Check out the results for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action on Saturday. Souderton/St. Basil photos provided courtesy of Keith Clemens Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos. Neshaminy/Upper Dublin photo courtesy of Jesse Graber (http://JSGarber.zenfolio.com/p74876864)
Pennridge Tipoff Tournament
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 52, PENNRIDGE 46
In a championship game that lived up to its name, the Rams gave the defending district champions all they could handle and actually put themselves in a position to win it. Pennridge took a 41-38 lead into the fourth quarter only to watch the Colonials – who were sparked by the glittering 31-point effort of Taylor O’Brien – close out the game with a 14-5 tear.
“We’re both really fast teams,” PW coach Daniel Dougherty said. “Watching them play last night, they like to run up and down the floor just like we do.
“In the first half, they did a good job handling our fullcourt pressure and knocking down open shots. That’s a strategy of ours. In the open floor, we’ll give up that mid-range or transition three, and they were hitting them.
“They hit eight threes for the game. I think that was a big thing that kept them in the game. They have some really talented shooters, and we had a hard time picking them up in transition.”
PW, which led 17-15 after one quarter, trailed by one at the intermission, 27-26, and according to Dougherty, the Colonials got a little “jump shot happy” in the first half.
“It was another story for them – they were able to knock their shots down,” the PW coach said. “We hit a bunch of threes in our first game Friday night, and we hit our very first three tonight, and we couldn’t hit another one the rest of the game.”
Trailing by three, Dougherty opted to rest two of his key players.
“I thought we had some tired legs in the third quarter,” he said. “I decided to give (Lauren) Fortescue a rest at the end of the third and gave Taylor (O’Brien) an extended rest to start the fourth quarter, and when we brought Taylor back in, she really took over the game in the fourth quarter.”
Pennridge took a 41-38 lead into a final quarter that saw the Colonials open the frame with an 8-0 tear. The Rams did not score in the first five-and-a-half minutes of the frame.
“That’s really what changed the momentum,” Dougherty said. “A lot of credit to Pennridge. Every time we thought we were going to be able to take control of the game, they would come down and make a big shot.“
A key in the quarter was an offensive rebound and putback by freshman Anna McTamney.
“It was a two-point game, a missed shot, and she went up real hard, got the offensive rebound, calmly up fakes and puts the putback in,” Dougherty said. “It’s such a weight off your shoulders in the fourth quarter of a close game to stretch it to two possessions.
“That took it from a two-point game to a four-point game. The next possession down Taylor (O’Brien) makes a great steal, is on a breakaway, gets fouled and then makes both free throws to push it to a six-point game. That really kind of sealed the game at the end.”
The Rams, according to coach Mike Elton, were hurt down the stretch by foul trouble.
“We’re still kind of new at this,” the second-year coach said. “We have to learn how to finish games. We had our opportunities. I was proud of the kids, I was proud of what they did.”
Three Pennridge players finished the game in double figures. Gill Anderson led the way with 14 points while Evelyn Loughery and Emilee Cramer each added 10 points.
“We have more seniors this year, and you have a couple of kids that have been together,” Elton said. “We have to do what we do as a team.
“Everybody is contributing at this point. They may not contribute on the scoreboard, but they’re contributing in different areas. It’s kind of a balanced team right now.”
O’Brien’s 31-point effort included an 8-for-12 effort at the foul line. Ali Diamond added eight points while Fortescue had six. Bria Rivers had double-digit rebounds (10) for the second time in as many games.
“I thought Pennridge would be better this year,” Dougherty said. “They are very improved and very deep. They can really run a lot of kids off the bench.
“We have a lot of away games this year, and this was a good test for us. We have a big test this week.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-0) will travel to Central Bucks South on Friday, and Pennridge (1-1) will host Lansdale Catholic on Tuesday.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Elton said. “It’s a nice confidence builder for us, but we have to keep working at it. It’s only going to get tougher.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh 17-9-12-14 52
Pennridge 15-12-14-5 46
Plymouth Whitemarsh (52) – Taylor O’Brien 31, Lauren Fortescue 6, Ali Diamond 8, Haley Zygmunt 1, Bria Rivers 2, Anna McTamney 4.
Pennridge (46) – Sam Muredda 5, Brooke Bachtle 2, Gill Anderson 14, Rose McCormick 5, Evelyn Loughery 10, Emilee Cramer 10.
Suburban One League Tipoff Tournament
UPPER DUBLIN 56, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 33
Less than 24 hours after managing just 24 points in a loss to Central Bucks South, the Flying Cardinals more than doubled that output in Saturday’s win over the Patriots.
“After a tough game last night against CB South, I was really excited that we had an opportunity to play today and even more excited how the girls came out and played,” coach Morgan Funston said.
The Cardinals led 11-6 after one quarter and took a 24-11 lead into halftime.
“Kara Grebe, I thought, set the tone early,” Funston said. “I think she ripped down about four rebounds in the first few minutes of the game.
“We didn’t rebound with that intensity last night, and I thought she did a great job of setting the tone right away. It always helps when you make some shots. We defended well last night, and we also defended well today.”
The Patriots scored in single digits in each of the first three quarters and trailed 42-17 after the Cardinals exploded for 18 third-quarter points. Freshman Jess Polin – who had a pair of threes in the first half – led the Cardinals with seven third quarter points. Sophomore Jackie Vargas had six points in the frame.
Junior Elyse Shine scored six points in the Patriots’ 16-point fourth quarter. Shine led the Patriots with 10 points. No other East player had more than five points.
“We wanted to keep (Sophia) Mancuso and (Bailey) McManus combined below 15 – Mancuso finished with five and McManus finished with three, so we were especially excited about that,” Funston said.
Polin had a breakout performance for the Cardinals, finishing with a game-high 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.
“For us to be successful, we don’t even need her to score because she’s a very calming influence on the offensive end,” Funston said. “When she scores, it’s just icing on the cake. She knocked down some big shots.”
Vargas had 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
“Jackie Vargas was a force again,” Funston said. “It’s really difficult to attack the basket when she’s guarding it, and she did a great job.
“She has improved immensely since last year, and it’s incredible that she’s only a sophomore and she’s totally dominating games.”
Dayna Balasa added eight points while Meg Barbera and Grebe both had six points. Grebe also had 10 rebounds.
“Overall, just the team in general, we were very pleased,” Funston said. “We have Shanahan on Tuesday, and we’re looking for a big showing against them.”
Upper Dublin (1-1) will travel to Bishop Shanahan on Tuesday, and Central Bucks East (0-2) will be on the road at Perkiomen Valley on Tuesday.
Central Bucks East 6-5-6-16 33
Upper Dublin 11-13-18-14 56
Central Bucks East (33) – Sophia Mancuso 5; Skylar Krause 3, Mia Salvati 2, Gina Russo 5, Caroline Pla 3, Bailey McManus 3, Gabby Wilga 2, Elyse Shine 10.
Upper Dublin (56) – Meg Barbera 6, Jess Polin 15, Sarah Eskew 2, Kara Grebe 6, Jackie Gorman 3, Dayna Balasa 8, Lindsey Schreiber 2, Jackie Vargas 14.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 35, NESHAMINY 32
Alexa Brodie and Haley Meinel combined for 23 of South’s 30 points in Friday’s win over Upper Dublin, and on Saturday, the duo was back at it again – this time combining for 27 of the Titans’ 35 points. Brodie led the way with 15 while Meinel had 12.
The Titans needed every one of those points in a contest that saw the Redskins rally from a 12-point deficit to make it a one possession game.
“We’re happy we got the ‘W,’” South coach Beth Mattern said. “We showed some composure to finish it off when we needed to. It could have been prettier, but it was a win.
“We knew Neshaminy was going to fight the whole time, and they definitely did.”
The two teams were locked at 4-4 until Brodie connected on a basket that sparked an 8-0 Titan run. Also included in that run were four points from Meinel, who also had a hustle steal that resulted in a layup by Lindsay Scott.
The Titans led 14-6 after one quarter and took an 18-12 lead into halftime. A bucket by Neshaminy’s Kelli Kowalik to open the third quarter made it a four-point game, but Brodie answered with a 3-pointer. Brooke Mullin scored on a drive for the Redskins, and then Meinel came up with a steal that resulted in a layup.
A Brodie 3-pointer gave the Titans a 28-18 lead, and it was a 30-18 game after Brodie found Scott for a basket.
“They went into a 2-3 (defense), and that startled us a little bit,” Brodie said. “We went into halftime and picked up two motion offenses just to get us moving and get them thinking a little bit about where we were.
“Once we got that motion in – we hit a couple of shots. We kind of just got in the flow of things. We just really needed one or two shots to go down to get our confidence back up after that little slump at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half.”
A Mullin 3-pointer made it a 30-21 game after three quarters. Mullin led the Redskins with 11 points.
“You’re seeing more of her growth,” coach Joe Lally said of Mullin. “We’ve been pushing that. Unfortunately, we as coaches have to learn sometimes that that comes at a player’s speed, so even though we see the talent – we want it to come so fast, and I think she’s now accepting it to where it’s happening on her own.”
The Titans led 35-26 midway through the fourth quarter after a Brodie three, but they would not score again. Kristin Curley and Emily Tantala each connected on a 3-pointer to make it a 35-32 game. The Redskins’ shot for the tie with time winding down fell short.
“They’re working through what we’re teaching them,” Lally said. “Everything is a little bit different. We’ve been a pressing team in years past. They’ve really been playing better half court defense.
“I’m pleased that we hold a team like that to 35 points, and we battled while we’re doing it.”
Allison Harvey – who buried three 3-pointers – added nine points for the Redskins.
Central Bucks South (2-0) will travel to Council Rock South on Tuesday, and Neshaminy (1-1) will be on the road at Harrisburg on Saturday.
Central Bucks South 14-4-12-5 35
Neshaminy 6-6-9-11 32
Central Bucks South (35) – Lindsay Scott 4, Haley Meinel 12, Alexa Brodie 15, Maddie McShane 4.
Neshaminy (32) – Brooke Mullin 11, Allison Harvey 9, Kristin Curley 5, Kelli Kowalick 4, Emily Tantala 3.
4th Annual Jim Church Classic
SOUDERTON 38, SAINT BASIL ACADEMY 33
The Indians have wasted absolutely no time proving they can overcome adversity this season. They’ve played just two games. In both, they trailed by five a halftime, and they came back to win both with Saturday’s win over a pesky Panther squad giving the Indians the title of their own tournament.
In Saturday’s contest, the Indians trailed 16-11 at the half.
“Last night and today were different – obviously, the box scores look similar, but the reasons why were different,” coach Lynn Carroll said. “Today we only made two field goals (in the first half). We were 2-for-13 from the field.
“We stayed in it with defense and were 6-for-8 from the foul line. When the ball’s not going in, everything feels more difficult, more challenging. Both nights though, our defense has kept it in us.”
Kate Connolly’s 3-pointer to open the second half sparked a 12-0 Indian run. The Indians outscored the Panthers 14-5 in the third quarter.
“It was like a sigh of relief when Kate hit that shot,” Carroll said. “I think this time last year we don’t overcome this type of adversity if we’re down at halftime.
“We’re a different team than we were at this point last year. Back-to-back games being able to overcome being down at the half is a good sign this early in the season.”
The Indians took a 25-21 lead into the final quarter, and they led by six (30-24) after Alana Cardona found Connolly for an easy bucket. Connolly connected on 6-of-8 foul shots down the stretch to help seal the win.
“We just need to realize we need to start the first quarter and not just wait until the second half to step up,” Connolly said. “We were getting good looks, but it was one of those days when our shots just didn’t go in.
“We had to take a step back, take a breath and focus. Beginning the second year together, I think we’re all comfortable and we know how each other plays and we know how to work together.”
Connolly led the Indians with 13 points and was named to the all-tournament team. Cardona – who earned tournament MVP honors – scored 10 points, which included a perfect 8-for-8 effort at the foul line.
“I think in the second half we just come out with a lot more intensity,” Cardona said. “We realize our mistakes at the beginning of the game, and we try to not make the same mistakes. We’re able to convert the shots and play better defense.
“Just since last year, everyone has improved, and everyone has gotten better. It is a good sign that we’re able to come back.”
Megan Walbrandt had nine points, including a clutch foul shot with 30 seconds remaining after the Panthers pulled to within two. Megan Bealer added six points on a pair of threes.
Souderton (2-0) will host Methacton on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Saint Basil Academy 7-9-5-12 33
Souderton 9-2-14-13 38
Saint Basil Academy (33) – Remolde 5, Deal 2, Ch. Remolde 3, Ems 3, C. Remolde 14, Carter.
Souderton (38) – Megan Bealer 6, Alana Cardona 10, Megan Walbrandt 9, Kate Connolly 13.
North Penn Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament
NORTH PENN 63, CHESTER 9
One day after rallying from a double-digit deficit to defeat Perkiomen Valley, the Knights took care of business early on Saturday, opening up a 23-2 lead after one quarter. Not a whole lot changed the rest of the way for the Knights, who led 38-7 at halftime and then allowed just two points in the second half.
Senior Bri Hewlett’s 13 points led the Knights while Carley Adams had nine points. Kate Early added eight points, Jenny Hulmes had seven and Alaina Mullaly and Morgan Farrell both had six.
“We hit shots today,” Maggie deMarteleire said. “We do have kids that can shoot. We haven’t shot well in the preseason and the offseason, so it was kind of nice to shoot well, and everybody contributed.”
North Penn (2-0) will host Archbishop Carroll on Tuesday.
Chester 2-5-1-1 9
North Penn 23-15-18-7 63
North Penn (63) – Jenny Hulmes 7, Cayla Sharkey 2, Alayna Faison 5, Alli Lindsay 5, Alaina Mullaly 6, Kate Early 8, Carley Adams 9, Layanie Doran 2, Morgan Farrell 6, Bri Hewlett 13.
Chester (9) – Colbert 3, DeShields 2, Ashe 4.
PERKIOMEN VALLEY 56, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 48
The Vikings pulled off the shocker of the day, closing the game with a 29-8 tear to earn the come-from-behind win.
West took a 31-22 lead into halftime. Diane Nicholson led the way, scoring 12 of her team-high 20 points in the half. She added six more in the third quarter, and the Bucks still led by four (40-36) heading into the final frame.
For the Vikings, Taylor Hamm and Megan Jonassen combined for 38 points with Hamm scoring 22, which included a perfect 13-for-13 effort at the foul line. Jonassen added 16 and was 6-of-8 at the charity stripe.
Central Bucks West 19-12-9-8 48
Perk Valley 12-10-14-20 56
Central Bucks West Maddie McGarry 3, Abbey Spratt 4, Diane Nicholson 20, Jess Broskey 7, Maddie Burke 2, Kaili Carey 3, Izzy Treon 7, Julia Kreider 2.
Perk Valley (56) – McGettigan 2, Monaco 1, Marinacci 2, Blomstrom 5, Owens 6, Moore 2, Jonassen 16, Hamm 22.
Central Bucks West (48)
Crossover Hoops Showcase
ARCHBISHOP RYAN 55, PENNSBURY 41
The Falcons trailed 13-7 after one quarter but cut into that lead with a 15-12 second quarter. Kate Mix and Sydney Buell did all of the damage with Buell scoring eight points and Mix adding seven in the frame.
Ryan outscored the Falcons 30-19 in the second half.
Buell led the Falcons with 16 points, and Mix had 12. Cami Wiegand added seven points.
Pennsbury (1-1) will host Conwell-Egan on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 7-15-9-10 41
Archbishop Ryan 13-12-14-16 55
Pennsbury (41) – Bella Arcuri 2, Kate Mix 12, Mary Mier 4, Sydney Buell 16, Cami Wiegand 7.
Archbishop Ryan (55) – Rahman 10, Glen 9, Russell 9, Dslvisi 2, Moore 8, McCurdy 9, Cashman 8.
Oreland Lions Club Tournament
JENKINTOWN 66, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 14
The Spartans trailed by just a 6-4 score early, but the remainder of Saturday’s title game belonged to the Drakes.
“We lost to a really, really good team that has a very good coach,” coach Dave Giordano said. “I’m hoping that someday our program can look like theirs.
“We have a lot of work to do, but the second half we refocused, and we didn’t give up. That’s all I can ask of the girls. We’re coming back on Tuesday and giving it another shot.”
Springfield (1-1) will host New Hope-Solebury on Tuesday.
Hatters Tipoff Classic
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 46, LITTLE FLOWER 24
The Golden Hawks welcomed first-year coach Blair Klumpp by winning the championship in the Hatters’ Tipoff Classic on Saturday.
Nicole Blaustein was the lone player in double figures, leading the Hawks with 13 points to go along with four assists and three steals. Hannah Binder added nine points and eight rebounds, and Carley Irvin had seven points. Enna Culp added six and Emma Jones chipped in five.
The Golden Hawks had 21 steals with Claudia Steinmetz leading the way with four. Irvin and Vetter chipped in with three each. Steinmetz also dished out two assists.
The Golden Hawks, who led 10-9 after one quarter, blew the game open with a 13-0 tear to open the second quarter. They went into halftime with a 26-11 lead.
Rock South had 13 assists on 17 made field goals.
Council Rock South (2-0) will host William Tennent on Tuesday night.
Council Rock South (46) – Carley Irvin 7, Claudia Steinmetz 2, Vetter 2, Emma Jones 5, Sison 2, Nicole Blaustein 13, Hannah Binder 9, Jenna Culp 6.
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 48, HATBORO-HORSHAM 35
Lexi Brett tied her career high with 19 points to lead all scorers, but the Hatters came up short against the Lions in Saturday’s consolation game.
The Hatters trailed by just two (10-8) after one quarter, and they were still in the game at halftime, trailing 21-14. The Lions outscored the Hatters in all four quarters on their way to the win.
Hatboro-Horsham (0-2) will host Lower Moreland on Tuesday.
New Hope-Solebury 10-11-7-20 48
Hatboro-Horsham 8-6-4-17 35
New Hope-Solebury (48) – Sabrina Vahovic 10, Rachel Saxton 5, Sarah Wilson 12, Dougherty 2, Ives 1, Juliana Covino 2, McDonald 4, Jordyn Sherman 12.
Hatboro-Horsham (35) – Lexi Brett 19, Sarah Mahoney 4 Kylie Halko 5, Sara Sciubba 2, Syd Kemp 5.
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY 60, ABINGTON 54
In a battle of two of the area’s top teams, it was the Patriots outscoring the Ghosts in a classic non-league battle. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Rachel Balzer gave the Patriots a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Ghosts didn’t have an answer.
Earlier, the Ghosts opened up an 18-13 lead after one quarter and still led by one at halftime, 28-27. Sam Brusha led the Ghosts with 10 points in the half while Cam Lexow had six.
The Patriots outscored the Ghosts 17-13 in the third quarter to go on top by three heading into the final frame.
Brusha had another big game, leading the Ghosts with 19 points that included a 6-for-8 effort at the foul line. Kassondra Brown added 10 points, and Lexow added eight. Four Patriots finished the game in double figures.
Abington (1-1) will host Souderton on Thursday night.
Germantown Academy 13-14-17-16 60
Abington 18-10-13-13 54
Germantown Academy (60) – Cat Palisano 9, Aexa Naessens 14, Rachel Balzer 11, Elle Stauffer 12, Jaye Haynes 10.
Abington (54) – Brittany James 3, Cam Lexow 8, Tamia Wessels 5, Kassondra Brown 10, Sam Brusha 19, Miranda Liebtag 4, Jordyn Allen 5.
SACRED HEART 55, UPPER MORELAND 37
Sacred Heart opened up a 19-10 lead after one quarter and took a 32-18 lead into halftime. The Golden Bears played Sacred Heart even in the third quarter but never could make up any ground.
Phoebe Longstreth led the Golden Bears with 15 points – 12 in the second half. Hannah Stainback added 11.
Upper Moreland (1-1) will host Lower Moreland on Friday night.
Upper Moreland 10-8-10-9 37
Sacred Heart 19-13-10-13 55
Upper Moreland (37) – Meakim 2, Phoebe Longstreth 15, Caitlin Corr 3, Herb 4, Hannah Stainback 11, Murphy 2.
Sacred Heart (55) – Doyle 3, Piombino 26, Smith 5, Hughes 2, Friend 3, Quigley 16.
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