Scott Huff highlights Wissahickon, CB South and Abington in this week’s notebook.
By Scott Huff
Wissahickon finished the season 22-6 last season and played with the big boys through both the PIAA District One and State playoffs. And the Trojans featured a couple of big boys on the roster in 6-8 Tanoh Kpassagnon and 6-4 Jordan Reed.
Graduation claimed both Kpassagnon (Villanova football) and Reed (University of Binghamton) – and the Trojans were left with 6-0 junior Chase Wilson and 6-2 senior Gordon Bentley to build around.
“We knew coming into the season that this was going to be a different type of team,” said Wissahickon head coach Kyle Wilson. “So far the season has been great. This isn’t a team where I am going to have to coach effort. These players all bust their butt.”
Wissahickon is 4-2 this season and a perfect 3-0 in the Suburban One League American Conference. The Trojans have registered victories over Upper Dublin (52-42), Springfield (44-41), and Plymouth Whitemarsh (68-57)
“To beat Plymouth Whitemarsh was huge for us,” said Wilson. “PW has one of the most historically tough teams in the area, and any time you can beat them it is a nice win. Both teams have a lot of new faces, and I thought that Chase came out and played a good overall game with scoring and steals. It was a big night for our team.”
Wissahickon has also received fine contributions from Bentley, sophomore brother Todd Bentley, junior Chris Vila, and junior Chris Carradorini.
“Gordon is our real team leader, and his brother Todd has earned a starting job as a sophomore,” said Wilson. “Vila has become our go-to scoring guy, and Carradorini has been really good coming off the bench. We like what we have seen so far.”
SOL American Conference Notes
Friday Night Highlight: Upper Merion captured its first conference victory in exciting fashion as senior Justin Lewis drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to propel the Vikings to a 54-53 victory over Springfield. Lewis finished with a career-high 23 points.
Saturday Night Fever: Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-4) continued its brutal non-league schedule as the Colonials were defeated by unbeaten Archbishop Carroll – 72-55. Dee Bennett led PW with 14 points, while Anthony McKie (11) and Michael Reddick (10) also scored in twin digits.
Conference Standings To Date: Cheltenham Panthers (3-0); Norristown Eagles (3-0); Wissahickon Trojans (3-0); Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (1-2); Upper Merion Vikings (1-2); Upper Moreland Golden Bears (1-2); Springfield Spartans (0-3); and Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (0-3).
Suburban One League National Conference
Abington will put its perfect record on the line this week as the Ghosts will eat anything but cupcakes over the holiday with games scheduled with scholastic national powers Chester and Atlantic City. Abington will play both Play-By-Play Classic games at Widener University on December 27(8 pm) and 28(5:30 pm).
“The players are extremely excited about playing that level of competition,” said Abington head coach Charles Grasty. We are going to learn a lot about our team no matter what the outcome. There is no better way to find out how good a team you have when you play some great high school basketball programs.
“We will prepare for these games just like we would prepare for any other game,” added Grasty. “It should be a great experience for the entire team.”
And the Ghosts have played the entire team this season – from the starting five to the fifth guy off the bench.
“Honestly, any one of the players from 1-10 could start,” said Grasty. “When we have practice it is a real competitive time. They really go at each other with the understanding that they are all teammates.”
Right now, the starting five for the Ghosts includeS junior Mark Bond (6-5), senior Anthony Durham (6-3), sophomore Matt Penecale (6-3), senior Jiere Morrisey (6-2), and senior Jordan Simmons (6-5). Off the talented Maroon & White bench are senior Michael Griffin (6-2), senior Patrick Rice (5-7), sophomore Jordan Neely (5-10), and junior Anthony Lee (6-1).
“Anthony Lee stepped up big time in our win over Council Rock North,” said Grasty. “He had 18 points and 10 rebounds and came through when we were struggling offensively.
“But that is the type of team that we have,” added Grasty. “Any one of them could pick the team up when we need it.”
SOL National Conference Notes
Friday Night Highlight: Bensalem remained unbeaten in the conference as the Owls soared to a 57-49 victory over William Tennent. Deion Jones was a cool 8-8 from the free throw line in the final period to seal the deal for Bensalem, while Stephon Jones scored a game-high 20 points for the Owls.
Saturday Night Fever: Pennsbury (4-1) collected an impressive non-league victory as the Falcons soared to a 65-50 victory over Spring-Ford (3-3). Pennsbury had a wonderful outing turned in by Mekhi Bryant who scored a game-high 19 points that included a trio of 3-pointers. Shawn Pepper (11), Pierson Bryant (10), and Cameron Jones (10) also scored in double figures for the Falcons.
Conference Standings To Date: Abington Ghosts (3-0); Bensalem Owls (3-0); Council Rock North Indians (2-1); Truman Tigers (2-1); Pennsbury Falcons (1-1); Council Rock South Golden Hawks (0-2); Neshaminy Redskins (0-3); and William Tennent Panthers (0-3).
Suburban One League Continental Conference
Central Bucks South came into the season with high expectations, and the Titans have not disappointed with a 5-2 overall record and a perfect 3-0 mark in the conference.
“We are fortunate enough to have a core of seniors who have played together for quite a while,” said Central Bucks South head coach Jason Campbell. “We had eight seniors that played together last year and play summer ball together in AAU ball. They even ran the same plays in the summer that we run during the school year.”
That senior core included Kevin Raymond, Chase Vonder Schmalz, Brennan Rudnick, TJ Ohntrup, Kevin Doyle, Adam Tamey, Kevin Moss, and Danny Gianquinto. And all eight have made an impact so far this 2012-13 season.
Perhaps the biggest contribution, though, has come from junior Matt Scamuffo. The 6-foot guard has led the Titans in scoring with 19-point performances in wins over North Penn and Quakertown, and a season-high 22-point performance in a losing effort against Abington.
“Matt has been tremendous so far this year,” said Campbell. “He has played with confidence, has a quick first step, and has been very aggressive to the basket. Plus he has a great mid-range game and can shoot the three.
“He and (junior guard) Bryce Dobisch have played well with the seniors,” added Campbell. “This is a team that is very close and has good chemistry.”
SOL Continental Conference Notes
Friday Night Highlights: Hatboro-Horsham won for the sixth time in seven games as the Hatters topped Pennridge – 77-45. Michael Brown was terrific with a game-high 29 points, while Zach Quattro (17) and Ryan Kelly (14) also scored in twin digits for the winners.
North Penn captured its first conference win of the season as the Knights rallied from a six point deficit to defeat Central Bucks East 55-43.
Conference Standings To Date: Central Bucks South Titans (3-0); Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (3-0); Souderton Indians (2-1); Central Bucks East Patriots (1-2); Central Bucks West Bucks (1-2); North Penn Knights (1-2); Pennridge Rams (1-2); and Quakertown Panthers (0-3).
Suburban One Sports.com
Fab Five
1. Abington Ghosts
2. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
3. Norristown Eagles
4. Central Bucks South Titans
5. Bensalem Owls
Suburban One League Holiday Schedule
(not all games listed)
SOL National Conference
Abington will have play at Widener University on Dec. 27 against Chester and on Dec. 28 against Atlantic City.
Bensalem will be competing in the Haverford Tournament on Dec. 27 and 28.
Harry S Truman will play in the Trojan Classic at Wissahickon on Dec. 27 with a first round contest against Frankford. The Tigers will face either Wissahickon or Lansdale Catholic on Dec. 28. On Dec. 29 Truman will face Roselle Catholic at Philadelphia University.
William Tennent will play on Dec. 27 against Constitution and on Dec. 28 against TC Williams (Virginia). The Panthers will play both games at Widener University.
Pennsbury will face the Academy of the New Church on Dec. 28 and will face Friends Central on Dec. 29. The Falcons will play both games at Philadelphia University.
Council Rock North will host its Athletes Helping Athletes Tournament held on Dec. 28 and 29. The Indians will face St. Anthony’s in the game on Dec. 28 and will either face Central Bucks South or St. Paul’s on Dec. 29.
Neshaminy will play a non-league game on Dec. 27 as the Redskins will travel to the Lehigh Valley to play Allentown Allen.
SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks East will travel to the Wildwood Convention Center on Dec. 29 to face Wildwood Catholic.
Central Bucks West will travel to the Wildwood Convention Center on Dec. 27 to face Washington Township.
Pennridge will be competing in the Boyertown Bears Christmas Tournament. The Rams will face Governor Mifflin in an opening round game Dec. 27 and then will be play in either the consolation or championship game on Dec. 28.
Souderton will participate in the Triangle Club Tournament at Norristown High School on Dec. 27 and 28.
Central Bucks South will play in the Athletes Helping Athletes Tournament held at Council Rock North High School on Dec. 28 and 29. The Titans will face St. Paul’s in the first game and will play either CR North or St. Anthony’s in a the second game.
SOL American Conference
Norristown will participate in the Triangle Club Tournament at Norristown High School on Dec. 27 and 28 and will also play Math Civics and Sciences on Dec. 29 at Philadelphia University.
Wissahickon will host the Trojan Classic on Dec. 27 and 28. The Trojans play Lansdale Catholic on Dec. 27 and will match up with either Truman or Frankford on Dec.28. Wissahickon will then play at Philadelphia University on Dec. 29 when the Trojans meet La Salle.
Cheltenham will also play at Philadelphia University on Dec. 29 as the Panthers face Academy of the New Church.
Plymouth Whitemarsh will face St. Joseph Prep on Dec. 27 at Lower Merion High School.
Upper Dublin will host Phil-Mont Christian on Dec. 27 in the opening game of its own Cardinal Classic. Depending on the outcome, the Flying Cardinals will face Penn Charter or Conestoga on Dec. 28.
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