Bucks County Courier Times sportswriter Kevin Cooney's talks district basketball with former Pennsbury coach Frank Sciolla by clicking on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5bn3qzpF8A&feature=player_embedded#at=14
By Scott Huff
It really comes down to a matter of taste.And I like the flavor of the NCAA version of ‘March Madness’ a lot more than the PIAA District One Quad-A version of the playoffs.
In the NCAA tournament, one and done – lose you are out. There are no second chances.
After the first week of the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs – when 32 teams were thinned to Sweet 16 – those 16 teams are all guaranteed at least one more playoff game – huh?
The explanation is the fact that District One must send nine teams in the PIAA state tournament. And as a result, the losers of the Sweet 16 bracket are put into a ‘loser’s’ bracket to determine that number nine seed. The winner of that bracket will go into the state playoff on a three-game winning streak.
The number eight seed – after all of the ‘seeding’ games that will follow the march toward to district title – will go into the state tournament on a three-game losing streak. You have to do your own math is figure that one out –or you can just take my word for it.
The PIAA Quad-A District One tournament has its own special twists and turns – but give me the NCAA version.
It just tastes a great deal better to me.
PIAA Quad-A District One Playoff Capsule
Suburban One League Teams
Tuesday – February 22, 2011
# 9 Bensalem Owls (18-5) @ # 8 North Penn Knights (19-4)
Last Game:
Bensalem advanced to its second round game with a 53-37 victory over Strath Haven. The Owls were led in scoring by sophomore guard Leo Vincent who drained five 3-point field goals and scored a game-high 18 points. Bensalem trailed at the end of the first half by a 22-20 score.
North Penn advanced to its second round game with a 49-37 victory over Upper Dublin. The Knights were led in scoring by senior guard Sean Brooks who scored a game-high 17 points. Janeus Somers played well in the paint and scored 12 points for NP. The Knights trailed at the end of the first half by a 22-17 score.
Notes:
Bensalem defeated North Penn by a 43-26 margin in a game played on January 22, 2011 at Abington High School. The game was part of the SOL Challenge. Calvin Brown led the Owls with 11 points, while Vincent scored 10 points for the Owls. North Penn – which was missing a pair of its inside players - did not have a single player in double figures and scored just one point in the third period. Both teams are coming into the game on a decent roll as Bensalem has won nine of its last eleven games, and North Penn has won eight straight games.
Players To Watch:
Bensalem: Calvin Brown, Leo Vincent, Alex Agyedu, Dovante Newkirk, and Chris McMullin.
North Penn: Matt Possanza, Sean Brooks, Wes Brooks, and Janeus Somers.
Bensalem head coach John Mullin says: “The score the first time we played was a low-scoring game, and I really think that is going to happen again. But really, that has been our game the whole season, and we are very comfortable playing at that pace. We beat them the first time, and I have to impress upon our players that was a long time ago, and they are not the same team we played back then. They should feel confident that we can play with them, but at the same time we have to do things the right way in order to beat them a second time.”
North Penn head coach Ron Hassler says: “We didn’t play that well the first time we played them. We have to do a much better job if we want a different outcome – and I think we are going to do a better job. The two biggest changes are in personnel and the fact that we are playing them at home. We were bothered by their size the first time, but now we have experienced that and are better suited to handle it. We have been scoring in the 50’s and giving up points in the 40’s. I prefer that to happen in this game as well.”
# 15 Wissahickon Trojans (14-8) @ # 2 Council Rock North Indians (22-1)
Last Game:
Wissahickon got out to an early lead against Spring-Ford, but the Trojans did not close well and held on for a 47-43 victory. Sophomore Anthony McKie led Wissy in scoring with 13 points, while junior Jordan Reed added 11 points for the Trojans.
Council Rock North scored just two points in the first period but rebounded with an 18-point second period to defeat visiting Great Valley. Arron Goodman scored a game-high 14 points for the Indians, while point guard Aaron Morgan chipped in with 12 points.
Notes: Wissahickon has won its last six games of the year and seven of its last eight. The Trojans have seen the continued development of 6-foot, 7-inch junior center Tanoh Kpassagnon in recent weeks. Council Rock North has won its last 20 games in a row behind the leadership of Morgan. The only loss of the season for the Indians came in the third game of the season when Rock North lost a 68-53 contest to Montrose Christian (Maryland) at Villanova University as part of the Randy Foye Foundation Showcase.
Players To Watch:
Wissahickon: Jordan Reed, Mike Scheier, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Anthony McKie.
Council Rock North: Arron Goodman, Aaron Morgan, Charlie Anastasi, John Raymon, and Matt McCloskey.
Wissahickon head coach Kyle Wilson says: “I think that Council Rock North is one of the best three teams in the state. They can do it all – handle the ball, shoot the ball, and rebound the ball. Their point guard (Aaron Morgan) is the creator for that team and really gets them going. He can either score the ball himself or distribute the ball to someone in scoring position. Beating them is going to be very tough.”
Council Rock North head coach Derek Wright says: “Wissahickon has a great head coach in Kyle Wilson who also happens to be a great guy. He has built a terrific program. They have a team that can shoot the basketball, and they can do a little bit of everything on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. We have studied them hard on film, and they are certainly going to be a challenge.”
# 14 Pennridge Rams (18-5) @ # 3 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (19-4)
Last Game:
Pennridge more than matched the up tempo pace of visiting West Chester Henderson as the Rams breezed to a 74-54 win over their Ches-Mont League National Division opponent. The Pennridge backcourt of Mike Guldin and Tim Abruzzo once again carried the scoring load with 24 and 15 points respectively. Rocky Ferrier added 13 points for the Rams.
Plymouth Whitemarsh overcame a sluggish start to blitz visiting Interboro – 78-42. The Colonials were led in scoring by Marcus Badger with a game-high 18 points, while Jaylen Bond added 17 points and a dozen rebounds for the winners. Stephon Baker (11) and Sam Pygatt (10) also scored in twin digits for the Colonials. The game was marred by some ‘thuggish’ tactics by the underdog Bucs against the talented Colonials.
Notes: Pennridge – which has won six of its last seven games - shared the Suburban One League Continenal Conference title with North Penn. It was the Rams’ first boys basketball championship in the history of the school. Pennridge and Plymouth Whitemarsh share a common opponent in Upper Dublin. The Rams lost to the Cardinals 57-51, while the Colonials routed UD 75-33 in the first game between the two schools and won 55-46 in the rematch. Plymouth Whitemarsh – the defending PIAA Quad-A state champion – was unbeaten in the Suburban One League American Conference this season. The Colonials have won nine of their last ten – with the only loss to nationally ranked Quality Education from North Carolina.
Players To Watch:
Pennridge: Mike Guldin, Tim Abruzzo, Jared Schaffer, Rocky Ferrier, and Andrew Lyons.
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Jaylen Bond, Sam Pygatt, Stephon Baker, Marcus Badger, Brandon Johnson.
Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens says: “To be able to play a second round game against the defending state champions is a great reward for our basketball team this year. Plymouth Whitemarsh consumes district playoff wins like I eat cupcakes. Jaylen Bond (the 6-foot, 7-inch University of Pittsburgh recruit) might be the best player in the area, and we are going to have to do our best to contain him. We have nothing to lose by playing this game, and we look forward to it.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh Jim Donofrio says: “Pennridge has been a fun team to watch on film. They have had a great year, and you can tell that the players play with a team chemistry. This year has been a great success story for this team, and we take them very seriously. (Mike) Guldin is the heart and soul of that team, and he wants the ball in the tough situations. But they have a bunch of kids that can knock down shots. Our road in the districts is a tough one, and we can’t afford to look ahead.”
# 12 Glen Mills Bulls (16-7) @ # 5 Neshaminy Redskins (19-4)
Last Game:
Neshaminy featured a balanced scoring attack as the Redskins tomahawked Central Bucks East – 55-43. The Skins were led in scoring by Michael McGarry with a game-high 18 points. Dwight Williams scored 16 points for Neshaminy, while Ryan Arcidiacono contributed 14 points for the winners.
Glen Mills won a bizarre 29-28 overtime first round victory over Central Bucks West. The Bulls scored just two points in the fourth quarter and one in the overtime – and won the game. West did not score a single point in the fourth period or the overtime frame.
Notes: Neshaminy – which has won eight of its last 10 games with losses coming to Council Rock North and Penn Wood – has gotten a huge contribution of late from 6-foot, 5-inch Dave Baron. Glen Mills – which has won ten of its last 12 games with losses only to Penn Wood and Chester in that span – features 6-foot, 9-inch Raheem Harvey and 6-4 Stefron Poole.
Players To Watch:
Neshaminy: Ryan Arcidiacono, Michael McGarry, Dwight Williams, Tyler Katz, and Dave Baron.
Glen Mills: Stefron Poole, Raheem Harvey, and Devonte Glasper.
Neshaminy head coach Jerry Devine says: “It is the same old story for us – we have to continue to move the ball on offense and get a good look, and we need to pressure teams to make it a fullcourt game. We want the game to go up and down so that we can limit some of their halfcourt sets that would take advantage of their size. We will continue to do what we do best, and that is play great defense and share the ball on offense. I feel good about the game.”
#10 Coatesville Red Raiders (18-6) @ # 7 Norristown Eagles (19-3)
Last Game:
Norristown did just enough to advance to the second round with its 47-41 victory over Ridley. The leading scorers for the Eagles were Rasheed Johnson and Maleek Williams who scored 15 points each. Jahquan Hargrove added nine points for the winners.
Coatesville battled back to defeat Souderton 71-59 to earn its trip to the second round. Will Shuler led the Red Raiders with 18 points, while Tymier Miller scored 17 points and Kris Miller added 16 points.
Notes: Norristown has won eight of its last nine games with the only loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh (60-37). Coatesville has won 11 of its last 12 with the only loss to West Chester Rustin (80-73). Norristown and Coatesville played a non-league game in the opening game of the season for the Eagles. Tyreese White had 19 points for the Eagles, while Bernard Gordon scored 12 points. Tymier Miller led the Raiders with 22 points, while Kris Miller scored in twin digits with 10 points.
Players To Watch:
Norristown: Rasheed Johnson, Aaron Webb, Maleek Williams, and Jahquan Hargrove.
Coatesville: Tymier Miller, Kris Miller, and Will Shuler.
Norristown head coach Michael Evans says: “We have to worry about going out on the floor and playing our game. Coatesville is a talented team, and we are going to have to concentrate on boxing out and giving them just single shot each possession. We have had good practices getting ready for this game, and I hope that we are ready.”
‘Other’ PIAA District One Quad-A Playoff Games
Springfield Delco (#17) will travel to Chester (#1) to meet the Clippers. Springfield won its first round game over Cheltenham in overtime – 56-55. Chester breezed by Perkiomen Valley – 70-36 – in its opening round contest.
Lower Merion (#13) will travel to Upper Darby (#4) to meet the Royals. Lower Merion won its first round game over Methacton – 63-57. Upper Darby breezed to a 71-37 victory over visiting Kennett in its first round contest.
Penn Wood (#11) will travel to West Chester Rustin (#6) to meet the Golden Knights. Penn Wood destroyed Conestoga 90-65 in its first round game. West Chester Rustin routed Penncrest – 48-29 – in its opening round game.
PIAA Class AAA District One Playoff Games
Suburban One League Teams
Wednesday – February 23, 2011
(#9) Phoenixville Phantoms (9-12) @ (#8) Upper Merion Vikings (10-12)
Last Game:
Upper Merion closed out its regular season with a 50-47 victory over Upper Moreland. The Vikings were led in scoring by Tim Vandergeest with 11 points, while Tyreek Fairel added 10 points in the win.
Phoenixville lost to West Chester East by a 56-31 score. The Phantoms were led in scoring by Rasheed Lawson with 11 points.
Notes:
Upper Merion head coach Francis Bowe is a 2002 graduate of St. Pius X – and his coach was Randy Reber. The same Randy Reber that is the head coach at Phoenixville. Upper Merion has already played the Phantoms this season on January 6, 2011,with the Vikings coming away with a relatively easy 65-42 victory. In that Upper Merion win, Ed Chimillio led the Vikings with 17 points, while Naim Cheeseboro fired home 12 points. Pat Stringfield and James Mobley scored 10 points each for the winners.
Players To Watch:
Upper Merion: James Mobley, Pat Stringfield, Naim Cheeseboro, and Ed Chimillio.
Phoenixville: Rasheed Lawson, Jim Riggins, and Mike Jones.
Upper Merion head coach Francis Bowe says: “When we played Phoenixville the first time, I had a feeling in my gut that told me that we would be playing them again this year. It was a great experience for me to be able to coach against my high school coach, and to be honest, I was a little nervous. After the game, he told me how proud he was of me, and that meant a lot to me. Now I have to do it over again in a district playoff game.
(# 11) Upper Moreland Golden Bears (2-20) @ # 6 Bishop Shanahan (13-9)
Last Game:
Upper Moreland lost to Lansdale Catholic – 46-43 – in a game that came down to the final minute of play. The Golden Bears featured a balanced attack offensively and were led in scoring by sophomore Matt Kohn with 11 points. Nick Corbett added 10 points for the Bears, while Scott Smith and Matt Worley each scored nine points of UMHS.
Bishop Shanahan lost to powerful Coatesville – 83-53. Josh Redmond led Shanahan with a 12-point scoring effort, while Anthony Sam added 11 points. Tom Henshey scored in twin digits for Bishop Shanahan with 10 points.
Notes:
Upper Moreland won its last game on Janaury 29, 2011, when the Golden Bears defeated New Hope-Solebury – 68-50. The Bears, in addition to the tough three-point loss to Lansdale Catholic, lost a three-point game to Upper Merion to conclude its Suburban One League American Conference play – 50-47. Bishop Shanahan finished its season strong winning six of its last eight games. The lone losses in that streak came to Coatesville and Downingtown West.
Players To Watch:
Upper Moreland: Matt Worley, Matt Kohn, Scott Smith, and Kevin McFall.
Bishop Shanahan: Anthony Sam, Josh Redmond, and Tom Henshey.
Upper Moreland head coach Brian Corrado says: “This is a great opportunity for our kids to play in a playoff game against schools that are our (enrollment) size. We have been coming along well the last few games, and playing in this tournament will be a great experience for both the seniors who have worked so hard all season and the underclassmen who are coming back next year.”
Suburban One Sports.com
Super Seven
1. Council Rock North Indians (22-1)
2. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (19-4)
3. Neshaminy Redskins (19-4)
4. Norristown Eagles (19-3)
5. Bensalem Owls (18-5)
6. Pennridge Rams (18-5)
7. North Penn Knights (19-4)
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