2010 SOL Boys' BB Wrap 12-14-10

By Scott Huff 

The ability to take care of the basketball often is the deciding factor in basketball games on any level – from the NBA to the CYO.
 
And that attention to that aspect of the game was indeed the difference in a 57-47 victory for host Cheltenham (3-0) over Souderton (1-2).
 
“We have had over 20 turnovers in both of our losses this season,” said first year Souderton head coach Dennis Stanton. “And the worst part of it is the fact that a most of the turnovers are unforced.
 
“When you turn the ball over that much, you limit the amount of scoring opportunities,” added Stanton. “Turning the ball over that much is a little tough to swallow.”
 
Souderton came out early and took a 14-9 first period lead, but the unbeaten Panthers rallied back to take a 25-22 halftime lead.
 
“Cheltenham is both very quick and very athletic,” said Stanton. “And because of the turnovers, we allowed them to get out and score too many easy baskets.”
 
The teams split 20 points in the third period, and Cheltenham sealed the deal in the final period from the free throw line. The Panthers shot 10 of 13 in the final quarter for a clutch 77 per cent.
 
Both teams featured balanced scoring attacks.
 
Cheltenham was led in scoring by Lamont McLaurin with 12 points, while Nafis Walker (11) and Travis Bennett (10) each scored in double digits.
 
Souderton was led in scoring by Luke Walker with 10 points. John Kanas, Ryan Connolly, and Mark Wonderling each scored nine points for the Big Red.
 
“Souderton has had a reputation as a good basketball program,” said Cheltenham head coach Brian Johnson. “To beat them is a plus for this team.”
 
“We have talent and the skill to compete in our league,” said Stanton. “We have a lot of new players on the varsity, and we need some experience, but we can’t say that too much longer.”
 
Next: 
Friday (12/17) Upper Dublin @ Cheltenham
Friday (12/17) Central Bucks West @ Souderton
 
North Penn (2-0) remained unbeaten this season with a 50-49 victory over Wissahickon (1-2).
 
Tom Scott rebounded a missed free throw and scored on the putback to score the game-winning bucket with just six seconds left in the game.
 
“We really didn’t play well, but we played tough,” said North Penn head coach Ron Hassler. “I tell the players that we can win games if we don’t play well – as long as we play tough.
 
“This is the third year that I have been here with the program, and I was happy to see us play with some toughness tonight,” added Hassler. “We won a game where we didn’t shoot well from either the field or the foul line. But we still won the game.”
 
The Knights were led in scoring by Matt Possanza who scored a team-high 20 points. Taylor Koffke also scored in double figures with 12 points.
 
“Matt really could have had around 30 points,” said Hassler. “He has been struggling with a groin pull for the last few weeks, but he has toughed it out.”
 
Jordan Reed led Wissahickon in scoring with 22 points. Mike Scheier also scored in double digits with 10 points.
 
Next:
Friday (12/17) North Penn @ Central Bucks East
Friday (12/17) Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Wissahickon
 
Around the Suburban One League
 
Pennridge (3-0) remained unbeaten with a 63-47 victory over William Tennent (2-1).
 
The Rams backcourt tandem of Mike Guldin and Tim Abruzzo once again led the team in scoring. Guldin – the senior point guard – scored a game-high 22 points, while Abruzzo scored in double figures for the Green and White with 17 points.
 
William Tennent featured the scoring of junior Jack Rauchut who scored a game-high 22 points. Cole Weber added eight points for Tennent.
 
Next:
Wednesday (12/15) Christopher Dock @ Pennridge
Friday (12/17) Council Rock North @ William Tennent
 
Norristown (2-0) remained unbeaten with a 64-39 victory over Harry S Truman (1-2).
 
The Eagles flew to the victory behind the scoring of Aaron Webb and Tyreese White. Webb scored game-high 23 points, while White chipped in with 15 markers.
 
The Tigers had three players in double figures in the loss. Lamont Waters (13), Merdic Green (10), and Mike McGuire (10) each scored in twin digits for HST.
 
Next:
Tonight (12/15) Norristown @ Upper Merion
Friday (12/17) Council Rock South @ Harry S Truman
 
Upper Dublin (2-1) rallied from a 27-22 first half deficit to defeat Central Bucks East (0-1) – 45-39.
 
The Flying Cardinals had a pair of players score in double figures. Both Khalil Owens and Darrell Harrison each scored14 points for the winners.
 
Central Bucks East also had a couple of double figure scorers. Steve Topley led the Patriots with 12 points, while DJ Beausejour added 10 points.
 
Next: 
Friday (12/17) Upper Dublin @ Cheltenham
Friday (12/17) North Penn @ Central Bucks East
 
Pennsbury (1-2) won its first game of the season with a 70-58 win over Hatboro Horsham (2-1).
Kieran Bolger led all scorers with 29 points while Travis Bryan led the Hatters with 15 points.
 
Next:
Friday (12/17) Bensalem @ Pennsbury
Friday (12/17) Hatboro-Horsham @ Quakertown
 
Council Rock South (2-1) rallied from a 15-11 first quarter deficit to defeat Conwell-Egan – 50-40.
 
The Golden Hawks had three players score in double figures. PJ Gallo led Rock South with 16 points, while Justin Thomas (11) and Zach Fitzgerald also scored in twin digits.
 
Next:
Tonight (12/15) Upper Moreland @ Council Rock South
 
Central Bucks South (1-2) ran into a Philadelphia Catholic League buzz saw in a 70-59 loss to Father Judge (2-0).
 
Steve Schneider scored a game-high 21 points for the Titans, while James Delgato added 14 points.
 
Next:
Friday (12/17) Central Bucks South @ Pennridge
 
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