By Scott Huff
Unbeaten Plymouth Whitemarsh (15-0) must run a dangerous obstacle course this week as the Colonials attempt to compete with the very best teams in the country.
Yes – country.
Last things first.
Plymouth Whitemarsh will play the #4 ranked team in the United States when the Colonials play St. Benedict’s Prep from Newark, New Jersey this Sunday (1/31/10). The game will be part of the Lehigh Valley Hoop Fest played at Parkland High School. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 pm.
“Right now, everyone is gunning for us,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio. “We have a number of tough games to play before we get to Sunday. Our players are not arrogant, and we respect each and every opponent we play.”
Respect is certainly earned by St. Benedict’s.
The Prep – coached by Dan Hurley – boasts no fewer than four committed Division One players. Included on that prestigious roster are 6-3 senior Myck Kabongo (Texas), 6-8 senior Gilvydes Biruta (Rutgers), and 6-5 senior Aaron Brown (Temple). Sidiki Johnson (6-9 junior) has committed to Arizona.
“This is going to be a huge challenge to get through this week,” said Donofrio. “We are going to spend a lot of emotional energy, and we are going to have to check our emotional resources.
“These kids are fortunate to be in this showcase,” added Donofrio. “I hope that they can enjoy what we are going through. We need to enjoy the wins and the experience.”
That experience will also include a huge Suburban One League American Conference game with Wissahickon (12-3) on Tuesday (1/26/10).
“Wissahickon is a very good basketball team,” said Donofrio. “It will be great to play a big game on our home court. Any time you play a Wissahickon or a Norristown in your own building, it is special for the kids.
“We have to concentrate on the moment,” added Donofrio. “Believe me, we will take Wissahickon very seriously.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh will then take its show on the road. The Colonials will travel to Villanova University on Friday with a huge non-league contest with Imhotep Charter (11-2) of Philadephia.
“We’re not hiding from anyone,” said Donofrio. “We are basically playing an NBA schedule this week – a game one day, practice the next, another game, and then practice, and another game. We won’t get a whole lot of time to fix anything that is wrong.
“But this is a great time for the players,” added Donofrio. “We will enjoy the ride.”
Suburban One League
American Conference
Wissahickon (12-3) may be the toughest hurdle for Plymouth Whitemarsh to overcome in conference play. The Trojans – who lost to PW 73-53 in the first meeting between the two teams – were only four points down to the Colonials in the fourth quarter.
“I always say that if you want to be one of the best teams, you have to play against the best,” said Wissahickon coach Kyle Wilson as his Trojans prepare for the Colonials on Tuesday (1/26/10). “PW is one of the highest ranked teams in the state – and I personally think that they are the best team in the state.
“Great teams play smart basketball and execute, and Plymouth Whitemarsh plays smart and executes,” added Wilson. “We really have nothing to lose. No one expects us to win.”
Wissahickon has been on a roll lately winning eight of its last nine games. The only loss in that stretch was a 52-39 loss to Upper Dublin – a game that senior Jack O’Neill missed with strep throat.
O’Neill – who eclipsed the 1,000 point barrier earlier in the season – has been on fire lately. The 6-foot, 5-inch sharpshooter scored 31 points in a 64-44 win over Hatboro-Horsham, and also scored 31 points in a 78-49 win over Springfield.
“During the second half of the Upper Moreland game (a 50-37 Wissy win) I told Jack that he needed to relax and not rush his shot,” said Wilson. Just shoot the ball – be comfortable – and settle down. I don’t know how much that did for him, but he has been shooting the ball great ever since.”
Norristown (11-4, 6-2) lost a 10-point halftime lead to Neshaminy in the Suburban One Challenge and dropped a 42-40 contest. The Eagles were led in scoring by Jahquil Hargrove with 14 points.
Chris Davis led the Birds with 20 and 18 points respectively as Norristown captured a pair of conference wins over both Cheltenham (61-32) and Upper Moreland (54-37).
Upper Dublin (8-5, 5-3) won a pair of conference games last week. The Cardinals beat Upper Merion (60-39) and Cheltenham (62-44). Jamil Brown scored his 1000th point in the win over the Panthers.
Upper Dublin fell in its Suburban One Challenge game with Central Bucks South (11-5) – 63-53. Brown led the Flying Cardinals with 24 points.
Cheltenham (6-9, 4-4) has now lost five straight games. The Panthers were defeated in conference last week by both Norristown (62-31) and Upper Dublin (62-44). In the Greater Philly Challenge – hosted by the Panthers – Cheltenham suffered a 57-31 loss to Simon Gratz.
Malcom Weston led the Panthers with a 27-point scoring effort against Upper Dublin. Rob Mansell led the scoring in the contests with Norristown and Gratz.
Upper Merion (5-10, 2-6) has now lost four straight games. The Vikings lost a pair of conference games last week to Upper Dublin (60-39) and Plymouth Whitemarsh (86-46).
Upper Merion – which was outscored 24-0 in the first quarter against PW – was led in that loss by Francis Rafferty’s game-high 22 points. The Vikings will attempt the right the ship this week against Norristown and Cheltenham.
Upper Moreland (2-14, 1-7) played very competitive basketball last week, but the Golden Bears still lost all three games. UM lost to Wissahickon (50-37), Norristown (54-37) in the conference – and lost to William Tennent (42-41) in the Suburban One Challenge.
The Bears lost the Tennent game in the final six seconds. Ryan Burnick scored in twin digits in each of the games played last week.
Springfield (3-12, 0-8) played into the teeth of the conference schedule with losses to both Plymouth Whitemarsh (77-45) and Wissahickon (78-49).
The Spartans – who have now lost eight straight games – were led in scoring in both games by Chris Crudele. Crudele scored 16 points against PW and 15 against Wissy.
Suburban One League
National Conference
Council Rock North (11-4, 5-3) did something last week that hadn’t been done since January 28, 2005 when Neshaminy did it – beat Pennsbury at the Falcons Nest.
The Indians defeated Pennsbury – 55-45 – and thrust themselves right back into the SOL National Conference race along with the Falcons (6-2) and Neshaminy (6-2).
“This is the reason that you play high school basketball – to compete for championships,” said Council Rock North head coach Derek Wright. “It is going to be a dogfight every night – and not only with Pennsbury and Neshaminy.
“Bensalem is playing great basketball right now,” added Wright. “And South, Truman, Abington, and William Tennent have all won league games and can beat anyone on a given night.”
The season did not begin the way that Rock North wanted it to start. But the Indians have begun to play up to preseason expectations and have become a real force in conference play.
“We feel that we are a much better team than we were a month ago,” said Wright. “We have carried the things over from practice to the floor in the games.
“Our seniors leadership with Andrew Stress, Tim Filer, and Ty Bostain has been outstanding,” continued Wright. “We have a pretty balanced team as far as scoring goes, and that is a good thing.”
Sophomore Aaron Morgan has stepped up as the Indian point guard to distribute the basketball to the proper places.
“Aaron has been the difference lately,” said Wright. “His position at point guard perhaps determines the success of the team. He sets the tone.”
Rock North swept its games last week with conference wins over rival Council Rock South (62-50) and Pennsbury. The Indians also played in the Suburban One Challenge and claimed a 44-23 win over North Penn.
“We had a nice week – now we have to keep it going,” said Wright. “We’re confident that we can do that.”
Neshaminy (11-4, 6-2) owns a share of first place in the conference standings and split a pair of games last week. The Redskins lost a heart breaking 47-46 loss to Pennsbury, but rebounded with a conference win over Abington – 53-47.
Neshaminy came up with a ‘statement’ non-league victory over Norristown – at Norristown – 42-40. Dwight Williams scored the game winner with two seconds left in the game. The game was part of the Suburban One Challenge.
Pennsbury (9-6, 6-2) also owns a share of first place in the conference standings and split a pair of conference games last week. The Falcons edged Neshaminy 47-46 and had its home court winning streak of four years – 51 wins – snapped by Council Rock North – 55-45.
Pennsbury made an appearance in the Kobe Bryant Classic and was competitive in a 36-33 loss to Holy Ghost Prep.
Bensalem (9-5, 4-4) is currently riding a four game winning streak that included all three games last week. The Owls flew to conference wins over both Abington (64-51) and William Tennent (65-53).
Bensalem – which has been led in all wins by the duo of Nick Christian and Ivan Flores – also claimed a Suburban One Challenge win over Central Bucks West – 55-37.
Abington (6-8, 4-4) is currently riding a three game losing streak that included all three games last week. The Ghosts lost conference games to both Bensalem (64-51) and Neshaminy (53-47).
Abington – who was led in scoring by Jaymes Miller - also suffered a Suburban One Challenge loss against Quakertown – 60-48.
Council Rock South (6-8, 3-5) split a pair of conference games last week. The Golden Hawks lost to rival Rock North (60-52) but rebounded with a conference win over Truman (55-51).
Rock South – which was led in scoring over that stretch by Cody Nowlin – lost a game in the Suburban One Challenge to Central Bucks East – 55-53.
Truman (6-10, 3-5) split a pair of conference games last week. The Tigers defeated William Tennent (76-62) and lost to Council Rock South (55-51).
Truman – which was led by Eddie Valentine who averaged 21 points in the last three games – lost to Pennridge – 60-57 – in overtime as part of the Suburban One Challenge.
William Tennent (8-7, 1-7) continues to have a winning record despite having only one conference win. The Panthers lost conference games to Truman (76-52) and Bensalem (65-53) last week.
Tennent – which had Mike Horn score the winning basket with six seconds left in the game – defeated Upper Moreland – 42-41 – as part of the Suburban One Challenge.
Suburban One League
Continental Conference
Central Buck South (11-5, 6-2) - just like a nice juicy hamburger – is on a roll. The Titans have won seven straight games and rest on top of the conference standings.
“Before we went to this streak, we had a team meeting and stressed how we have to play like a team,” said Central Bucks South head coach Jason Campbell. “We are the defending (SOL Continental Conference) champions, but we can’t live off of last year.
“I think now everyone knows their role on the team,” added Campbell. “We have put individual stats aside, and we work hard as a team.”
South won all three of its games last week as the Titans captured conference wins over both Central Bucks East (53-41) and Quakertown (64-41).
CB South also won its Suburban One Challenge contest with a 63-53 win over Upper Dublin. Senior Justin Policare stepped up huge for the Titans with 21 points and eight rebounds.
“Justin has come on strong recently,” said Campbell. “This is his first year on the varsity, and I think that now he is playing with more confidence.
“This group of players is very unselfish,” added Campbell. “We are confident that we will continue to make progress as the season goes on.”
Souderton (13-2, 6-2) has now won five straight as the Indians remain in a tie at the top of the conference standings with CB South. The Big Red won conference games over both Quakertown (77-52) and Hatboro-Horsham (43-39).
The Indians – who were led in scoring by A.J. Picard with 28 points – won a 57-42 contest against Central High School of the Philadelphia Public League. That game was part of the Greater Philly Classic.
Central Bucks West (9-6, 5-3) is still in competition for a conference championship as the Bucks won a pair of conference games last week. West bested Hatboro-Horsham (42-41) and Pennridge (49-35).
The Bucks – who have been led recently by Patrick Furst and Ryan Fiore – lost its Suburban One Challenge contest to Bensalem – 55-37.
North Penn (7-7, 4-4) split a pair of conference games last week. The Knights opened the week with a win over Pennridge (66-59 in overtime) and followed with a 40-37 loss to Central Bucks East.
North Penn – led in scoring in each game by Matt Possanza – lost its Suburban One Challenge contest to Council Rock North – 44-23.
Hatboro-Horsham (7-9, 4-4) lost a pair of tough conference losses last week. The Hatters lost to Central Bucks West – 42-41 – and followed with a 43-39 setback to Souderton.
Hatboro-Horsham – who has welcomed back Connor Poston to the lineup to team with Mike Marvin – lost its Suburban One Challenge contest to Wissahickon – 64-44.
Central Bucks East (6-7, 3-5) split a pair of conference games last week. The Patriots opened with a 55-41 loss to rival CB South, but rebounded with a 40-37 win over North Penn.
East – led by seniors David Kiersnowski and Skylar Scrivano – won its Suburban One Challenge contest against Council Rock South – 55-53.
Pennridge (4-12, 0-8) played in its fifth and sixth overtime games of the season last week. The Rams – who have won three and lost three OT contests – lost to North Penn in overtime – 66-59. PHS also lost a conference game to Central Bucks West – 49-35.
Pennridge – who has had impressive play by sophomore guard Tim Abruzzo – won its Suburban One Challenge contest against Truman – 60-57 – in overtime.
SuburbanOneSports.Com
Top Ten
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (15-0)
2. Souderton Indians (13-2)
3. Wissahickon Trojans (12-3)
4. Neshaminy Redskins (11-4)
5. Norristown Eagles (11-4)
6. Council Rock North Indians (11-4)
7. Central Bucks South Titans (11-5)
8. Pennsbury Falcons (9-6)
9. Bensalem Owls (9-5)
10. Central Bucks West Bucks (9-6)
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