By Scott Huff
Congrats to Bensalem, Council Rock North, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Norristown, and Neshaminy for gaining those cherished invitations to the PIAA Quad-A State Playoffs.
The Owls, Indians, Colonials, Eagles, and Redskins all collected second round wins and will advance to the District One quarterfinals - and all are guaranteed slots in the nine-team collection that will represent the district in the state playoffs.
North Penn, Wissahickon, and Pennridge still have a playoff life even though all lost second round games. There will be an eight-team field that competes for the ninth and final state playoff berth.
Owls Perch in PIAA State Tournament
Bensalem (19-5) gained its first state playoff berth in 20 years as the Owls erased an eight-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat host North Penn (19-5) – 36-33.
“This game was a real adventure at times,” said Bensalem head coach John Mullin. “To get into the state playoffs for the first time in twenty years is a great accomplishment for our basketball team.
“We were able to pressure the ball in the fourth quarter which generated some turnovers and easy baskets,” continued Mullin. “And I thought that (6-foot, 8-inch senior) Calvin Brown played a great game – especially in the fourth quarter.”
The Owls scored only 18 points in the first three periods – but scored 18 in the final period to secure the win.
“Our kids played well for three and a half quarters,” said North Penn head coach Ron Hassler. “But we couldn’t survive their physical pressure in the fourth quarter.
“Bensalem really played quicker and was more physical than us,” added Hassler. “And they had the big guy (Brown) in the back to clean up any mistakes.”
Bensalem will advance to the District One quarterfinal round and a Friday night date at # 1 seed Chester. The Clippers (23-1) had no problem with Springfield Delco (16-8) beating the Cougars – 72-48.
North Penn will begin its ninth place playback tournament with a home date on Friday night against Springfield Delco.
Bensalem 4 9 5 18 * 36
North Penn 4 14 8 7 * 33
Bensalem: Chris McMullin 6; Calvin Brown 8; Austin Nyekan 8; Leo Vincent 8; Julian Hyden 2; Dovonte Newkirk 2; Alex Agyedu 2. Total – 36
North Penn: Matt Possanza 12; Wes Brooks 6; Dexter Shy 5; Sean Brooks 3; Javi Alvarino 3; Janeus Somers 4. Total – 33
Rock North Survives Trojan Comeback
Council Rock North (23-1) jumped out to a quick 13-point lead, but Wissahickon (14-9) staged a strong comeback to close to within four points with three minutes left in the game before losing to the Indians – 50-44.
“We expected it to be a very tough game, and it was all of that,” said Council Rock North head coach Derek Wright. “We were up nine or ten for most of the game, but Wissahickon made some big shots and closed to within four points.”
Aaron Morgan – the superlative Indian point guard – led all scorers with a 25-point performance.
“Aaron controlled the tempo, and when we needed him to make big shots he made them,” said Wright. “But he has done that all year for us.
“Knowing that we are now in the state playoffs takes a little pressure off of us,” added Wright. “Now we want to focus on getting to Villanova in the final four.”
Council Rock North will face Norristown (20-3) in a quarterfinal game. The site of the game is still undecided as CR North is hosting a wrestling tournament on Friday. The Eagles defeated Coatesville 67-62 in a second round game.
The season is not over for Wissahickon as the Trojans will play Coatesville in a ninth seed state playback game @ Coatesville (18-7) on Friday.
“We played Council Rock North very tough after the bad start,” said Wissahickon head coach Kyle Wilson. “We had Jordan Reed in some foul trouble, and that hurt us. But we came back against a great team, and I was happy with that.”
Wissahickon 5 12 13 14 * 44
Council Rock North 18 7 11 14 * 50
Wissahickon: Jordan Freed 3; Kyle Garrett 8; Jabari Kibler 2; Tanoh Kpassagnon 4; Anthony McKie 7; Jordan Reed 4; Mike Scheier 16. Total – 44.
Council Rock North: Aaron Morgan 25; Arron Goodman 3; John Raymon 9; Charlie Anastasi 13. Total – 50.
Colonials ‘D’feat the Rams
Plymouth Whitemarsh (20-4) held Pennridge (18-6) scoreless for a staggering 18 minutes & 45 seconds as the Colonials breezed to a 50-27 second round victory.
“We can lock people down,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio. “We can play defense at times like we are in a bad mood. We have done that for the last few years now, and it is something we pride ourselves in.
“We played some man at the beginning of the game, and they were in the game,” added Donofrio as the Rams held a 19-17 lead early in the second period. “But when we went zone, we took their scorers out of the game.”
Pennridge had a 19-17 second period lead – and PW scored the next 29 points to bury the Rams under a 46-19 avalanche.
“I felt that we matched their energy early in the game,” said Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens. “But when you make mistakes against a team as talented as PW – it always ends up in points for them.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh – the defending PIAA Quad-A State Champion – will now host West Chester Rustin (20-3) in a quarterfinal game Friday night. The Golden Knights stunned Penn Wood – 57-51 – to earn its date with Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Pennridge will continue its playoff run with the unenviable task of playing an angry Penn Wood - @ Penn Wood – on Friday.
Pennridge 13 6 0 8 * 27
Plymouth Whitemarsh 17 9 8 16 * 50
Pennridge: Jared Schaffer 6; Andrew Lyons 4; Mike Guldin 8; Pat Graham 1; Tim Abruzzo 8. Total – 27.
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Marcus Badger 4; Stephon Baker 16; Jaylen Bond 11; Brandon Johnson 2; Sam Pygatt 17. Total – 50.
Fly Eagles Fly – To State Tournament
Norristown (20-3) received a spectacular game from Aaron Webb as the Eagles flew to a 67-62 victory over Coatesville (18-7). Webb scored 33 points to help send Norristown to the state tournament.
“Aaron played a great, great basketball game tonight,” said Norristown head coach Michael Evans. “He made shots from the perimeter, he attacked the rim, and he scored important points for us in the fourth quarter.”
Webb scored 15 of the Eagles 26 fourth period points that secured a win over a talented Red Raider team. Maleek Williams scored in twin digits for Norristown with 14 points.
“It is a really good feeling knowing that we are going to be playing in the state tournament,” said Evans. “We have a tough game ahead of us, and we need to be ready.”
Norristown – as a No. 7 seed – will travel to Council Rock North (23-1) to face the Indians. Rock North advanced with a 50-44 win over Wissahickon.
Coatesville 8 23 12 19 * 62
Norristown 17 10 14 26 * 67
Skins Tomahawk Bulls
Neshaminy (20-4) played a terrific game in besting Glen Mills (16-8) – 60-36.
“Going into the game, I liked our matchup with them,” said Neshaminy head coach Jerry Devine. “And things turned out pretty much like I thought they would. We were able to pressure them, and we created the pace we wanted to create.”
Neshaminy junior guard Ryan Arcidiacono led the Skins with 19 points and dished off eight assists. Michael McGarry had a double/double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyler Katz played well with 13 points and five steals.
“I would have to say that this was one of the best team performances we have had all year,” said Devine. “We played well both offensively and defensively.”
Neshaminy will advance to the quarterfinal round against Lower Merion (17-7). The Aces ‘upset’ Upper Darby (22-2) in its second round game – 73-66.
Glen Mills 8 6 16 6 * 36
Neshaminy 15 15 11 19 * 60
‘Other” District One Playoff Games
West Chester Rustin (20-3) shocked Penn Wood (16-8) – 59-51- to advance to its quarterfinal date with Plymouth Whitemarsh (20-4). The Golden Knights were led in scoring by Corey Blake with 17 points, while Anthony Nash scored 13 points for WCR.
Penn Wood – which was led in scoring by Aaron Brown with 19 points – will face Pennridge in the ninth seed playback tournament.
Penn Wood 20 8 9 14 * 51
West Chester Rustin 17 12 14 16 * 59
Lower Merion (17-7) toppled # 4 seed Upper Darby (22-2) in a mild upset – 73-66. The Aces – who will travel to Neshaminy on Friday to meet the Redskins – were led in scoring by Raheem Hall with 22 points. Eric Green added 15 points for LMHS.
Upper Darby was led in scoring by Brandon Hashim with 20 points, while Terrence Bridges scored 15 points for the Royals. Upper Darby will host Glen Mills in a ninth place playback game on Friday.
Lower Merion 12 20 14 27 * 73
Upper Darby 11 12 17 26 * 66
Chester (23-1) jetted off to a 32-15 lead and cruised to a 72-48 second round win over Springfield Delco (16-8). The Clippers – who will host Bensalem in a quarterfinal game – were led in scoring by Maurice Nelson with 16 points. Dequann Walker scored 15 points for the Clippers, while Rondae Jefferson scored in twin digits with 11 points.
Springfield – which will visit North Penn in a ninth place playback game – was led in scoring by Brendan McNamee with 11 points, while Zach Devito added nine points for the Cougars.
Springfield (Delco) 7 8 14 19 * 48
Chester 16 16 21 19 * 72
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