ck out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Wednesday. Pennsbury/Neshaminy photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Patriot Division
PENNSBURY 51, NESHAMINY 33
The stands were all but empty, occupied only by Pennsbury parents and cardboard cutouts of some of their most loyal fans. It was a far cry from last year’s pre-COVID home games played in front of a Falcons’ Nest filled with wildly enthusiastic fans.
It didn’t look a whole lot like a game with championship implications against archrival Neshaminy.
“All I know is if there wasn’t a pandemic we would have this game sold out,” Pennsbury senior Bella Arcuri said. “All the community would be behind us. We had it all last year.
“We get our momentum going, we make our own energy in the gym, but it’s never going to be the same without our whole squad behind us. To see from where we were freshmen to seniors, this program just grew. The Nest gets bigger every year.
The Redskins battled gamely, staying within striking distance until the second half, but the Falcons – propelled by the stellar 23-point effort of Ava Sciolla – took care of business, earning a win that clinched at least a share of the SOL Patriot Division title. It is the first Pennsbury repeat since 1979.
When it was over, the players posed for photos and reveled in the moment, and in this crazy, upside down COVID season, the Falcons celebrated. Only a win against Harry S Truman next week stands between the Falcons and sole possession of the division crown.
“This means the world to me,” Arcuri said. “Especially as a senior, it’s so important to us.”
Like their counterparts at Plymouth Whitemarsh, the Falcons were still alive in the PIAA 6A Tournament, earning a berth in the Elite Eight when the season was halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We got everything ripped away from us last year,” Arcuri said. “We feel like we were robbed.
“This was a whole team effort, and it feels great to play with your best friends and even better to win.”
Making the title even sweeter is the adversity the Falcons had to overcome along the way. Arcuri was one of a long list of Falcon players sidelined with an injury – the senior point guard just recently returned to the lineup after being sidelined with a deep bone bruise in her hip.
“It’s the hardest thing in the world to sit and watch your teammates play without you,” Arcuri said. “Especially as a 
senior – everything already is not what it’s supposed to be.
“I had to find a way to contribute to the team. I tried to be the loudest on the bench, give people advice when they came off the court, but it feels good to be back.”
Last year, the Falcons and Redskins shared the SOL National title. Both finished the league season with 11-1 records.
“Just thinking back to last year, we were kind of underdogs against Neshaminy – they were all older,” senior Abbi Nassivera said. “When we were freshmen, we got destroyed by Neshaminy and (Council Rock) North, so to have won last year and to win again this year really means a lot.
“I’m just really proud of us because it’s a team win. Especially the seniors – we started with nine in our freshman class and now we have four. We’re facing a lot of adversity, not just with COVID but with everything going on. This is a good win for us.”
Senior Mia Spinelli never lost faith that the Falcons – even at their lowest moments – would bounce back.
“We knew Bella (Arcuri) was going to come back, and we knew everyone who was injured would get better, so we always had confidence in each other,” she said. “This is just a great win. I’m proud of all of us.”
There’s no mistaking the impact of the pandemic.
“This is pretty special because during the pandemic we’re doing virtual learning, stuck in our house and not seeing each other for eight months,” senior Lauren Dignan said. “To come to practice every day and play with your friends and to have this whole experience of winning against Neshaminy, which is always fun – it’s really just very special.”
The pandemic has given everyone a new perspective.
“We just never know – this game could be our last game of the season, our next practice could be our last practice ever,” Nassivera said. “So we’re trying to play our hardest every game because you never know with COVID and everything. We’re grateful.”
******
A look back at the game would show that senior Kacie Sienko kept the Redskins in Wednesday’s game for the better part of the first half. A basket by Nassivera and a pair of Sciolla foul shots put the Falcons on top 10-6, but with 12 seconds remaining, Sienko turned a strong drive into a three-point play that made it a 10-9 game at the end of one quarter.
Arcuri buried a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter and scored eight points in a 20-point frame that send the Falcons into halftime with a 30-21 lead. Sciolla’s 10 points led the Falcons in the first half. Kiley Haws also had some big shots, including a three that stretched the Falcons’ lead to five early in the quarter. She scored eight points in the opening half. Sienko had 13 of her team’s 21 points.
The Falcons added to their lead in the third quarter, sparked by a defensive effort that limited the Redskins to just
three points. A pair of Sciolla foul shots gave the Falcons a 40-22 lead late in the quarter and effectively put the game out of reach.
Sciolla quietly scored a game high 23 points, which included five 3s in a glittering display of shooting from beyond the arc. She also had seven rebounds and three assists, but listening to coach Frank Sciolla tell it, the University of Maryland commit is not defined by numbers.
“Going through that rough patch with all the girls being injured, we went to her and told her that she didn’t have to take any more responsibility but that we would like to see her return to the kid that could dominate a game without even taking a shot,” coach Frank Sciolla said. “And every game she has taken the other team’s best player and guarded in the way we need her too. The points are nice, the passes are cute, but the defense is the key.”
Haws also finished in double figures with 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Arcuri added eight points.
For the Redskins, Sienko’s 16 points led the way.
Pennsbury (8-4, 8-1 SOL) will host Central Bucks South in a non-league game Friday (5:30 p.m.). Neshaminy (7-3, 7-2) will travel to Souderton on Monday for a non-league game.
Neshaminy 9-12-3-9 33
Pennsbury 10-20-10-11 51
Neshaminy (33) – Kacie Sienko 4 1-1 16; Skylar Lall 1 0-0 2; Taylor Gurysh 1 1-2 4; Maya Lewis 2 0-0 4; Jess Purdy 0 2-2 2; Reese Zemitis 1 3-4 5; TOTALS 11 7-8 33.
Pennsbury (51) – Sofia Vitucci 1 2-2 4 Ava Sciolla 6 6-7 23; Abbi Nassivera 1 3-4 5; Kiley Haws 4 0-0 11 Bella Arcuri 3 0-0 8; Mia Spinelli 0 0-2 0; TOTALS 15 11-16 51.
3-point goals: Neshaminy – Kacie Sienko 3, Taylor Gurysh, Pennsbury – Ava Sciolla 5, Kiley Haws 3, Bella Arcuri 2.
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COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 59, HARRY S TRUMAN 46
When sophomore Jaden Wan went down with an injury, the Indians needed a player or players to fill the void left with the absence of the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. Delaney McCaffery has certainly done her part in Wan’s absence, delivering another big performance in Wednesday’s win. The promising freshman scored a game high 16 points, which included a pair of 3-pointers.
“Delaney had another strong game,” Rock North coach Jim Roynan said. “Over the past four games, she has really stepped both offensively and defensively, and our captains, Kristen (Polinsky) and Sofia (Shields), have done a great job keeping the team together.”
Polinsky also came up big, scoring 14 points – which included a pair of 3s. Junior Riley Hamilton’s nine first-quarter points jumpstarted the Indians, who raced out of the gate to a 22-6 lead after one quarter. Hamilton also finished in double figures with 13 points and had a pair of 3s. Kiera Katz contributed nine points to the balanced attack.
“We started the game strongly on both ends of the floor,” Roynan said. “We were able to get out and score in transition and our defense was solid. With the injuries we’ve had this year, the girls have had to continuously adjust to new roles and responsibilities.
“Over the last four games, there were times when we played with a lot of confidence and energy, and that was the case in the first half. In the second half, we saw some of the challenges we face in having girls trying to get comfortable in new roles.”
The Tigers were also without their top scorer – Haniyyah Jones, and a pair of underclassmen stepped up for them as well. Sophomore Secret McCleve scored a team high 15 points, and freshman Gianna Johnson had 14 points. Hannah Smith contributed eight points, which included a 6-for-8 effort at the foul line, and Arianna Frank had six points.
“Truman is an improving team, and they came out with a lot of energy in the second half,” Roynan said. “They cut a big halftime deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter.
“McCleve and Johnson are really tough to handle when they get the ball in the post. We were able to regain some of our momentum to close out the game and get the win.”
Council Rock North (4-6, 4-5 SOL) will travel to New Hope-Solebury for a non-league game Friday, and Harry S Truman (1-7, 1-6) will be on the road at Pennridge for a non-league game Friday.
Harry S Truman 6-13-12-15 46
Council Rock North 22-16-12-9 59
Harry S Truman (46) – Mayah Alford 1 1-2 3; Arianna Frank 3 0-0 6; Saniya Blount 0 0-1 0; Hannah Smith 1 6-8 8; Secret McCleve 7 1-4 15; Gianna Johnson 6 2-8 14; TOTALS 18 10-23 46.
Council Rock North (59) – Kiera Katz 3 3-4 9; Claire Pirkle 1 0-0 3; Delaney McCaffery 6 2-2 16; Riley Hamilton 5 1-2 13; Mara Penner 0 1-4 1; Kristen Polinsky 3 6-8 14; Ruth O’Keefe 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 19 13-20 59.
3-point goals: CRN – Kristen Polinsky 2, Riley Hamilton 2, Delaney McCaffery 2, Claire Pirkle, Ruth O’Keefe.
SOL Liberty Division
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 69, HATBORO-HORSHAM 26
The Colonials clinched their fourth title in five years with a convincing win over the visiting Hatters. This one, however, is different than the rest in the COVID-19 shortened season, and no one is taking it for granted.
“I said to my assistant coach (TJ DeLucia) – we should take the time and enjoy this tonight because it is a big deal to win,” PW coach Dan Dougherty said. “Last night when we played Wissahickon and tonight against Hatboro-Horsham, I said as part of our three keys to the game – let’s start having fun and enjoying each other because this isn’t promised.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves thinking about the district playoffs because you never know how you could get shut down. I really tried to encourage the girls – they play hard, but I said, ‘Play hard and enjoy each other. Don’t play with the weight of the world on your shoulders. Enjoy it, cheer for each other,’ and they did. I thought last night and tonight the kids had a little bit more of a looseness to them, and sure enough their shots started going down.”
The Colonials seized early control of Wednesday’s game, opening up an 18-4 lead after one quarter. Anna McTamney’s eight points led the Colonials. They upped their lead to 34-13 by halftime. Abby Sharpe scored nine points in the half to lead the Colonials.
Sharpe’s 17 points off the bench led PW. Kaitlyn Flanagan added 13 points, and McTamney finished with 10. Lainey Allen added eight points while Erin Daley, Gabby Cooper and Jordyn Thomas each had seven.
“Our top seven is really starting to come into its own,” Dougherty said. “Abby Sharpe had 17 points tonight, and Lainey Allen and Jordyn Thomas are really becoming a two-headed monster in the post. Jordyn Thomas hit another three tonight. She is really, really working hard at her game.”
Alice Hall’s nine points led the Hatters. Sam Hollish added six points on a pair of 3s, but this night belonged to the Colonials.
“This is our fourth title in five years, and as a program, we’ve never done that,” Dougherty said. “Upper Dublin has won a state championship and Abington has won a district championship – it’s a really good league. To beat Abington and Upper Dublin twice to win a league championship is hard to do.
“We’re trying to build that kind of program that when they get older and walk in the gym, they’ll look up at the banner and say, ‘I was a part of that, I was part of that elite class.’”
For the seniors, this is their third championship in four years. Underscoring the Colonials’ level of excellence is their 92-8 record in their last 100 regular season games.
“It’s something to enjoy,” Dougherty said. “Any time you get to put your year up on a banner in our gym – you think about that, it’s three league championships for our seniors.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (12-0, 9-0 SOL) will host Central Bucks East Friday in a non-league battle between the SOL’s lone unbeaten teams at 6 p.m.
“We started watching a lot of film on them – they’re very good,” Dougherty said of the Patriots. “We’re kind of approaching it in the sense – there isn’t an SOL playoff this year, but they’re undefeated and we’re undefeated. It’s a great opportunity to measure where we’re at in the district.
“I sent (East coach) Liz (Potash) an email today because that league is so elite, and to win that league outright is a big accomplishment.”
Hatboro-Horsham (6-7, 3-7) will travel to Lower Moreland on Friday.
Hatboro-Horsham 4-9-9-4 26
Plymouth Whitemarsh 18-16-20-15 69
Hatboro-Horsham (26) – Caroline Shegogue 1 0-2 2; Ava McKinney 1 0-0 2; Alice Hall 4 1-1 9; Leah Harrington 1 1-3 3; Emily Thomas 2 0-0 4; Sam Hollish 2 0-0 6; TOTALS 11 2-4 26.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (69) – Kaitlyn Flanagan 5 3-3 13; Erin Daley 3 1-2 7; Abby Sharpe 7 0-0 17; Gabby Cooper 3 0-0 7; Anna McTamney 4 1-2 7; Lainey Allen 4 0-0 8; Jordyn Thomas 2 2-2 7; TOTALS 28 7-9 69.
3-point goals: HH – Sam Hollish 2, PW – Abby Sharpe 3, Gabby Cooper, Anna McTamney, Jordyn Thomas.
SOL Freedom Division
WILLIAM TENNENT 44, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 32
The Panthers evened their conference record at 5-5 with a road win over the Spartans.
“It was a good team win,” Tennent coach Laura Whitney said. “We had good balanced scoring. I thought every one that played tonight really contributed, so it was good to see different girls get involved.”
The Panthers took a 17-9 lead into halftime.
“In the first half, we had some good ball movement,” Whitney said. “Springfield does a good job of really collapsing their 2-3 zone, and they make it hard to really get anything inside.
“We’re not a great outside shooting team, so I was a little worried at first, but give the girls credit – they showed a lot of patience. We moved the ball well. We had three 3s in the first half, and that was big to just open things up.”
Whitney credited the efforts of several players.
“I thought Emily Thran did a great job the first half of getting a couple of key offensive rebounds for either a putback or she got fouled,” the Panthers’ coach said. “I thought Ella Mednick came in off the bench again and gave us good quality minutes – good decisions. She ended up defending their best player because Courtney (Bragen) and Chase (Dubzak) were in foul trouble. I thought both Emily and Ella did a good job of just keeping us afloat in the first half.”
The Panthers outscored the Spartans 27-23 in the second half. The Spartans scored 15 of those points in the final quarter when the outcome had already been decided.
“In the second half, it was almost a repeat of the Cheltenham game where it was almost like we felt we were down, and we were playing a little too fast and we forced some things,” Whitney said. “We had a few unforced turnovers, but again, the girls kept playing, found a way to get some good stops, showed some resiliency.
“Springfield picked up their pressure, and when we needed to make plays – Alysssa Lewicki came into the game in the second half and made some big free throws. Morgan Volz had a nice stretch in the second half where she gave us some good offensive possessions. Everyone who came in contributed, and we found a way to win.”
Kailyn Hansen’s 12 points – eight in the fourth quarter – led the Panthers. Chase Dubzak added 10 points while Emily Thran had seven.
For the Spartans, Maddie Yoder scored a game high 16 points – 12 in the second half. Ashley Jenkins added seven points.
William Tennent (5-8, 5-5 SOL) will be on the road at Wissahickon for a non-league contest Tuesday, and Springfield Township (1-11, 1-9) will travel to Council Rock South for a non-league game Friday.
William Tennent 8-9-13-14 44
Springfield Twp 3-6-8-15 32
William Tennent (44) – Kailyn Hansen 4 4-4 12; Emily Thran 3 1-2 7; Courtney Bragen 2-6 2; Chase Dubzak 1 7-11 10; Alyssa Lewicki 1 2-2 5; Ella Mednick 1 1-3 4; Morgan Volz 1 2-2 4; TOTALS 11 19-30 44.
Springfield Twp (32) – Jayla Daniels 0 3-6 3; Ella Marino 0 1-2 1; Maddie Yoder 7 2-6 16; Ashley Jenkins 3 1-2 7; Emma Cawley 1 1-2 4; TOTALS 11 8-18 32.
3-point goals: WT-Chase Dubzak, Alyssa Lewicki, Ella Mednick, Springfield – Emma Cawley
UPPER MORELAND 66, CHELTENHAM 29
For the second time in as many games, the Golden Bears buried 11 3-pointers. They’ve had 32 3-pointers in their last three games combined. Once again, they spread the wealth around with six different players scoring from beyond the arc. Kiera Coyle’s four 3s led the Bears.
The Lady Panthers – with just six active players – had no answer for the Golden Bears’ torrid offensive showing but drew high praise from UM coach Matt Carroll.
“Tonight had a weird feel to it – no jayvee game,” the Golden Bears’ coach said. “A couple injuries and players out. Obviously, Cheltenham only has six active players, and I give them all of the credit in the world. They have every reason to sulk and complain and feel bad for themselves, but Coach Bo (Ben Bowman) keeps them fighting and working hard. They’re an easy team to root for and tonight they played hard.”
Early on, Holly Gohl ignited the Golden Bears, scoring nine points first quarter points. Kiera Coyle had five, and UM led 16-7. The Bears took a 35-20 lead into halftime. Gohl’s 16 points led the Golden Bears and Coyle had eight. Umayrah Sulayman accounted for 12 of the Lady Panthers’ points while Assata Robinson had eight.
Gohl scored 18 to lead a balanced UM attack, including a pair of 3s. Coyle finished with 14 points, and EmmyFaith Wood also finished in double figures with 11, which included two 3s. Emma Hurley scored eight points while Kylie Gaul added six points.
“Overall I feel we played pretty well,” Carroll said. “It was sloppy in spurts, but we shot the ball well again. After our loss to New Hope, we have hit 10-plus threes in the last three games. It is essential for our success.
“Holly (Gohl) carried us in the first half, and Kiera Coyle continues to shoot the ball great from the outside. We kind of buckled down in the second half and understood what it was we wanted to do defensively. We have them again next week for an opportunity to have a share of the league championship with New Hope.”
Sulayman’s 19 points led the Lady Panthers, and Robinson added eight.
“They are a good team and very well coached,” Cheltenham coach Ben Bowman said of UM. “We played hard but just wasn’t enough.”
Upper Moreland (11-2, 8-1 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon for a non-league game on Friday. Cheltenham (1-8, 1-7) will be on the road at Abington Friday.
Cheltenham 7-13-3-6 29
Upper Moreland 16-19-20-11 66
Cheltenham (29) – Assata Robinson 2 2-2 8; Umayrah Sulayman 7 3-7 19; Mikahila Leighton 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 10 5-9 29.
Upper Moreland (66) – Kat Morrow 1 0-2 3; EmmyFaith Wood 4 1-3 11; Kylie Gaul 2 2-2 6; Kiera Coyle 5 0-0 14; Abby Engart 1 0-0 3; Holly Gohl 8 0-0 18; Emma Hurley 3 2-2 8; Allie LaRocco 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 25 5-9 66.
3-point goals: Cheltenham – Assata Robinson, Umayrah Sulayman 2, UM – Kiera Coyle 4, EmmyFaith Wood 2, Holly Gohl 2, Abby Engart, Kat Morrow, Allie LaRocco.
Non-league
UPPER DUBLIN 68, PENN WOOD 33
Dayna Balasa had herself a career night, connecting seven 3-pointers and scoring a career best 27 points. The senior sharpshooter was 7-for-12 from beyond the arc in a dazzling display of long range shooting.
Jess Polin spent the night setting up her teammates, finishing with a career high 14 assists. Both did all of this in just three quarters of action.
Balasa had a pair of 3s in an opening quarter that saw the Cardinals race to a 20-5 lead. By halftime, Balasa had five 3-pointers for 15 points, and the Cardinals had a commanding 34-9 lead over their visitors. Freshman Amy Nogo added seven points in the first half while Sarah Eskew had five.
In a 24-point third quarter, Balasa had 12 points – two more 3s – while Ngo added nine points, including a three.
For the game, the Flying Cardinals connected on 27-of-51 shots (52.9 percent) while their counterparts made just 11-of-41 (26.8 percent). UD was 11-for-27 from beyond the arc (40.7 percent). Penn Wood connected on just 2-of-12.
The Cardinals scored 20 points off turnovers while the Patriots scored just three off UD turnovers.
Ngo continued her impressive point production, finishing behind only Balasa with 16. Eskew added eight points and two steals while Geena Sarnoski had six points, four assists and three rebounds. Bliss Brenner had four rebounds, three assists and a block. In addition to 14 assists, Polin had a team high six rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Balasa also had four rebounds and one steal.
Upper Dublin (12-2, 7-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks East in a non-league contest on Saturday (7 p.m.).
Penn Wood 5-11-12-5 33
Upper Dublin 20-14-24-10 68
Penn Wood (33) – Jourdan Johnson 2 0-0 4; Ashley Cyrus 2 5-6 10; LaShanda Smith 3 2-6 9; E’nya Hughes 2 0-0 4; Raquel Curry 2 2-2 6; TOTALS 11 9-14 33.
Upper Dublin (68) – Alaina Sanders 1 0-0 2; Rachel Bilger 0 2-2 2; Geena Sarnoski 3 0-0 6; Jess Polin 1 0-0 3; Colleen Klammer 2 0-0 4; Amy Ngo 7 0-0 16; Sarah Eskew 3 1-1 8; Dayna Balasa 10 27; TOTALS 27 3-3 68.
3-point goals: Penn Wood – LaShanda Smith, Ashley Cyrus, UD – Dayna Balasa 7, Amy Ngo 2, Jess Polin, Sarah Eskew.
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 47, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 34
Reagan Chrencik scored a game high 17 points to lead the visiting Lions to the non-league win.
“The game was a lot closer then the score indicates,” NHS coach Steve Polinsky said. “CR South is aggressive and plays hard.”
The Lions – behind seven points from Chrencik – led 12-9 after one quarter, and they took a 30-16 lead into halftime. Senior Nicole Blaustein’s 10 first half points kept the Golden Hawks in it.
“Nicole Blaustein had a great game,” Polinsky said. “She played really well and we had a hard time stopping her. Nicole had a lot of transition baskets.”
The Lions edged the Golden Hawks 17-16 in an evenly played second half.
“Coach (Blair) Klump changed defenses which really kept us on our toes,” Polinsky said. “Rachel Saxton had a great floor game and settled us down. She also was 5-for-6 from the line in the fourth quarter.
“Reagan Chrencik was hot in the first half scoring 13 points and leading us.”
Saxton finished with 11 points while Juliana Covino and Kate Dougherty both had eight points for the Lions.
Blaustein finished with a game high 25 points to lead the Golden Hawks.
New Hope-Solebury (11-2, 8-1 SOL) will host Council Rock North in a non-league game Friday, and Council Rock South (7-5, 4-4) will host Springfield Township in a non-league game on Friday.
New Hope-Solebury 12-18-6-11 47
Council Rock South 9-7-9-9 34
New Hope-Solebury (47) – Madi Fasti 3, Reagan Chrencik 17, Juliana Covino 8, Kate Dougherty 8, Rachel Saxton 11.
Council Rock South (32) – Cam Gregory 3, Nicole Blaustein 25, Mia Stock 2, Karissa Smedley 2.
3-point goals: NHS – Rachel Saxton 2, Madi Fasti, CRS – Nicole Blaustein 3, Cam Gregory.
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