By Scott Huff
Streaking.
A fad in the 1970’s – a fact in 2010.
There are quite a few streaks – both winning and losing – in the Suburban One League.
Pennridge halted a 29-game SOL Continental Conference game-losing streak with a 65-52 victory over Central Bucks East.
“I brought it up to the team after the game,” said Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens. “We had won four (non-league) games this year before this one – in fact we won two of our last three.
“The last time we won a conference game was when Neshaminy was in our conference two years ago,” added Behrens. “It’s been a long time.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh had its 17-game win streak stopped by the #7 ranked scholastic team in the country – St. Benedict’s – 52-50.
“We will come out of the game learning a lot about ourselves,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio. “We can take what we learned and roll with it.
“Obviously the kids are annoyed that we didn’t win the game,” added Donofrio. “Sometimes you really don’t know who you are until you lose a game like this.”
Wissahickon went into the unfriendly confines of Philadelphia to play unbeaten Communications Tech @ Ben Franklin High School. Tech entered the game with a 15-game winning streak – they exited the game on a one-game losing streak as Wissahickon rallied to win – 74-59.
“They were ranked #7 in the area by The Inquirer,” said Wissahickon head coach Kyle Wilson. “We took it as a huge challenge for us to go in their backyard and beat them.”
Bensalem is on a seven-game winning streak as it prepares for the final two weeks of the SOL National Conference schedule.
“We have a great schedule coming up the final two weeks,” said Bensalem head coach John Mullin. “I really believe that we can contend for a championship, but the players are going to have to believe it.”
More winning streaks --- Central Bucks South leads the pack with a terrific nine-game streak followed by Souderton with an eight-game win streak. Council Rock North has won six straight - Neshaminy has won five in a row – Upper Dublin won its last four.
More losing streaks --- Springfield leads the pack with 10 consecutive losses followed by Upper Merion with six setbacks. Pennsbury – yes Pennsbury – has lost five straight as has Hatboro-Horsham. Truman has lost four in a row.
Suburban One League
National Conference
Bensalem (12-5, 6-4) continues to impress the last few weeks as the Owls prepare for a stretch run in the conference.
“We knew for us to get to a certain level, we were going to have to have contributions from a number of players,” said Bensalem head coach John Mullin. “Ivan Flores was a key player for us to get to that level – he has stepped up his game and we have been playing much better.
“Calvin Brown is playing much better now,” added Mullin. “This was really his first year of varsity experience, and he has given us a presence under the basket.
“Liam (Kirgan) was a point guard, but we needed him to look more for his shot,” continued Mullin. “And Nick (Christian) has been excellent all year.”
The Owls – who flew by Automotive (New York) by a staggering 62-26 score in their last game – will play at Truman on Tuesday (2/2/10) and play at Council Rock North on Friday (2/5/10).
Neshaminy (14-3, 8-2) will attempt to hold on to first place in the conference and build on its five-game win streak.
The Skins will host Council Rock North in a huge conference game Tuesday (2/2/10). A North win would thrust the Indians into a first place conference tie with Neshaminy. The Skins will host William Tennent on Friday (2/5/10).
Council Rock North (14-5, 7-3) will square off with Neshaminy with the conference first place standing on the line tonight (2/2/10). The Indians will attempt to add to its six-game win streak. CRN hosts Bensalem on Friday (2/5/10).
On Saturday, Rock North torched Quakertown – 76-43. The Indians scored 30 points in the second quarter and were led in scoring by Arron Goodman with 20 points.
Pennsbury (9-9, 6-4) has now lost six straight contests and will desperately attempt to defend its SOL National Conference title the last two weeks of the season.
The Falcons will be on the road for a pair of ‘must win’ games. The Black and Orange will be at William Tennent Tuesday (2/2/10) and will be at Council Rock South on Friday (2/5/10).
Abington (9-9, 6-4) lost a 60-42 contest to cross-town rival Cheltenham last Saturday in a non-league tilt. The Ghosts led 17-11 at the close of the first period but could not hold the lead. Jaymes Miller led Abington with 14 points, while Mike Piunti added 11 markers.
Abington will host Council Rock South Tuesday (2/2/10) and will host Truman on Friday (2/5/10) in conference action.
Council Rock South (7-10, 3-7) may not have conference title aspirations, but the Golden Hawks have been competitive and could decide who does win the title.
Rock South will play at Abington Tuesday (2/2/10) and will close the conference week with a home date with Pennsbury.
Truman (6-12, 3-7) is in the midst of a four-game losing streak at it prepares for the conclusion of the season.
The Tigers will host Bensalem Tuesday (2/2/10) and will be on the road at Abington on Friday (2/5/10).
William Tennent (9-9, 1-9) remained unbeaten outside the SOL National Conference with an 81-64 victory over Charles Carroll on Saturday. Jack Rauchut led the Panthers with 20 points. It was the highest point total of the year for WT.
The Panthers will host Pennsbury Tuesday (2/2/10) and will be on the road Friday (2/5/10) at Neshaminy.
Suburban One League
Continental Conference
Pennridge (5-13, 1-9) has had a memorable season.
The Rams not only won their first conference game after 29 consecutive losses with a win over CB East, but the Green and White has played in an incredible six overtime games. PHS won three and lost three.
“I don’t know that I want to play in another one,” said Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens. “But it has been great to be coaching into the fourth quarter.
“These young kids have gained a lot of experience,” added Behrens as his roster contain no seniors. “There were really only three games that we didn’t have a chance to win.”
The young Pennridge backcourt has been special. Sophomore Tim Abruzzo has been the team’s leading scorer, while junior Mike Guldin has provided the steady hand.
“It would be very difficult for us to handle any type of pressure without Mike,” said Behrens. “And when Tim starts to feel it, he can be a big scorer.
“After the win against East, we were sky-high at practice the next day,” continued Behrens. “We’re really excited to play Quakertown.”
Pennridge will have a pair of conference games this week. The Rams play at Quakertown Tuesday (2/2/10) and at Hatboro-Horsham on Friday (2/5/10).
Souderton (16-2, 8-2) continues to be top dog in the SOL Continental Conference and will host Central Bucks South Tuesday (2/2/10) with first place in the balance. The Indians will travel to CB East on Friday (2/5/10).
The Big Red won a 61-44 non-league game over Upper Perkiomen last Saturday. A.J. Picard – who went over the 1,000-point mark for his career – led Souderton with 22 points.
Central Bucks South (13-5, 8-2) will have its showdown with Souderton Tuesday (2/2/10) with the winner gaining sole possession of first place. The Titans will travel to play rival CB West on Friday (2/5/10).
CB South enters the game on a nine-game winning streak. Senior Mike Pincus leads the Titans.
Central Bucks West (10-7, 6-4) won a non-league game last Saturday when the Bucks topped Methacton, 73-56. West was led in scoring by Patrick Furst with 17 points, while Ryan Dyer added 15 points.
The Bucks have a couple of conference games this week. CBW will play at North Penn Tuesday (2/2/10) and will host Central Bucks South on Friday (2/5/10).
North Penn (8-8, 5-5) has hovered around the .500 mark for most of the season. The Knights will play a pair of critical conference games if they hope to extend their season.
North Penn will play host to both games as the Knights meet Central Bucks West Tuesday (2/2/10) and then host Quakertown on Friday (2/5/10).
Quakertown (8-10, 4-6) has now lost three straight games and will try to rebound Tuesday (2/2/10) with a rival game – at home – against Pennridge.
The Panthers – led by the scoring trio of Dalton Nice, Kenny Gula, and Rick Kivela – will be on the road Friday (2/5/10) at North Penn.
Hatboro-Horsham (7-11, 4-6) has now lost five straight games overall – and four straight within the conference.
The Hatters will attempt to find their winning ways Tuesday (2/2/10) as they travel to Central Bucks East. Hatboro-Horsham will host Pennridge on Friday (2/5/10).
Central Bucks East (7-9, 4-6) lost a tough non-league game to Upper Dublin on Saturday – 56-52. David Kiersnowski led the Patriots with 21 points, while Skylar Scrivano added 17 for the Pats.
CB East will have host a pair of conference games this week – hosting Hatboro-Horsham Tuesday (2/2/10) and Souderton on Friday (2/5/10).
Suburban One League
American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (17-1, 10-0) will play two of the best teams in the conference as the Colonials attempt to become conference champions.
PW will travel to Upper Dublin to meet the hot Flying Cardinals Tuesday (2/2/10), and will host rival Norristown on Friday (2/5/10).
Norristown (13-4, 8-2) will play both of the teams that have handed SOL American Conference losses to the Eagles this season.
The Birds – who have been carried by the hot shooting of Chris Davis in recent games – will play at Wissahickon Tuesday (2/2/10) and will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday (2/5/10).
Upper Dublin (12-4, 7-3) is currently on a four game winning streak that includes a win over Wissahickon. Jamil Brown scored 40 points in that victory.
The Flying Cardinals have a tough conference game Tuesday (2/2/10) as they host Plymouth Whitemarsh. UD will host Upper Moreland on Friday (2/5/10).
Wissahickon (13-5, 6-4) has a huge conference game Tuesday (2/2/10) when the Trojans host Norristown.
Wissy will then be on the road Friday (2/5/10) when Cheltenham hosts the Trojans.
Cheltenham (9-9, 5-5) may be on the bubble as far as the post season goes, and the Panthers will have a couple of conference games this week.
Cheltenham – led by the scoring of Rob Mansell and Malcom Weston in recent outings – will host Springfield Tuesday (2/2/10). The Panthers will host Wissahickon in a key game on Friday (2/5/10).
Upper Merion (5-12, 2-8) is battling a six-game losing streak and will be on the road this week in a pair of conference games.
The Vikings will play at Upper Moreland Tuesday (2/2/10) and will play at Springfield on Friday (2/5/10).
Upper Moreland (3-15, 1-9) won a non-league game on Saturday as the Golden Bears defeated New-Hope Solebury – 55-28. Ben Pflaumer led UMHS with 14 points, while Phil Morris scored in double digits with 10 points.
The Golden Bears will host Upper Merion Tuesday (2/2/10) in conference play and will close the week with a game at Upper Dublin on Friday (2/5/10).
Springfield (3-14, 0-10) is battling 10-game losing streak and will play a pair of conference games this week.
The Spartans will play at Cheltenham Tuesday (2/2/10) and will host Upper Merion on Friday (2/5/10).
Suburban One Sports.Com
Top Ten
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (17-1)
2. Souderton Indians (16-2)
3. Neshaminy Redskins (14-3)
4. Council Rock Indians (14-5)
5. Norristown Eagles (13-4)
6. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (12-4)
7. Wissahickon Trojans (13-5)
8. Central Bucks South Titans (13-5)
9. Bensalem Owls (12-5)
10. Central Bucks West Bucks (10-7)
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