristown Eagles
Norristown had lost six of seven games earlier this season and an invitation to the upcoming PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs seemed all but lost for the 5-8 Eagles. But Norristown rebounded, winning its last three 
games to get to 8-8 – and included in the current win streak was a huge 69-66 win over the #1 ranked team in District One – the Methacton Warriors.
“We proved to everyone – including ourselves – that we can compete with anyone,” said veteran Norristown head coach Michael Evans. “We knew going into the season that there was a good chance we were going to be inconsistent – and we have been. We only really had one player that had varsity experience – and he (Roy Green) only had some varsity time.”
The Eagles have been led this season by a trio of juniors in Green, Darryl Carr, and Khalif Sinclair. And in the win over the Warriors – Norristown had huge games turned in by Kyle Simpson (17 points) and Desmond Gorski (14).
“Darryl has been a great inside player, averaging around nine rebounds a game,” said Evans. “Roy is our most consistent player – and Khalif plays great defense and can get to the basket.
“The win over Methacton was huge – somebody told me we moved up eight spots to # 34 with the win,” added Evans as the Eagles hope to be included in the 32-team field. “Right now we just have to focus on the games ahead of us and hope they call our number at the end of the year.”
This week the Eagles play three games against Cheltenham (10-7), Perkiomen Valley (7-10) and Wissahickon (9-7). Next week Norristown closes the season with Upper Moreland (2-15), West Chester Rustin (7-10) and Plymouth Whitemarsh (15-1).
“We are going into that stretch playing our best basketball,” said Evans. “But we can’t have any letdown. We play some good teams, and we are going to have continue to be at our best.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-1) kept its hold on first place with a pair of conference wins. The Colonials opened the week with an 87-41 victory over Upper Merion (1-9) and closed the week with a 49-32 win over Wissahickon (7-3). Xzavier Malone scored a game-high 21 points in the win over the Vikings, while Andre Mitchell led the Colonials with nine points in the win over the Trojans.
Cheltenham (7-3) won a pair of conference games last week. The Panthers opened the week with a 49-45 win over second place Upper Dublin (8-2) and closed the week with a 63-39 victory over Springfield (0-10). Anthony White led the Black Cats in scoring in both games with a 15-point performance against the Cardinals and a 15-point effort against the Spartans.
Norristown (6-4) won a pair of conference games to get back to .500 overall. The Eagles soared to a 58-36 win over Springfield (0-10) and followed with a 68-62 victory over Upper Merion (1-9). Khalif Sinclair scored a game-high 14 points in the win over the Spartans, while Darryl Carr scored a team-high 18 points in the win over the Vikings.
Upper Dublin (8-2) dropped into second place as the Cardinals spilt a pair of conference games last week. Upper Dublin opened the week with a 49-45 loss to Cheltenham (7-3) and followed with a 45-30 win over Upper Moreland (2-8). Simeon Fryer and John Barrett shared scoring honors with 13 points in the loss to the Panthers, while Fryer scored a game-high 11 points in the win over the Bears.
Wissahickon (7-3) split a pair of conference games last week. The Trojans opened the week with a 51-50 overtime victory over Upper Moreland (2-8) and closed the week with a 49-32 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-1). Ron Brundage scored a game-high 13 points in the win over the Bears, while Brandon Pace scored a game-high 12 points in the loss to the Colonials.
Upper Moreland (2-8) had a difficult week as the Golden Bears lost both conference games. Upper Moreland opened the week with a 51-50 overtime loss to Wissahickon (7-3) and closed the week with a 45-30 loss to Upper Dublin (8-2). Brendan O’Donnell scored a game-high 15 points against the Trojans, while James Martin scored a game-high 11 points against the Cardinals.
Upper Merion (1-9) had a difficult week as the Vikings dropped both conference games. The Vikings opened the week with an 87-41 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-1) and closed the week with a 68-62 loss to Norristown (6-4). Andrew Persaud scored a game-high 21 points in the loss to PW, while Persuad and Matt Faw each scored a game-high 19 points in the loss to the Eagles.
Springfield (0-10) remained in search of its first conference win as the Spartans lost both conference games last week. Springfield opened the week with a 58-36 loss to Norristown (6-4) and closed the week with a 63-39 loss to Cheltenham (7-3). Sean Stovall led the Spartans with seven points in the loss to Norristown, while Noel Franzik scored a team-high 10 points in the loss to the Panthers.
SOL American Conference Standings
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (16-2 overall, 9-1 conference)
2. Upper Dublin Cardinals (11-6, 8-2)
3. Cheltenham Panthers (10-7, 7-3)
Wissahickon Trojans (9-7, 7-3)
5. Norristown Eagles (8-8, 6-4)
6. Upper Moreland Bears (6-12, 2-8)
7. Upper Merion Vikings (2-15, 1-9)
8. Springfield Spartans (2-15, 0-10)
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Tuesday (1/27/15)
Norristown @ Cheltenham
Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Upper Dublin
Springfield @ Upper Moreland
Wissahickon @ Upper Merion
Friday (1/30/15)
Upper Moreland @ Cheltenham
Wissahickon @ Norristown
Springfield @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Upper Merion @ Upper Dublin
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
2. Abington Ghosts
3. Pennsbury Falcons
4. Pennridge Rams
5. Central Bucks West Bucks
6. North Penn Knights
7. Council Rock North Indians
8. Central Bucks South Titans
9. Souderton Indians
10. Upper Dublin Cardinals
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