By Scott Huff
The regular season is now in the record books for the 16 Suburban One League basketball teams that have been selected to play in the PIAA District One Playoffs.
“We have to take those 22 games and tuck them away,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio as his Colonials earned the #1 seed in the district with a sensational 21-1 mark this season. “We have added some new things, run some new drills in practice, and pretty much treat this week like the first week of the season.”
The general consensus among area coaches is that the strength of the district is the two PW’s – Plymouth Whitemarsh and Penn Wood.
“If you can avoid those two, the tournament is pretty wide open,” said Bensalem head coach John Mullin. “If we get by West Chester Henderson in the first round, we will probably get Penn Wood in the second round. Oh, well.”
There will be six teams representing the SOL Continental Conference - Souderton (#2 seed), Central Bucks South (14), North Penn (20), Central Bucks West (23), Quakertown (27), and Hatboro-Horsham (29).
There will be five teams representing the SOL National Conference - Council Rock North (6), Neshaminy (7), Pennsbury (13), Bensalem (18), and Abington (26).
There will be five teams representing the SOL American Conference in Class AAAA - Plymouth Whitemarsh (1), Wissahickon (10), Norristown (12), Upper Dublin (17), and Cheltenham (28). Upper Merion is the 12 seed in the Class AAA Tournament and will travel to Upper Perk (5) on Feb. 24.
“We need to get passed this first round of the playoffs,” said North Penn head coach Ron Hassler. “It is an important step if we want this program to continue to progress.”
Let the games begin.
Suburban One League
American Conference
West Chester East (10-10)@Plymouth Whitemarsh (21-1)
Plymouth Whitemarsh earned the top seed in the tournament with a terrific season. The lone loss of the season for the Colonials came against St. Benedict’s of Newark – 52-50. St. Benedict’s ranks in the top five in the nation.
PW is led by 6-foot, 10-inch senior C.J. Aiken who has committed to St. Joseph’s University. Junior Jaylen Bond is another Division-I player and stands 6-7. Brandon Dixon, Sam Pygatt, and Whis Grant are among the best set of guards on the area.
Head coach Jim Donofrio says – “I’m too insecure to take anything for granted,” said Donofrio said. “I know that East is a guard oriented team, and that they are well coached.
“I have a feel for what they want to do,” added Donofrio. “But I will still find out as much as I can about them. I will do my homework.”
Upper Dublin (14-7) @ Spring Ford (13-8)
Upper Dublin – as the #17 seed – will have to travel to Spring-Ford – the #16 seed. The Flying Cardinals finished in a three-way tie for second place in the SOL American with both Wissahickon and Norristown.
Upper Dublin is led in scoring by its marvelous senior – Jamil Brown. Brown scored a season-high 40 points against Wissahickon in a key conference contest. James Newman is a nice lead guard for the Cardinals.
Head coach Josh Adelman says – “We will actually get to see Spring-Ford live when they play St. Pius X in a league playoff game,” said Adelman. “They are not real big, but they are scrappy.
“The players are excited to be playing in a playoff game,” added Adelman. “Once you get into the playoffs, everybody has another chance.”
Cheltenham (10-11) @ West Chester Rustin (19-2)
Cheltenham is one of three teams in the PIAA District One playoffs to enter the tournament with a losing record. The Panthers – who earned the #28 seed – will travel to West Chester to meet twice beaten Rustin – the #5 seed.
Cheltenham finished the SOL American Conference season as the fifth place team. Senior Rob Mansell has led the Panthers in scoring in most of their games. Malcom Weston is also a scoring threat for CHS.
Head coach Brian Johnson says – “Rustin has a team that will be in your face the entire game,” said Johnson. “They have a tough group of kids and play well together.
“Of the teams in our league, they are most like Plymouth Whitemarsh,” added Johnson. “They have the two ‘bigs’ and the three guards. We are going to have to score the ball and defend well against this team.”
Boyertown (12-10) @ Norristown (15-6)
Norristown is coming off an impressive 53-50 overtime win over Coatesville – the # 4 seed in the tournament – in a non-league game played on Sunday. The Eagles are the #12 seed, while Boyertown is seeded # 21.
The Eagles feature lightening quick guards such as Sheldon Mayer and Chris Davis. Jacquil Hargrove has also had a fine senior season for the Birds.
Norristown head coach Michael Evans says – “We want the momentum of beating Coatesville to continue into the next game,” said Evans. “We have some seniors who have experience in the playoffs, and that should help us.
“We have to continue to play up-tempo,” added Evans. “We need to develop an inside game, and we’ll see how that comes along.”
Central Bucks West (13-9) @ Wissahickon (17-5)
Wissahickon - the #10 seed - will open with another SOL team as the Trojans host CB West – the #23 seed. The Trojans finished in a second place tie behind Plymouth Whitemarsh in the conference standings.
Wissahickon has had a number of players step up and play well this season. Included in that group are Jack O’Neill, Michael Bundy, Tom Sweeney, and Gio Atkins.
Head coach Kyle Wilson says – “We want to compete in the playoffs by showing our best,” said Wilson. “And if we work hard, that will happen.
“Central Bucks West is a very balanced team,” added Wilson. “And if you check their scores, almost all of the games are close. It should be a competitive game.”
Suburban One League
National Conference
Quakertown (10-12) @ Council Rock North (18-4)
Council Rock North was crowned conference champions on the last day of the regular season with a win over CR South. The Indians – the #6 seed – will host Quakertown – the #27 seed – in a rematch of a game that was played a few weeks ago. In that game, Rock North routed the Panthers – 76-43.The Indians – who have won 10 straight games - have showcased a balanced attack for most of the season. Arron Goodman, Aaron Morgan, Andrew Stress, Charlie Anastasi, and Tim Filer have all been effective.
Head coach Derek Wright says - “I’m sure that Quakertown will be well prepared for this game,” said Wright. “Our players will know what to expect, and will know that we are dealing with a totally set of different circumstances.
“We can’t take anything for granted,” added Wright. “It’s one loss and done. We have to be ready.”
North Penn (13-9) @ Pennsbury (13-9)
Pennsbury was rewarded for its difficult non-league schedule and was awarded a 13 seed – North Penn had an identical record and earned a 20 seed.
The Falcons – who finished in a second place conference tie with Neshaminy behind CR North – has been led by senior Jesse Krasna. Zak Kumor has also been a strong presence for the PHS.
Head coach Frank Sciolla says – “I joked with the players that the first team to five points wins,” said Sciolla in reference to the deliberate style of the Knights. “Coach (Ron) Hassler has been wildly successful coaching that way, and we are going to have to defend the ball to win.
“But I have confidence in the way that we play defense,” added Sciolla. “We won’t give in. It should be an interesting game.”
West Chester Henderson (14-8) @ Bensalem (13-8)
Bensalem stumbled a bit toward to end of the season as the Owls – the number 15 seed - finished in fourth place in the conference standings. Henderson is the #18 seed.
Bensalem has been led by senior guard Nick Christian – one of the premier players in the area – and by Ivan Flores.
Head coach John Mullin says – “West Chester Henderson is very athletic,” said Mullin. “They love to move the ball up and down the court and put pressure on you.
“We have been playing well defensively lately,” added Mullin. “But we need to score more points if we want to win at this level.”
Abington (11-11) @ Neshaminy (16-6)
Abington – the #26 seed - finished the regular season right at the .500 mark and played Neshaminy twice during the regular season. The Ghosts – who are led by Jaymes Miller and Wesley Rines – lost by a 51-31 score and also dropped a 53-47 verdict.
Neshaminy – the #7 seed - lost its bid for a conference co-championship on the final day of the conference season with a loss to Pennsbury. Sophomore Ryan Arcidiacono and senior Steve Warhola lead the Redskins.
Neshaminy head coach Jerry Devine says – “Abington is going to be a very hungry basketball team,” said Devine. “We have three days to prepare, and we should be able to clean some things up.
“When you get to the playoffs, there are only good teams left,” added Devine. “And Abington is a good basketball team.”
Suburban One League
Continental Conference
Glen Mills (8-12) @ Souderton (20-2)
Souderton enters the PIAA District One Playoffs as both the SOL Continental Conference champions and the #3 seed in the brackets. Glen Mills – an annual championship contender – enters as an alarming #30 seed and with a losing record.
The Indians have nine seniors on their roster as they make their run through the tournament. Senior guard A.J. Picard has the complete package as both a terrific ball handler and a double-figure scorer. The Big Red can also expect help from Nate Lewis, Nate Moyer, Kyle Connolly, Jeffrey Bishop, Mark Wonderling and Anthony Sergio.
Head coach Perry Engard says – “This team feels that we have something to prove,” said Engard. “If you would tell people that we are playing Glen Mills, eight out of ten people would expect us to lose.
“We won our conference this year, and the last six years we have averaged 18 wins a season,” added Engard. “I won’t apologize of our success.”
Ridley (15-7) @ Central Bucks South (14-8)
Central Bucks South was the defending SOL Continental Conference champion, and although the Titans failed to repeat – they still earned a home game in the first round of the playoffs.
CB South – the #14 seed - has been led by Mike Pincus and Nick Joerger this season. The Green Raiders are the #19 seed.
Head coach Jason Campbell says - “I think having a home game in the playoffs is important,” said Campbell. “You get to play in a familiar gym, you don’t have to travel, and you play in a positive environment.
“Ridley has a 6-foot 8-inch center who will be a tough match up for us,” added Campbell. “Plus they can shoot the basketball.”
North Penn (13-9) @ Pennsbury (13-9)
North Penn closed out the regular season strong and was one of two teams that were able to defeat conference champion Souderton this season.
The Knights – the #20 seed – will meet SOL rival Pennsbury – the #13 seed. North Penn has been led in scoring this season by Matt Possanza.
Head coach Ron Hassler says - “I’m pleased with our seed at #20,” said Hassler. “We should be competitive with the teams that we find in that area of the bracket.
“Pennsbury is a team with great tradition,” added Hassler. “They have been a little inconsistent at times, and we hope to take advantage of that.”
Central Bucks West (13-9) @ Wissahickon (17-5)
Central Bucks West has a difficult first round draw as the Bucks meet SOL rival Wissahickon.
West – the #23 seed – features a balanced attack. Wissahickon – the #10 seed – also features a balanced attack.
Head coach Adam Sherman says – “Honestly, Wissahickon is one of the most talented teams in District One,” said Sherman. “Kyle Wilson is a good coach, and Wissahickon will try to control tempo.
“We have to make shots and execute our offense,” added Sherman. “Wissahickon is both talented and big – they’re very good.”
Quakertown (10-12) @ Council Rock North (18-4)
Quakertown will have a tough time reversing its 76-43 loss to the Indians in a recent non-league game.
The Panthers – led by Kenny Gula, Dalton Nice, and Rick Kivela – are the #27 seed. Rock North is the #6 seed.
Head coach Kevin Keeler says - “No disrespect to Souderton, but Council Rock North was the best team we saw all year,” said Keeler. “They are very tough defensively, they are big, and they are talented.
“In order for us to compete in the game, we are going to have to make shots,” added Keeler. “We weren’t able to do that the first time we played.”
Hatboro-Horsham (10-12) @ Coatesville (18-4)
Hatboro-Horsham edged its way into playoffs with a huge win over Central Bucks West on the last conference game of the regular season.
The Hatters – the #29 seed – will showcase its two ‘bigs’ – Mike Marvin and Connor Poston – against the #4 seeded Raiders.
“I was happy that the seniors would be able to end their careers in a playoff game,” said Steinly. “Coatesville is a team that can match up with us inside, and we are going to have to play well to beat them.
“If we can score – and put pressure on them – we have a chance,” added Steinly. “But that is easy to say.”
Suburban One Sports.com
‘Sweet Sixteen’
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (21-1)
2. Souderton Indians (20-2)
3. Council Rock North Indians (18-4)
4. Neshaminy Redskins (16-6)
5. Wissahickon Trojans (17-5)
6. Norristown Eagles (15-6)
7. Pennsbury Falcons (13-9)
8. Central Bucks South Titans (14-8)
9. Bensalem Owls (13-8)
10. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (14-7)
11. North Penn Knights (13-9)
12. Central Bucks West Bucks (13-9)
13. Abington Ghosts (11-11)
14. Quakertown Panthers (10-12)
15. Cheltenham Panthers (10-11)
16. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (10-12)
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