Neshaminy, Abington, Upper Moreland & Cheltenham were winners in SOL boys’ basketball action Thursday. Pennsbury/Abington photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. UM/Hatboro-Horsham photos provided by Kathy Leister Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL National Conference
NESHAMINY 56, BENSALEM 42
Chris Arcidiacono has been on fire in the opening weeks of the season, averaging 30 points a game through the first five games. The Redskins’ senior standout was right on his average in Thursday’s win over the Owls, scoring 30.
“He’s kind of playing at a different level right now,” coach Mark Tingle said. “It’s not like he’s forcing a lot because he’s averaging three or four assists a game.”
Making Thursday’s performance even more remarkable was the fact that 17 of his points came at the foul line where he buried 17-of-20 shots. Arcidiacono is connecting on around 80 percent of his attempts this season.
“Last year he averaged 11 or 12 trips to the line per game,” Tingle said. “He does a really good job of using his body once he beats somebody.
“Of course, the focus is on him, so sometimes they have guys trying to grab him and play him physically and sometimes throwing two guys at him. He does a good job of drawing fouls, especially towards the end of the game when we’re up which he did tonight and did against Pennridge the other night. We’re up and he just used his body and gets to the line, and he makes them, so that’s even better.”
While Arcidiacono stole the spotlight, it was Charles Dominick jumpstarting the Redskins, burying three 3-pointers in a first quarter that saw Neshaminy open up a 14-9 lead over their visitors. They took a 31-24 lead into halftime. Arcidiacono had the hot hand in the second quarter, burying three 3-pointers and scoring 12 of the Redskins’ 17 points.
In the second half, the Redskins took 23 trips to the foul line with Arcidiacono taking 16.
Arcidiacono completed his impressive double-double with 11 rebounds. Also finishing in double figures for the Redskins was Dominick with 11 points to go along with seven rebounds. Danny Bodine added eight boards and five points.
“The nice thing is a couple of guys around (Arcidiacono) are starting to pick up the slack and score a little bit,” Tingle said. “The other night two guys – one had 18 and one had 16, and tonight one had 11.
“He’s just playing unreal and the team in general is playing really well also, so it’s a good start.”
For the Owls, James Leible had 16 points, which included a 6-for-8 effort at the foul line. Ward Roberts added 15.
Neshaminy (5-0, 1-0 SOL) will face Church Farm School next Wednesday at 6 p.m. in an opening round game of the West Chester Rustin Winter Classic. Bensalem (2-3, 1-1) will take on Bristol at home on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Dick Dougherty Memorial Holiday Tournament.
Bensalem 9-15-10-18 42
Neshaminy 14-17-11-14 56
Bensalem (42) – Taco Douglas 4, Ward Roberts 15, James Leible 16, Isaiah Murray 2, Kris Shields 5.
Neshaminy (56) – Pat Campbell 4, Logan Williamson 2, Arcidiacono 30, Anthony Papeo 3, Danny Bodine 5, Greg DeLuca 1, Charles Dominick 11.
ABINGTON 82, PENNSBURY 60
Eric Dixon was unstoppable in Thursday’s win at Pennsbury. Two days after eclipsing the 1,000-point milestone, Dixon got a jump on the next thousand, erupting for 41 points. The junior center – who was 6-for-7 from the foul line – connected on 17-of-24 shots from the floor. His 41 points is the most points in a game since Dave Brooks (Niagara University) in the 1999-2000 season.
Dixon’s dominance was underscored by the fact that a pair of Falcons – assigned to defending the junior standout – picked up their fourth fouls before halftime. Both fouled out in the third quarter. Dixon also had 10 rebounds to complete the double-double.
The Ghosts, who trailed 15-13 after one quarter, knotted the score at 30-30 with 57.2 seconds remaining in the second quarter. They took a 35-30 lead into halftime and then exploded for 23 points in the third quarter, opening up a 58-40 lead heading into the final frame.
The Falcons trailed by just 12 in the third quarter when Dixon completed a three-point play. A Pennsbury technical when Dixon was fouled sent Robbie Heath to the foul line. He buried both shots, and the Ghosts had possession. The Falcons were not heard from the rest of the way.
Robbie Heath had a big night of his own for the Ghosts, finishing with 18 points, nine assists and six rebounds. He was a perfect 7-for-7 at the foul line. Lucas Monroe added seven points and four rebounds.
For the game, Abington connected on 19-of-60 shots from the field (48.3 percent). They also buried 20-of-24 from the foul line (83.3 percent). The Ghosts also protected the basketball, committing just five turnovers.
For the Falcons, Gary Francis led the way with 19 points while Raylil Winton had 15 points. Collin Connor added nine points.
Abington (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will take on Neumann-Goretti on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Jefferson University. Pennsbury (1-5, 0-2) will face Episcopal Academy on Friday, Dec. 29, at the Pete and Jameer Nelson Classic at Thomas Jefferson University.
Abington 13-22-23-24 82
Pennsbury 15-15-10-20 60
Abington (82) – Eric Dixon 41, Robbie Heath 18, Lucas Monroe 7, Darious Brown 4, Bryan Coffman 1, Xavier Crawford 5, Dante Knox 2, JP Nolan 2, Hasan Whitby 2.
Pennsbury (60) – Jake Martell 4, Collin Connor 9, Raylil Winton 15, Josh Arruda 4, Chad Weldon 3, Kyrie Miller 4, Cooper Arnold 2, Gary Francis 19.
SOL American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 50, HATBORO-HORSHAM 32
The Golden Bears, who led 9-6 after one quarter, seized control of Thursday’s game in the middle two quarters, outscoring the Hatters 31-17 in the second and third quarters combined.
“The key was the guys buying in – the constant buy-in and playing so hard,” coach Sean Feeley said. “I know it sounds cliché, but we play hard, and we pride ourselves on that.
“Some shots fell tonight, which is always nice, but guys played their butts off. They played very hard.”
Brett Brossman led the Golden Bears with 17 points while Christian O’Donnell added 10. Jake Villanueva scored eight points and Ryan Coyle had seven.
"Our seniors played really, really well,” Feeley said. “Ryan Coyle, Brett Brossman and Jake Villaneuva all played real well. Christian O’Donnell played well too.
“We have been playing some tough opponents. Hatboro is very well coached. I respect what they do big time, but it was nice to get this win.”
Upper Moreland (2-3, 1-1 SOL) will face Calvary Christian on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in the Jenkintown tournament.
Hatboro-Horsham 6-10-7-9 32
Upper Moreland 9-16-15-10 50
Upper Moreland (50) – Beau Woollens 5, Christian O’Donnell 10, Ryan Coyle 7, Brett Brossman 17, Tyler Ibbotson 3, Jake Villanueva 8
CHELTENHAM 99, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 60
The Panthers’ offense was operating on all cylinders in Thursday’s win, exploding for 40 points in the first quarter and scoring 70 in a remarkable first half.
“I think we had one of the most efficient halves that we’ve had since I’ve been at Cheltenham, and we didn’t miss a lot of shots,” coach John Timms said. “We didn’t press them after three minutes in the first quarter, so we didn’t score those points because we pressed them and turned them over.”
Jack Clark led the early charge, scoring 17 points in the opening quarter and 21 in the first half. He finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in three quarters of action.
Amir Lewis led the Panthers with 25 points to go along with eight rebounds. Ahmad Bickley had 13 points and nine assists. Zahree Harrison and Kyin Healey both had 10 points.
The Panthers, who led 40-11 after one quarter, took a 70-29 lead into halftime. With the mercy rule in effect, the Spartans outscored the Panthers 31-29 in the second half.
“Our style of play is going to give you some layups and give you some easy baskets,” Timms said. “Those guys fought throughout the game. The game was over pretty much in the first half, but you couldn’t tell by the effort.”
For the Spartans, Deaseeth Kouakou led the way with 14 points while Quentin Johnson added 13 and Ben Rittenhouse, 11 points. Wilson Kreson had 10 points and Jordan Pauls, seven points.
Cheltenham (4-1, 2-0 SOL) will face Archbishop Ryan in the West Catholic Holiday Showcase at Drexel University on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Cheltenham 40-30-18-11 99
Springfield 11-18-13-18 60
Cheltenham (99) – Ahmad Bickley 13, Amir Lewis 25, Zahree Harrison 10, Ahmad Bickley 13, Tim Myarick 5, Jack Clark 23, Brandon Clark 2, Lance Tolliver 4, Kyin Healey 10, Lonce Scott 7.
Springfield (60) – Quentin Johnson 13, Ryan Jackson 2, Deaseeth Kouakou 14, Ben Rittenhouse 11, Jordan Pauls 7, Wilson Krewson 10,
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