Seven SOL teams will be in action when the PIAA 6A Tournament gets underway on Friday. The SOL Continental Conference will be represented by its top four teams while the SOL American will have a pair of teams in the tournament. Pennsbury is the lone SOL National team in the tournament.
#1-1 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST vs #3-7 HEMPFIELD (at Council Rock South, Friday, March 6, 7:30 p.m.)
Central Bucks West
- 24-4 overall
- 12-0 SOL Continental Conference regular season champions
- Defeated #8 Upper Dublin 38-33 to capture the SOL Tournament title, the program’s third in six years.
- Led by Penn State signee Maddie Burke (14 ppg, 4.4 rpg), a long-range sharpshooter who connects on 44 percent from beyond the arc.
- Also making important contributions are sophomore Emily Spratt (10 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.4 apg), senior point guard Olivia Irons (10 ppg), junior Paige Gilbert (7 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and senior Jess Broskey (7 ppg, 3.7 rpg).
- Second seed in District One 6A Tournament
How they got here: In the district title game, Central Bucks West defeated #4 Pennsbury 42-38. Jess Broskey and Paige Gilbert led a balanced attack with 10 while Olivia Irons had eight. Emily Spratt and Maddie Burke both had seven points.
In a semifinal, Central Bucks West edged #3 Spring-Ford 49-45. Olivia Irons, who had a pair of clutch 3s late in the game, led the Bucks with 15 points. Sophomore Emily Spratt scored 12 points and was 6-for-6 from the foul line down the stretch. Paige Gilbert added eight points.
In a quarterfinal contest, Central Bucks West defeated #10 North Penn 68-59. Maddie Burke scored 11 of her 16 points in the first quarter, propelling the Bucks to a 20-14 lead. Jess Broskey had the hot hand after halftime, scoring 17 of her game-high 22 points. Olivia Irons added 14 points and Paige Gilbert, seven points.
In a second round game, Central Bucks West defeated #15 Neshaminy 52-41. Maddie Burke’s 16 points led the Bucks. Olivia Irons had 14, including an 8-for-8 effort at the foul line down the stretch. Emily Spratt had 11 points (5-for-6 at the foul line), and Paige Gilbert owned the backboards, pulling down 14 rebounds to go along with six points.
Opening round bye.
Hempfield
- 19-8 overall
- 13-0 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 champion
- Won first L-L League section title since 2004-05 season.
- Lost to eventual league runner-up Pequea Valley 48-42 in L-L League semifinals
- Allow an average of 32.3 points a game.
- Led by senior guard/forward Lindsay Durkota (9.9 ppg), a Section 1 first team all-star who is a D1 lacrosse recruit and will play at Cincinnati.
- Also making important contributions are freshman Autumn Cook (7.1 ppg, 24 3s), freshman Lauren Moffatt (5.9 ppg) and junior Jess Weinholdt (4.5 ppg), a Section 1 second team all-star.
How they got here: In the seventh place game, Hempfield defeated #9 Dallastown 39-20. Autumn Cook (12 points, 3 3s), Lindsay Durkota (11 points) and Jess Weinholdt (9 points) led the Black Knights.
In a playback game, Hempfield lost to #6 Manheim Township 38-29. Jess Weinholdt’s six points led the Black Knights.
In a second round game, Hempfield lost to #2 Cumberland Valley 55-26.
In a district opener, Hempfield defeated #10 Wilson 43-42. Sophomore Orianna Edmond, who is 6-1, scored 18 points and Lindsay Durkota added 11.
#1-2 PENNSBURY vs #3-5 RED LION (at Council Rock South, Friday, March 6, 6 p.m.)
Pennsbury
- 22-5 overall
- 11-1 SOL National Conference co-champions with Neshaminy
- Fell to #2 Central Bucks West 30-23 in SOL Tournament semifinals, snapping a nine-game winning streak.
- Led by sophomore point guard Ava Sciolla, who averages 14.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game and is the glue that keeps the Falcons together
- Senior Mary Miller (9.5 ppg), sophomore Nicole Pompili (9.5 ppg) as well are junior Bella Arcuri (6.7 ppg, 3 apg, 2 spg) are also important contributors
- Fourth seed in the District One 6A Tournament
- Program’s last state playoff win was in 2006.
How they got here: In the district title game, Pennsbury fell to #2 Central Bucks West 42-38. Sophomore Ava Sciolla led the Falcons with 18 while senior Mary Miller and sophomore Nicole Pompili both had eight points.
In a semifinal contest, Pennsbury upset #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh 50-41. Ava Sciolla scored 24 points to lead the Falcons. Mary Miller (9 points) and Bella Arcuri (8 points) also contributed.
In a quarterfinal contest, Pennsbury defeated #5 Methacton 53-34. The Falcons – who battled the Warriors to a 13-13 halftime tie – blew the game open with a 30-21 second half. Bella Arcuri’s 19 points led the Falcons. Ava Sciolla added 13, and Abbi Nassivera had six.
In a second round game, Pennsbury rolled to a 58-30 win over #13 West Chester Rustin, allowing just eight points in the second half. Bella Arcuri (17 points) and Ava Sciolla (14 points) led the Falcons. Nicole Pompili added 10 points and Mary Miller had eight.
Opening round bye.
Red Lion
- 21-7 overall
- 10-2 York-Adams Division 1 second place
- Fell to Dallastown 35-30 in the semifinals of the York-Adams Tournament
- Junior Makiah Shaw is the undisputed go-to-player, averaging 16 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals a game.
- Also contributing are senior point guard Asia Eames (6.4 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 spg), junior Chloe Tollinger (6.8 ppg, 1.3 spg) and junior Julia Beiler (6.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.5 spg).
- Coach Don Dimoff notched the 500th win of his career earlier this season.
How they got here: In the third place game, Red Lion fell to #2 Cumberland Valley 34-27. Makiah Shaw scored 16. No other Red Lion player scored more than four in a contest that saw the Lions connect on just 16 percent of their shots (8-for-51)
In a semifinal contest, Red Lion lost to #1 Central Dauphin 49-40. Makiah Shaw (16 points) and Riley Good (8 points) led the Knights.
In a quarterfinal game, Red Lion defeated #4 Governor Mifflin 29-27. Chloe Tollinger scored eight and Makiah Shaw had seven.
In a district opener, Red Lion defeated #12 Warwick 52-29. Makiah Shaw’s 20 points led the Lions. Asia Eames had eight.
#1-3 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH vs. #11-4 POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST (at Souderton, Friday, March 6, 6 p.m.)
Plymouth Whitemarsh
- 23-4 overall
- 13-1 SOL American Conference champions
- Fell to #8 Upper Dublin 39-35 in SOL Tournament semifinals.
- Balanced scoring is the name of the game for the Colonials, who are led by sophomore point guard Kaitlyn Flanagan (11.1 ppg) and junior forward Anna McTamney (11.0).
- Also making important contributions are freshman Erin Daley (9.2 ppg), junior Gabby Cooper (8 ppg) and junior Jordyn Thomas (7.6 ppg).
- PW opened the season 17-0.
How they got here: In the third place game, Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated #3 Spring-Ford 56-42. Abby Sharpe led PW with 17 while Kaitlyn Flanagan, Anna McTamney and Jordyn Thomas all had nine points. Gabby Cooper had eight.
In a district semifinal, Plymouth Whitemarsh fell to #4 Pennsbury 50-41. Kaitlyn Flanagan and Anna McTamney both scored 10 points. Abby Sharpe had nine and Jordyn Thomas, seven points.
In a quarterfinal game, Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated #8 Upper Dublin 35-21. Anna McTamney (16 points) and Kaitlyn Flanagan (13 points) led the Colonials.
In a second round game, Plymouth Whitemarsh rolled to a 51-39 win over #16 Haverford. Gabby Cooper’s 14 points led a balanced attack that saw Kaitlyn Flanagan score 12 while Anna McTamney and Jordyn Thomas both had nine.
Opening round bye.
Pocono Mountain West
- 15-10 overall
- 9-1 EPC Mountain Division 9-1 tied for first with Stroudsburg
- Pocono Mountain West coach Stacy Perryman lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 20, 2020. She was 45 years old and in her 14th year at the helm. Chrissy Campos, Perryman’s sister and longtime assistant, is the interim coach.
- Freshman Vatijah Darby (9.5 ppg), Aiyanalee Owens (8.1), Azahni Simmons (7.5 ppg), Taliyah Malone (5.9 ppg) and Caroline Weirich (5.7 ppg) share the scoring load.
How they got here: In the third place game, Pocono Mountain West lost to #5 Parkland 45-39. Taliyah Malone’s 15 points led the way.
In a quarterfinal game, Pocono Mountain West fell to Freedom 48-42.The Panthers trailed by just one heading into the final quarter when they were outscored 20-15. They were led by Vatijah Darby (11 points) and Paige Knecht (9 points).
In an opening round game, Pocono Mountain West defeated #3 Northampton 42-40. Freshman Vatijah Darby, who scored a team-high 11, scored the final two baskets after steals to erase a two-point deficit and propel the team to the win.
#1-5 UPPER DUBLIN vs. #3-3 CUMBERLAND VALLEY (at Central Dauphin, Friday, March 6, 8 p.m.)
Upper Dublin
- 20-8 overall
- 12-2 SOL American Conference second place
- Lost to #2 Central Bucks West 38-33 in SOL Tournament title game, a loss that broke a 10-game winning streak.
- Won two of three meetings against #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh, splitting the regular season series (25-47, 39-26) and winning in the SOL Tournament semifinals (39-35).
- Led by Lehigh University-bound senior Jackie Vargas, who averages 13.6 points and controls the paint.
- Senior Anajae Smith, a Millersville University signee, has averaged 7.8 points and been a welcome addition to the lineup after being sidelined most of the regular season with an injury.
- Dayna Balasa (8.5 ppg) is dangerous from long range, Kara Grebe (6.3 ppg) provides muscle in the paint, and point guard Jess Polin (5.4 ppg) distributes the ball.
- Eighth seed in the District One 6A tournament
How they got here: In the fifth place game, Upper Dublin defeated #10 North Penn 48-26. Dayna Balasa, Kara Grebe and Jackie Vargas each had nine points. Anajae Smith had eight.
In a playback game, Upper Dublin edged #5 Methacton 47-45. Dayna Balasa’s 18 points led the Cardinals. Jackie Vargas added nine, and Sarah Eskew had seven.
In a quarterfinal contest, Upper Dublin lost to #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh 35-21. Jackie Vargas led the Cardinals with 17 points.
In a second round game, Upper Dublin defeated #9 Downingtown West 48-39. Jess Polin’s 10 points led a balanced attack. Jackie Vargas added nine, Sarah Eskew, eight points, and Kara Grebe, seven points.
Opening round bye.
Cumberland Valley
- 20-4 overall
- 14-2 Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division second place behind Central Dauphin
- Average 50.8 points a game.
- Led by junior Julie Jekot (12.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 spg) and junior Abbie Miller (10.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg). Senior Kylie Holcomb (6.5 ppg) and 6-0 sophomore Dejah Hill (7.0 ppg, 67 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1.2 bpg) are also key contributors.
- Jekot and Holcomb have combined for 70 3-pointers
- Won seven of last eight games
How they got here: In the third place game, Cumberland Valley defeated #5 Red Lion 34-27. Abbie Miller (13 points, 9 rebounds) and Julie Jekot (12 points, 6 rebounds) led the way.
In a semifinal contest, Cumberland Valley lost to #3 Central York 37-36. Sophomore Dejah Hill’s double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) led the Eagles. Abbie Miller added eight points and seven rebounds.
In a second round game, Cumberland Valley rolled to a 55-26 win over #7 Hempfield. The Eagles were led by Julie Jekot (18 points), Kylie Holcomb (13 points) and Abbie Miller (10 points).
Opening round bye.
#1-6 NORTH PENN vs. #11-2 FREEDOM (Easton Middle School, Friday, March 6, 7:30 p.m.)
North Penn
- 18-8 overall
- 8-4 SOL Continental Conference tied for second place
- Balanced scoring attack led by Bloomsburg University commit Val McGriff (12 ppg, 9 rpg) and junior Alli Lindsay (11 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 apg).
- Senior Carley Adams (6 ppg, 4 rpg) – who has signed with East Stroudsburg University – and senior Alaina Mullaly (6 ppg, 4 rpg) are also key contributors.
- 10th seed in the District One 6A Tournament
How they got here: In the fifth place game, North Penn fell to #8 Upper Dublin 48-26. Junior Alli Lindsay’s 11 points led the Knights.
In a playback game, North Penn defeated #11 Central Bucks East 58-41. Alli Lindsay’s 21 points led the Knights. Val McGriff (12 points) and Kate Early (seven points) also contributed.
In a quarterfinal game, North Penn lost to #2 Central Bucks West 68-59. Senior Val McGriff’s 16 points led the Knights. Rachel Dunn had 12 points and Alli Lindsay added 11.
In a second round game, North Penn upset #7 Garnet Valley 44-35. Val McGriff led the Knights with 17 points while Alaina Mullaly added 11. Carley Adams had seven.
In an opening round game, North Penn defeated #23 Boyertown 64-53. Val McGriff (18 points), Alaina Mullaly (12 points) and Rachel Dunn (11 points) all finished in double figures. Carley Adams had nine and Alaina Mullaly, seven points.
Freedom
- 22-5 overall
- 8-2 EPC Steel Division second to Bethlehem Catholic
- Lost to Bethlehem Catholic 59-38 in EPC Tournament semifinals
- Led by senior Holy Family signee Jennifer Kokolus (17.4 ppg), who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in January.
- Sophomore Kailey Turpening (13.3ppg) and junior Brenna Ortwein (8.4 ppg) also are consistent contributors.
How they got here: In the district title game, Freedom fell to #1 Nazareth 46-38 in double overtime. Jennifer Kokolus led the Patriots with 19 points, and Kailey Turpening added 11.
In a semifinal contest, Freedom – sparked by a 20-15 fourth quarter – defeated #6 Pocono Mountain West 48-42. Jennifer Kokolus led the way with 19 points while Kailey Turpening and Brenna Ortwein each added 11.
In a quarterfinal game, Freedom defeated #7 Easton 52-41. Jennifer Kokolus led the Patriots with 18 points, and Kailey Turpening had 12.
#1-7 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST vs. #12-2 CENTRAL (at South Philadelphia HS, Friday, March 6, 4:30 p.m.)
Central Bucks East
- 18-9 overall
- 8-4 SOL Continental Conference tied for second place
- Patriots average 51 points a game while allowing 44.
- Emily Chmiel had a breakout season, averaging 18.8 points and 22.5 rebounds a game. The junior center is shooting 54 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line (123-of-175).
- The Patriots, who have no seniors on their roster, are led by co-captains Mia Salvati (12.5 ppg) and Gabby Wilga (6 ppg). Salvati has 37 3s on the season and is 71-of-93 at the foul line (76 percent).
- Sophomore Aubrey DeAngelis (6.0 ppg) and junior Emily Barry (5.0 ppg) also make important contributions. DeAngelis leads the team with two steals a game.
- Fourth trip to state tournament in coach Liz Potash’s seven years at the helm.
- 11th seed in the District One 6A tournament
How they got here: In the seventh place game, Central Bucks East defeated Methacton 54-51. Emily Chmiel (18 points), Mia Salvati (16 points) and Aubrey DeAngelis (10 points) led the Patriots.
In a playback game, Central Bucks East lost to #10 North Penn 58-41. Emily Chmiel’s 18 points led the Patriots. Mia Salvati added seven.
In a quarterfinal game, Central Bucks East fell to #3 Spring-Ford 44-42. Emily Chmiel led the Patriots with 15 while Mia Salvati and Aubrey DeAngelis both had seven.
In a second round game, Central Bucks East defeated #6 Ridley 56-54. Mia Salvati (17 points), Emily Chmiel (14 points) and Emily Barry (10 points) led East.
In an opening round contest, the Patriots rolled to a 57-34 win over #22 Council Rock South. Junior center Emily Chmiel scored 18 to lead the Patriots while Mia Salvati and Aubrey DeAngelis both added 11.
Central
- 13-10 overall
- 4-8 Philadelphia Public League fourth place
- Led by seniors Alexis Lin and Bene Butler, second and third team All-Public League Independence Division selections last year.
- Lin (8.1 ppg), Butler (5.4 ppg) and freshman Kylie Frey (8.1 ppg) lead the attack.
How they got here: In the district title game, Central fell to Cardinal O’Hara 68-41.
In the Public League semifinal, Central fell to Imhotep Charter 74-49.
#1-10 SOUDERTON vs. #12-1 CARDINAL O’HARA (at Bonner-Prendergast, Friday, March 6, 5 p.m.)
Souderton
- 19-8 overall
- 7-5 SOL Continental Conference
- Mikaela Reese is the lone senior on a squad that lost four starters to graduation. The senior captain scores 12.5 points a game and also leads the team in rebounds (7.2), assists (3.5), steals (2.1) and blocks (1.9).
- Also contributing are freshman Casey Harter (7.6 ppg, 2.1 apg) as well as juniors Olivia Schneider (7.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and Jordan Zimmerman (6.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.2 spg)
- 12th seed in the District One 6A Tournament
- Fourth trip to states in four years for Indians.
How they got here: In the ninth place game, Souderton fell to #14 Owen J Roberts 42-40 in overtime. Mikaela Reese scored 17 and Jordan Zimmerman had 10.
In a playback game, Souderton opened up a 23-6 lead after one quarter on its way to a 54-47 win over #9 Downingtown West to clinch a state berth. Mikaela Reese (20 points) and Jordan Zimmerman (14 points) led the Indians. Casey Harter added nine and Erin Bohmueller had seven.
In a playback game, Souderton defeated #13 West Chester Rustin 48-39. Mikaela Reese and Erin Bohmueller both had 10 points while Olivia Schneider and Casey Harter each added nine.
In a second round game, Souderton fell to #5 Methacton 45-34. Olivia Schneider (11 points) and Erin Bohmueller (7 points) led the Indians.
In an opening round game, Souderton defeated #21 Bensalem 44-24. Senior Mikaela Reese led the Indians with 15 points, and freshman point guard Casey Harter added 11.
Cardinal O’Hara
- 19-6 overall
- 7-5 PCL Red Division fourth place
- Sophomore guard Sydni Scott, a first team All-PCL selection, is the Lions’ engine.
- Junior Amaris Baker and senior Siobhan Boylan both earned second team All-PCL honors and both are major contributors.
How they got here: In the district title game, Cardinal O’Hara rolled to a 68-41 rout of Central. Junior Amarais Baker (16 points) and sophomore Maggie Doogan (15 points) led the Lions. Sydni Scott added nine points on three 3-pointers.
In the PCL semifinals, Cardinal O’Hara fell to Archbishop Wood 57-49. Amaris Baker’s 28 points led the Lions.
About the Author
