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By Scott Huff
DOYLESTOWN – Quakertown senior Kenny Gula fired a long-range missile from just outside the midcourt stripe to end the third period. The miraculous bomb found nothing but net, and a slim three-point Panther lead became a six-point advantage.
“At the end of practice, we sometimes fool around and take those shots,” said Gula – who scored 20 points in a 60-48 Quakertown victory over Abington in a non-league game featured in the Suburban One Challenge and played at Central Bucks West. “We take practice very seriously, but we like to have some fun at the end of practice.
“As things turned out, it was a big momentum change in the game,” added Gula. “We knew coming into the game that Abington was a good team, and it was nice having a little bigger lead going into the fourth period.”
Momentum was definitely not on the Panthers’ side for the first few minutes of the game. Abington opened with an 11-0 spurt and caused a great deal of concern on the Panther bench.
“We have been getting smoked lately,” said Quakertown head coach Kevin Keeler. “This was a game that we needed to recover some of our pride.
“I thought that everyone stepped up and made a contribution,” added Keeler. “We got scoring out of our usual three scorers, Austin (Keeler) took a charge and ran the offense, and Dylan (Gossler) did a good job defensively and off the boards.”
The ‘usual’ three scorers for the Panthers were Dalton Nice – game-high 24 points – Gula – and Rick Kivela – 12 points.
Quakertown (8-7) was able to have its full compliment of coaches on the bench against Abington (6-8). Keeler served a one-game suspension - for technical fouls assessed in the Panther loss to Souderton - last night as Q-town lost to Central Bucks South – 60-41.
“We missed coach last night,” said Gula. “He has a lot of experience, and we missed not having that experience on the bench.
“This was a nice win for us,” added Gula. “It seems like every night is a war in the Suburban One League – whether a team is in your (conference) or not.”
Abington was tied with Quakertown – 21-21 – at intermission. The Ghosts trailed by six at the end of the third period, and never led in the final period.
Abington was led in scoring by Mike Piunti with 13 points. Vince Tranquillo and Wesley Rines each scored 10 points for the Ghosts.
Quakertown 12 9 22 17 - 60
Abington 13 8 16 11 - 48
WEST NORRITON - It might have taken 16 lackluster minutes – and a tongue lashing by coach Jerry Devine at the half – but Neshaminy rallied for a 42-40 non-league win over host Norristown. The game was another in the Suburban One Challenge series.
“We began the game far too tentatively,” said Devine as the Skins trailed the Eagles 21-11 at intermission. “Norristown has the reputation, and I’m not too sure that we felt that we could come into Norristown and win.
“I almost had a stroke at halftime,” added Devine. “It took us some time to adjust to their quickness, but once we did we responded with some good basketball.”
Playing the best basketball for Neshaminy might have been senior guard Steve Warhola. Warhola led Neshaminy with 14 points and had a huge third quarter for the Skins.
“We have never played a team this year with that type of quickness,” said Warhola. “Mentally we came in here with the idea that we might not win.
“But at halftime, coach reminded us that we came here to win,” added Warhola. “(Norristown) put a lot of pressure on us, but we handled it better in the second half.”
The game came to an exciting conclusion as the lead bounced back and forth until literally the final buzzer sounded.
Norristown senior Chris Davis – who scored nine points for the Eagles – lofted in a floater to tie the score at 36-36 with 1:51 left. Neshaminy sophomore Ryan Arcidiacono hit a jumper with 1:38 left to give the Skins a lead, but Davis countered with another jumper to re-knot the score at 38-38.
Arcidiacono connected on a clutch pair of free throws with 1:07 left, but Jacquil Hargrove scored on a baseline drive for the Eagles to retie the score at 40-40 with 38 seconds remaining.
Neshaminy put the ball in Arcidiacono’s hands in the waning moments, but the Super Soph misfired with time running down.
However, Dwight Williams rebounded the ball for the Skins and floated in a basket that proved to be the game winner with 2.1 seconds left.
A desperation shot by Norristown senior Sheldon Mayer – just inside the midcourt line – rimmed off the iron at the buzzer to preserve the win for the Skins.
“Dwight got that monster offensive rebound and put back,” said Devine. “And when (Mayer) took that last shot – I thought it had a chance.
“Our goal at halftime was to get to 40 points to have a chance,” added Devine.
The Redskins actually needed 41 – and got one more point to spare in the 42-40 victory.
Neshaminy 5 6 17 14 - 42
Norristown 10 11 8 11 - 40
Suburban One Sports.Com Hoops Ticker
Suburban One League Challenge
--- Bensalem (9-5) was led by Nick Christian and Ivan Flores as the Owls flew to a 55-37 victory over Central Bucks West (9-6). Christian scored a team-high 14 points for Bensalem, while Patrick Furst led the Bucks with a game-high 15 points.
---Central Bucks South (11-5) defeated Upper Dublin (8-5) by a 63-53 margin. The Titans were led by Justin Policare with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Nick Joerger scored 17 points. Jamil Brown led the Flying Cardinals with a game-high 24 points, while James Newman chipped in with 14 points.
--- William Tennent (8-7) edged Upper Moreland (2-14) by a score of 42-41. The Panthers won the game on a field goal by Mike Horn – his only points of the game. Sawyer Waugh led William Tennent with 13 points. Ryan Burnick was the top scorer for the Golden Bears with 11 points.
--- Central Bucks East (6-7) squeaked by Council Rock South (6-8) – 55-53. Skylar Scrivano led the Patriots in scoring with 20 markers, while David Kiersnowski added 11 points. Cody Nowlin took scoring honors for the Golden Hawks with 18 points, while Jake Clompton scored 11 points.
--- Pennridge (4-12) played its sixth overtime game of the season as the Rams claimed a 60-57 win over Truman (6-10). Andrew Lyons and Tim Abruzzo each scored 16 points to lead the Rams, while Eddie Valentine led the Tigers with 15 points.
--- Wissahickon (12-3) had little trouble in defeating Hatboro-Horsham (7-9) – 64-44. Jack O’Neill led the Trojans with a 31-point scoring effort, while Jordan Reed scored in twin digits with 13. Christian Bolling led the Hatters with 12 points and Mike Marvin added 11 for the Hatters.
--- Council Rock North (10-4) outlasted North Penn (7-7) by a 44-23 margin. Tim Filer and Charlie Anastasi led the Indians with eight points each, while the Knights were led by Matt Possanza who scored a game-high 14 points.
Greater Philly Challenge
--- Souderton (13-2) defeated Central (7-9) of the Philadelphia Public League by a comfortable 57-42 score. A.J. Picard scored a game-high 28 points for the Big Red.
---Cheltenham (6-9) was the tournament host. The Panthers lost to Simon Gratz (12-3) of the Philadelphia Public League – 51-37. Rob Mansell led the Panthers with 15 points, while Malcom Weston scored in double figures with 13 markers.
Kobe Bryant Classic
--- Pennsbury (9-6) lost a tough contest to Holy Ghost Prep (14-3), 36-33. The Falcons had two players score in twin digits – Kieran Bolger with 11 points and Jesse Krasna with 10 points.
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