Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action. UD/Hatboro-Horsham photos provided courtesy of Geanine Jamison. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 51, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 49
It was a long time coming – almost five years to be exact – since the Patriots defeated their archrival. Riding the hot hand of freshman Aubrey DeAngelis, who stole the spotlight with a game-high 21 points, the Patriots rallied from a 41-32 deficit heading into the final quarter to defeat a West squad that entered the game with just one conference loss.
DeAngelis spearheaded the Patriots’ fourth quarter comeback, scoring nine points in the frame. She connected on her fourth three-pointer of the night in the fourth quarter and, for the game, was a torrid 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.
“She’s been playing really well for us,” coach Liz Potash said. “She’s been starting the last five or six games.
“We were really excited about her coming up. Tonight she just kind of exploded. She couldn’t miss, and when Sky (Krause) picked up her second foul halfway through the first quarter, we put Aubrey on Maddie Burke. Maddie scored 17, but she made her earn them. She really defended her well on top of what she was doing on the offensive end.”
Senior Caroline Pla also had a big night, scoring 14 points – six in the pivotal final frame, including the winning basket with 10 seconds remaining after the Bucks, who led by one, misfired on a foul shot at the other end.
“Caroline came up with the rebound, and she was going with a full head of steam,” Potash said. “We had one timeout left, and (assistant coach) Monica (Stolic) said, ‘So you want to use it?’
“She had all this momentum, and in that situation, we’re going to let our senior captain point guard just go with it. She finished, they turned the ball over at midcourt, Aubrey (DeAngelis) kind of collapsed on it, she made one-of-two (foul shots). They did get a shot off that would have tied it as time expired. It was a crazy little sequence at the end.”
Early on, the Bucks led 11-9 after one quarter, and sparked by nine points from another standout freshman – Emily Spratt, they outscored the Patriots 18-10 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 27-21 lead.
“It was a two-point game, and we had two really bad turnovers that led to points for them,” Potash said. “So instead of being down two at half, now you’re down six.”
For the game, the Patriots connected on 11-of-25 shots from the floor, but it was their dazzling 8-for-16 effort from beyond the arc that was the difference. The Bucks, who connected on 12-of-26 shots, made good on just 4-of-20 from long distance.
“We did a really good job – and this was the biggest thing we said – with them, as soon as you start to drive, they’ll collapse three and four girls, and you have to be ready to kick the ball out, and we did,” Potash said. “We were getting some openish shots just by kicking the ball out, and obviously, we were making them tonight so that always helps.”
Another key, according to the East coach, was the Patriots’ ability to limit the Bucks’ second and third chance opportunities in the second half.
“They had 13 offensive rebounds in the first half, and we only gave up three in the second half,” Potash said. “I said to the girls, ‘There’s no adjustment we can make, there’s nothing we can tell you. You’ve got to have a little heart. If you want to win this game, they can’t have two or three shots.’”
Also for the Patriots, Gabby Wilga added nine points.
Maddie Burke’s 17 points led the Bucks while Spratt finished with 13. Olivia Irons added eight, including a pair of three-pointers, and Tori Abelson had seven.
The win was the Patriots’ first over West since Jan. 29, 2014, when they edged the Bucks 49-48 in overtime.
“Forget what the records are and forget all of that – I’ve never seen anything like the East-West games,” Potash said. “I’ve been coaching six years now, and it is unbelievable what these games become.
“We always seem to play them close, but we haven’t beaten them since my first year when Caroline White and Courtney Webster played for me, and it was Nicole Munger’s junior year in high school. We’ve played a bunch of them close since, but we haven’t been able to get one. Especially for the girls to be able get this win now was really big because we had such a tough start to the season. We were able to hang with teams for about three quarters, but for them to put a complete game together and get this one tonight was really big. I was really proud of them.”
Central Bucks East (7-7, 4-3 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South on Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (9-5, 5-2) will host Souderton on Tuesday.
Central Bucks East 11-10-11-19 51
Central Bucks West 9-18-14-8 49
Central Bucks East (51) – Gabby Wilga 9, Caroline Pla 14, Skylar Krause 5, Aubrey DeAngelis 21, Emily Barry 2.
Central Bucks West (49) – Olivia Irons 8, Maddie Burke 17, Emily Spratt 13, Izzy Treon 4, Tori Abelson 7.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 47, QUAKERTOWN 29
The visiting Titans, who led 10-4 after one quarter, took a 24-12 lead into halftime on their way to the conference win.
A pair of freshman – Taylor Hinkle and Mackenzie Erb – led the Titans. Hinkle led all scorers with 13 points while Erb added nine. Seniors Sofia Sonnet (7 points) and Fatima Cervera (six points) also contributed.
For the Panthers, Bri Lefkoski’s nine points led the way. Kayla Horning added seven while Abigail Dickson had six.
Central Bucks South (6-7, 4-5 SOL) is scheduled to host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a non-league contest. Quakertown (2-12, 0-7) will host Pen Argyl in a non-league game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Central Bucks South 10-14-14-9 47
Quakertown 4-8-7-10 29
Central Bucks South (47) – Mary Kate McShane 1, Taylor Hinkle 13, Lauren Spear 1, Mackenzie Erb 9, Allie Burke 3, Kirsten Schaller 2, Fatima Cervera 6, Sofia Sonnet 7, Alexa Brodie 5.
Quakertown (29) – Bri Lefkoski 9, Abigail Dickson 6, Kimmy Best 4, Laney Mitchell 3, Kayla Horning 7.
SOL American Conference
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 49, WISSAHICKON 24
Sophomore Anna McTamney and freshman Jordyn Thomas combined for 30 points to lead the Colonials to a win over their neighboring rival.
“It was a typical Friday night game at Wissahickon – they had a nice crowd there cheering them on,” coach Dan Dougherty said. “Their girls came out fired up and ready to play.
“Even though they were down (Brianna) Tilghman, they came out and were able to knock down some open shots in the first half. We always struggle to shoot in their gym, and we were struggling to make shots in the first half.”
The Colonials took a 26-17 lead into halftime and then outscored the Trojans 23-7 in the second half to put the game away.
“The second half we were able to lock down defensively a little bit more,” Dougherty said. “We were able to limit their other good player, (Anna) Schools, to four points in the whole game.
“In the second half, Anna McTamney and Jordyn Thomas were really able to take over the game down low as well as our defense holding them to seven points in the second half. It was a good win.”
McTamney finished with 18 points and four rebounds, and Thomas added 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Gabby Cooper added six points.
For the Trojans, Victoria Williams had seven points and Rebecca Selverian added six.
“The first half – the effort was there,” coach Rodney Cline said. “They played well. It’s a two-possession, three-possession game in the first half. We had our goals we wanted to meet in the first half, and we did that. We just couldn’t put the ball in the basket in the second half. That’s our Achilles – being able to put the ball in the basket.
“We played good defense. They were physical and big, and we got physical back. The girls played hard, hustled to 50-50 balls. The second half we missed shots. Credit them – they worked hard, they made the shots they needed to make. We just have to get better, make sure we concentrate, make sure we finish and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.”
The Trojans continue to adjust to playing without Brianna Tilghman (concussion symptoms).
“It’s tough – it has changed our whole dynamic,” Cline said. “She’s the key to our car.
“She’s at the game supporting the girls, cheering them on, giving feedback, being another coach on the bench, but it’s not the same.
“The girls tonight played with a lot of effort. They’re starting to understand their new roles, they’re starting to play with a little more continuity.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (13-2, 6-2 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South for a non-league game Saturday at 1 p.m.
“We have a big game tomorrow at CB South – we’re treating it a little bit like a playoff game,” Dougherty said. “There’s no jayvee game before it. CB South is a tough opponent for us, a tough matchup with (Alexa) Brodie, so our young players get to play against another elite talent. Hopefully, the weather will hold off so we’re able to get our game in tomorrow.”
Wissahickon (4-9, 2-6) is scheduled to travel to West Chester East for a non-league game Saturday at 12:15 p.m.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 13-13-10-13 49
Wissahickon 9-8-6-1 24
Plymouth Whitemarsh (49) – Ally Zolty 3, Kaitlyn Flanagan 3, Mackenzie Lesczynski 2, Sydney Kesselman 5, Gabby Cooper 6, Anna McTamney 18, Jordyn Thomas 12.
Wissahickon (24) – Lily Hyatt 2, Anna Schools 4, Lauren Fadel 4, Rebecca Selverian 6, Julia Verrier 1, Victoria Williams 7.
UPPER MORELAND 40, CHELTENHAM 33
Matt Carroll called Friday’s hard fought contest “the perfect game for us.” The third-year coach had his reasons.
“We so badly needed adversity to help us get to the next step,” the Golden Bears’ coach said. “We have only had three games where the winning team won by less than 10 points.
“We needed a close game where we had to battle through all of the different types of adversity that basketball brings. There are so many things we haven’t dealt with this year and things you can’t replicate in practice that we had to deal with today. There haven’t been a lot of games in years past where we win the first matchup in league play and teams were looking to get revenge on us. That’s a whole different mindset for us, and I thought we handled it well.
“Within the game itself, Cheltenham gave us a lot of different looks and took away what we do well. This game came down to playing basketball and making plays.”
The Golden Bears made the plays when it mattered most. They led 12-5 after one quarter and took a 22-15 lead. Bean Hughes had seven points in the half and Phoebe Longstreth had six. Madison Rorer’s eight points kept the Lady Panthers close.
The Lady Panthers – sparked by a pair of threes from Umayrah Sulayman – outscored UM 17-11 in the third quarter, and the Golden Bears held just a 33-32 lead heading into the final quarter. They allowed just one point in the final frame while scoring seven to earn the win.
“We weren’t able to get a lot out of our sets and that was strictly due to Cheltenham’s players and coaching staff,” Carroll said. “Ben (Bowman) has a great plan and their girls executed it really well.
“Cheltenham made a run in the third and took the lead at one point during the game. I thought our players handled that swing really well. They stayed calm, took it one possession at a time, and finished the game.”
Hughes led the Bears with 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Longstreth added 10 points, and Emma Meakim had seven.
“Bean was big for us again,” Carroll said of Hughes. “She’s a focal point of our offense and Cheltenham did a great job of taking her away. Kai Williams wouldn’t give her an inch, but Bean continued to battle through.
“She really does it all for us, and Cheltenham made her work for everything. In the moment, you always want less stress, everything goes smoothly, and you win easy. In hindsight this game was so much more than just a victory for us.”
Rorer’s 13 points led the Lady Panthers while Sulayman added 11.
“Matt really has done a fantastic job with that team – I’m proud of him,” said Bowman of his former coaching colleague. “After a rough game against Bensalem and playing Abington, I thought our girls came out focused and ready to play. I saw the passion and hard work that will help move this program forward.”
Upper Moreland (10-4, 5-3 SOL) will travel to Abington on Tuesday, and Cheltenham (2-13, 0-8) will host Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 12-10-11-7 40
Cheltenham 5-10-17-1 33
Upper Moreland (40) – Phoebe Longstreth 10, Kathryn Morrow 2, Kaitie Opferman 4, Emma Meakim 7, Bean Hughes 13, Hannah Finn 4.
Cheltenham (33) – Madison Rorer 13, Umayrah Sulayman 11, Kelia Holmes 5, Kai Williams 4.
UPPER DUBLIN 59, HATBORO-HORSHAM 22
Dayna Balasa continued her torrid offensive production from long range, connecting on four three-pointers and scoring a game-high 14 points to lead the Cardinals in Friday’s win. She also had three assists.
Sarah Eskew added 11 points, three rebounds and three steals, and Jackie Vargas contributed nine points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Jess Polin spent the night setting up her teammates, handing out nine assists to go along with four points and three rebounds.
The Cardinals, who led 14-8 after one quarter, took a 24-14 lead into halftime and then outscored their visitors 35-8 in the second half.
Freshman Emily Thomas scored seven points and senior Kylie Halko had six to lead the Hatters.
Upper Dublin (13-2, 8-0 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham on Tuesday, and Hatboro-Horsham (6-9, 3-5) will host Wissahickon on Tuesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 8-6-5-3 22
Upper Dublin 14-10-21-14 59
Hatboro-Horsham (22) – Emily Thomas 7, Cam Ryan 5, Logan Cummings 2, Kylie Halko 6, Alice Hall 2.
Upper Dublin (59) – Bliss Brenner 3, Anajae Smith 9, Meg Barbera 6, Brianna Felgoise 3, Jess Polin 4, Sarah Eskew 11, Dayna Balasa 14, Jackie Vargas 9.
Non-league
WILLIAM TENNENT 43, NEW FOUNDATIONS CHARTER 25
Sparked by eight points – including a pair of threes – from Jenna Rodebaugh, the Panthers opened up a 16-8 lead after one quarter, and despite scoring just two points in the second quarter, they took an 18-13 lead into halftime. They outscored their visitors 25-12 in the second half to win going away.
“It was great to follow up Tuesday’s win (over Harry S Truman) with another solid team effort tonight,” coach Laura Whitney said. “Our girls seemed to carry the momentum into tonight and played with a lot of energy.
“The last two games we have had balanced scoring and all the girls seem to be playing with much more confidence. Aside from our letdown in the second quarter where we looked a bit tired and struggled to put the ball in the basket, we continued to move the ball well and get good shots.
“The thing that was most impressive though was how we controlled the boards on both ends. We have really emphasized the need to get better at limiting our opponent’s second chance opportunities, and tonight we did that.”
Haley Crossley finished with seven rebounds, two assists and a steal to go along with her 13 points. Hannah Reimel had five rebounds, two assists and two steals to go along with her seven points.
“I thought Caitlin Somerville was huge tonight,” Whitney said. “Even though she only had six points, she led the team with eight rebounds and two steals. She was so active at both ends and kept several possessions alive for us.
William Tennent (4-12, 1-5 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Tuesday.
New Foundations Charter 8-5-8-4 25
William Tennent 16-2-15-10 43
New Foundations Charter (25) Velez 1, Gilchrist 6, Nulty 2, Knight 16.
William Tennent (43) – Caitlin Somerville 6, Chelsea Meltzer 4, Hannah Reimel 7, Jenna Rodebaugh 11, Kirsten Scott 2, Haley Crossley 13.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 57, NORTH PENN 42
The Knights under first-year coach Jen Carangi have not shied away from playing tough competition, and that trend continued on Friday when they made the trek to New Jersey to take on a Gloucester Catholic team that features Duke commit Azana Baines.
“I’d rather play good teams than bad because then it’s a false sense of where we are as a team,” the Knights’ coach said. “I know it will benefit us in the long run.
“Our girls played well today, but Baines is really good. It was a tough test for us, but our girls responded.”
Baines scored a game-high 22 points and Jada Williams added 14. The duo combined for 20 first-half points, propelling the host team to a 32-15 lead. The Knights didn’t go down quietly, outscoring Gloucester Catholic 27-25 in the second half.
Alli Lindsay led the charge, scoring 12 of her game-high 21 points after the intermission. Her nine first-half points included a pair of three-pointers. Alaina Mullaly also finished in double figures with 10 points, and Val McGriff added six.
North Penn (6-8, 3-4 SOL) will travel to Archbishop Carroll for a non-league game on Monday.
North Penn 6-9-8-19 42
Gloucester Catholic 12-20-13-12 57
North Penn (42) – Alayna Faison 4, Alli Lindsay 21, Alaina Mullaly 10, Carley Adams 1, Val McGriff 6.
Gloucester Catholic (57) – Azana Baines 22, Mycala Carney 9, Lynzie Eggers 2, Emily Leonhardt 2, Velez 3, Van Dine 2, Barrera 3. Jada Williams 14.
About the Author
