Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Sunday.
Non-league
Maggie Lucas Classic at Jefferson University
UPPER DUBLIN 36, GARNET VALLEY 28
In a season that has seen the Flying Cardinals suffer some unexpected setbacks, they picked up a win that vaulted the team back into the top 10 in the District One 6A power rankings.
The win showcased the Flying Cardinals’ trademark defense that allowed just 10 points in the second half.
“I thought the entire team was great defensively,” coach Morgan Funsten said. “I think they’re improving their communication.
“We’re still trying to find our identity. Now that Anajae Smith is back, we feel like we’re complete.”
The Cardinals led 14-10 after one quarter and extended that to 26-18 by halftime.
“I did not think we played particularly well in the first quarter,” Funsten said. “After that, I thought we played great.”
Jackie Vargas led the Cardinals with 10 first-half points. The Lehigh University-bound senior had a big game for the Cardinals, finishing with 12 points on nine shots. She also had five rebounds and eight blocks.
“Jackie set the tone with how well she played defensively, protecting the rim,” Funsten said. “She pretty early on established that it was going to be difficult for Garnet Valley to get anything easy inside.
“She had a great game. She really played well. It may have been her best game of the season.”
Jess Polin scored six points on a pair of 3s in an unusual third quarter that saw the Cardinals outscore the Jaguars 8-5 to go on top 34-23.
“We took four shots – we were 3-for-4,” Funsten said. “The first time we possessed the ball in the third quarter, there was three-and-a-half minutes to go in the quarter.
“We were playing defense, and they just kept dribbling and handing off, and they were down by eight at halftime. It was such a weird quarter. I thought it was a good job of our girls being patient defensively, which is what I thought we’ve always done best. As long as we were solid defensively, I didn’t think they could consistently score on us. I’m sure it was frustrating for our girls to play defense minutes at a time, but they did a great job being patient.”
Polin, named team MVP, led the Cardinals with 12 points on four 3-pointers. She also had five assists, four steals, three blocks and three rebounds with no turnovers.
“Jess Polin stepped up and made some big shots,” Funsten said. “She made four 3s, and it’s back-to-back games she’s done that, so she’s starting to find her stroke.
“Jess was incredibly efficient on 4-of-6 shooting from the outside, and she had zero turnovers. When the ball is in your hands as much as it is with Jess Polin – for her to put up those numbers. It was her birthday too, so it was a nice way to celebrate.”
Smith added six points, three rebounds and a steal.
The Cardinals, eighth in the latest power rankings, are looking to build on Sunday’s strong showing in a week that includes several key matchups.
“The first thing we’re focusing on and the girls have done a great job recently buying into over the past week is – we have to figure out defensively who we are, and offensively, it will come,” Funsten said. “I feel like it’s my job to put us in better spots offensively, but the girls have completely focused on defense, and I think it’s showing. I hope it continues to show. Now we need to get some revenge on Upper Moreland.”
Upper Dublin (12-6, 8-2 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Tuesday.
Garnet Valley 10-8-5-5 28
Upper Dublin 14-13-8-2 36
Garnet Valley (28) – Ava Possenti 1 1-2 4; Mikayla Anderson 1 0-0 2; Abbey Anderson 5 0-0 12; Liesl Dentinger 3 2-2 8; Jessica 0 2-2 2; Totals 10 5-6 28.
Upper Dublin (36) – Anajae Smith 2 2-2 6; Jess Polin 4 0-0 12; Kara Grebe 1 1-2 3; Dayna Balasa 1 0-0 3; Jackie Vargas 6 0-0 12; Totals 14 3-4 36.
3-point goals: GV – Abbey Anderson 2, Ava Possenti, UD – Jess Polin 4, Dayna Balasa.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 53, IMHOTEP 28
If the Bucks were looking for a fast start, Maddie Burke made sure they got one, reeling off the first 12 points of the game for West on four 3-pointers, igniting the Bucks on their way to the no-doubt-about it win.
The Penn State-bound senior, named team MVP, finished with a game-high 24 points, burying seven 3-pointers in a dazzling display of shooting from long range.
“It started with the offense, and that picked everybody up,” West coach Zach Sibel said. “She got it really going, and when you hit seven 3s in a game, you’re definitely feeling it, and she’s been on an absolute tear.”
Behind the hot start by Burke, the Bucks opened up a 14-5 lead after one quarter and took a 26-12 advantage into halftime. They maintained that double-digit lead the rest of the way.
Burke added nine points in the third quarter, including a four-point play. Olivia Irons added nine points on three 3-pointers in a 16-point fourth quarter. She finished with 12 points, including four 3s in a contest that saw the Bucks bury 12 three-pointers.
“Liv Irons following up with four 3s of her own – that’s awesome,” Sibel said. “We handled pressure. We knew they were going to come in and play physical, and we handled that, and we got good shots out of.
“When we move the ball, and we have all the parts clicking, we’re a fun team to coach, a fun team to watch. It was everybody filling their roles.”
Lilly Evans added six points.
“Lilly Evans stepped up and played some big minutes and was active in there – making teams play her opened up some other people,” Sibel said. “She had six points of her own, and she played her best game of the season.”
Jess Broskey saw some action after being sidelined last week with an injury.
“She was cleared, but we still want to be careful with her,” Sibel said. “Emily Spratt continued to do what she does.
“Again, it all comes back to leadership and people playing their roles. Maddy McGarry came in and was terrific defensively. It’s roles, roles, roles and everyone buying in, and that’s what we’ve got here.”
Central Bucks West (14-3, 9-0 SOL) will host West Chester Rustin in a non-league game Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 14-12-11-16 53
Imhotep 5-7-11-5 28
Central Bucks West (53) – Paige Gilbert 1 0-0 2; Olivia Irons 4 0-0 12; Anna Blue 1 0-0 3; Emily Spratt 2 0-0 4; Jess Broskey 1 0-2 2; Maddie Burke 8 1-1 24; Lilly Evans 3 0-0 6; Totals 21 1-3 53.
Imhotep (28) – Janai Smith 4 3-4 12; Ayasha Thomas 2 0-2 4; Alyssa Herder 2 0-0 4; Taniyah Finney 1 0-0 3; Monesjia Harvey 1 1-2 3; Seanlajah Smith 1 0-0 2; Totals 11 4-8 28.
3-point goals: CBW – Maddie Burke 7, Olivia Irons 4, Anna Blue, Imhotep – Janai Smith, Taniyah Finney.
PENNSBURY 55, SPRINGSIDE-CHESTNUT HILL 22
Bella Arcuri had herself a day, scoring a game-high 17 points and earning team MVP honors. The junior guard scored 11 of her points – including three 3-pointers – in a 23-point second quarter that sent the Falcons into halftime with a commanding 37-14 lead.
Mary Miller added eight points, five rebounds and three assists, and Ava Sciolla had seven points, eight rebounds and three assists. Twelve players put their names in the scoring column for the Falcons, who controlled play from start to finish.
Pennsbury (13-3, 7-1 SOL) will host William Tennent on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 14-23-10-8 55
Springside-Chestnut Hill 7-7-3-5 22
Pennsbury (55) – Makayla Bethea 1 0-0 3; Ava Sciolla 3 0-0 7; Abbi Nassivera 1 0-0 2; Kiley Haws 2 0-0 4; Bella Arcuri 7 0-0 17; Lauren Dignan 1 0-0 2; Emily Friel 1 1-2 3; Mary Miller 3 2-2 8; Jill Haley 0 1-2 1; Mia Spinelli 2 0-0 4; Neveah Dash 0 2-2 2; Mack Rooney 1 0-0 2; Totals 22 6-8 55.
Springside-Chestnut Hill (22) – Ava Chavez 4 2-2 11; Franchesca Dimichele 1 1-1 3; Abby Fitzmaurice 1 0-0 3; Abby Kenkelen 0 0-2 0; Tatyana Hall 1 2-2 5; Totals 7 5-7 22.
3-point goals: Pennsbury – Bella Arcuri 3, Ava Sciolla, Makayla Bethea, Ava Chavez, Abby Fitzmaurice, Tatyana Hall.
SOUDERTON 52, AUDENRIED 13
Mikaela Reese scored 14 points in the first half, which included a 4-for-4 effort at the foul line, and the Indians led 29-7 over an Audenried squad that connected on just one field goal in the opening half.
Reese – who earned team MVP honors – finished the game with 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in three quarters. Junior Hayley Fenchel had 10 points and eight rebounds while freshman Teya McConnaha and junior Olivia Schneider each had seven rebounds. Schneider also had eight points in a contest that saw 10 players contribute scoring.
Souderton (12-6, 4-5 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Tuesday.
Audenried 2-5-2-4 13
Souderton 12-17-14-9 52
Audenried (13) – Lumden 1 5-6 7; Epps 1 1-2 4; Wiggins 0 1-2 1; Coursey 0 1-2 1; Totals 2 8-14 13.
Souderton (52) – Jordan Zimmerman 1 0-0 3; Olivia Schneider 4 0-0 8; Casey Harter 1 0-0 2; Hayley Fenchel 4 2-4 10; Teya McConnaha 2 1-2 5; Mikaela Reese 6 4-4 16; Rachel Schewe 1 0-2 2; Nikki Hamilton 0 2-2 2; Mikayla McGillian 0 2-4 2; Julia Shaughnessy 1 0-0 2; Totals 20 11-18 52.
3-point goals: Jordan Zimmerman, Epps.
WEST CATHOLIC 50, NESHAMINY 48
The Redskins took a 39-33 lead into the fourth quarter when they were outscored 17-9. After burying 7-of-8 at the foul line through three quarters, they were just 2-for-7 in the fourth quarter.
“We should have won it at the foul line in the fourth quarter,” coach Joe Lally said. “We had too many chances to increase a two- or four-point lead and didn’t.
“We missed the front end of the one-and-one on fouls seven, eight and nine. On the 10th foul double bonus, we missed both.”
Early on, the Redskins found themselves on the short end of a 16-12 score at the end of one quarter but regrouped and knotted the score 25-25 at halftime. Olivia Scotti’s nine points led the Redskins in the half.
Kristin Curley led the Redskins with 14 points, which included a 6-for-5 effort at the foul line and a 2-for-2 effort in the fourth quarter. Scotti and Emily Tantala both finished with 11 points. Kacie Sienko added eight.
Neshaminy (12-6, 9-0 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North Tuesday.
Neshaminy 12-13-14-9 48
West Catholic 16-9-8-17 50
Neshaminy (48) – Emily Tantala 5 0-2 11; Kacie Sienko 4 0-0 8; Olivia Scotti 3 5-9 11; Kristin Curley 4 5-6 14; Kelli Kowalick 2 0-2 4; Totals 18 9-15 48.
West Catholic (50) – Tamiah Robinson 4 0-2 10; Destiney McPhaul 7 5-6 20; Safara McIntyre 1 0-0 2; Ciani Montgomery 2 2-2 6; Daizy Wilson 3 0-0 8; Amina Reid 1 0-0 2; Leomarah Sampson 1 0-0 2; Totals 19 7-10 50.
3-point goals: Neshaminy – Kacie Sienko, Olivia Scotti, Kristin Curley, West Catholic – Wilson 2, Robinson 2, McPhail.
SAINT BASIL ACADEMY 47, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 44
The Colonials saw their 17-game winning streak halted at the hands of a Panther squad that brought a 16-2 record into the game.
PW led 11-8 after one quarter and took a 24-23 lead into halftime, but the Panthers came out of halftime and outscored the Colonials 14-7 to go on top 37-31. PW’s late rally fell just short.
Kaitlyn Flanagan led the Colonials with 11 points, which included a 7-for-7 effort at the foul line. Abby Sharpe and Anna McTamney both had 10 points while Erin Daley had seven and Gabby Cooper had six points.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (17-1, 10-0 SOL) will host Abington on Tuesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 11-13-7-13 44
Saint Basil Academy 8-15-14-10 47
Plymouth Whitemarsh (44) – Kaitlyn Flanagan 2 7-7 11; Abby Sharpe 3 2-4 10; Erin Daley 1 5-6 7; Gabby Cooper 2 1-2 6; Anna McTamney 1 8-10 10; Totals 9 23-27 44.
St. Basil (47) – Remolde 3 0-0 7; Carter 8 0-2 17; White 4 0-1 10; Deal 4 1-2 10; Scannelli 1 0-1 3; Totals 20 1-6 47.
3-point goals: PW – Gabby Cooper, St. Basil – White 2, Remolde, Carter, Deal, Scannell.
URSULINE ACADEMY 52, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 43
The Indians scored 30 points in the first and four quarters combined but managed just 13 in the middle two frames when they were outscored 26-13.
Junior Anna Cairone and freshman Jaden Wan both scored 15 points to lead the Indians. Cairone scored 11 of her points – including two 3s – in the fourth quarter while Wan had 11 points in the first half. Abby Jones added six points.
The Indians connected on 10-of-12 at the foul line. Wan was a perfect 4-for-4, Cairone was 3-for-4 and Jones was 2-for-2.
Council Rock North (4-14, 3-6 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday.
Ursuline Academy 13-12-14-13 52
Council Rock North 11-7-6-19 43
Ursuline Academy (52) – Rzucino 2 6-8 10; Gordon 1 4-6 6; Gilliard 2 1-2 5; White 2 3-8 7; Raptovich 3 2-4 8; Kelley 7 1-1 16; Totals 17 17-29 52.
Council Rock North (43) – Lizzie Lustig 2 0-0 4; Anna Cairone 5 3-4 15; Riley Hamilton 1 0-0 2; Kristen Polinsky 0 1-2 1; Jaden Wan 5 4-4 15; Abby Jones 2 2-2 6; Totals 14 10-12 43.
3-point goals: CRN –Anna Cairone 2, Jaden Wan, Ursuline – Kelley.
Saturday, Jan. 25
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 57, COLLEGIUM CHARTER 47
Rileigh Serroni scored 16 points to lead three Spartan players in double figures. Maddie Yoder added 15 and Emily Smith had 11 as the Spartans notched their second win of the season.
The Spartans took tenuous 20-18 lead into halftime and then took control of the game with a 20-11 third-quarter tear to go on top 40-29.
“It was awesome,” coach David Giordano said. “We had four games this week. We got beat up pretty good on Tuesday by PW, and then we had three games in a row Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“We actually played better each day the last three days. We lost a tough one to Interboro Thursday by eight, lost a tough one at my old friends at Wissahickon by four. To come through and not only win – we at one point had been up 10 early in the fourth, and they closed it to two and had the ball. Our girls took care of the ball, made foul shots and closed it out. We couldn’t be happier for them.”
Yoder connected on a pair of foul shots in the fourth quarter, Smith delivered two clutch foul shots and Emily Guicheteau had one to seal Collegium Charter’s fate.
“It’s been a long season, but the one thing they have done this year more than any other team since I’ve been at Springfield – they stay together, and they stay positive,” Giordano said. “They look at each game as another opportunity to get better. I couldn’t be happier for them. I think they played their best three games of basketball in a row. W-wise, we only got one, but it was more than worth it.”
Springfield Township (2-14, 0-10 SOL) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
Springfield Township 11-9-20-17 57
Collegium Charter 14-4-11-18 47
Springfield Township (57) – Raya Davis 6, Rileigh Serroni 16, Maddie Yoder 15, Emily Smith 11, Emily Guicheteau 5, Emma Cawley 2, Fallon George 2.
Collegium Charter (47) – Mallory Levan 1, Pamela Ann Margolin 5, Elena Carter 7, Sydney Butcher 2, DJ Morris 13, Elizabeth Kiley 6, Cheyenne Rivas 13.
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