Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action on Friday.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 50, LOWER CAPE MAY 18
The Titans wrapped up a perfect December with a no-doubt-about-it win over Lower Cape May in the title game of the George Betz Memorial bracket at the Boardwalk Classic on Friday.
Haley Meinel was close to perfect from the field, connecting on 8-of-9 shots to lead the Titans with 16 points. Alexa Brodie added 12 points and Mackenzie Ehresman, who converted 4-of-5 shots from the floor and 3-of-3 at the foul line, contributed 11.
After one quarter, the Titans had a 15-7 lead, and they put the game out of reach with a 14-2 second quarter to go into halftime with a 29-9 lead. Not a whole lot changed in a second half that saw the Titans hold Lower Cape May to zero field goals while they added to their lead despite massive substitutions.
This was CB South’s first time competing in the Boardwalk Classic, and the Titans – who didn’t play until 8:30 p.m. on Friday – designated the day Fri-day-of-fun, enjoying breakfast, a movie, bowling and basketball.
Central Bucks South (8-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks West on Wednesday.
Lower Cape May 7-2-4-5 18
Central Bucks South 15-14-15-6 50
Lower Cape May (18) – Jenna Durbin 4, Olivia Levin 7, Annabella Halbruner 1, Helena Roesing 1, Gabby Grey 2, Reese smith 1, Tayanis Torres 2.
Central Bucks South (50) – Maddie White 4, Lindsay Scott 2, Allie Burke 2, Haley Meinel 16, Alexa Brodie 12, Sofia Sonnet 3, Mackenzie Ehresman 11.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 65, BODINE 16
Taylor O’Brien scored 21 points to lead the Colonials to the rout of Bodine in an opening round game of PW’s own tournament Friday. Freshman Anna McTamney added 13 points. Lauren Fortescue had eight.
The Colonials (6-1, 2-0) led 26-4 after one quarter on their way to the lopsided win. PW will play for the tournament title on Saturday.
Bodine 4-4-2-6 16
Plymouth Whitemarsh 26-17-12-10 65
Plymouth Whitemarsh (65) – Issa Crawley 4, Jordan O’Brien 4, Taylor O’Brien 21, Lauren Fortescue 8, Gia Schweitzer 2, Ali Diamond 5, Haley Zygmunt 3, Gabby Cooper 2, Anna McTamney 13, Sydney Kesselman 3.
NORTH ALLEGHENY 70, ABINGTON 49
The Ghosts saw their successful run through North Allegheny’s eight-team tournament come to an end in Saturday evening’s title game when they fell to the home team. The defending PIAA 6A runner-up Tigers opened up a 19-8 lead after one quarter and upped that advantage to 35-20 by halftime over a Ghost squad that was running on empty.
“We had no energy and no gas, and it was a bad formula,” coach Dan Marsh said. “Three games – really the first game against Norwin, they just wore us down. We didn’t have anything left in the tank today.
“There was literally one time where four of their kids beat all of our kids down the court. If we’re full strength and we’re on a neutral site, I think we can compete with them, but I don’t know if we could beat them right now – hopefully, in February or March if we’re fortunate enough to get that far.”
Junior point guard Rachel Martindale’s 23 points led the Tigers. Martindale had made a verbal commitment to Pitt for softball but has opted instead to pursue basketball at the Division One level. Her 12-point third quarter outburst sparked a 21-11 tear that put the Tigers on top 56-31.
“Their two guards are as good as anyone,” Marsh said. “They play the same style as us, and they’re better than us.
“They’re the best team in the state right now, no doubt in my mind. I don’t know that there’s a team in any class that could beat them. Their top seven players are all good. They shoot well, they drive well. They’re going to be tough.”
Kassondra Brown – a no-brainer selection to the all-tournament team – had another monster performance for the Ghosts, scoring a game-high 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds.
“She was the one bright spot tonight, but to take second place in this tough tournament – we got better, and that’s really what we wanted to do,” Marsh said. “I’m happy about it.
“No one wants to get run over like we did today, but it was still a positive experience, and I think we will benefit from it the rest of the year.”
Also for the Ghosts, Sam Brusha added 10 points and Jordyn Allen had six.
Abington (5-3, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Neshaminy for a key SOL National Conference game on Wednesday.
Abington 8-12-11-18 49
North Allegheny 19-16-21-14 70
Abington (49) – Britney James 2, Cameron Lexow 1, Kassondra Brown 24, Miranda Liebtag 4, Sam Brusha 10, Jordyn Alen 6, Megan Benson 2.
North Allegheny (70) – Audrey Lane 2, Courtney Roman 16, Rachel Martindale 23, Piper Morningstar 9, Lizzy Groetch 8, Katerina Balouris 2, Madelyn Fisher 10.
GULF COAST 56, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 49
Gulf Coast brought an impressive 10-1 record into Friday’s second round game of the Naples Holiday Shootout, and the Sharks looked every bit as good as their record when they jumped out to an 8-0 lead just a minute and 10 seconds into the contest.
At the end of one quarter, Gulf Coast led 23-9 and took a 31-21 lead into halftime. It was a 41-29 game heading into the final quarter when the Indians outscored the Sharks 20-15.
Dana Bandurick had a stellar outing for the Indians, finishing with a double-double that included 18 points and 15 rebounds. She also had a pair of steals and seven assists. Mackenzie Tinner also had a big day, collecting a double-double of her own with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She blocked three shots. Senior point guard Becca Margolis added 11 points.
Council Rock North (4-3, 2-0 SOL) will return to action on Saturday at the Naples Holiday Shootout.
Council Rock North 9-12-8-20 49
Gulf Coast 23-8-10-15 56
Council Rock North (56) – Becca Margolis 11, Dana Bandurick 18, Sydney Blum 3, Olivia Boyle 2, Mackenzie Tinner 15.
Gulf Coast (49) – Mya Grusto 1, Jordan Clautier 16, Sydney Eugene 4, Yazmeen Chang 20, Marina Kado 6.
WOODBRIDGE (Va.) 30, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 28
The Bucks appeared poised to earn a hard-fought win in the Boo Williams Christmas Classic but saw their two-point lead disappear when a Woodbridge player buried a 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining.
Maddie Burke led the Bucks with eight points, and Diane Nicholson had seven. Abbey Spratt scored six.
West has faced tough competition playing out of the top bracket in the prestigious tournament. The Bucks were moved up after a team dropped out of the tournament.
Central Bucks West (3-3, 2-0 SOL) will return to action at the tournament on Saturday.
Central Bucks West 6-9-6-7 28
Woodbridge (Va.) 4-4-11-11 30
Central Bucks West (28) – Abbey Spratt 6, Diane Nicholson 7, Maddie Burke 8, Kaili Carey 1, Izzy Treon 4, Lilly Evans 2.
DOWNINGTOWN EAST 42, NESHAMINY 38
The Redskins scored just three points in the first quarter but trailed by just four (7-3) at the end of the frame. They outscored the Cougars 14-7 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 17-14 lead only to watch the Cougars rally for the win.
Brooke Mullin led the Redskins with a double-double that included 11 points and 11 rebounds. Meghan Ansel added 10 points, and Kristin Curley had eight points. Allison Harvey added six points. Olivia Scotti pulled down six rebounds.
Neshaminy (4-3, 1-0 SOL) will host Abington on Wednesday.
Neshaminy 3-14-7-14 38
Downingtown East 7-7-12-16 42
Neshaminy (38) – Olivia Scotti 1, Brooke Mullin 11, Kristin Curley 8, Meghan Ansel 10, Kelli Kowalick 2, Allison Harvey 6.
Downingtown East (42) – Mary McFillin 4, Nicole Campbell 1, Danielle Tyrell 3, Bella Smuda 14, Erin Phelan 9, Olivia Williams 11.
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