By Scott Huff
There was little question that the Suburban One League teams that played the most difficult non-league games this season were Council Rock North, Plymouth Whitemarsh, and Neshaminy.And there isn’t any surprise that the trio of teams that remain in the PIAA Quad-A tournament from the SOL are Council Rock North, Plymouth Whitemarsh, and Neshaminy.
The treacherous road to State College Pennsylvania continues ….
PIAA State Second Round Games
Wednesday – March 16, 2001
Council Rock North Indians vs. Liberty Hurricanes
@ Geigle Complex (Reading) – 7:30 pm
Tale of the Tape
Records: Council Rock North 26-2 – Liberty 23-5
MaXprep State Rankings: Council Rock North # 15 – Liberty # 11.
Offensive Scoring Average: Council Rock North 57.5 – Liberty 55.2
Defensive Scoring Average: Council Rock North 45.0 – Liberty 42.5
Common Opponents: None.
Last Game:
Council Rock North had to roll up its collective sleeves and go to work for a 60-52 opening round win over Chambersburg in a PIAA Quad-A game played at Council Rock South High School. The Indians had an excellent outing turned in by seniors John Raymon and Charlie Anastasi in the win. Raymon hauled in 17 rebounds and collected 15 points, while Anastasi scored 14 points and also had 14 rebounds. Aaron Morgan led Rock North with 20 points.Liberty advanced to its second round PIAA Quad-A game with the Indians with a 56-41 victory over Roman Catholic in an opening round game played at Parkland High School. The Hurricanes shot an impressive 21-of-26 from the free throw line in the victory. Izel Dickerson led a balanced Liberty scoring attack with a team-high 17 points. Darrun Hilliard scored in double figures with 13 points, while Alex Akabogu scored in twin digits with 11 points.
Players To Watch:
Council Rock North: Aaron Morgan, Arron Goodman, Charlie Anastasi, John Raymon, Hunter Stevens, and Jordan Chernin.
Liberty: Darrun Hilliard, Dante Holmes, Izel Dickerson, Alex Akabogu, and Patrick Donnelly.
Council Rock North head coach Derek Wright says: “Darrun Hilliard is a terrific player who is committed to Villanova. He is more of a perimeter player, but he can also attack the rim. Liberty played a halfcourt game against Roman on Saturday, but they can mix things up depending on the style of the other team. They have a senior team that has state playoff experience, and they defend the ball very well. If they make three-point shots, they are going to tough to beat.”
Prediction: This game could come down to a final possession as both Liberty and Council Rock North both value the basketball and play solid defense. The Hurricanes have 6-foot, 5-inch Darrun Hilliard as a power off the glass, and Hillard also leads Liberty in scoring with a 20-point per game average. All five starters for the Hurricanes are seniors, and Liberty has made the state playoffs for the last six seasons. Rock North is dominant off the boards with 6-foot, 6-inch twin towers – John Raymon and Charlie Anastasi. Arron Goodman will certainly be welcomed back to the Indian starting lineup – and junior point guard Aaron Morgan will most likely be the best player on the floor for CR North. This should be a good one – Council Rock North 55 – Liberty 52.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials vs. Frankford Pioneers
@ Wissahickon High School – 7:30 pm
Tale of the Tape
Records: Plymouth Whitemarsh 24-5 – Frankford 21-4
MaXprep State Rankings: Plymouth Whitemarsh # 4 –Frankford # 63.
Offensive Scoring Average: Plymouth Whitemarsh 63.0 – Frankford 61.7
Defensive Scoring Average: Plymouth Whitemarsh 43.8 – Frankford 53.5
Common Opponents: Cheltenham and George Washington. PW beat Cheltenham twice (69-47 & 63-43), while Frankford lost to Cheltenham 57-45. PW beat GW 80-46, while Frankford beat GW 92-90.
Last Game:
Plymouth Whitemarsh led by just 34-28 going into the fourth quarter, but the Colonials dominated the last eight minutes to beat Central Dauphin, 61-43. The PIAA Quad-A opening round game was played at Norristown Area High School. Plymouth Whitemarsh had a superlative game turned in by senior Sam Pygatt who scored a team-high 19 points and dished out four assists. Stephon Baker delivered 17 points for the Colonials, while Jaylen Bond had 11 points and eight rebounds.Frankford trailed Bensalem by an astonishing 20 points in the second half, but the Pioneers rallied in the fourth quarter for 29 points and caught the Owls at the finish line – 66-65. The game was played at Southern High School in Philadelphia. Frankford had a pair of players score 20 points-plus to lead the team. Keith Washington scored a team-high 21 points, while Imire Taylor tallied 20 points for the winners.
Players To Watch:
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Jaylen Bond, Sam Pygatt, Stephon Baker, Marcus Badger, and Jake Silvers.
Frankford: Keith Washington, Imire Taylor, Kevin Lawson, Omar Askia, and Chris Lewis.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Head Coach Jim Donofrio says: “We are going to have to play this game with offensive composure and defensive discipline. Frankford is going to want to play the game at a fast pace and will bring a variety of defensive pressure. They have very quick hands, and with the way they came back to beat Bensalem last week, they will play with a lot of confidence. Frankford has shown to be fourth quarter team, and we can’t take any possessions off. We are making a 180-degree turn from playing a team like Central Dauphin to playing a team like Frankford. It should be an interesting game.”
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh has the ability to play at either an up-tempo game or a controlled halfcourt game and be able to beat any team at its own game. The Colonials have showcased terrific guard play all season in the trio of seniors Sam Pygatt, Stephon Baker, and Marcus Badger. Add to that talent pool the University of Pittsburgh-bound 6-foot, 7-inch senior Jaylen Bond and Plymouth Whitemarsh seems to have most of the pieces to make a deep run in the playoffs. Frankford – which consumed a 20-point Bensalem lead in the second half to defeat the Owls 66-65 – can score points as evidenced by its 92 points against George Washington. The Pioneers were the District 12 champions and are led by Keith Washington and Imire Taylor. Another giant step for the Colonials - Plymouth Whitemarsh 75 – Frankford 63.
Neshaminy Redskins vs. Penn Wood Patriots
@ Norristown Area High School – 8 pm
Tale of the Tape:
Records: Neshaminy 22-6 – Penn Wood 21-8.
MaXpreps State Rankings: Neshaminy # 14 – Penn Wood # 8.
Offensive Scoring Average: Neshaminy 61.2 – Penn Wood 69.8
Defensive Scoring Average: Neshaminy 49.8 – Penn Wood 52.3
Common Opponents: Penn Wood defeated Neshaminy 85-49 in a showcase game on 2/6/11. Both teams have lost to Chester and both teams have beaten Glen Mills. PW lost to Chester by scores of 71-65 & 76-72, while Neshaminy lost to Chester 77-67. Penn Wood has beaten Glen Mills twice (71-60 & 58-48), while Neshaminy beat Glen Mills 60-36.
Last Game:
Neshaminy got off to a lightning quick start and rocked Pottsville 64-45 in its PIAA Quad-A opening round contest played at Council Rock South High School. The Redskins had an electric 30-point performance turned in by junior point guard Ryan Arcidiacono, while Tyler Katz scored in double digits with 11 points. Arcidiacono has committed to Villanova University after his senior season.Penn Wood made the trek west to Dallastown High School and made the trip worthwhile with a 76-66 PIAA Quad-A victory over York. The Patriots featured a balanced scoring attack with four players in twin digits. Aaron Brown scored a game-high 20 points, while Shawn Oakman added 14 points. Darian Barnes scored 13 points, and Malcom Richardson scored 11 points for the Patriots.
Players To Watch:
Neshaminy: Ryan Arcidiacono, Tyler Katz, Dwight Williams, Charlie Marterella, and Michael McGarry.
Penn Wood: Aaron Brown, Shawn Oakman, Darian Barnes, Malcom Richardson, and Jeff Kyem.
Head Coach Jerry Devine says: “Penn Wood is a very, very good high school basketball team. They have good size and are very athletic. The first time we played them, I really felt good about our chances. We got out of our game and we didn’t play well, and the players were very disappointed with that. I feel the same way getting ready for this game. If we do the things that we can do, and play at the pace that we want to play, I feel good about our chances.”
Prediction: Penn Wood has been the team all season that seems to always be in the bushes ready to pounce on its prey. The Patriots played a ‘national’ non-league schedule and suffered some losses, and those setbacks seem to have placed the defending PIAA District One champions in lower seeds that does not reflect their talent. Aaron Brown is an A+ player, while 6-foot, 9-inch Shawn Oakman is a man-child in the paint. Darian Barnes is another gifted player. Neshaminy counters with Villanova-bound Ryan Arcidiacono who can light up a scoreboard with flashy drives and a deadly jumper. The key to the game, though, might be how well the Redskins supporting cast of Dwight Williams, Michael McGarry and Tyler Katz play in prime time. It surely won’t be n 85-49 game this time. How about an upset? Neshaminy 62 – Penn Wood 60.
Remaining PIAA Quad-A Second Round Games
Wednesday – March 16, 2001
Chester Clippers (27-1) vs. West Chester Rustin Golden Knights (25-4)
@ Norristown Area High School – 6 pm
MaXpreps Rankings: Chester # 1 – West Chester Rustin # 18.
Prediction: Chester
William Allen Canaries (23-4) vs. La Salle Explorers (18-4)
@Council Rock South High School – 7:30 pm
MaXprep Rankings: William Allen # 7 – La Salle # 22
Prediction: William Allen
Lower Merion Aces (20-10) vs. Red Land Patriots (21-6)
@Geigle Complex (Reading) – 6 pm
MaXpreps Rankings: Lower Merion # 44 – Red Land # 38
Prediction: Lower Merion
Gateway Gators (23-4) vs. Mount Lebanon Blue Devils (24-3)
@ North Allegheny High School – 7:30 pm
MaXpreps Rankings: Gateway # 12 – Mount Lebanon # 13
Prediction: Gateway
Taylor Adderdice Dragons (18-7) vs. Butler Golden Tornado (16-10)
@ North Allegheny High School – 6 pm
MaXprep Rankings: Adderdice # 66 – Butler # 25
Prediction: Butler
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