Jarrad Saffren recaps all of Tuesday’s SOL boys basketball action. North Penn/CB East photos provided by Keith Clemens Photography, and the CR North/Truman photo courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for galleries of both games…CLICK HERE. Neshaminy/Pennridge photo provided courtesy of Jesse Garber (http://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p294537165)
By Jarrad Saffren
Sixteen Suburban One League boys basketball teams played league games Tuesday night, on the last night of the regular season for a lot of teams.
Two—Pennridge and Neshaminy—ended their regular seasons with a nonleague game against each other.
All nine results and recaps are below.
SOL American
Plymouth Whitemarsh 63, Upper Moreland 56 (OT)
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Jim Donofrio earned his 400th career win.
“Yup, I’m getting old,” Donofrio said. “I’ve coached my whole time kind of surprised I even have the job. I always just worry about losing. It’s a kind of paranoia. It’s not an enjoyable way to approach it. But it’s a number that shows time and I’m impressed to be part of a program with this winning percentage. It’s a standard of really good teams I’ve been able to be a part of for 19 years. Every new team that comes in wants to maintain that standard if you can.”
Donofrio took over in 1998-99. He is 400-130 and has averaged 21 wins per season. PW won the 2010 PIAA Class 4A title, the third in program history. The first two came before Donofrio took over.
“The team won its first state title in 1963. Legendary coach Henry Stofko built the program and coached for 37 years. Al Angelos coached the next seven years. In 1997, we won the district and state. I took over in ’98. So there’s only been three coaches. I learned from those two guys,” Donofrio said. “We are in a really good area with good feeder programs. When you get a John Salmons in the NBA, that’s a lot of mileage. Or a Ronald Moore who played in Italy. People want to be a part of that.”
Donofrio’s 400th win was an exciting one. PW led 32-11 at halftime. But Upper Moreland won the second half 41-20, forcing overtime. PW won OT 11-4.
“It was a good win, a crazy win. We had a perfect half and I guess, because you’re on the winning end, you could say it was a good experience,” Donofrio said. “It was like the Atlanta Falcons. What do you do being up this much? Plus I know it’s hard to beat Upper Moreland twice. They just started draining threes. Then Ryan Coyle walked in for a layup to tie the game in regulation.”
PW controlled overtime the way it controlled the first half: By pressing.
“We got the lead by being uptempo. We went back to making it an 80-foot game. We were letting them across half court in the second half and they were making long threes,” Donofrio said. “Kareem Breeden did a good job locking down on Coyle. Making it eight-point game in OT is a really impressive thing to do.”
Ahmad Williams (21) and Naheem McLeod (20) combined for 41 points for PW. Cheo Houston added eight.
“Naheem and Ahmad Williams were terrific,” Donofrio said.
Four Upper Moreland players—Ryan Coyle (13), Brett Brossman (12), Damian Washington (10), Casey Decker (nine) and Shane Stone (eight)—scored at least eight points.
“Upper Moreland showed great heart,” Donofrio said. “They have kids who have played together for three years and a terrific point guard, a great shooter and a great big guy. That’s all you need in high school.”
Donofrio was also impressed with his own team.
“When you give up a 21-point lead in someone else’s house, and can turn it back on during a two-minute timeout, that’s a real good experience right there,” he said.
PW is second in the District One Class 6A Power Rankings and will earn a first round bye.
The Colonials closed the 2016-17 season at 19-3 overall and 14-0 in Suburban One League American Conference play.
The Golden Bears finished at 12-10 and 6-8. They are 15th in the District One Class 5A Power Rankings. Sixteen teams make the field.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 18-14-12-8-11 63
Upper Moreland 7-4-18-23-4 56
Plymouth Whitemarsh (63) – Kareem Breedon 2 1-2 5; Naheem McLeod 9 2-3 20; Danny Cooper 1 0-1 2; Matt Walker 1 0-0 2; Ahmin Williams 2 0-0 5; Cheo Houston 3 2-4 8; Ahmad Williams 8 3-6 21; Totals 26 8-16 63.
Upper Moreland (56) – Casey Decker 3 0-0 9; Damian Washington 4 0-0 10; Ryan Coyle 4 4-4 13; Brett Brossman 3 3-3 12; Shane Stone 3 2-4 8 Jake Villanueva 2 0-0 4; Totals 19 9-11 56.
Cheltenham 86, Upper Dublin 47
Cheltenham entered Tuesday night eighth in the District One 6A rankings. Eight teams earn first round byes.
The Panthers likely clinched a bye with this win.
“It’s a way of advancing the program. Last year our goal was to get a home game. And after graduating 10 seniors, to get a bye this year, we’re overwhelmed,” Cheltenham coach John Timms said. “The guys buy into the fact that you have to play defense to get on the floor. Our D has remained consistent.”
Like Timms alluded to, new players had to step up for Cheltenham this year.
Point guard Ahmad Bickley had nine points and a school-record 15 assists Tuesday night, breakingthe previous single game record of 13 held by assistant coach Patrick Fluery (2004-05). Bickley replaced Khalil White as Cheltenham’s floor general.
“Bickley was like the quarterback on the bench last year watching Khalil, like an Aaron Rodgers type guy who had that year to watch,” Timms said. “When he stepped in, he showed he was paying attention on the bench last year.
“It’s rewarding when you have a kid trying to get an assist record. We’re in a day and age now where everyone is trying to be a scorer. The fact that he’s a willing distributor and welcomes that role – it keeps our team happy because it’s one less person looking to score.”
Cheltenham’s Jack Clark led all scorers with 21 points Tuesday night. He sprouted up four inches over the summer. Now he’s a 6-foot-5 Division I prospect who can extend the floor with his shooting.
“Having a 6-foot-5 guy that can extend the floor opens driving lanes,” Timms said.
Trevonn Pitts scored 11 for Cheltenham. He contributed last year and has been a steady, unselfish leader in 2016-17.
“I’m biased but I think he established himself as maybe the MVP in Suburban One. He was 6-of-7 from the field tonight. He doesn’t mind taking five shots and scoring seven in a win,” Timms said. “He’s one of the most unselfish guys around. He’s our motor and a good leader. Not one who talks a lot. He leads by example.”
Rodney Carson added 13 points for Cheltenham.
Upper Dublin’s Jalen Heim and Rio Besachio scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Cheltenham won the first quarter 17-5, the second quarter 25-14 and the third 28-15, taking a 70-34 lead into the fourth.
Cheltenham finished the regular season at 17-5 overall and 11-3 in SOL American play. Upper Dublin (2-18, 2-11 SOL) plays Quakertown Thursday night at seven.
Cheltenham 17-25-28-16 86
Upper Dublin 5-14-15-13 47
Cheltenham (86) – Jack Clark 21, Trevonn Pitts 11, Ahmad Bickley 9, Rodney Carson 13, Lonce Scott 6, Tim Myarick 4, Kyin Healey 2, Nadir Slocum 8, Travis Coleman 7, Jordan Paris 2, Jaelen McGlone 3.
Wissahickon 62, Quakertown 42
Wissahickon only led by one at halftime. But it won the second half 33-14.
Ten Wissahickon players scored. Shane Ford and Zach Reiner led the Trojans with 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Chaz Owens added seven.
Ford also had eight rebounds. Reiner also had six assists, five boards and three steals. Zach Gelman had four points and three assists.
Wissahickon scored 28 points in the paint. Quakertown only scored 16. Wissahickon also had 13 points off turnovers. Quakertown only had two.
Wissahickon is 11th in the District One 5A rankings. The Trojans closed the regular season at 13-9 overall and 10-4 in American play.
Quakertown (6-15, 4-9 SOL) hosts Upper Dublin Thursday night at seven.
Quakertown 17-11-5-9 42
Wissahickon 15-14-12-21 62
Quakertown (42) – Ryan Howard 13, Dakota Suchanec 2, Kevin Juszynskii 9, JR Grimmage 18.
Wissahickon (62) – Shane Ford 16, Zach Reiner 13, Chaz Owens 7, Alex Tappen 5, Donovan Oliphant 5, Zach Gelman 4, Max Rapoport 4, Dahmier Meadows 3, James Johnson 3, Marlyn Johnson 2.
SOL Continental
Souderton 54, Central Bucks South 47
Souderton ended 2016-17 at 9-13 overall and 5-7 in Suburban One League Continental Conference play.
The Indians are 29th in the District One 6A rankings. They have a chance to make the playoffs, but not a great one.
“I’m not sure if we’ll get in, to be honest,” Souderton coach Tim Brown said. “Our guys knew we could control what we could control. So we went out, had fun and played hard.”
Souderton took the lead by winning the second quarter 18-7. It led 28-20 at halftime and held on through the second half.
Souderton’s Trevor Watts (18) and Noah Horas (14) combined for 32 points. Matt Cartwright and Mike Bealer added eight and seven points, respectively.
Bealer is usually Souderton’s leading scorer.
“Other guys stepped up. Trevor had his biggest game of the season. Noah was huge tonight. Matt Cartwright stepped up,” Brown said. “It was great to see Michael feed into everybody else scoring and be happy for them. It was fun to watch.”
Brown was pleased with his entire team Tuesday night.
“Everybody was shooting and active,” Brown said. “The energy was unbelievable from every guy on the floor and bench.”
Nate Johnston (12) and Alex Karras (10) combined for 22 points for Central Bucks South. Nate Robinson added nine.
CB South finished the regular season at 9-13 and 5-7. The Titans are 23rd in the District One 6A rankings and in danger of missing the playoffs.
Central Bucks South 13-7-11-16 47
Souderton 10-18-11-15 54
Central Bucks South (47) – Nate Johnston 12, Alex Karras 10, Nate Robinson 9, Danny Tecce 6, Tommy Kuypers 4, Andrew Dietz 4, Colin Sauers 2.
Souderton (54) – Trevor Watts 18, Noah Horas 14, Matt Cartwright 8, Mike Bealer 7, Jake Groller 5, Kaleef Blackwood 2.
North Penn 60, Central Bucks East 54 (OT)
This game was evenly matched throughout. All four quarters were decided by three points or less.
But North Penn won overtime 10-4.
The Knights ended the regular season at 18-4 overall and 11-1 in SOL Continental play. The Continental champions are seventh in the District One 6A rankings. They probably earned a first round bye with this win.
“I think so. Based on the last rankings, we were in the top eight. And East has a good record. So we have a good chance,” North Penn coach John Conrad said. “I’d rather not have such a long break between games. The best case scenario is we make the last game of the SOL Tournament on February 13 and then open the playoffs on the 21st. That’s too long to stand around and wait to play somebody. But everybody has to go through it.”
Nine North Penn players scored Tuesday night. AJ Mitchell and Chris Coleman led the Knights with 16 and 14 points, respectively.
“On senior night, our two underclassmen played exceptionally well and carried us through,” Conrad said. “We have a different lineup every night that seems to play well together for us. Tonight it was Chris and AJ.”
David Guiliani and Ricky Johns added nine and seven points, respectively.
Matt Pattyson led Central Bucks East with 19 points. Elijah Seger had 15. Kyle Cassidy added 11.
CB East finished the regular season at 12-10 and 6-6. The Patriots are 17th in the District One 6A rankings. They should make the playoffs even with this loss.
Central Bucks East 11-16-10-13-4 54
North Penn 13-13-11-13-10 60
North Penn (54) – Lance Ford 1 0-0 2; Nate O’Donnell 1 0-0 3; AJ Mitchell 6 4-5 16; Ricky Johns 2 3-4 7; Chris Coleman 7 0-0 14; Reece Udinski 1 3-4 5; David Giuliani 4 0-0 9; Derek Heiserman 1 0-1 2; Noah Kwortnik 1 0-0 2; Totals 24 10-14 60.
Central Bucks West 52, William Tennent 46
Jake Reichwin scored a season-high 25 points. He also had 10 rebounds to lead the Bucks to a win in their regular season finale. Shane McCusker chipped in with 11 points and five rebounds. Liam Cooney had 10 points, and Jack Traina contributed five points and eight assists.
The Bucks connected on eight 3-pointers, led by Cooney's three. They were without leading scorer Colin MacAdams (illness)
The Panthers – who turned in a solid outing – led 19-17 after one quarter, but the Bucks outscored the Panthers in the next three.
Dave West led the Panthers with 11 points, and Markeith Baxter had 10. Pat McCauley added nine points on three 3-pointers.
Central Bucks West (15-7, 9-3 SOL) is 12th in the District One 6A rankings.
William Tennent closed out its regular season with a 5-16 record (1-11 SOL).
Central Bucks West 17-16-8-11 52
William Tennent 19-11-7-9 46
Central Bucks West (52) – Jack Traina 5, Shane McCusker 10, Liam Cooney 10, Matthew Cooper 1, Jake Reichwein 25.
Williams Tennent (46) – Pat McCauley 9, Markeith Baxter 10, Jorge Soto 6, Dave West 11, David Gassanova 2, Brendan Carter 2, Joe SHannon 6.
SOL National
Pennsbury 59, Bensalem 53
Mark Flagg scored 34 of Pennsbury’s 59 points. Flagg needed to step up with Addison Howard, Pennsbury’s second-leading scorer, out.
Tyler Sessa-Reeves added nine points for Pennsbury.
The Falcons trailed by 11 at halftime but won the second half 27-16.
“We defended well in the second half,” Pennsbury coach Bill Coleman said. “Our pressure was able to speed them up, get them to take bad shots. It allowed us to get in transition, get free throws and we made them.”
Richard Dean Jr led Bensalem with 26 points. Ward Roberts had 15.
Pennsbury finished 2016-17 at 15-7 overall and 8-4 in Suburban One League National Conference play. The Falcons are fifth in the District One 6A rankings and likely to earn a first round bye.
“It’d be great to get one,” Coleman said. “I think we wrapped that up tonight.”
Bensalem closed the season at 9-13 and 3-9. Bensalem is 25th in the District One 6A rankings. Twenty-four teams make the playoffs.
Pennsbury 12-7-13-14-13 59
Bensalem 13-17-4-12-7 53
Bensalem (53) – Taco Douglas 2 0-0 4; Ward Roberts 5 3-4 15; Rich Dean Jr 9 6-11 26; Josh Hill 1 0-0 2; Kris Shields 2 1-1 6; Totals 19 10-16 53
Pennsbury (59) – Raylil Winton 1 0-0 3; Vaughn Ward 1 1-2 4; Billy Warren 2 0-0 4; Tyler Sessa-Reeves 2 4-8 9; Joey Monaghan 1 0-1 2; Mark Flagg 7 19-24 34; Corey Dea 0 1-2 1; Nick Haywood 1 0-0 2; Totals 15 25-37 59
Council Rock North 67, Harry S. Truman 52
Council Rock North put Harry S. Truman away in the first quarter, winning it 20-7. The Indians led 41-22 at halftime and cruised in the second half.
James Kosyla led CR North with 27 points. Noah Ehlin added 11. Tommy Boyle, Matt McAlister and Drew Burton had seven, six and six points, respectively.
Danell Snelling and Kelechi Ogbonna led Truman with 12 and 10, respectively. ZJ Jackson added seven.
CR North closed the regular season at 9-13 overall and 6-6 in SOL National play. The Indians are 26th in the District One 6A rankings. They have a good chance to make the playoffs.
Truman (8-13, 2-10 SOL) plays Hunterdon Central Thursday night at seven.
Council Rock North 20-21-15-11 67
Harry S. Truman 7-15-12-18 52
Council Rock North (67) – Eric Levine 2 0-1 4; Drew Burton 2 2-2 6; Tommy Kelly 0 1-2 1; James Kosyla 10 7-9 27; Anish Thakur 1 1-2 4; Noah Ehlin 4 2-4 11; Harry Wyatt 0 2-2 2; Matt McAlister 2 0-0 6; Thomas Boyle 1 2-3 6; Totals 22 19-28 67.
Harry S Truman (52) – Jeff Nixon 2 2-8 6; Kelechi Ogbonna 5 0-0 10; Danell Snelling 5 2-6 12; Rasheid Newkirk 1 2-3 4; Mike Phillips 0 2-2 2; Tymir Underwood 0 0-2; Zierr Reid 2 0-0 4; ZJ Jackson 3 0-0 7; Javeer Peterson 2 0-0 4; Willis 0 1-2 1; Totals 21 9-23 52.
Abington 43, Council Rock South 41
Robert Young made the front end of a one-and-one with 20.9 seconds left, putting Abington up 43-41.
Then, with three seconds left, Lucas Monroe blocked Council Rock South’s last shot.
CR South won the first quarter 13-9. Abington won the second quarter 13-8, taking a 22-21 lead into halftime. Abington won the third 12-11, taking a two-point lead into the fourth.
Eric Dixon had 17 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Five of the rebounds were offensive. Robbie Heath had 10 points and six boards. Lucas Monroe added nine points and three rebounds.
Alex Nordenholt led South with 14 points. Kevin Newbert and Christian Jabbar added nine and eight, respectively.
Abington finished the regular season at 18-4 overall and 12-0 in National play. The Ghosts are fourth in the District One 6A rankings and will earn a first round bye.
CR South closed at 13-9 and 7-5. The Golden Hawks are 15th in the District One 6A rankings and likely to earn a first round home game.
Council Rock South 13-8-11-9 41
Abington 9-13-12-9 43
Council Rock South (41) – Austin Thomas 3, Christian Jabbar 8, Alex Nordenholt 14, Kevin Newbert 9, Ryan McNamee 3, Ryan Boyd 4.
Abington (43) – Eric Dixon 17, Robbie Heath 10, Joseph O’Brien 6, Lucas Monroe 9, Robert Young 1.
Non-League
Pennridge 63, Neshaminy 47
Both teams were red hot in the first half. Pennridge led 34-31 at halftime.
Six players scored for each team in the first half. 
But Neshaminy cooled off in the second half. Pennridge won the third quarter 17-10 and the fourth quarter 12-6. The Rams closed the game on a 25-10 run.
Pennridge’s five starters—Sean Yoder (22), Kyle Yoder (13), Jon Post (12), Ryan Kinky (eight) and Ryan Cuthbert (six)—scored 61 of the Rams’ 63 points.
“That was one of our better shooting nights,” Pennridge coach Dean Behrens said.
“We haven’t really been shooting well this year,” Kyle Yoder said. “So to get shots going down gives us confidence.”
“I felt good shooting the ball,” Sean Yoder said. “My teammates opened things up for me because they were shooting well.”
Pennridge also played great defense on Chris Arcidiacono, holding him to 13 points, eight below his average.
Behrens used a box-and-one against Arch, sticking Ryan Cuthbert on him all game.
“Straight up, flat out, he’s our best defender. He’s quick and smart,” Sean Yoder said. “He did a great job.”
The rest of the Rams played a zone, which allowed them to converge on Arch when he drove the lane.
“Jon Post controlled the second half with his shot-blocking and his rebounding,” Behrens said. “Jon and Kyle Yoder work well together down low.”
Zach Tredway and Anthony Verrecchio had 13 and 12 points, respectively, for Neshaminy.
Pennridge finished the regular season at 11-11. The Rams are 22nd in the District One 6A rankings. They probably clinched a playoff spot by winning Tuesday night.
“I feel like we’re in,” Behrens said. “I feel good for the guys, especially the seniors.”
“We came in here knowing, win and we’re in,” Jon Post said. “And we all just went 100 percent.”
“We controlled what we can control,” Kyle Yoder said. “So now it’s just a waiting game.”
“Our confidence is sky-high,” Sean Yoder said. “We don’t care about the rankings.”
Neshaminy ends 2016-17 at 9-13. It is 20th in the District One 6A rankings and still likely to earn a playoff spot.
Pennridge 17-17-17-12 63
Neshaminy 19-12-10-6 47
Pennridge (63) – Sean Yoder 22, Ryan Kinky 8, Kyle Yoder 13, Tyrese Lewis-Eutsey 2, Ryan Cuthbert 6, Jon Post 12.
Neshaminy (47) – Zach Tredway 12, Mark Gentry 4, Chris Arcidiacono 13, Anthony Verrecchio 12, Andrew Note 4, Corey McGarry 2
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