By Scott Huff
And they’re coming down the home stretch …
The Suburban One League basketball season is coming down that final stretch of games. And for most teams, the season is no longer about conference championships – it is about extending the 2009-2010 season into the PIAA District One Playoffs.
In the Suburban One League Continental Conference, the conference title can only be shared with the Souderton Indians (10-2). And the only team that can share that crown is the Central Bucks South Titans (8-4).
Central Bucks West (12-8, 7-5) did Souderton a huge favor with a 52-42 victory over Central Bucks South.
“There has been a lot of parity in our conference,” said Central Bucks West coach Adam Sherman. “Right now we are looking to win as many games as possible.
“If we win the last two we are 14-8 – and if we lose we are 12-10,” added Sherman. “And that is going to make a huge difference when it comes to district seeding.”
The Bucks have showcased a balanced scoring attack all season. And the win over CB South was a terrific example.
Ryan Fiore led West with 11 points – he was the only player in double figures. Patrick Furst (8), Kevin Sweet (7), Ryan Dyer (7), Anthony Salvitti (6), and Derrick Dyer (6) all contributed to the win.
“We want to go into the playoffs playing our best basketball,” said Sherman. “And that means playing well in our final two games.”
Central Bucks West will host Central Bucks East and then close out the conference season with a game @ Hatboro-Horsham.
Souderton (18-2, 10-2) is currently on a 10-game win streak and added to that run with a 56-38 win over CB East. A.J. Picard led the Big Red with 20 points.
The Indians will close the season with a contest at Pennridge and a home date with Quakertown.
Central Bucks South (14-7, 8-4) has now lost two straight conference games. The Titans lost to CB West – 56-38 – and lost earlier in the week to Souderton.
South will attempt to rebound with a pair of conference games this week. The Titans host North Penn and will play at Central Bucks East.
North Penn (11-8, 7-5) bested Quakertown behind the scoring of Matt Possanza and T.J. Gill. The Knights have won four of their last five games.
North Penn will close out its conference season with a game at CB South and a home date with Pennridge.
Quakertown (9-11, 6-6) has dropped two conference games in a row. The Panthers had three players in double figures – Kenny Gula, Rick Kivela, and Dalton Nice – in its loss to North Penn.
Quakertown will host Hatboro-Horsham and play at Souderton to close out the conference season.
Hatboro-Horsham (9-11, 5-7) edged Pennridge 47-45 in its last conference games. The Hatters were led in scoring by Pete Williams with 15 points.
Hatboro-Horsham will close out its season with an away game at Quakertown and a home date with Central Bucks West.
Central Bucks East (6-12, 4-8) is on a two-game conference losing streak. The Patriots were trimmed 56-38 by Souderton in their last game.
CB East will close out its season with an away game @ CB West and a home game with CB South.
Pennridge (5-15, 1-11) dropped another tough conference game when the Rams fell to Hatboro-Horsham – 47-45. Mike Guldin led PHS with 17 points.
Pennridge will finish out its season with a home game with Souderton and an away game at North Penn.
In the Suburban One League National Conference, the conference title it still up for grabs between Neshaminy (9-3) and Council Rock North (9-3). Defending champion Pennsbury (8-4) is still in the hunt.
Pennsbury (11-9, 8-4) is not going anywhere as the Falcons proudly defend their title.
“I said at the beginning of the year that three or four losses would win this league,” said Pennsbury head coach Frank Sciolla. “Right now we are still in a position to win, and I’m proud of the players for getting us there.
“We still need to get something done this week,” added Sciolla. “We have to play well to win – it’s that simple.”
Pennsbury got off to a good start with a 49-38 victory over Council Rock South. Senior Jesse Krasna led the Falcons with 18 points.
Pennsbury will close out the conference schedule with a home game against Truman and a huge away game at Neshaminy.
“Some people have been critical of the non-league schedule we play,” said Sciolla. “They wish we could have played an easier schedule, and we would have 16 or so wins now.
“But I want the team to be challenged and play memorable games,” added Sciolla. “And we have played in those memorable games.”
Council Rock North (16-4, 9-3) is playing its best basketball of the season. The Indians reside in the conference penthouse along with Neshaminy.
Rock North will close its conference season with a home game against Abington and will end the year with an away game at rival Council Rock South.
Neshaminy (15-4, 9-3) will have to play its way into a title with a pair of very tough opponents this week.
The Redskins will play at Bensalem to meet the improved Owls, and will host Pennsbury in the season finale.
Abington (10-9, 7-4) will play at Rock North and will face Bensalem in a home game before a hopeful playoff bid.
Bensalem (12-6, 6-5) will prepare for its playoff run with a pair of tough games this week. The Owls host Neshaminy and then play at Abington.
Truman (6-13, 3-8) will play at Pennsbury and then host William Tennent.
Council Rock South (7-12, 3-9) will close out its season with an away game at William Tennent and a home game with CR North.
William Tennent (9-11, 1-11) will finish out its conference season with a home game against Rock South and an away game at Truman.
In the Suburban One League American Conference,the title has already been won by powerful Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Upper Dublin (13-6, 8-4) may be the ‘Rodney Dangerfield” of the conference and has not gotten the respect that the Flying Cardinals have earned.
And a measure of that respect was earned Upper Dublin’s 73-60 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh.
“We had a fighter’s chance in the fourth period,” said Upper Dublin head coach Josh Adelman. “Our goal against PW was not to let them go on any big runs – and they didn’t.
“We ran a special defense on (Whis) Grant and (C.J.) Aiken,” added Adelman. “And it worked on them. However, both (Jaylen) Bond and (Sam) Pygatt really hurt us.”
Aiken was held to just seven points, while Grant totaled eight points. Bond torched the Cardinals with 28 points, while Pygatt added 18 points.
Upper Dublin senior Jamil Brown matched Bond with a 28-point scoring effort.
“To be able to play with them does a lot to improve our confidence,” said Adelman. “It gives the players a reason to believe in themselves.
“We’re really excited about getting a chance to play in the playoffs,” continued Adelman. “It should be a very interesting field with some interesting match ups.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (18-1, 12-0) kept its unbeaten record in tact with a 60-47 victory over rival Norristown (13-6, 8-4).
The Colonials will close out the conference season at home versus Cheltenham and on the road at Springfield. The Eagles will host Upper Dublin and will be on the road against Cheltenham. A Saturday date is scheduled with Coatesville.
Wissahickon (15-5, 8-4) moved into a second place conference tie with both Norristown and Upper Dublin with a 54-50 victory over Cheltenham (10-10, 7-5).
The Trojans will end the conference season with an away contest at Upper Merion and a home date with Upper Moreland. The Panthers close with an away game at Plymouth Whitemarsh and a home contest with Norristown.
Upper Moreland (4-16, 2-10) will conclude its conference season with a home game with Springfield and an away contest with Wissahickon.
Upper Merion (6-13, 3-9) will host Wissahickon and play at Upper Dublin.
Springfield (3-15, 0-12) will play at Upper Moreland and will host Plymouth Whitemarsh in the conference finale.
Suburban One Sports.Com
Top Ten
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
2. Souderton Indians
3. Council Rock North Indians
4. Neshaminy Redskins
5. Wissahickon Trojans
6. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
7. Norristown Eagles
8. Central Bucks South Titans
9. Central Bucks West Bucks
10. Bensalem Owls
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