By Scott Huff
The season has almost reached the halfway point in the race for the respective Suburban One League championships.
This week the teams in all three conferences – National, Continental, and American – will play a first meeting against one team on Tuesday and begin the second half of the season with a rematch against the team it opened the conference schedule with on Friday.
Saturday has no less than 18 SOL teams involved in the Suburban One League Challenge. There will be four different venues hosting the event – Council Rock South, Council Rock North, Wissahickon, and Norristown.
In addition, Pennsbury and Plymouth-Whitemarsh and be involved in a tournament held at Widener University over the weekend.
“We have played a tremendous non-league schedule,” said Pennsbury head coach Frank Sciolla. “We have lost some games, but the experience we gain in those losses has been very important.
“We try to approach all games the same way,” added Sciolla. “It might be a cliché, but we really only look at the next game that we play.”
It might sound cliché, but most of the Suburban One League races are still undecided. And even unbeaten Plymouth Whitemarsh has been tested – by Norristown in a 59-56 SOL American Conference victory.
“This is the best year for balance since 1999,” said Sciolla of competition within the SOL National Conference. “There isn’t an easy game for anyone in the league.”
“I really thought that 11-3 would win our league,”
said Hatboro-Horsham head coach Dennis Steinly in reference to the SOL Continental Conference. “I don’t think – with everyone having at least two losses already – that can happen.
said Hatboro-Horsham head coach Dennis Steinly in reference to the SOL Continental Conference. “I don’t think – with everyone having at least two losses already – that can happen.
“It is going to be an exciting second half of the season,” added Steinly. “You are going to have to survive from week to week.”
Get ready for week seven of Survivor.
Suburban One League
National Conference
Pennsbury (8-4, 5-1) has been under construction for most of the season, but the undersized Falcons are still on top of the conference standings.
“We were hit hard by graduation, and with no player over 6-foot, 1-inch we are not banging the glass for second shots,” said Pennsbury head coach Frank Sciolla. “With only Jesse (Krasna) back with a lot of experience - and Zak (Kumor) with limited experience - and Dante (Devine) concentrating on football – we are a different team.”
The biggest loss to graduation was Dalton Pepper. Pepper is currently earning important minutes for West Virginia University – one of the top 10 collegiate teams in the nation.
“Krasna has always been one of the best players in our league,” said Sciolla of his senior guard. “He wasn’t going to get the numbers in his sophomore and junior year playing with Dalton.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of scoring opportunities playing with Dalton,” added Sciolla. “Krasna has always been a real good player – except that not a whole lot of people noticed.”
Pennsbury will put its first place SOL National Conference standing on the line as the Falcons square off with visiting Neshaminy (9-3, 5-1) on Tuesday – 1/19/10.
“Neshaminy is an enormously talented team,” said Sciolla. “They get after you defensively, and they have size up front.
“It is great to play in front of our home fans,” said Sciolla. “The atmosphere in our building is great.”
In addition to the Neshaminy game, the Falcons will begin the second half of the SOL National Conference schedule on Friday with a home game against Council Rock North (8-4, 3-3).
On Saturday, Pennsbury will play Holy Ghost Prep (12-3) at Widener University.
Neshaminy (9-3, 5-1) continued to keep pace in the SOL National Conference to set up its showdown with host Pennsbury on Tuesday. The Skins defeated Bensalem in their last conference game on Friday, 57-38, as Ryan Arcidiacono scored a game-high 19 points.
Neshaminy will begin second half play with a huge conference game on Friday against Abington (6-5, 4-2).
The Skins have a Saturday afternoon matinee against Norristown (9-3) – at Norristown – at 3 pm as part of the Suburban One Challenge.
Abington (6-5, 4-2) has been the surprise team in the conference and trails both Pennsbury and Neshaminy in the standings by just a single game. The Ghosts topped Council Rock North – 51-42 – in their last conference game behind the 18-point effort of Jaymes Miller.
Abington will finish up the first half of the season at Bensalem (6-5, 2-4), while the Ghosts will begin the second half of the season at Neshaminy (9-3, 5-1).
On Saturday, Abington will take part in the Suburban One Challenge with a 12:00 game against Quakertown (7-5) at Central Bucks West.
Council Rock North (8-4, 3-3) was considered one of the conference contenders at the beginning of the season, but the Indians have struggled at times. Rock North lost to Abington – 51-42 – in its last conference game, as Aaron Morgan was the leading scorer with 12 points.
The Indians will host Council Rock South (5-5, 2-4) tomorrow and will travel to Pennsbury (8-4, 5-1) on Friday in a key conference match.
CR North will be play in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday as the Indians will host North Penn (6-5) in a 4:30 start.
Bensalem (6-5, 2-4) is fresh off a terrific non-league win over Glen Mills (5-5), 60-42. The Owls were led in scoring by Nick Christian with 20 points.
Bensalem will attempt to improve its standing in the conference as the Owls host Abington (6-5, 4-2) Tuesday and travel to William Tennent (7-5, 1-5) on Friday.
The opponent for the Owls in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday will be Central Bucks West. That game will be played at West beginning at 3 pm.
Truman (5-8, 2-4) has struggled recently, and the Tigers will attempt to right the ship after a 34-31 loss to Pennsbury. Eddie Valentine led Truman with 16 points against the Falcons.
Tomorrow, the Tigers will end the first half of the conference schedule with an away game versus William Tennent (7-5, 1-5) and will follow with a conference home game against Council Rock South (5-5, 2-4).
The Suburban One Challenge contest scheduled for Truman will be a 3:00 contest at Central Bucks West against Pennridge (3-10).
William Tennent (7-5, 1-5) will put its two-game win streak on the line tomorrow as the Panthers will host Truman (5-8, 2-4). The Panthers – behind a 20-point scoring effort by Chris Weise – defeated Springfield, 66-50, in their last game.
On Friday, Tennent will open second half action with a home game against Bensalem (6-5, 2-4).
And on Saturday, the Panthers will participate in the Suburban One Challenge with a 1:30 game against Upper Moreland (2-11). That game will be played at Council Rock South.
Suburban One League
Continental Conference
Hatboro-Horsham (7-6, 4-2) didn’t start the season very well. In fact, the Hatters came out of the gate at 2-6, and it looked like it might be a dismal year for Hatter fans.
Wrong.
Hatboro-Horsham has won five straight games, earning wins over Central Bucks South, Central Bucks East, Upper Moreland, Pennridge and Quakertown. As a result, the Hatters share the top spot in the SOL Continental Conference with three other teams.
“Right now, I feel pretty good,” said Hatboro-Horsham head coach Dennis Steinly. “The good thing about our wins lately is that we had to earn almost every one of them.
“We were down 13 to East and won, we were down to South and won in overtime, and we were down seven to Quakertown and came back to win,” added Steinly. “I think the game against CB South might have been a turning point for us.”
What changed from the 2-6 start to the current 7-6 record? Two words – Connor Poston.
“Connor’s presence on both the offensive and defensive end of the court has made us a much better basketball team,” said Steinly of his 6-foot, 5-inch senior who missed the early part of the year with an injury to his right wrist. “His rebounding alone has been a big plus.
“He still has a lack of mobility in his wrist, and he still shoots free throws with his left hand,” continued Steinly. “He has been scoring from in close to the basket, but he is improving every day.”
Poston teams with Hatter senior Mike Marvin to provide the Hatboro Horsham with an excellent inside game.
“Mike was scoring a lot for us early, and teams were beginning to double team him,” said Steinly. “Getting Connor back has alleviated some of the pressure that teams can put on Mike.
“We are really looking forward to the second half of the season,” added Steinly. “The league is really competitive, and we are in that mix.”
The Hatters will travel tomorrow to meet Central Bucks West (7-5, 3-3) and will begin the second half of the conference schedule with a key home game with Souderton (10-2, 4-2).
Hatboro Horsham will play in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. The Hatters will play Wissahickon (9-3) at Wissahickon in a 3 p.m. start.
Central Bucks South (8-5, 4-2) has won five of its last six games and has tied for the top spot in conference standings. The Titans last game was a 52-39 non-league win over Upper Darby (5-7). Mike Pincus led South with 15 points.
South will close the first half of conference play Tuesday with a home game against CB East (4-6, 2-4). The Titans will open the second half of conference play with an away game at Quakertown (7-5, 4-2).
CB South will match up with Upper Dublin (6-4) in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. That game will tap off at 1:30 at Council Rock North.
Souderton (10-2, 4-2) shook off a two-game conference losing streak with a 60-50 conference victory over visiting Pennridge (3-10, 0-6). The Indians were led in scoring by Anthony Sergio with 16 points.
The Big Red will close out the first half of the conference schedule Tuesday with an away game at Quakertown (7-5, 4-2), and will open the second half of the conference schedule on the road against Hatboro-Horsham (7-6, 4-2).
Quakertown (7-5, 4-2) has played an aggressive non-league schedule, and the Panthers dropped a 68-44 game against Easton in their last contest. Rick Kivela led the Black Cats with 18 points, while Dalton Nice added 11 markers.
Quakertown will attempt to hold on to its first place conference standing with a home game Tuesday against Souderton (10-2, 4-2). The Panthers will then host CB East (4-6, 2-3) on Friday.
Quakertown will play Abington (6-5) in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. The game will start at noon and will be played at Central Bucks West.
Central Bucks West (7-5, 3-3) remained one game out of first place in the conference standings with a 49-41 win over CB East (4-6, 2-4) last Friday. Patrick Furst led the Bucks with 15 points.
Central Bucks West will close out the first half of the conference schedule with a home game against Hatboro-Horsham (7-6, 4-2) Tuesday. The Bucks will then be at Pennridge (3-10, 0-6) to start the second half of the conference season.
West will meet Bensalem (6-5) in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. The game will begin at 4:30 at West.
North Penn (6-5, 3-3) is also just a game off the pace in the SOL Continental Conference. In the Knights last game, NP lost to Central Bucks South, 52-46. Matt Possanza was the game-high scorer with 19 points.
North Penn is at Pennridge (3-10, 0-6) to close out the first half of the schedule Tuesday, and will host CB East (4-6, 2-4) on Friday.
The Knights will oppose Council Rock North (8-4, 3-3) in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. The game will tip off at CR North at 4:30 pm.
Central Bucks East (4-6, 2-4) will attempt to improve on its first half of the season. Coach Chris Huber – who missed several games with a leave of absence – is back on the bench for the Patriots.
The Patriots will close out the first half of their conference schedule with an away game versus rival CB South (8-5, 4-2) Tuesday. East will then play at North Penn (6-5, 3-3) on Friday.
CB East will face Council Rock South (5-5) in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. The game will begin at 3 pm at Rock South.
Pennridge (3-10, 0-6) continues to be competitive but is still in search of its first conference win of the season. The Rams lost their last conference game to Souderton (10-2, 4-2) 60-50. The Rams were led in scoring by Kyle Peters with 12 points.
Pennridge will close out the first half of the conference schedule with a home game versus North Penn (6-5, 3-3). The Rams then open the second half of the season with a home date with Central Bucks West (7-5, 3-3).
Pennridge will play Truman (5-8) in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. The game will be a 3 p.m. tipoff at Central Bucks West.
Suburban One League
American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (11-0, 6-0) is undefeated – but don’t expect the talented Colonials to finish the season that way.
“We are not going to win every game,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio. “All of the top teams – teams that have great rankings and attention – don’t always play to that level.
“It be honest, it is a miracle that you can keep your fire every game,” added Donofrio. “There is a great psychology to this game, and you can’t always figure it out.”
One of the reasons that the Colonials might have a difficult time running the table is the terrific non-league schedule that PW plays.
PW earned a huge win on Monday night, downing St. Raymond’s High School (New York) 63-54 in the Big Apple Classic at Baruch College. Jaylen Bond led PW with 17 points while Whis Grant added 15 and C.J. Aiken, 14 points.
On Saturday, the Colonials travel to Widener University to play Roman Catholic (Philadelphia Catholic League).
“You have to consider the ability our your team, and as a coach, you have to schedule games that will challenge them,” said Donofrio. “We have a talented team, and we want them to have a chance to play the best teams around.”
The PW front line of 6-foot, 9-inch C.J. Aiken and 6-7 Jaylen Bond is without question the most talented in the entire SOL. And the PW backcourt led by Whis Grant is arguably the best in the SOL.
The Colonials will host Springfield (3-9, 0-6) on Tuesday and play at Upper Merion (5-8, 2-4) on Friday in conference play.
Norristown (9-3, 4-2) may be the surprise team in the conference, especially considering how hard the Eagles were hit by graduation. Senior Chris Davis scored 28 points to lead the Birds to a 68-42 win over Upper Dublin.
Norristown will close out the first half of the conference schedule with a home game against Cheltenham (6-6, 4-2) Tuesday. The Eagles will then open the second half with an away game at Upper Moreland (2-11, 1-5) on Friday.
Norristown will host Neshaminy (9-3) in the Suburban One Challenge with a 3 pm start on Saturday.
Wissahickon (9-3, 4-2) remains in strong contention with Norristown and Chelteham for second place in the conference. The Trojans defeated Upper Merion (5-8, 2-4), 55-42, behind a 24-point scoring performance by Jack O’Neill.
Wissy will play at Upper Moreland (2-11, 4-2) in conference play Tuesday, and then will host Springfield (3-9, 0-6) on Friday.
The Trojans will host Hatboro-Horsham (7-6) on Saturday at 3 pm as part of the Suburban One Challenge.
Cheltenham (6-6, 4-2) has a huge game with Norristown (9-3, 4-2) as the two teams battle for second place in the conference standings. In the last conference game, the Panthers were beaten 68-54 as Rob Mansell scored a game-high 23 points.
Cheltenham will meet Upper Dublin at Upper Dublin on Friday in conference action.
Upper Dublin (6-4, 3-3) will most likely have Jamil Brown eclipse the 1,000-point barrier as the Flying Cardinals will be at Upper Merion (5-8, 2-4) Tuesday. Brown needs nine points to reach that milestone.
Upper Dublin will then host Cheltenham (6-6, 4-2) in a key conference game on Friday.
The Cardinals will take part in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. UD will meet Council Rock South (5-5) at Rock South in a contest to begin at 1:30 pm.
Upper Merion (5-8, 2-4) lost a heartbreaking 84-79 double overtime game to Phoenixville (3-9) despite a career high 35-point effort by Francis Rafferty.
The Vikings will close the first half of the conference season with a home game against Upper Dublin (6-4, 3-3). Upper Merion will open the second half of the conference schedule with home date with Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Upper Moreland (2-11, 1-5) won its first conference game of the season with a 44-36 victory over Springfield (3-9, 0-6). Nick Giordiano led the Golden Bears in scoring with 15 points.
UMHS will host Wissahickon (9-3, 4-2) Tuesday to close out the first half of the conference schedule. The Bears will then host Norristown (9-3, 4-2) on Friday.
Upper Moreland will face William Tennent (7-5) in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday in a 1:30 pm start at Council Rock South.
Springfield (3-9, 0-6) remains in search of its first conference victory. The Spartans were competitive in a 44-36 loss Upper Moreland. Kyrone Greene led the blue and white with 13 points.
Springfield will conclude the first half of the conference schedule with a home game against unbeaten Plymouth Whitemarsh Tuesday. The Spartans will open the second half of conference play with a home date on Friday with Wissahickon.
SuburbanOneSports.Com
Baker’s Dozen
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (11-0)
2. Souderton Indians (10-2)
3. Neshaminy Redskins (9-3)
4. Norristown Eagles (9-3)
5. Wissahickon Trojans (9-3)
6. Pennsbury Falcons (8-4)
7. Council Rock North Indians (8-4)
8. Central Bucks South Titans (8-5)
9. Quakertown Panthers (7-5)
10. Bensalem Owls (6-5)
11. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (7-6)
12. North Penn Knights (6-5)
+ 1 Cheltenham Panthers (6-6)
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