Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Saturday. CR North/Bristol photos courtesy of John Gleeson. UD/St Joe’s Prep photos courtesy of Richard Owens. Check back for galleries of both games.
9th Annual Bears Tip-off Tournament
UPPER MORELAND 77, OWEN J ROBERTS 58
The Golden Bears picked up their second win in as many days, racing out of the gate to a 26-14 lead after one quarter on their way to a big win in the championship game of the Golden Bears’ own tournament.
Jose Hernandez led the way for the Bears with 18 points while Larry Hughes and Cannon Campbell both had 16. Although no tournament MVP was named, Hughes – who scored 35 points in the two games combined – would have fit the bill.
Key players: Four UM players finished the game in double figures: Jose Hernandez (18 points), Cannon Campbell (16 points), Larry Hughes (16 points) and Nate Best (12 points)
Upper Moreland coach Dan Heiland: “It was another solid performance from our group today. I thought the guys came out with a different edge, and we were able to set the tone early, putting up 26 points in the first quarter and taking a 15-point lead into halftime. But Owen J. Roberts kept battling. Coach Condello does a fantastic job with that team, and they did a great job staying within striking distance. They played tough and physical, and Danny Walker (#1) hit some really difficult shots.
“Our game plan was to make him work for everything, and I thought we did a good job of that. Defensively, it wasn’t just about containing him; I was pleased with our effort across the board.
“Offensively, we had stretches where we really executed well. We shot the ball well early, moved the ball, made winning plays in the half court, and handled their pressure late to close it out. Anytime you can come out of a tournament 2–0, that’s a positive.
“It’s a good start to the season, but we know there’s still plenty of work ahead of us if we want to keep improving and win more basketball games.”
Up next: Upper Moreland (2-0) will face Central Bucks South on Friday (5pm) in the Phoenixville Tip-off Tournament.
Owen J Roberts 14-13-9-22 58
Upper Moreland 26-16-16-19 77
Owen J. Roberts (58) – D. Walker 8 0-0 16, R. Simpson 1 0-1 2, E. Wilson 2 0-0 6, D. Rose 2 0-0 5, G. Winnick 5 0-0 10, R. Storfi 4 0-0 11, A. Stahl 1 0-1 2, C. Romo 3 0-0 6; Totals 25 902 58
Upper Moreland (77) – Nate Best 6 1-2 14, Kyle Moore 3 0-0 8, Brody Hughes 1 1-1 3, Larry Hughes 8 0-0 16, Chase Moore 0 2-2 2, Cannon Campbell 6 2-2 16, Jose Hernandez 8 0-1 18; Totals 32 6-8 77.
3-point goals: UM – Jose Hernandez (2), Cannon Campbell (2), Kyle Moore (2), Nate Best. OJR – R. Storfi (3), E. Wilson (2), D. Rose
Oreland Lions Tip-off Tournament
SPRINGFIELD TWP 59, JENKINTOWN 35
The Spartans opened up 17-10 lead after one quarter and extended their advantage to 30-18 by halftime. Clay Trejbrowski jumpstarted the Spartans with eight points in the first quarter that included a pair of 3s. Trejbrowski scored all 10 of his points in the first half.
Will McLaughlin earned MVP honors while Julian Ciasullo and Chadrack Kiamba were named to the all-tournament team.
Key players: Julian Ciasullo (11 points 5 rebounds 4 assists), Clay Trejbrowski (10 points), Ryan McGuckin (9 points 5 rebounds), Will McLaughlin (7 points 6 assists 5 rebounds)
Springfield Twp coach Mike DeCandido: “I’m so proud of our players for their fight this weekend. We challenged them to play relentlessly, and they did everything we asked of them. They are an amazing group of selfless individuals who sacrifice their personal accomplishments for the good of the team. We couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to coach each day. They deserve all the credit for their success this weekend.”
—Props: “Will McLaughlin does everything for our team. He won tournament MVP, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Even when he doesn’t score, he controls the pace, plays with energy, makes the extra pass, and leads our team. Julian Ciasullo and Chadrack Kiamba stepped up this weekend when the team needed them. They both earned All-Tournament honors. Julian is our spark whenever we need one. Chadrack has rebounded well and has played great defense.”
Up next: Springfield Twp will host Science Leadership Academy in a non-league game on Friday.
Jenkintown 10-8-4-13 35
Springfield Twp 17-13-13-16 59
Jenkintown (35) – Jackson 9, Ecker 6, Bowens 7, Cierlinski 5, Wai 6, Avila 2.
Springfield Twp (59) – Spearman 4, Ciasullo 11, Trejbrowski 10, McGuickin 9, Kiamba 6, Gibson 4, McLaughlin 7, Davis 5, Matthews 3.
3-point goals: Jenkintown – Wai 2, Jackson, Bowens; Springfield Twp – Trejbrowski 2, McGuckin.
UPPER DUBLIN 44, ST. JOSEPH’S PREP 39
Horace Jackson scored 11 of his team high 14 points in the first half to lead the Flying Cardinals.
Upper Dublin coach Derek Brooks: “Like most first or second games of the season, they can be pretty ugly offensively, and it was one of those nights. We were very good defensively, and I think our boys deserve
a lot of credit. We executed our defense really well and didn’t give up many easy shots or clean looks, and we rebounded pretty well tonight, so it was a very good defensive night.
“Offensively, we struggled creating penetration, and that kind of limited us from being able to get open looks for the other guys. At times, we were just getting sped up and forcing stuff and not running our offense and taking what the defense gives you.
“Our first and second games the past couple of years have always been really ugly, so I’ve just gotten to the point where I’m like – I don’t really care how it looks. Let’s just get the win. Going down to a Catholic League school in their place first game of the year, just to pull out a win like that – I was happy about it.”
–Props: “It was pretty much a team effort. I thought Kobe Bazemore’s defense was really good. He made some big-time shots down the stretch. Justin Ragsdale controlled the paint, which we needed him to. He was the biggest kid on the floor, and he did a good job.
“Horace Jackson got off to a phenomenal start for us. He had seven or eight points early and led the team with 14 and had six rebounds. He contributed in other aspects as well. Noah Cohen only got four or five shots tonight, but he made three of them. He made a big three, a couple of really nice layups, so he was efficient. We’ve got to get him and some of our other guys some more looks. Jake Scherzer had a big three in the second half off the bench for us.”
Up next: Upper Dublin will travel to Methacton for a non-league game Tuesday.
Upper Dublin (44) – Kobe Bazemore 7, Brandon Altman 2, Noah Cohen 7, Horace Jackson 14, Justin Ragsdale 9, Luke Caron 1, Jake Scherzer 4.
3-point goals: UD – Kobe Bazemore, Noah Cohen, Jake Scherzer.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 50, BRISTOL 33
The Indians opened their season with a decisive non-league win over the Warriors. They took an 11-2 lead after one quarter and a 24-16 lead into halftime.
Leif Peterson’s nine first-half points led the Indians. He finished with a team-high 13. Danny Cuneo also finished in double figures with 10 points – seven in the second quarter. Owen Crowne had nine points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
The Indians outrebounded the Warriors 32-17 and had 13 assists on 20 field goals.
Bristol 2-14-11-6 33
Council Rock North 11-13-13-13 50
Bristol (33) – Kyleal Cottsell 6 2-4 14; Urish Johnson 1 0-0 3; Terell McElvee 1 1-1 3; Chrsitian Morning 5 2-6 13; TOTALS 13 5-11 33.
Council Rock North (50) – Leif Peterson 5 2-3 13; Crowne 3 1-4 9; A French 1 0-0 2; Dylan Kiefer 3 0-0 6; Wright 2 0-06; Billy McBride 2 0-0 4; Danny Cuneo 4 0-0 10; TOTALS 20 3-7 50.
3-point goals: Bristol – Urich Johnson, Chrisian Morning; CRN – Crowne 2, Cuneo 2, Wright 2, Peterson.
MUHLENBERG 78, BENSALEM 63
The Owls fell behind 16-9 after one quarter and spent the rest of the game playing catchup. Muhlenberg was led by talented junior Eli Hemings, who scored 23 points and Mikey Miller had 16. For Bensalem Jake Eberhardt had 22 and Mike Ellzy Jr had 18.
Bensalem coach Jerry Devine: “Muhlenberg is a talented and well-coached team. They defended really well and made it very difficult for us to be comfortable on the offensive side of the ball. We didn’t do a great job in transition defense, and Muhlenberg capitalized on our lapses.
“Our kids fought hard and cut the lead to four, once in the third and again in the fourth, but both times Muhlenberg responded with a run of their own, keeping us at arm’s length. Late in the game, Muhlenberg handled our pressure and got easy buckets to put it away.”
Up next: Bensalem will travel to Abington for a non-league game Tuesday.
Bensalem 9-20-13-21 63
Muhlenberg 16-18-18-26 78
Bensalem (63) – Mike Ellzy 18, Jacob Eberhardt 22, Jason Bourelly 10, Aidan Mayfield 4, Michael Levister 4, Namam Parmar 2, Julian Vose 3
Muhlenberg (78) – Armstrong 8, Hemings 23, Malave 10, Perez 9, Miller 2, Miller 16, Perez 2, Hutchinson 6, Collado 2.
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