Check out the results for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Tuesday. CB West/CB South photos courtesy of Marge Bullock. To view additional game photos, please click on the following link: http://www.margebullock.com/
By Jarrad Saffren
It was SOL Tuesday across the area. All 12 Suburban One League boys’ basketball teams played league games. Conference frontrunners took care of business. Their challengers in the standings also took care of business. It was that kind of night. Straight chalk. The results and recaps are below.
SOL American
Upper Merion 65, Upper Moreland 46
Upper Merion is getting used to these types of teams.
“The last four games we have played similar teams,” said UM coach Jason Quenzer. “They have been comprised of a lot of good shooters.”
Upper Merion won all four of those games. Quenzer said his team matches up well with teams that depend on outside shots.
“We are really long. We can use a little bit of length to give up space in the lane,” said Quenzer. “It may look like a guy can drive to get a decent layup. But guards are tentative to penetrate because they see one block and are like, ‘Oh.’”
Upper Moreland averages more than 10 3-pointers per game but hit just four Tuesday night. Brendan O’Donnell scored led the Golden Bears with 18. Casey Decker added eight and Shane Stone had seven.
Upper Merion’s offense piggy-backed off its defense to open a 21-point halftime lead (37-16), outscoring the Golden Bears 19-5 in the first quarter and 18-11 in the second quarter. Three Upper Merion players—Matt Faw (19), Ethan Miller (15), and Andrew Persaud (12)—scored in double figures.
The Vikings opened a huge lead by passing the ball around. Thirteen of Upper Merion’s first 15 baskets were assisted.
“That’s what really stood out tonight,” said Quenzer. “We played unselfish, smart basketball.”
Quenzer was also happy to beat a quality opponent.
“I completely respect (coach) Matt (Heiland) and Upper Moreland,” said Quenzer. “They are having a nice year and beat some teams in our league.”
Upper Merion (8-4, 3-3 SOL) takes on Cheltenham Thursday at 7 p.m. Upper Moreland (7-7, 3-4 SOL) battles Plymouth Whitemarsh Friday night.
Upper Moreland 5-11-10-20 46
Upper Merion 19-18-16-12 65
Upper Moreland: Brendan O’Donnell 18, Tanner Herb 2, Damian Washington 4, Ryan Coyle 4, Casey Decker 8, Brett Brossman 2, Mike Lyons 2, Shane Stone 7.
Upper Merion: Aiden Newell 2, Isaiah Graham-Mobley 4, Ethan Miller 15, Chris Carita 3, Matt Faw 19, Joseph Bernardo 4, Andrew Persaud 12, Anthony Shepperd 2, Jordyn Adegun 2, Anthony Capistrano 2.
Upper Dublin 46, Springfield 32
Springfield lit up the Flying Cardinals in the first quarter, outscoring them 17-10.
“We started out pretty slow,” said Upper Dublin coach Josh Adelman. “It was a very bad first quarter.”
Upper Dublin bounced back in the second quarter, holding Springfield to two points and making it a 19-17 game at the half.
Then, on UD’s first two possessions of the third, Ben Abel nailed a three-pointer and John Barrett followed with a trey of his own. Upper Dublin held Springfield to five points in the third and opened a nine-point lead (33-24).
“We played a lot better in the third,” said Adelman. “Then we carried it over into the fourth. It was a matter of pushing the ball. We really got out on the break and got easy baskets.”
But the real story for Upper Dublin was its defense. The Cardinals gave up just eight points in the fourth, meaning they held Springfield to single-digit totals in each of the last three quarters.
“We played good, strong defense,” Adelman said.
Barrett led the Cardinals with 17 points, including three three-pointers. Ryan Stover added 10. Ryan Daley and Larry Clark each had 10 for Springfield.
Upper Dublin won its fourth straight after a 1-7 start.
Upper Dublin (5-7, 3-4 SOL) goes to Norristown Thursday for a 7 p.m. tip. Springfield (3-10, 0-6 SOL) plays Wissahickon Friday night.
Upper Dublin 10-7-16-13 46
Springfield 17-2-5-8 32
Cheltenham 53, Wissahickon 40
Cheltenham made history against Wissahickon, at least in the three-year John Timms era.
"For the first time in my three-year career, we actually got a double-digit lead – I have never had a double-digit lead over Wissahickon,” the Panthers third-year coach said. “They swept us last year, and I said this last year, 'Before we can start talking about PW and being on the level of PW, we have to handle Wissahickon.’
“That is the closest rival to us as far as program goes because they swept us last year. Coming into this game, I had a 1-3 record against those guys, and we've never had a first quarter lead.”
Cheltenham led by five after one, eight after two (29-19), and 13 after three.
"We wanted to make sure we got off to a fast start, and I think we did a pretty good job,” Timms said. “Generally what gets us off to a fast start is our defensive intensity, and by holding them to 10 points (in the first quarter) and 19 points in the first half, it really allowed us to set the tone for the game.”
Cheltenham tandem Justin Sutton (18) and Khalil White (15) combined for 33 points in the win. Trevonn Pitts contributed nine points and nine rebounds. Sutton had eight boards.
Marlyn Johnson was the only Trojans player in double figures with 13 points. Zach Gelman was second with seven.
Cheltenham (10-3, 6-1 SOL) clashes with Upper Merion Thursday night. Wissahickon (5-8, 2-5 SOL) hosts Springfield Friday at 7 p.m.
Cheltenham 17-12-12-12 53
Wissahickon 10-9-7-14 40
Cheltenham: Branden Mack 6, Khalil White 15, Anthony White 5, Ahmad Bickley 1, Justin Sutton 18, Trevonn Pitts 8
Wissahickon: Chaz Owens 4, Marquese Wilson 5, Zach Gelman 7, Alex Tappen 3, Marlyn Johnson 13, Zach Reiner
Plymouth Whitemarsh 68, Norristown 48
Another league game, another blowout win for Plymouth Whitemarsh.
The first-place Colonials have won five of seven SOL American games by 10 points or more and three by 20 or more.
On Tuesday, they raced to a seven-point lead after one quarter, stretched it to 10 by halftime and 16 after three (47-31).
Xzavier Malone led PW with 26 points. Mike Lotito pitched in nine and Kevin Ashenfelter scored eight. Tyrique Lyons paced Norristown with 14 points. Darryl Carr added nine and Amir Carter had eight.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (13-0, 7-0 SOL) welcomes Upper Moreland Friday night. Norristown (5-8, 3-4 SOL) battles Upper Dublin Thursday at 7 p.m.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 15-12-20-21 68
Norristown 8-9-14-17 48
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Xzavier Malone 26, Mike Lotito 9, Oakley Spencer 6, Kevin Ashenfelter 8, Davon Burrell 3, Grady Minick 4, Cheo Houston 6, Ahmin Williams 6.
Norristown: Darryl Carr 9, Desmond Gorski 4, Lamont Sanford 4, Kether Massiaz 5, Amir Carter 8, Clark 2, Darius McGowan 2, Tyrique Lyons 14.
SOL Continental
Pennridge 66, Quakertown 52
We have all heard the saying. Two scorers are better than one.
The difference decided Tuesday night’s rivalry game at Pennridge. The Rams’ duo of Dan Long and Max Wagner combined for 46 points. Only this time, Wagner outscored Long, 24-22.
“Max Wagner had a monster game. He had 12 points in the first quarter,” said Pennridge coach Dean Behrens. “It was a mistake to sub him out with a minute left, just to give him a little blow. We were small without Max and they made a little run.”
Quakertown’s high scorer was Griffin Schmidt, who dropped 30, including five three-pointers. As usual, Schmidt kept Quakertown in the game for as long as he could. But the Panthers faded in the second half.
“Griffin Schmidt’s a college basketball player,” said Behrens. “I really believe that. We’ve been coaching against him four years. He’s a tough stop.”
Behrens was not satisfied with his team’s defensive performance.
“From the defensive standpoint, we struggled, and on the boards,” the Rams’ coach said.
The Rams were missing a key defensive player, Kyle Yoder.
“It showed,” said Behrens. “Kyle does a lot of the dirty work and boxes out.”
Pennridge did do a little better against Schmidt in the second half.
“Luke Nuneviller did a real good job in the second half. We ran Devon (Balmer) at him (Schmidt) also,” said Behrens. “We tried to wear him down, face guard him, and make him work for his shot. In the first half he got easy shots.”
Behrens said his team has to improve defensively down the stretch.
“There are 23 days left in the regular season,” he said. “If we want to make the playoffs and win some games in the playoffs, we have to get better defensively. Yeah we’re outscoring teams but that’s no way to live.”
Pennridge won its seventh straight game and kept pace with first-place CB West.
The Rams (12-2, 6-1 SOL) bus to Central Bucks East Friday for a 7 p.m. start. Quakertown (3-10, 0-7 SOL) plays CB West on the same night and time.
Pennridge 21-12-20-13 66
Quakertown 15-9-14-14 52
Pennridge: Dan Long 22, Sean Yoder 4, Stephen Lowry 8, Ryan Cuthbert 8, Max Wagner 24.
Quakertown: J.R. Grimmage 13, Ty Harrison 4, Ryan Howard 2, Rob Mestayer 1, Dakota Suchanec 2, Griffin Schmidt 30.
Central Bucks West 54, Central Bucks South 44
By beating CB South, CB West finished the first round of conference play undefeated, beating every other SOL Continental team. 
The only league rival that gave the Bucks a game was second-place Pennridge, who lost to West by six on Dec. 15.
CB West coach Adam Sherman downplayed the Bucks’ hot start.
“It is what it is,” Sherman said. “We are just going to prepare for Quakertown (West’s next opponent) and do the best we can.”
Sherman was very pleased with his team’s defense Tuesday night.
“Defensively we were better from the second quarter on,” the Bucks’ coach said.
The Bucks changed from a matchup zone to a man-to-man after the first quarter.
“It (man-to-man) gives a little more personal responsibility,” said Sherman. “It’s a mindset.”
Sherman praised one player in particular.
“Jake Reichwein gave us quality minutes off the bench,” Sherman said.
He also lauded one offensive-minded Bucks player.
“Connor Lynch was the hot hand offensively,” said Sherman. “He was picking his spots and shooting the ball well.”
As Sherman alluded to, CB West (12-2, 7-0 SOL) plays Quakertown Friday night. CB South (8-6, 4-3 SOL) clashes with North Penn on the same night.
Hatboro-Horsham 61, North Penn 50
Hatboro-Horsham broke a two-game losing streak in league play behind dynamic performances from three of its best players.
Jay Davis led the scoring charge with 21 points and also pulled down eight rebounds. Joe Russell had 12 points, 15 boards, and three blocked shots. Clifton Moore added 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Matt Pickford (14), JJ Melchior (13), and Lance Lindsay-Ford (12) all scored in double figures for the Knights.
Hatboro-Horsham remains in third-place behind CB West and Pennridge. The Hatters lost to both teams.
Hatboro-Horsham (7-6, 5-2 SOL) takes on Souderton Thursday at 7 p.m. North Penn (5-8, 2-5 SOL) plays CB South Friday night.
Central Bucks East 56, Souderton 40
Justin O’Neil, Tommy Strasburger, and Matt Pattyson led CB East to a convincing win over Souderton.
O’Neil dropped 17 points to lead all scorers. Strasburger had 10 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Pattyson had nine points, six rebounds, and six steals. Blake Peterson added nine points for the Patriots.
Tracy Simsick dropped 12 points for Souderton and Mike Bealer and Austin Eberhart added nine each.
CB East sits in fifth-place in the SOL Continental while Souderton is in seventh.
CB East (8-5, 3-4 SOL) hosts Pennridge Friday night at 7 p.m. Souderton (4-9, 1-6 SOL) battles Hatboro-Horsham Thursday evening.
Souderton 16-13-7-4 40
Central Bucks East 9-16-15-16 56
Souderton: Tracy Simsick 12, Austin Eberhart 9, Mike Bealer 9, Matt Cartwright 7, Ty Salone 2, Jake Groller 1.
Central Bucks East: Justin O’Neail 17, Tommy Strasburger 10, Blake Peterson 9, Matt Pattyson 9, Chris Reilly 6, Elijah Seger 5.
SOL National
Council Rock South 60, Neshaminy 44
On Monday night, Neshaminy officials announced that Jerry Devine would keep his teaching job but not return as the school’s basketball coach.
John Mason, Devine’s 25-year-old assistant, who had been filling in for Devine since his incident with an official went viral last Tuesday night, was named head coach for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.
Thus ended one of the more bizarre episodes in SOL history. Neshaminy’s players could finally move on and focus completely on basketball. Unfortunately, they ran into a hot CR South team Tuesday night.
The Hawks have now won three of four, starting with a 52-41 win over Harvest Prep, an Ohio State finalist last season, on Dec. 29.
“We built on that into the North game,” said South coach John Easterly, referring to South’s 60-59 loss to the Indians last Tuesday.
Two days after that loss, South upset Pennsbury 57-56. Four days after that upset win, South took care of business against Neshaminy, pulling away in the fourth after wearing down Neshaminy forward Billy Warren.
Warren scored 14 of Neshaminy’s 34 points in the first three quarters, but just two in the fourth. South used bulky, 225 pound forward Mike Stock to front Warren and wear him down. The Hawks also gave Stock weak-side help.
“Billy had a great game,” said Easterly. “He’s one of the top forwards in our league. We made some adjustments at halftime to get Mike Stock some help on him. And Mike was doing a great job battling with him all night long.”
Stock complemented his strong defensive effort with 12 points, including two three-pointers. Five were second-chance points. He also pulled down nine boards. Alex Nordenholt led South with 20 points, 14 after halftime.
“We’ve been playing better as a team,” said Nordenholt. “Ever since that North loss. We knew we were playing a little selfish that game.”
Ryan Boyd contributed 11 and Austin Thomas added 10 points for the Hawks. Chris Arcidiacono and Charles Dominic were second on Neshaminy with eight points each.
CR South (6-6, 4-3 SOL) buses to Harry S. Truman Thursday for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Neshaminy (2-9, 1-6 SOL) welcomes Bensalem Friday for an 8 p.m. start.
Council Rock South 13-9-19-19 60
Neshaminy 11-7-16-10 44
Council Rock South: Austin Thomas 10, Jim Rebholz 5, Alex Nordenholt 20, Kevin Newbert 2, Mike Stock 12, Ryan Boyd
Neshaminy: Billy Warren 16, Anthony Papeo 3, Zach Tredway 7, Eric Rotteveel 2, Charles Dominic 8, Chris Arcidiacono 8.
Pennsbury 70, William Tennent 34
Pennsbury did not have the best of weeks last week. The Falcons were almost upset by Neshaminy on Jan. 5 and were upset CR South two nights later, falling into a first-place tie with Abington.
Pennsbury coach Bill Coleman said his players were reading their press clippings.
“We are still a young team,” said Coleman. “We started to really look ahead more and not listen to the message as much as we were in the beginning of the year.”
Last week slapped the Falcons players back into focus.
“When you have a week like last week, it’s much easier to get them to listen,” Coleman said.
After a few intense practices, Pennsbury got back on track Tuesday night, suffocating Tennent from the jump.
“Defensively, the effort in the first and second quarters was fantastic,” said Coleman. Pennsbury outscored Tennent 19-9 in the first and 20-4 in the second, taking a 26-point lead into halftime.
For the game, Addison Howard (11), Rob Daly (13), and Mark Flagg (10) all scored in double figures. John Ryan paced Tennent with 12.
Coleman said the win is a good springboard into the second half of league play.
“We needed to get some momentum going for the rest of the year,” he said.
Pennsbury (9-4, 6-1 SOL) clashes with Abington Thursday night in a showdown for first-place. William Tennent (5-8, 2-5 SOL) goes to CR North for a 7 p.m. start.
Pennsbury 19-20-16-15 70
William Tennent 9-4-12-9 34
Pennsbury: Martell 2, Addison Howard 11, Andre Burch 8, Corey Dea 2, Tyler Sessa-Reeves 5, Louie Bavas 2, Isaiah Carpenter 6, Gary Francis 5, Joey Monaghan 2, Mike Alley 4, Rob Daly 13, Mark Flagg 10.
Council Rock North 46, Bensalem 38
Council Rock North had lost four of five coming into Tuesday. But with the win over Bensalem, the Indians are still tied for second in the SOL National behind Abington and Pennsbury.
The Indians led 12-7 after one quarter but found themselves deadlocked 19-19 at halftime. They led by four heading into the final quarter when they added to that lead.
Riley Thompson scored half of North’s points with 23. Will Desautelle and Noah Ehlin scored eight each. Taco Douglas led Bensalem with 12. Richard Dean added 11.
CR North (6-7, 4-3 SOL) hosts William Tennent Thursday at 7 p.m. Bensalem (5-7, 2-5 SOL) goes to Neshaminy Friday for an 8 p.m. start.
Council Rock North 12-7-19-8 46
Bensalem 10-9-15-4 38
Council Rock North: Tyler Nowmos 23, Will Desautelle 8, Noah Ehlin 8, Ryan Costello 3, Elliott Spicer 2, Matt Baniewicz 2.
Bensalem: Ricard Dean 11, Ward Roberts 3, Malcolm Carey 3, Brian Quarterman 7, Taco Douglas 12, John Dumeny 2.
Bensalem:
Abington 55, Harry S. Truman 38
Abington kept pace with Pennsbury at the top of the SOL National standings.
The Ghosts have won three in a row.
Abington (10-3, 6-1 SOL) battles the Falcons Thursday night in the game of the year in the SOL National. Truman (4-8, 3-4 SOL) hosts CR South on the same night.
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