Central Bucks East and Upper Merion are highlighted in Scott Huff’s weekly notebook.
By Scott Huff
‘We’re going to Disney World!’ – Central Bucks East Patriots
The Central Bucks East basketball team will be boarding a plane leaving at 4:30 am Tuesday (12/27) from chilly Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and arriving in sunny Orlando, Florida, a few hours later. The Patriots will begin their three-game holiday hiatus as part of the ESPN Wide World of Sports tournament.
“I got tremendous reviews about the trip from both Kyle Wilson (Wissahickon) and Perry Engard (Souderton) who both took the trip, and it was something that I was comfortable about with this mix of players,” said Central Bucks East head coach Erik Henrysen. “We wanted to go there to be able to compete with teams from outside our area, and it should be a great experience for the coaches and the players.
“We did a lot of work to be able to make this work,” added Henrysen as his 12 varsity players will make the trek. “We had golf outings and other fundraising events. The parents bought into it right away, and about a year later, we are ready to get on the plane.”
Central Bucks East has gotten off to an odd start thus far in the 2011-12 hoop season. The Patriots (2-3, 2-0) are unbeaten in the Suburban One League Continental Conference but winless in games played outside the conference.
“I guess if we are going to have two wins, we won the right games,” said Henrysen. “We want to play a tough non-league schedule, and although we lost those three games we were competitive and had a chance to win each of those games.
“What I like about this team so far is that we continue to get better with each game,” continued the coach. “I really like what I see from this team.”
The Patriots have captured conference wins over both North Penn (49-48) and Hatboro-Horsham (44-36). CB East has lost non-conference games to Upper Dublin (50-42), Archbishop Ryan (47-34), and Wissahickon (56-51).
“Ryan O’Neil has been one of those players in the area who has flown under the radar,” said Henrysen of his 6-foot, 3-inch senior. “He can play anywhere on the floor from the two to the five, can shoot the three-ball, and can block shots. He is one of the better guards around, and he is a legitimate college level player.
“And Steve Topley is also a player that can play at the next level,” added Henrysen of his 6-0 senior point guard. “He does everything for us on the floor. He distributes and plays great defense. I lean on him quite a bit to control what we are doing on the floor.”
Another player that has been impressive for the Patriots has been 6-4 junior Matt Stauffer.
“Matt has been without question the biggest surprise this year,” said Henrysen. “He tore his ACL just eight months ago, and we weren’t sure if we were going to have him at all this season. But he has worked so hard to get back this year, and he will continue to come on strong as he has a longer time to recover.”
The Patriots will leave gorgeous Florida on Saturday and will find themselves in the bustling town of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, to meet Pennridge (4-2, 0-2) in their next SOL Continental Conference game next Tuesday (1/3/12). The Rams are the direct opposite of the Patriots in that they have not won a conference game but are unbeaten in non-conference games.
Pennridge has won games over New Hope-Solebury (58-31), Methacton (53-46), Christopher Dock (73-35), and William Tennent (72-52). The Rams setbacks came against North Penn (63-48) and Central Bucks South (64-56).
“Pennridge has become a very difficult place to play,” said Henrysen, who just happens to be a guidance counselor at Pennridge at his daytime job. “In fact, the leader of the very vocal fan group happens to be one of the students that I counsel.
“Plus (Pennridge head coach) Dean Behrens has an office across the hall from me at the high school,” added Henrysen of the Ram coach who is also a guidance counselor at Pennridge. “When we play each other it’s always interesting.”
That contest will come in due time – next up for the Patriots will be a team from West Brovard – Florida.
Nice!
Upper Merion Hoops
Upper Merion (1-4) has featured one of the most prolific scorers in the SOL in senior James Mobley. Mobley – who missed the outset of the season – has played in just three games this season and has averaged 23.7 points per game. Mobley scored a season-high 37 points in the Vikings lone win of the season over Springfield (Montco) – 73-71.
“James’ father played at Ursinus College, so I guess the talent runs in the family,” said Upper Merion head coach Francis Bowe. “He has worked very hard this season and has bulked up. He looks like a man out there. James had the ability to shoot it from 60 feet, and also has the ability to take it to the basket.
“Upper Dublin ran a triangle-and-two on him, and we had some trouble getting him the basketball,” added Bowe as the Vikings lost a 53-50 contest to the Cardinals with Mobley limited to a season-low seven points. “His teammates have worked hard in practice making sure we know what we have to do when teams try to take him away, and that gives me a good feeling. We have to be able to win as a team.”
Upper Merion is a young team that starts four juniors along with Mobley. Connor McGrath, Justin Lewis, Hassan Gardner, and Austin Lewis round out the starting lineup.
The Vikings will be in a tournament hosted by Lower Moreland on Wednesday (12/28) as Upper Merion will play Morrisville. The Vikings will play in a second round tournament game on Thursday (12/29).
Holiday Fixings
There will be some terrific holiday scholastic basketball action this week showcasing Suburban One League teams – choose carefully from the menu below.
Tuesday – December 27, 2011
Soudertonvs. Central Dauphin @ Triangle Club Tournament in Norristown
Norristown vs. Dobbins@ Triangle Club Tournament
William Tennent vs, Engineering & Sciences @ North Penn Tournament
North Penn vs. Methacton @ North Penn Tournament
Truman vs. Frankford @ Wissahickon Tournament
Wissahickon vs. Lansdale Catholic @ Wissahickon Tournament
Neshaminy vs. Springfield Delco @ Allentown Allen Tournament
Abington vs. Altoona @ Altoona Tournament
Pennridge vs. Governor Mifflin @ Boyertown Tournament
Upper Moreland vs. Avon Grove @ Great Valley Tournament
Quakertown vs. Parkland @ Parkland Tournament
Council Rock North vs. La Salle @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Cheltenham vs. Vaux @ Cheltenham
Pennsbury vs. Harriton @ Harriton.
Wednesday – December 28, 2011
Cheltenham vs. St. Paul (Maryland) @ Rock North Tournament
Hatboro-Horsham vs. Bangor @ Hazelton Tournament
Upper Merion vs. Morrisville @ Lower Moreland Tournament
Upper Dublin vs. Phil Mont Christian @ Upper Dublin
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Patterson (Maryland) @ Widener University
Neshaminy – Allentown Allen Tournament
Abington – Altoona Tournament
Pennridge – Boyertown Tournament
Souderton – Norristown Tournament
Norristown – Norristown Tournament
William Tennent – North Penn Tournament
North Penn – North Penn Tournament
Truman – Wissahickon Tournament
Wissahickon – Wissahickon Tournament
Upper Moreland – Great Valley Tournament
Quakertown – Parkland Tournament
Thursday – December 29, 2011
Central Bucks South vs. Council Rock North @ Rock North Tournament
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Sanford (Delaware) @ Widener University
Wissahickon vs. La Salle
Council Rock South vs. West Chester Henderson – Penncrest Tournament
Hatboro-Horsham – Hazelton Tournament
Upper Merion – Lower Moreland Tournament
Friday – December 30, 2011
Central Bucks South – Rock North Tournament
Council Rock North – Rock North Tournament
Norristown vs. Upper Darby @ Widener University
William Tennent vs. Interboro @ Widener University
Neshaminy vs. Friends Central @ Widener University
Council Rock South – Penncrest Tournament
Suburban One Sports.com
Elite Eight?
1. Abington Ghosts (5-1, 2-0)
2. Wissahickon Trojans (5-1, 2-0)
3. Central Bucks West Bucks (4-1, 2-0)
4. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (3-2, 1-1)
5. Souderton Big Red (3-2, 1-1)
6. Council Rock North Indians (1-3, 1-1)
7. Cheltenham Panthers (4-2, 1-0)
8. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (5-2, 1-1)
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