Five SOL teams will be in action when the PIAA Class AAAA Tournament gets underway on Friday. Check back for recaps of all the games.
#1-3 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH vs. #3-4 CEDAR CREST (at Colonial Middle School, 8:30 p.m.)
Central Bucks South
- 21-6 overall
- 11-3 SOL Continental Conference, tied with CB West for second place
- Led by seniors Jordan Vitelli (14.8 ppg) – who became just the second player in program history to surpass the 1,000-point mark – and Taylor Dunn (7.4)
- Earned first trip to state tournament in program history
How they got here:
- In the District One third place game, Central Bucks South defeated sixth-seeded Upper Dublin 50-39. Jordan Vitelli, who reached the 1,000-point milestone midway through the third quarter, led all scorers with 16 points, which included four three-pointers. Senior Courtney Deitzel scored eight points in the first half to propel the Titans to 22-13 halftime lead. Meghan Kuypers also scored eight points in the game.
- In a district semifinal game, Central Bucks South fell behind early and never led in a 57-47 loss to 12th-seeded Downingtown East. Jordan Vitelli finished with a double-double – 15 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Alexa Brodie and junior Meghan Kuypers both added seven points.
- In a quarterfinal game, Central Bucks South pulled off an upset of top-seeded North Penn, earning a 57-54 win in overtime. The Titans, who led by nine at halftime, led 39-24 with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter, but the Lady Knights staged a remarkable rally and took a 45-42 lead in the closing seconds. South’s Jordan Vitelli connected on a shot beyond midcourt at the buzzer, setting the stage for overtime where the Titans outscored the Lady Knights 12-9. Vitelli led all scorers with 28 points while freshman Alexa Brodie added 10 and junior Meghan Kuypers, nine points.
- In second round action, Central Bucks South trailed 9-2 early but – thanks to Jordan Vitelli’s buzzer beater from well beyond the arc – took a 22-16 lead into halftime on its way to a 41-37 win over 24th-seeded Central Bucks East. Vitelli led a balanced attack with eight points while Meghan Kuypers added seven – all in a fourth quarter that saw the Titans open up a 12-point lead.
- In an opening round game, Central Bucks South received scoring from 11 players on its way to a 68-35 win over 25th-seeded Haverford. The Titans were led by Jordan Vitelli’s 17 points. Taylor Dunn (10 points), Mackenzie Ehresman (nine points) and Tricia DeCesare (eight points) also contributed.
Cedar Crest
- 22-5 overall
- 15-1 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 champion
- Led by junior point guard Ariel Jones and junior center Alyssa Austin
- Jones and Skyanne Yancey have combined for 61 three-pointers on the season
How they got here:
- In the third place District 3 game, Cedar Crest trailed fifth-seeded Harrisburg by just two (33-31) heading into the final quarter when the Falcons were outscored 19-8 in a 52-39 loss. Ariel Jones led the Falcons with 16 while Alyssa Austin had seven.
- In a District 3 semifinal, Cedar Crest opened up a 48-42 lead but was outscored by second-seeded Governor Mifflin 15-2 to close out the game. Ariel Jones had a team-high 15 while Alyssa Austin was a presence in the paint, adding 14 points, nine rebounds and nine blocked shots. Skyanne Yancey added 12 points on four three-pointers.
- In a District 3 quarterfinal, Cedar Crest used a 22-8 second quarter tear to go into halftime with a 30-17 lead over third-seeded Red Lion. The Falcons went on to earn a 54-45 upset of the York-Adams champions. Alyssa Austin (17 points) and Ariel Jones (14 points) led the Falcons while sophomore Rachel Witherite buried four three-pointers.
- In its district opener, Cedar Crest defeated 11th-seeded J.P. McCaskey 64-42. Ariel Jones (18 points), Rachel Witherite (12 points) and Alyssa Austin (10 points) finished the game in double figures.
Winner gets: The winner will face the winner of the game pitting defending state champion Cumberland Valley (3-1) against Penn Wood (1-10).
#1-4 UPPER DUBLIN vs. 12-3 ARCHBISHOP CARROLL (at Cheltenham High School, 6 p.m.)
Upper Dublin
- 21-7 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champions
- Fourth conference title in as many years
- Point guard Allison Chernow averages 10.3 points and 5.3 assists to lead the Cardinals. Josie Barrett also averages in double figures.
- Third trip to state tournament in four years under coach Morgan Funsten.
How they got here:
- In the District One third place game, Upper Dublin fell to eighth-seeded Central Bucks South 50-39. Senior Allison Chernow led all scorers with 19 points while Josie Barrett added 11 in a contest that saw just four Cardinals contribute scoring.
- In a 30-29 district semifinal loss to second-seeded Perkiomen Valley, the Flying Cardinals trailed by seven with 1:10 remaining but rallied to make it a one-point game with a chance to win it, forcing four straight turnovers in that span. Allison Chernow scored a team-high 12 points while Josie Barrett had seven.
- In a quarterfinal game against third-seeded Garnet Valley, Upper Dublin once again relied on its stifling defense to earn a 35-28 win. Demi Balasa, who finished with eight points and eight rebounds, buried a three-pointer to give the Cardinals a 30-28 lead on their way to the win. Josie Barrett led the Cardinals with nine points while Ashley Barber had seven points and nine rebounds.
- In a second round game, Upper Dublin turned in a dazzling defensive effort, limiting Ches-Mont League champion Bishop Shanahan – the tournament’s 11th-seeded team – to just 23 points in a 37-23 win. Shanahan scored seven of those points in the final minute of the game when the starters for both teams were on the bench. Shanahan’s trio of Ciara Forde, Devon Adams and Courtney Warley average 35 points a game combined but managed just 13 combined in the loss. Ashley Barber and Demi Balasa limited Adams to just a three-pointer.
- In an opening round game, Upper Dublin sophomores Nicole Kaiser and Maggie Weglos provided a big lift in the Flying Cardinals’ 44-27 win over 27th-seeeded West Chester Rustin. Kaiser scored 12 points off the bench and Weglos added 10 for the Cardinals, who led 24-13 at halftime.
Archbishop Carroll
- 11-13 overall
- 9-5 PCL
- Led by junior guard Bella Sorrentino and sophomore guard Molly Masciantonio. Both average just over 10 points a game.
- Lost four of five games to close out regular season.
How they got here:
- Archbishop Carroll fell to Neumann Goretti 60-34 in a PCL semifinal contest. Bella Sorrentino (14 points) and Amber Germer (nine points) led the way.
- In a PCL quarterfinal contest, Archbishop Carroll rallied from a 21-13 halftime deficit to defeat Bonner-Prendergast 41-31. Molly Masciantonio led Carroll with 16 points while Bella Sorrentino added nine.
Winner gets: The winner will take on the winner of the Neshaminy (1-7) versus Hazleton (2-1) game.
#1-5 NORTH PENN vs. 12-1 CENTRAL (at South Philadelphia High School, 6 p.m.)
North Penn
- 26-3 overall
- 14-0 SOL National Conference champions
- Defeated Central Bucks West 48-47 in overtime to capture the SOL Tournament title
- Lady Knights are led by senior forward Mikaela Giuliani (11.9 ppg) and junior point guard Sam Carangi (10.6 ppg).
- Irisa Ye (9.3 ppg), Jess Huber (8.3 ppg), Bri Hewlett (7.5 ppg) and Mia Melchior (5.4 ppg) also are consistent offensive contributors.
- 20-game winning streak snapped for the top-seeded Lady Knights with district quarterfinal loss to Central Bucks South
How they got here:
- In the fifth place game, North Penn used a 23-11 second quarter tear to go into halftime with a 36-19 lead over third-seeded Garnet Valley on its way to a 62-44 rout. Jess Huber led the Lady Knights with 18 points and six steals. Mikaela Giuliani added 12 points and six steals while Irisa Yee also had 12 points. Sam Carangi added 11 points and seven assists.
- In a game for district seeding, North Penn opened up a 32-23 lead over 13th-seeded Neshaminy at halftime and then outscored its visitors 25-6 in the second half on its way to a 57-29 win. Mikaela Giuliani led the Lady Knights with 19 points and seven rebounds. Jess Huber (13 points), Bri Hewlett (11 points) and Sam Carangi (eight points, four assists) also contributed.
- In a district quarterfinal game against eighth-seeded CB South, North Penn – after trailing by 15 late in the third quarter – took a 45-42 lead when Jess Huber converted a three-point play in the closing seconds of regulation. That lead was erased when Jordan Vitelli – after her team took possession under North Penn’s basket with 2.9 seconds remaining – launched a shot from beyond midcourt that fell through the net, tying the score and setting the stage for overtime. The Lady Knights were outscored 12-9 in OT, suffering a heartbreaking 57-54 loss. Bri Hewlett (15 points), Huber (13) and Sam Carangi (12) all finished in double figures for North Penn.
- In the second round, the Lady Knights used a 22-6 second quarter tear to turn a two-point lead into a 34-16 halftime lead on their way to a 64-36 rout of 17th-seeded Penn Wood. Mikaela Giuliani (24 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots), Sam Carangi (18 points, six assists, four steals) and Jess Huber (12 points, five assists, three blocked shots) all turned in huge performances for the Lady Knights.
- In opening round action, the top-seeded Lady Knights made easy business of 32nd-seeded Penncrest, opening up a 41-7 halftime lead on their way to a 63-18 mercy rule win. Mikaela Giuliani scored a game-high 23 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau midway through the second quarter. Irisa Ye (11 points), Jess Huber (10 points) and Bri Hewlett (seven points) also contributed offensively.
Central High School
How they got here:
- In the District 12 title game, Central lost to Cardinal O’Hara 58-19. Rneushia Williams, one of three players to contribute scoring, led the way with nine points.
- In a Public League semifinal contest, Central fell to Mastery North 73-42. Only three players contributed scoring with Andrea Stanton (25 points) and Rneushia Williams (12 points) finishing in double figures.
Winner gets: The winner will take on the winner of the (1-1) Perkiomen Valley – (3-7) Red Lion game.
#1-7 NESHAMINY vs. #2-1 HAZLETON (at Crestwood High School, 7:30 p.m.)
Nesahminy
- 21-7 overall
- 14-0 SOL National Conference champions
- Led by co-captains – senior point guard Morgan Goldenbaum and junior Devon Storms
- Freshmen Allison Harvey, the team’s top scorer, and Brooke Mullin are also major contributors.
- Redskins – the district’s 13th seed – are 21-4 after starting season 0-3.
How they got here:
- In the district’s seventh place game, Neshaminy defeated seventh-seeded Conestoga 53-48. Senior point guard Morgan Goldenbaum (16 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals) led the ‘Skins. Tiara Porterfield and Allison Harvey both added 10 points while Devon Storms had nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.
- In a district seeding game, Neshaminy trailed top-seeded North Penn 32-23 at halftime and then scored just six points in the second half in a 59-25 loss. Brooke Mullin (12 points) and Devon Storms (eight points) led the Redskins.
- In its quarterfinal game at 12th-seeded Downingtown East, Neshaminy led 15-10 after one quarter and 22-19 at halftime, but the Redskins were doomed by a third quarter that saw the Cougars go on a 17-9 tear to earn a 51-46 win. Freshman Allison Harvey had 12 points while Devon Storms and Brooke Mullin both had nine.
- Neshaminy upset fourth-seeded Mount St. Joseph Academy 48-40 in a second round game, opening up a 26-19 halftime lead and never looking back. Devon Storms led the Redskins with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Freshman Brooke Mullin had 13 points and eight rebounds, and senior point guard Morgan Goldenbaum added seven points, nine rebounds and four assists.
- In an opening round game, Neshaminy rode the big performance of freshman Brooke Mullin (16 points, seven rebounds, eight steals, four blocked shots and three assists) to a 48-31 win over #20 West Chester Henderson. The ‘Skins – who trailed 7-6 after one quarter – took an 18-15 lead into halftime and then outscored Henderson 30-16 in the second half. Freshman Allison Harvey added nine points.
Hazleton
- 21-3 overall
- Wyoming Valley Conference champions
- Led by senior guard Mackenzie Yori, who averages 18 points a game.
How they got here:
- In the District 2 title game, Hazleton crushed third-seeded Pittston 70-32. Mackenzie Yori had 23 points, six assists, five steals, four rebounds. Ashley Martincek added 14 while Kendra Pfeil and Maddie Mrochko both had 10.
- In the District 2 semifinal game, Hazleton – after watching a 22-point lead shrink to three – defeated fourth-seeded Wyoming Valley West 60-49. Mackenzie Yori led all scorers with 30 points while Kenra Pfeil added 16.
Winner gets: The winner will face the winner of the (1-4) Upper Dublin versus (12-3) Archbishop Carroll game.
#1-9 ABINGTON vs. #12-1 CARDINAL O’HARA (at Archbishop Carroll High School, 6 p.m.)
Abington
- 20-7 overall
- 12-2 SOL National Conference second place
- Led by junior Lizzie O’Leary (11.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg), senior Sammy Lochner (10.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.1 spg), sophomore Sam Brusha (8.1 ppg) and senior Leah Simmons (7.7 ppg).
- Third trip to states in as many years for the Ghosts, who were seeded 18th in the district tournament.
How they got here:
- In the district’s ninth place game, Abington defeated 17th-seeded Penn Wood 60-55. Sammy Lochner (14 points), Lizzie O’Leary (13) and Sam Brusha (11) all finished in double figures.
- In a playback game for a state berth, Abington earned a trip to states with a 60-49 win over 11th-seeded Bishop Shanahan. Senior Sammy Lochner led the Ghosts with 18 points and six assists. Also making important contributions were Lizzie O’Leary (14 points, 11 rebounds), Sam Brusha (13 points), Britney James (eight points) and Leah Simmons (seven points, 10 rebounds).
- In an all-SOL playback game, Abington defeated 10th-seeded Central Bucks West 55-47. The Ghosts, who trailed 24-14 after one quarter, outscored the Bucks 41-23 the rest of the way. Junior center Lizzie O’Leary had a big game, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. She was a perfect 11-for-11 at the charity stripe. Sammy Lochner added 13 points for the Ghosts.
- Abington scored just 13 points in the second and third quarters combined in its second round 52-39 loss to second-seeded Perkiomen Valley. Senior Sammy Lochner led the Ghosts with 12 points while Lizzie O’Leary and Sam Brusha each added nine.
- In an opening round contest, Abington raced to an 18-2 lead on its way to a 51-25 rout of #15 Great Valley. The Ghosts received monster performances from their bigs – Leah Simmons (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Lizzie O’Leary (12 points, 15 rebounds). Sammy Lochner added seven points.
Cardinal O’Hara
- 22-3 overall
- Opened season with an 11-game winning streak
- Ranked number in Class AAAA for a portion of the season and also was ranked in USA Today’s Super 25.
How they got here:
- In the District 12 title game, Cardinal O’Hara crushed Central 58-19. Mary Sheehan (11 points) and Mackenzie Garder (10 points) led a balanced attack.
- In a PCL semifinal game, Cardinal O’Hara fell to Archbishop Wood 47-34. Mary Sheehan scored a team-high 10 points.
- In a PCL quarterfinal contest, Cardinal O’Hara defeated Lansdale Catholic 70-33. Mackenzie Garder, who scored 23 points, did not miss a shot, connecting on 8-of-8 shots from the field and 4-of-4 at the foul line. Mary Sheehan (15 points) and Hannah Nihill (11 points) also finished in double figures.
Winner gets: The winner will face the winner of the (3-3) Harrisburg versus (11-3) Easton contest.
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