A POST-SEASON OF FIRSTS…
#32 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST at #1 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH
First playoff appearance…since 1998
Central Bucks West is the feel-good story of the district tournament, and Fiona Gilmore cannot hide her excitement when the subject of West’s first playoff appearance in over a decade comes up in conversation.
“I could literally not be happier or be more proud of my team and the girls on my team,” the Bucks’ senior captain said. “No matter what happens when we play Council Rock North - even when I talk about it, there’s so much pride to know we were the team that turned West around.
“From the beginning of the season, as a senior, I wanted to form a program and a tradition with these girls that will go on. Next year they can be a higher seed and the next year they can win it all.”
Gilmore has been around for the lean years and hasn’t forgotten what it was like two short years ago when the Bucks languished through an 0-22 season.
“It was really hard,” she said. “It’s actually hard to explain to people that weren’t involved in it. Every time you stepped on the court, it was kind of an embarrassment.
“When I took over as captain, I really just wanted to make CB West thought of differently in the whole community. I wanted us to seem like a legitimate team, and this year really showed that.”
The turnaround that began when Terry Rakowsky took over the helm last season culminated with Friday night’s win over archrival Central Bucks South – which vaulted the Bucks into the district tournament for the first time since 1998.
“They’re extremely excited,” West’s second-year coach said. “The South win probably overshadowed the playoffs initially, but as the week has gone on and a chance to play the number one seed – I think they’re really excited.”
Reaching districts and compiling a winning record – the Bucks are 12-10 – were two of the team’s goals entering the season.
“Defensively, we have been playing really good defense throughout the season,” Rakowsky said. “It was more getting our younger kids involved in our offensive strategy that’s helped us down the line.
“We were throwing the ball away a lot earlier this season. In our South game earlier in the season, we probably gave them six or seven breakaway baskets on bad passes or bad reads. In the second South game, they got none.”
According to Gilmore, that turnaround can be attributed to the team’s work ethic.
“The girls on the team – we are really hard workers,” the senior captain said. “At our practices, everyone goes 100 percent 100 percent of the time.
“Everything that happened the last three years led us up to this season and this place. We lost a lot of girls between last season and this season, but the girls that came back were everything we needed, and everyone jelled so well together.
“Just at school you feel entirely different – bringing West to the playoffs for the first time in forever just feels absolutely amazing. For us to beat South in that last game on Friday is just unbelievable.”
Gilmore is one of three seniors on West’s squad, joining Kathryn Peluso and Tex Haug.
“It’s finally paying off after four years of hard work, and the last two years we have worked harder than any other team that’s come out of it with a playoff seed this season,” Gilmore said. “What else could you want out of your senior year? It’s unbelievable.”
If it seems like a date with the number one seed would be a daunting task for the Bucks, consider the options.
“We have come so far, and they’re like, ‘Okay, we can be 0-22 or we can be in the district playoffs playing the number one team,’” Rakowsky said. “It’s a great opportunity. It’s great exposure for our kids.
“Our seniors especially – this is just a dream come true to even imagine two years ago that they could be playing in districts is almost unbelievable.”
“No one thinks we can beat them,” Gilmore said. “We believe in our team. We have a lot of pride and a lot of strength. Everyone is there for each other, and that’s how we know we can come out and play against anyone.”
The Bucks are paced offensively by junior Jen Fabian (12.8 PPG). Amanda Parker averages 6.4 points a game while Sam Colloi adds 5.9 points a game.
First seed in the 32-team tournament
Rock North rolled to a 13-1 record en route to another SOL National Conference crown, and the Indians’ 21-1 record was good enough to earn the squad the district tournament’s top seed.
“We are humbled and excited to be the number one seed in such a talented district,” coach Lou Palkovics said.
The Indians are led by the dangerous backcourt duo of Devin and Lauren Gold. Devin, the team’s top scorer with an average of 12.5 PPG, has connected on 43 three-point buckets. Lauren is averaging 10.7 points a game, but both are about a whole lot more than just scoring points. Lauren averages 4.4 assists per game while Devin hands out 3.7 assists a game. Lauren has 73 steals while Devin has 60 as both are defensive catalysts on the press.
Junior center Emily Grundman has been a force to be reckoned with in the paint this year, averaging 11.2 points. Helena Gemmell is the team’s top rebounder, averaging 5.6 per game.
#17 ABINGTON AT #16 NORTH PENN, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
First game to send a top tier team home…
This is the game both coaches were hoping they wouldn’t have to play. At least not in the opening round. Abington and North Penn both finished the season 11-3 in SOL play with the Ghosts finishing second only to Council Rock North in the National Conference while the Maidens were second to perennial Continental Conference power Central Bucks East.
One of the two teams will be going home on Saturday.
“I’m happy we have a home game, but I was hoping for the 15th seed,” North Penn coach Maggie deMarteleire said. “It’s a tough draw for us, but you have to go through everyone anyway. The unfortunate thing is one of us is going to get knocked out in the first round.
“They have had a lot of injuries, and that’s a shame because there were some games they lost with injuries they would have won if they were at full strength.”
Senior point guard Chynna West, who was sidelined for six games because of a concussion, has returned to the lineup for the Ghosts, and coach Dan Marsh is hoping his team can pick up where it left off before the injury bug hit.
“It’s a very evenly matched game,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “Anything could happen. I think you have to give them the edge because they’re at home.
“Other than that, I think we match up favorably. I think Aiyannah Peal could be the ‘x’ factor.”
The Ghosts have endured some tough non-league losses this season, resulting in their 17th seed.
“Every time I think we have had a season low point, something else comes along,” Marsh said. “First I thought it was the CB South loss, then the Methacton loss, and then the William Tennent game that really hurt us because we probably would have ended up being or 12 or 13 seed.
“Honestly, the way this season has gone I don’t think I would want it any other way. It’s been difficult all year. When you get to the playoffs, you have to beat good teams. We have played a very tough schedule. We have played five or six playoff-type games. I’m hoping that combining that with last year’s experience and the type of games we have been in this year will help us. That will encourage me to continue to play a tough schedule instead of doing what some of these teams have done – playing lower level teams.”
Leading the Ghosts offensively will be Peal (16.8 PPG), West (11.0 PPG) and senior Jessica Schmidt (10.3 PPG). Sarah Listenbee will do battle in the paint with Maiden center Steph Knauer, who averages 14.6 PPG and routinely puts up double-doubles. Sophomore Lauren Crisler’s emergence has been a key to the Maidens’ strong finish. Crisler averages 11 points a game.
“Lauren is playing well on both sides of the ball,” deMarteleire said. “It’s helping our team tremendously and gives Steph more opportunities.
“The key for us will be rebounding and taking care of the ball. That’s always the key in the playoffs.”
#29 SOUDERTON AT #4 CHELTENHAM, Friday, 6 p.m.
First trip home…
Lynn Carroll will always consider Cheltenham home. The Souderton coach was a junior when the Lady Panthers captured their program’s first ever district title in 1996. That squad – ranked number one in the state – advanced to the state semifinals. When Carroll was a senior, the Lady Panthers finished second in districts.
Carroll says she will always be a part of the Lady Panther family.
“There’s a family feeling there, and once you’re part of it, you’re always part of it,” said the Indians’ coach. “When I read the quotes from the girls that are playing there now, it sounds like the same thing.”
On Friday night, Carroll , who played for legendary coach Bob Schaefer, will be going home for the first time as a head coach when her young Indian squad takes on the fourth-seeded Lady Panthers.
“It’s going to be the first playoff game Cheltenham is playing that I’m not going to be rooting for them,” the Indians’ coach said. “You continue to feel connected to that program. I had without a doubt my best times as a player in that gym.”
Carroll isn’t the only Souderton coach with Cheltenham ties. Assistant coach Ben Bowman, also a ’97 grad, played basketball at Cheltenham as well.
Leading the Indians will be co-captains Nicole Perna and Carley Kendall (11.3 PPG). Freshman point guard Bianca Picard (8.6 PPG) will be asked to direct the offense against a Cheltenham squad known for its defensive pressure.
“It gives us a chance to gain experience playing against a team with an unbelievable history and an unbelievable winning record,” Carroll said. “To get to see this and come back the following year, I think it’s a great experience for this group.
“We will practice their ‘t’ as much as we can and try and prepare for their speed and athleticism. On the one hand, it’s a neat situation to be in, but on the other, I’m a coach, and I’m going to go out and do what I need to do in terms of getting my girls ready. We have nothing to lose but go out and work hard and see what happens.”
The Indians will have to find a way to contain high-scoring Ciara ‘CC’ Andrews, who is averaging 19.2 points a game. Junior Christina Coleman averages 11 points while Austen Hamler chips in with 9.1 and Shayla Peoples, 7.6 PPG, but talk to Carroll, and she credits senior point guard Tiffany Johnson for making the Lady Panthers tick.
“I think Tiffany Johnson is one of the most underrated point guards,” the Indians’ coach said. “I have so much respect for her. She’s deceptively fast, and the decisions she makes on offense – I don’t know what her turnover-to-assist ratio is, but it has to be among the best in the area.
“It’s done so quietly. CC Andrews is a phenomenal athlete and a great offensive player, but Tiffiany’s contributions are just quiet. She impresses me every time I watch her play. She’s so intelligent.”
#20 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH at #13 WILLIAM TENNENT, Saturday, 5 p.m.
First home playoff game in two decades…
The Lady Panthers are hoping to pack the house for their first home playoff game in memory.
“I think this gives the girls some confidence,” coach Paul Veltre said. “There’s excitement that builds from this, and hopefully, we can get a good crowd out. We’re anticipating that.
“We’re not looking past this game at all.”
Veltre is especially pleased for his team’s five seniors – Ashley Alden, Alison Malatesta, Melissa Horn, Melissa Wasserleben and Liz Koval.
“It’s been great,” the Panthers’ coach said. “This has been a goal for them for quite awhile. Our original goal was to make a move in our conference, and when we knew that was going to fall short, they have grasped onto this one as a secondary goal.
“They have shown a lot of leadership. They’re excited.”
Alden (14.6 PPG), Koval (7.8 PPG) and Malatesta (6.0 PPG) are the team’s three captains, and Veltre will rely on his seniors to provide a calming presence.
“Coaches can tell you the things you have to do X and O-wise, but the girls are going to have to stay calm,” the Panthers’ coach said. “They’re going to have to handle pressure. They’re going to have to play in an environment that they’re not used to playing in, and they can’t freeze when they walk out and see all these people.
“You can’t hear the coaches on the bench, you can’t hear each other on the floor – it’s a different environment. To me the key is the environment and handling the pressure.”
First time in playoffs in six years…
Last year this time, Becky Duffy – whose team had won all of five games - was packing up her office and starting to think about her team’s upcoming banquet. This year, she’s game planning for her team’s first district game since the 2004-05 season.
“Our number one goal was to be better than a .500 team and make the playoffs,” said Duffy, whose team closed out the regular season 15-7. “Now that we made this goal, we have to make new goals.
“Our goal is to beat Tennent on Saturday. I know it will be a shock and a surprise to a lot of people, but to us, that’s our mission. We have been working hard every single day of our season for this opportunity. It’s exciting, and the most exciting piece is that the focus of the girls has been very sharp. They have been preparing for games all season. This is just another game for us to go out and have fun.”
The Colonials survived the loss of senior Alyssa Butcher, who was averaging 10.6 PPG, to a dislocated shoulder.
“We’re going into this game as an underdog, which is always a great position to be in,” Duffy said. “We just go out and play hard. The pressure is on them.
“It’s not going to be easy. They’re a very good team. Things will have to go well for us, but we have a tough team.”
The Colonials are anchored by seniors Butcher, Kelly Hackenbrack, Lex Borkowski, Lindsey Wacker and Kayla Helton.
“They created a pact at the end of the season last year – P2P,” Duffy said of her team’s Pact to Playoff rallying cry. “They made a pact that they were going to do what they had to do to make the playoffs their senior year.”
The Colonials have come up with a new pact – PTS (Pact to States).
“I didn’t create that – that was their goal,” Duffy said. “I said to the seniors – they’re reaping the benefits, and they’re also a huge reason why this turnaround occurred.
“They trusted in me – they left behind the old and they came in with the new. There were a lot of growing pains, but they didn’t quit on me, they didn’t leave the program. It’s been their leadership and their determination. What is so great for me as a coach is that their determination and leadership is trickling down so next year’s seniors know nothing else. It’s just been a neat experience for me to watch that develop.”
The Colonials are led in scoring by junior Gabby Schumacher, who is averaging 15.9 points a game. Erin Martin chips in with 9.2 PPG while Borkowski averages eight points a game.
The rest of the games involving SOL schools…
#25 Chester at #8 Central Bucks East, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
The Patriots head into districts on the heels of Tuesday’s impressive win over Council Rock South. In the win, the Patriots not only played the kind of stifling defense that has been their trademark under coach Tom Lonergan, they also showed they have more than just one or two weapons. Lexi Scrivano scored 13 second-half points in a strong effort in the paint. In the opening half, it was senior sharpshooter Courtney McManus burying four three-pointers and scoring 14 of her game-high 16 points. Senior co-captain Melissa Remmey is a steadying presence at both ends of the court for the Patriots.
Led by the dangerous Georrie Clark, the Clippers are capable of putting up lots of points, but they also give up lots of points. They have faced a pair of SOL teams this winter – Norristown and Upper Dublin – and lost to both. The Eagles defeated the Clippers 68-64 earlier this year while the Flying Cardinals earned a 70-50 win several weeks ago.
#24 Neshaminy at #9 Spring-Ford, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
The Redskins rely on their defense and a balanced attack to defeat opponents. Freshman point guard Megan Schafer, who averages a team-best 7.2 points a game, makes things happen on both ends of the court. Amanda Lally averages seven points out of the backcourt while Shannon Barlow (6.2 PPG) is a presence in the paint.
The Rams, who boast a balanced scoring attack, are coming off a 56-51 loss to Boyertown in the PAC-10 championship game. Boyertown handed Spring-Ford two of its five losses this season. The Rams defeated both SOL opponents they faced this season. The defeated Cheltenham 62-58 in the title game of the Hazleton Tournament in the second game of the season, and they easily handled Hatboro-Horsham, 61-36.
#26 Coatesville at #7 Upper Dublin, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Junior Taylor Bryant and sophomore Curtrena Goff lead a young Flying Cardinal squad. Bryant averages 16.2 points a game to go along with two assists, 3.8 rebounds and 4.2 steals. Goff averages 10 points a game, 4.5 assists, six rebounds and 4.3 steals. Also making important contributions for the Flying Cardinals are Jen Myers (6.9 PPG, 5.8 rebounds) and Sarah Hallowell (8.5 PPG).
Elisha Gaffney is the Red Raiders’ top offensive weapon. They have won six straight heading into the district playoffs. They won their only game against an SOL opponent, downing Quakertown 49-34.
#23 Unionville at #10 Council Rock South, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
It’s no secret that the key to stopping Rock South is to stop Alex Wheatley. So far, few teams have been able to accomplish that feat. The junior standout is averaging 19.9 points a game and also averages double-digit rebounds. Sophomore point guard Alexis Hofstaedter runs the show for the Golden Hawks, and Hofstaedter, sophomore Courtney Brown and freshman Caitlin Jackson are each chipping in just over five points a game.
Unionville, which is led by senior center Susie Pancost, has lost its only game against an SOL foe, falling to Central Bucks South 40-19 in a season-opening tournament.
#27 Central Bucks South at #6 Boyertown, Friday, 7 p.m.
The Titans, who don’t boast a whole lot of size, rely on their pressure defense to wear down opponents. Senior Brittany Kaewell runs the show at point guard for a Titan squad with offensive balance. Tyler Vitelli and Kate McMenamin also have been consistent contributors.
Boyertown- which won the PAC-10 championship - has lost just two games this year. The Bears’ first loss came in their third game of the season when they fell to Spring-Ford. They came back and defeated the Rams twice since then, including the PAC-10 title game (56-51). The only other team to defeat Boyertown is Red Lion. The Bears have a lot of weapons, but Kaitlyn Eisenhard is their biggest threat.
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