This week’s notebook highlights Pennridge, Pennsbury and Norristown and recaps the past week’s games.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on …
Suburban One League Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennridge Rams
Pennridge won nine straight games from December 13to January 14and was without question one of the surprise teams in the entire Suburban One League.
“Winning can be contagious,” said Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens. “We have a lot of underclassmen on this team, and most of them are used to winning. When they go on the floor, they expect to win. They really don’t know any different.”
Pennridge has not exactly been a basketball factory in its hoop history. And when the Rams lost competitive back-to-back games to North Penn (72-71) and Central Bucks South (67-61) recently, there were many who thought that Pennridge would revert back to its mediocre ways.
“We were down by double figures in both those games in the fourth quarter, but we made nice comebacks and actually had chances to win both of those games,” said Behrens. “This is a very young team, and we are both excited and focused on the games we have in front of us.”
Pennridge has an excellent core of underclassmen that have gained the Rams respect in the league. Sophomore Dan Long – who scored 29 points in a 60-49 win over Hatboro-Horsham last week – and juniors Zach Muredda and Joey Molettiere have been keys to the Rams success.
“Dan was in a zone against Hatboro,” said Behrens. “He hit six three-pointers in a row in the second quarter – that’s a little ridiculous.
“And Zach has come back from his injury last year and has been great,” added Behrens. “And Joey gives us some game around the rim.”
Pennridge will have a huge game on Tuesday (1/28/14) when the Rams travel to Central Bucks West to meet the Bucks. Both Pennridge and CB West have identical 6-3 conference records – one game behind first place Central Bucks South (7-2). CB West defeated Pennridge last week – 61-53.
“West is very good – Jared Kelly and Evan Dunn are very good high school players,” said Behrens. “We talked at practice about the adjustments we had to make to be able to beat them, but I told them that we have to believe that we can beat them. And they think they can.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks West moved into title contention with a pair of important victories. The Bucks defeated Pennridge 61-53 as Jared Kelly (17) and Pat Kelley (13) scored in double figures, and West followed with a 57-42 win over Souderton as Kelly (14), Kelley (11) and Evan Dunn (12) all scored in twin digits.
Central Bucks South collected a 49-41 win over Quakertown to remain in first place in the conference standings. Bryce Dobisch (12) and Chris Hones (10) were double-digit scorers for the Titans.
Pennridge split its pair of confernce games to remain in championship contention. The Rams opened the week with a 61-53 loss to CB West as both Dan Long (18) and Zach Muredda (15) scored in double figures. The Rams captured a win at the end of the week with a 60-49 win over Hatboro-Horsham with Long scoring a game-high 29 points and Muredda chipping in with 14 markers.
North Penn dropped a 61-49 contest to Central Bucks East in the Knights lone conference game. North Penn was led in scoring by Suleyman Hakim who scored a game-high 19 points, while Jim Lin added 15 points for the Knights.
Central Bucks East moved to .500 in the conference with the win over North Penn. The Patriots had a trio of players score in double figures with Tommy Strasburger (16), Brendan McLaughlin (14), and Matt Gentry (11) all scoring twin digits.
Hatboro-Horsham split a pair of conference games last week with a 55-52 win over Souderton and a 60-49 loss to Pennridge. The Hatters were led in scoring in the win by Walt Kimble (23) and Zach Quattro (15). In the loss, Quattro scored a team-high 24 points while Kimble added 15 points for the Hatters.
Quakertown lost its only conference game of the week as the Panthers were defeated by CB South 49-41. The Black Cats were led in scoring by Jack Perrine with a team-high 11 points.
Souderton dropped out of title contention with a pair of tough losses last week. The Indians fell to both Hatboro-Horsham (55-52) and Central Bucks West (57-42). Tracy Simsick (16) and Tim Markow (11) were the leading scorers in the loss to the Hatters, while Markow scored a team-high 13 points in the loss to CB West.
SOL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks South Titans 7 2
Central Bucks West Bucks 6 3
Pennridge Rams 6 3
North Penn Knights 5 4
Central Bucks East Patriots 4 4
Souderton Indians 4 6
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 3 7
Quakertown Panthers 1 7
SOL Continental Conference Schedule
Monday (1/27/14)
Quakertown @ Central Bucks East
Central Bucks South @ North Penn
Tuesday (1/28/14)
Souderton @ Central Bucks East
North Penn @ Quakertown
Pennridge @ Central Bucks West
Hatboro-Horsham @ Central Bucks South
Thursday (1/29/14)
Central Bucks East @ Central Bucks West
Friday (1/31/14)
Central Bucks East @ Quakertown
Hatboro-Horsham @ North Penn
Souderton @ Pennridge
Central Bucks South @ Central Bucks West
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennsbury Falcons
Pennsbury was projected to be one of the top teams in the SOL this year – and the Falcons have not disappointed. And fans can now expect Pennsbury to be even better in the near future with the development of 6-foot 8-inch junior Derrick Woods.
“Derrick really didn’t play any organized basketball until two years ago,” said Pennsbury head coach Bill Coleman. “He has become a better post player each and every game – each and every practice. Not only do I have greater confidence in what he can do – the players have that same type of confidence.
“With him being an option, it opens up the floor for both Cam (Jones) and Mekhi (Bryant),” added Coleman of his talented juniors. “That trio of players is growing every day.”
Pennsbury has loaded its non-conference schedule with superior talent in and out of the state. Trenton Catholic (New Jersey), St. Johnsbury (Vermont), West Chester Rustin, Norristown, Spring-Ford, and Central Bucks South are all at the top of their respective leagues – and Trenton and St. Johnsbury are ranked high within their state.
“We want to prepare ourselves for the playoffs,” said Coleman. “It gives our players a great experience to play the best teams in and out of the state and in District One. It shows the players where we need to be in terms of playing great competition.”
The only setbacks Pennsbury has suffered this season were to Trenton Catholic (82-72) and to Abington (62-61). The loss to the Ghosts (10-0 conference) keep the Falcons (7-1) in second place in the SOL National Conference. The rematch with Abington will be on February 4at Abington.
“We have the mentality of playing just one game at a time,” said Coleman acknowledging the cliché of the statement. “This is a huge week for us – four games in six days.
“We have William Tennent on Monday, Council Rock North on Tuesday, Truman on Friday, and a non-league game with Conestoga (15-2) on Saturday,” said Coleman. “Plus the players have midterms this week. It will be a big test for them both on the floor and in the classroom.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Abington kept a firm grasp on first place in the conference with a pair of victories. The Ghosts opened the week with a 64-43 victory over Council Rock North as 11 players scored for the Ghosts led by Amir Hinton with 11 points. Abington closed the week with a 67-53 win over Neshaminy as Laz Mackrides (13) and Anthony Lee (12) scored in twin digits for the Ghosts.
Pennsbury won its lone conference game of the week as the Falcons soared to a 75-55 win over Council Rock South. Pennsbury was led in scoring by Cameron Jones (16), Derrick Woods (13), and Mekhi Bryant (13).
Council Rock North split a pair of conference games last week. The Indians captured a 63-23 win over Truman to close the week, and Rock North opened the week with a 64-43 loss to Abington. Drew Glenn (13), Chris Rowland (12), and Matt Margolis (12) each scored in double figures in the win over HST, whoile Rowland scored a game-high 15 points in the loss to Abington.
William Tennent lost its lone conference game last week as the Panthers were clawed by Bensalem 50-47. John Ryan (16), Matt Alden (11), and Cory Hamlet (10) all scored in double figures for the Panthers.
Bensalem collected a win in its only conference game in the 50-47 win over William Tennent. Chris Kilcoyne (16) and Avery Nyekan (11) were the leading scorers for the Owls.
Council Rock South lost its only conference game of the week as the Golden Hawks were clipped by Pennsbury 75-55. Tom Townsend scored a game-high 19 points for Rock South, while Mike Stock scored in double digits with 16 points.
Truman lost its only conference game of the week as the Tigers were caged by Council Rock North 63-23. Tyquan Law scored a team-high 11 points for Truman.
Neshaminy lost its only conference game of the week as the Redskins were defeated by Abington 67-53. Jaylen Pickett (15) and Shammond Thomas (13) each scored in twin digits for the Skins.
SOL National Conference Standings
Abington Ghosts 10 0
Pennsbury Falcons 7 1
Council Rock North Indians 5 4
William Tennent Panthers 4 4
Bensalem Owls 3 6
Council Rock Golden Hawks 3 6
Truman Tigers 2 7
Neshaminy Redskins 1 7
SOL National Conference Schedule
Monday (1/27/14)
William Tennent @ Pennsbury
Tuesday (1/28/14)
Neshaminy @ William Tennent
Council Rock South @ Bensalem
Pennsbury @ Council Rock North
Truman @ Abington
Friday (1/31/14)
Council Rock South @ Neshaminy
Bensalem @ Council Rock North
Abington @ William Tennent
Truman @ Pennsbury
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Norristown Eagles
Norristown head coach Michael Evans knew before the season began that the defending SOL American 
Conference champion Eagles had purchased a ticket for a regular season roller coaster ride.
“We only had Curt Lever back with any varsity experience, and a lack of experience usually means a lack of consistency,” said Evans. “This is a team that needs practice time, and with the weather, we have had only 13 practices and 16 games. We have to teach things during the game.”
Norristown is 9-7 overall and 6-3 in the SOL American Conference. During the year, the Eagles have a pair of two-game win streaks – and only one two-game losing streak. It has been a season of win one – lose one.
“This has been a great team to work with, and we work hard every practice and in every game,” said Evans. “But we have had trouble with things like turnovers, and this league has really become a guard-oriented league and we have struggled with that.
“It has been a learn-as-you-go season,” added Evans. “We have a strong sophomore class, but we haven’t talked at all about next season. We want to focus on the second half of the season and see what happens.
“Our goal is to put some wins together and be able to get into the district playoffs at the end of the year,” continued Evans. “The district, really, is pretty wide-open. And once you get into the playoffs, anything could happen.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh remained alone in first place in the conference with an 80-44 rout over Wissahickon. The Colonials were led in scoring by Jimmy Murray (19), Cameron Johnson (18), and Andre Mitchell (15).
Cheltenham collected a 57-48 win over Upper Dublin in its lone conference game last week. The Panthers were led in scoring by Aaron Burton with 15 points and Jeremiah Coleman with 13 points.
Norristown won its only conference game of the week as the Eagles needed overtime to defeat Upper Moreland – 59-56. Ty’Jon Jackson (16), Curtis Lever (15), and Kip Patton (12) each scored in double digits for Norristown.
Wissahickon lost its only conference game of the week as the Trojans were defeated by Plymouth Whitemarsh 80-44. Chase Wilson scored a game-high 24 points for Wissahickon.
Upper Dublin lost its only conference game of the week as the Cardinals were defeated by Cheltenham 57-48. Upper Dublin was led in scoring by Simeon Fryer with 19 points, while Kevin Woods scored 15 points for the Cardinals.
Upper Moreland split a pair of conference games last week as the Golden Bears defeated Upper Merion (65-62 in double overtime) and lost to Norristown (59-56 in overtime). Kevin McFall scored a game-high 27 points in the win over Upper Merion, while Chris Corr added 19 points. McFall followed with a 24-point performance against Norristown, and Brendan O’Donnell scored in twin digits with 10 points.
Upper Merion split its pair of conference games last week with a 55-54 overtime win over Springfield and a 65-62 double overtime loss to Upper Moreland. David Stecz and Samik Patel each scored 20 points in the win over the Spartans, while Stecz (14), Patel (11), and Dan Kubler (11) each scored in double digits in the loss to Upper Moreland.
Springfield lost its only conference game of the week as the Spartans fell to Upper Merion in overtime – 55-54. Larry Clark scored a team-high 14 points for Springfield.
SOL American Conference Standings
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 9 0
Cheltenham Panthers 7 1
Norristown Eagles 6 3
Wissahickon Trojans 5 4
Upper Dublin Cardinals 4 5
Upper Moreland Bears 3 7
Upper Merion Vikings 2 8
Springfield Spartans 0 9
SOL American Conference Schedule
Monday (1/27/14)
Norristown @ Upper Dublin
Cheltenham @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Wissahickon @ Springfield
Tuesday (1/28/14)
Upper Dublin @ Upper Moreland
Wissahickon @ Cheltenham
Upper Merion @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Springfield @ Norristown
Friday (1/31/14)
Wissahickon @ Upper Merion
Cheltenham @ Upper Moreland
Norristown @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Springfield @ Upper Dublin
Suburban One Sports.Com
Super Six
1. Abington Ghosts
2. Pennsbury Falcons
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
4. Central Bucks South Titans
5. Central Bucks West Bucks
6. Pennridge Rams
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