Abington defeated PW 70-66 to capture its second SOL Tournament title in three years on Monday night.
By Tom Kerrane
SOUDERTON – Two years ago, Abington High won the inaugural Suburban One Tournament and used it as a launching pad to winning the PIAA District One Class 4A championship.
The Ghosts are hoping to experience a similar type of boost this year after defeating Plymouth Whitemarsh Monday night, 70-66, to earn the boys championship at Souderton Area High School.
"I just think it's about momentum," Abington head coach Charles Grasty said. "We want to just keep going. If we didn't make it to the championship, then we've got a long week of practice. They like to play games."
The Suburban One Tournament falls right between the time on the basketball calendar when a team finds out its district fate and when the postseason begins. This year, both teams are in the 6A field in the first year of the restructured PIAA playoff system.
The Ghosts (20-4) already knew they would enter districts as the third seed and would not play again until Feb. 21. The Colonials (20-4) share the same first-round bye as the second seed in the 6A bracket.
But Abington believes heading into the playoffs coming off a tough win could have the same effect it did two years ago.
"For me, this game matters," said Robbie Heath, who lit it up in the first half Monday on his way to scoring a season and game-high 30 points. "I want to win every championship there is. By us winning the league and winning this, we have four championships we want to win – the league, this, districts and states. We've already won two of them. We have two more left."
PW opened up strong Monday night and did not trail for most of the first half. But it was Heath working inside and out who helped keep Abington close early and got the Ghosts the lead late in the half. The junior went on a personal 10-2 run in the final three minutes of the second quarter. While the Colonials had been able to keep Eric Dixon in check in the first half, Heath's 22 points at the break led the Ghosts to a four-point lead (32-28).
"He's always going to be on, so I'm not worried about that," Heath said about Dixon, who responded to score 16 of his 18 points in the second half. "He's always going to have a good game. I had to step up and make some plays, and I think by doing that – making shots, that helped us win the game."
Monday's game was good scouting film for other teams in the 6A bracket. The Colonials and the Ghosts are the previous two Class 4A district champions, Abington having knocked off PW in their last meeting at the 2015 district title game, and PW handling Chester at the district championship last year.
"We both got to have a quick nice preview of each other," PW head coach Jim Donofrio said. "If you are capable and you're humble and you work hard and you're lucky enough to win a round or two rounds starting next week, you might see this scenario again."
The Colonials, who again were without the services of injured junior guard Ahmin Williams, were led by sophomore center Naheem McLeod's 17 points, 15 of those coming in the first half. Ahmad Williams scored 14 and Ish Horn added 10.
PW scored two quick baskets coming out of halftime to tie the score at 32-32, but Abington never lost the lead, and when Eric Dougherty dropped a bucket at the third-quarter buzzer, the Ghosts led by 13, 52-39. Having not made a three yet on the night, the Colonials would drop five of them in the fourth quarter. Jason Paul drained three bombs in a row to help PW close the margin to four points, 61-57, with a little over three minutes to play. The score seesawed back and forth the rest of the way, but the Colonials would get no closer.
Now, both teams have a week until their next game. The intensity picks up a notch from here on out, and both sides hope the momentum will kick in at the right time.
EXTRA POINTS: Some stats from Abington stat man Sam Szymanek: The Ghosts took 58 shots in Monday’s win, connecting on 25 (43 percent). They buried 18-of-26 shots from the foul line (69 percent). Of their 31 rebounds, 15 were offensive. Heath was 9-for-17 from the field and was a near-perfect 11-for-13 at the charity stripe. He also had five rebounds, three steals and two assists in a monster performance. Dixon, who connected on 8-of-15 shots from the field, had eight rebounds. Joseph O’Brien led the Ghosts under the boards with 13 rebounds, eight offensive. He also had four blocked shots. Lucas Monroe had four assists to go along with six points. Robert Young had eight points and three steals. He now has 45 steals on the year and just 28 turnovers.
Abington 70, Plymouth Whitemarsh 66
Abington 12 20 20 18 — 70
Plymouth Whitemarsh 18 10 11 27 — 66
Abington (70) – Rob Young 8, Robbie Heath 30, Lucas Monroe 6, Joe O'Brien 6, Eric Dixon 18, Eric Dougherty 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh (66) – Ish Horn 10, Naheem McLeod 17, Matt Walker 3, Cheo Houston 4, Ahmad Williams 14, Jason Paul 9, Devon Lawrence 7, Kareem Breeden 2.
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