This week’s notebook highlights CB West, Abington and Upper Dublin and recaps last week’s SOL games.
By Scott Huff
Crazy.
The Suburban One Continental Conference will have no less than four champions (quad-champs?) as the foursome all had opportunities but failed to take the conference outright title in the final weeks. Still – congats are in order for the quartet of Pennridge, North Penn, Central Bucks East, and Central Bucks South that finished with 9-5 conference marks.
Crazy.
The Suburban One League American Conference had one team (Plymouth Whitemarsh) going into the final week without a loss – and one team (Springfield) going into the final week without a win. Well – PW lost to Upper Dublin 49-47 and Springfield captured a 55-49 win over Upper Moreland.
Crazy.
The Suburban One League National Conference crowned an unbeaten conference champion in Abington. The Ghosts (19-3, 14-0) defeated Pennsbury (18-4, 12-2) twice during the conference season – had a better overall record – and will most likely be seeded below the Falcons in the upcoming PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs.
Crazy.
And the beat goes on…
Suburban One Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks West
Central Bucks West was not one of the four teams that shared the SOL Continental Conference title, but the talented Bucks with a 13-9 overall record will make an appearance in the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs.
“That’s the plan,” said Central Bucks West head coach Adam Sherman. “We had a tough week two weeks ago and lost the three games, but the players responded last week with two wins to put us in a position to keep playing. We are in a much better place now than we were then.”
The Bucks will make the 32-team field but will likely play road games throughout the postseason.
“We have been very successful on the road this year,” said Sherman. “But in the end, it all depends on the team you are playing – not where you are playing.
“We have a group of six seniors that have been together for a while,” continued Sherman in reference to Jared Kelly, Kyle Salvitti, Pat Kelley, Evan Dunn, and Vince Brunetto. “In fact, both Jared and Pat have started all four years for me. They were the first players at CB West that were permitted to play as freshmen.
“The great thing about this team is that we are still improving,” added Sherman. “Even through the week with the losses, we continued to get better. We still have yet to reach our potential.
“We played in a very competitive conference this year, and it has made us a better basketball team,” continued Sherman. “There were no nights off – and all the teams from our conference will be a tough challenge for anyone in the district.”
And count the CB West Bucks among those teams.
In The Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks Eastcaptured its share of the title with two conference wins last week. The Patriots opened the week with a 65-48 victory over Pennridge as Tommy Strasburger (18), Brendan McLaughlin (16), and Mike Gentry (11) scored in double figures. CBE added a thrilling 50-49 double overtime win over Central Bucks South to close out the week. Strasburger (16) and Brendan O’Neil (13) scored in twin digits for the Pats.
North Penn captured its share of the title with a split of conference games last week. The Knights won a key 51-49 victory over Pennridge as Brian Coleman scored a team-high 15 points including the game winner. North Penn opened the week with a 41-34 loss to Central Bucks West. Noah Melchoir scored a team-high 9 points in the loss to the Bucks.
Pennridge captured its share of the title with a 64-53 victory over Quakertown behind the 20-point scoring of Zach Muredda and the 17-point effort by Joey Molettiere. The Rams opened the week with a pair of losses as PHS dropped a 65-48 contest to CB East and a 51-49 loss to North Penn. In the loss to the Patriots, Dan Long (12), Muredda (11), Moliettiere (11) and Mike Tatarowicz (10) all scored in twin digits. Long (20), Molittiere (13), and Tatarowicz (10) all scored in double figures in the loss to North Penn.
Central Bucks South captured its share of the title despite losing both games. The Titans opened the week with a 60-42 loss to Souderton as Matt Scamuffo, Bruce Dobisch, and Paul Weeks led CBS with eight points. South closed the week with a 50-49 double overtime setback to CB East as Dobisch led the Titans with 13 points.
Souderton closed out the conference season with a pair of victories. The Indians defeated CB South 60-42 and were led in scoring by Evan Slone (16) and Carter Knight (14). Souderton closed the week with a 59-52 win over Quakertown as Jared Bernhart (16), Knight (15), and Slone (10) all scored in double digits.
Central Bucks West also closed out its season with pair of victories. The Bucks defeated North Penn 41-34 as Kyle Schechter scored a team-high 9 points. CBW received a 23-point scoring effort from Kyle Salvitti as the Bucks defeated Hatboro-Horsham 56-45 – Schechter added 10 points for the winners.
Hatboro-Horsham split a pair of games as the Hatters closed out their season. H-H collected a 59-56 win over Quakertown as both Zach Quattro and Chris Hobbs scored a game-high 19 points. The Hatters closed out the conference season with a 56-45 loss to Central Bucks West. Quattro and Hobbs each scored a team-high 10 points in the loss.
Quakertown closed out its conference season with three losses. The Panthers fell to Hatboro-Horsham 59-56 as Brian Rejniak (18), Kevin Norvasis (13) and Jack Perrine (12) all scored in double digits. Quakertown also lost to Souderton 59-52 as Norvasis scored a team-high 13 points. The Black Cats lost their season finale to Pennridge 64-53 as Griffin Schmidt scored a game-high 23 points.
Suburban One Continental Conference Final Standings
Pennridge Rams 9 5
Central Bucks East Patriots 9 5
Central Bucks South Titans 9 5
North Penn Knights 9 5
Central Bucks West Bucks 8 6
Souderton Indians 6 8
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 4 10
Quakertown Panthers 2 12
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Dublin Cardinals
Upper Dublin entered the final week of the season with an 8-11 mark, but conference wins over Plymouth Whitemarsh, Upper Merion, and a non-conference win over Central Bucks East should gain the Cardinals a PIAA Quad-A District One playoff berth with an 11-11 record.
“We knew that if we wanted any chance of making the playoffs, we were going to have to win some games against some excellent teams,” said Upper Dublin head coach Josh Adelman. “We had lost some very close games to Wissahickon, Norristown, Souderton, and Cheltenham – and it makes it tough to get into the playoffs by losing close games.
“But this is a team that has played with a lot of heart and never quit,” added Adelman. “The win over PW was huge for us – it always seems like we play them tough at our place. We had a good game plan against them, and the kids went out and executed that game plan.”
The Cardinals have enjoyed the leadership of their trio of seniors this season. Zach Greenburg, Kevin Woods, and Marc Conran have made significant contributions on and off the floor.
But the talent of 6-foot, 4-inch sophomore Simeon Fryer is the most eye-catching performer in the Cardinal cage.
“I can imagine that he would be a nightmare to prepare for by an opposing coach,” said Adelman. “He is just so difficult to stop. He gets to the rim, and some of his dunks have really gotten us excited and changed momentum.
“Ryan Stover is another sophomore who has been spectacular lately,” added Adelman. “This team has developed a great chemistry.”
But it is the District One Committee math that will determine the postseason for the Cardinals.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh won the conference title, but the Colonials were not able to complete their unbeaten season. PW dropped a 49-47 contest to Upper Dublin as Andre Mitchell (15) and TJ Minetola (11) each scored in double figures. The Colonials routed Springfield 99-31 to close out the conference schedule. Jimmy Murray (23), Alex Williams (15), Mitchell (13), and Manuel Herezi (11) all scored in twin digits for the winners.
Cheltenham closed out its conference schedule with a pair of wins to secure second place. The Panthers collected a 77-61 victory over Upper Merion as Aaron Burton (20) and Joshua Coleman (15) led the scoring. Cheltenham closed the regular season with an impressive come-from-behind 79-76 victory over Norristown. Burton scored a game-high 25 points, while Anthony White scored 17 points for the Black Cats.
Upper Dublin closed out its conference schedule with a pair of impressive victories. The Cardinals opened the week with a huge 49-47 victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh and were led in scoring by Matt Thompson and Zach Greenburg who each scored 10 points. Upper Dublin finished its conference schedule with a 63-49 victory over Upper Merion. Simeon Fryer led the Cardinals with 18 points while Greenburg chipped in with 12 markers.
Wissahickon split its pair of games to finish out the conference season. The Trojans opened the week with a 43-41 loss to Norristown as Chris Vila scored a team-high 18 points. The season finale saw Wissahickon capture a 59-56 overtime victory over Upper Moreland as Chase Wilson scored a game-high 30 points for the winners.
Norristown also split its final two conference games of the season. The Eagles defeated Wissahickon 43-41 as Chris Evans scored a team-high 10 points. Norristown dropped a 79-76 contest to Cheltenham in the conference finale as Kip Patton (19), Curt Lever (17), and Evans (13) all scored in twin digits.
Springfield won its only conference game of the season as the Spartans marched to a 55-49 win over Upper Moreland. Larry Clark (19) and Malik Ball (11) scored in twin digits for SHS. Springfield then lost its season finale to Plymouth Whitemarsh by a 99-31 margin as Clark led the Spartans with 10 points.
Upper Moreland closed out its conference season with a pair of setbacks. The Golden Bears lost to Springfield 55-47 despite a 31-point scoring performance by Kevin McFall. Upper Moreland was beaten by Wissahickon in overtime 59-56 as Chris Corr (21), McFall (20), and James Martin (11) all scored in double figures.
Upper Merion closed out its conference season with a couple of losses. The Vikings were sunk early in the week by Cheltenham 77-61 as both Jovan Nicholson (12) and David Stecz (11) each scored in double figures. Upper Merion closed its conference season with a 63-49 loss to Upper Dublin as Ryan Brennan scored a game-high 25 points for the Vikes.
Suburban One American Conference Final Standings
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 12 0
Cheltenham Panthers 11 3
Norristown Eagles 9 5
Wissahickon Trojans 9 5
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 7 7
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 4 10
Upper Merion Vikings 2 12
Springfield Spartans 1 13
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Abington Ghosts
Abington head coach Charles Grasty doesn’t want to sound upset.
“We’re hearing that we are going to be seeded below Pennsbury in the district playoffs, and I just don’t understand that,” said Grasty. “We beat Pennsbury twice, we have more wins, but I guess the math doesn’t add up in our favor.
“To be honest, the players are a little ticked off,” added Grasty as he was told unofficially that his Ghosts would a #6 or #7 seed. “I think that will make the players play with a chip on their shoulders – play with some more motivation.
“The good teams play each other in the end anyway,” continued Grasty. “Our path is going to be a little different than we thought.”
Abington claimed the outright conference championship with a 63-55 win over Pennsbury last week. Matt Penecale scored 19 points, while Amir Hinton added 15 points and Anthony Lee contributed 12 points.
“Matt is finally healthy and is playing great basketball for us,” said Grasty. “Amir and Anthony have also stepped up their game.”
Last year, Abington lost in the PIAA Quad-A District One semifinals to Chester – and the year before that the Ghosts also lost in the district semifinals to Lower Merion.
“I remember losing in the semifinals as a player my sophomore year,” remembered Grasty – a 1990 graduate of Abington. “It was the last time Abington had gone that far since our team two years ago.”
And this 2013-2014 Ghost team will be making its own memories.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Abingtoncompleted its unbeaten conference season with a pair of key wins last week. The Ghosts captured the conference title with a 63-55 victory over Pennsbury as a trio of players – Matt Penecale (19), Amir Hinton (15), and Anthony Lee (12) scored in double figures. Abington closed the week with a 53-44 win over Bensalem as Penecale (21) and Lee (10) led the Ghosts in scoring.
William Tennent closed out the final week of the conference season with a couple of wins. The Panthers opened the week with a 54-52 victory over Council Rock South as Matt Alden (18) and John Ryan (15) each scored in twin digits. Cory Hamlet (22), Ryan (12), and Alden (11) each scored in double figures as the Black Cats topped Truman 58-46.
Pennsbury split its pair of conference games last week but secured second place in the standings. The Falcons lost their showdown game with Abington for the conference title 63-55 and were led in scoring by Cameron Jones (17) and Steve Ciotti (12). Pennsbury rebounded with a 59-49 win over Neshaminy as Jones (13) and Ciotti (10) again scored in double figures.
Council Rock North spilt its conference games last week as the Indians opened the week with a 61-25 win over Neshaminy behind a 14-point scoring effort by Chris Rowland. North was then upset in the conference season finale as the Indians lost to district rival Council Rock South 52-48. Josh McWilliams (17) and Rowland (15) scored in twin digits in the loss to the Hawks.
Bensalem finished its conference season with a split of its two games. The Owls soared to a 58-48 win over Truman behind the double digits scoring of Chris Kilcoyne (17) and Avery Nyekan. Bensalem lost later in the week to Abington by a 53-44 score as both Nyekan and Kilcoyne scored 12 points.
Council Rock South closed out its season with a split of its two games. The Hawks soared to a 52-48 win over Council Rock North behind the 18-point scoring effort by Dan Kockett. Rock South opened the week with a 54-52 loss to William Tennent despite a game-high 21-point scoring performance by Tom Townsend.
Truman closed the curtain on its season with a pair of conference losses. The Tigers were caged by Bensalem 58-48 as both Tyquan Law (14) and Zaire Brown (10) scored in double figures for HST. Truman also lost to William Tennent 58-46 as Zyese Hunt led the Tigers with a team-high 15 points.
Neshaminy also lost its final two conference games to close out the season. The Skins were defeated by Council Rock North 61-25 and were also beaten by Pennsbury 59-49. Cole Housel scored 17 points and Jaylen Pickett added 15 points in the loss to the Falcons.
Suburban One National Conference Final Standings
Abington Ghosts 14 0
Pennsbury Falcons 12 2
William Tennent Panthers 8 6
Council Rock North Indians 7 7
Bensalem Owls 5 9
Council Rock South Hawks 5 9
Truman Tigers 3 11
Neshaminy Redskins 2 12
Suburban One Sports.com
Super Seven
1. Abington Ghosts
2. Pennsbury Falcons
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
4. Pennridge Rams
5. Central Bucks East Patriots
6. Central Bucks South Titans
7. North Penn Knights
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