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By Scott Huff
PLYMOUTH MEETING – There was a whole lot of head shaking going on – by both of the head coaches - after Plymouth Whitemarsh (18-1, 12-0) held off a determined Norristown (13-6, 8-4) – 60-47.
“I’m all about telling the truth, and we didn’t play with a respect for the game,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio as he wiped the perspiration from his head with a towel. “I could make excuses – long season, looking forward to the playoffs, whatever – but forget it.
“This time of year I have to hold us to a higher standard,” continued Donofrio. “I bet that Norristown is very frustrated that they didn’t win the game tonight.”
You betcha.
“We shoot as badly as we did tonight, and it’s hard to believe that we had a real chance to win this basketball game,” said Norristown head coach Michael Evans. “We had a hard time matching up with them inside, and I thought we did some good things.
“We got it down to four points in the fourth quarter (49-45 with 2:38 left in the game), and then we make some mental mistakes,” added Evans. “It was a frustrating way to lose this game.”
Norristown had given Plymouth Whitemarsh a scare in their first encounter as the Colonials held off the host Eagles – 59-56.
“Norristown and Plymouth Whitemarsh is always a great basketball game,” said Norristown senior guard Sheldon Mayer, who scored a team-high 11 points. “It’s fun to play in front of a big crowd.
“We got close, but we didn’t stay focused enough late in the game,” added Mayer. “But this game should teach us what we have to do when we get into the playoffs.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh did what it had to do in the final moments to ice the win. The Colonials scored nine of the final 11 points in the game to remain unbeaten in conference play.
Sam Pygatt was a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line – C.J. Aiken followed with a dunk – and Brandon Dixon scored the final three points for PW to seal the deal.
“The ending of the game was good for us,” said Dixon. “But we really didn’t play at our best. It should not have been that close.
“Norristown plays with a tremendous amount of energy,” said Dixon. “We just couldn’t seem to pull away.”
“Norristown is uniquely quick – talented quick,” said Donofrio. “We were uncomfortable the whole night.
“We didn’t do a real good job of defending their guards,” added Donofrio. “We just can’t rely on C.J. – what did he have – 217 blocked shots.”
Actually 11 blocks to go along with a game-high 14 points and 17 rebounds.
“(Aiken’s) presence inside really hurt us,” said Evans of the 6-foot, 10-inch PW senior committed to St. Joseph’s University. “He was a tough matchup for us.”
Norristown tried Allen Yates (fouled out), Bryan Baylis (fouled out) and Najee Harris (separated shoulder) on Aiken. None of them finished the game.
The game seemed to be over before it started as PW raced to an 11-2 lead. The lead stayed at nine (15-6), but Norristown finished with a flurry – which featured an old-fashioned 3-point play by Mayer - to cut it to 15-13 by the close of the period.
Norristown made the most of its chances in the second quarter. The Eagles led – 25-22 – when Chris Davis hit a pair of free throws with 59 seconds left in the period.
The Colonials, though, scored the final five points of the period to take a 27-25 halftime advantage.
PW dominated the opening moments of the third period to snare a 34-25 lead. Highlighted in that run was a pair of monster dunks by Aiken.
However, Aaron Webb led an Eagle comeback that sliced the lead to 38-32 with 2:12 left in the third period.
Norristown closed to within the four points in the final period, but the Colonials had the right stuff in the end to close out the win.
“Sometimes these players don’t realize that it is a battle – not a show,” said Donofrio. “We tried too hard to put on a show.”
And then the coach shook his head.
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Suburban One American Conference -----
Wissahickon (15-5, 8-4) bested conference rival Cheltenham (10-10, 7-5) – 54-50. Jordan Reed led the Trojans with 16 points, while Gio Atkins added 11 points and Jack O’Neill scored 10 points. The Panthers were led by Malcom Weston who scored a game-high 18 points. Nick Myrick added 13 points for Cheltenham, while Rob Mansell scored 10. -----
Upper Merion (6-13, 3-9) ended a seven game losing streak with a 39-36 victory over Springfield (3-15, 0-12). Francis Rafferty led the Vikings with a game-high 22 points. The Spartans had two players in double figures – Kyron Greene with 15 points and Malcolm Hill with 11 points.
Suburban One League Continental Conference ---
Souderton (18-2, 10-2) remained on top of the conference standings with a 56-38 victory over Central Bucks East (6-12, 4-8). The Indians were led in scoring by A.J. Picard who scored a game-high 20 points. Nathan Moyer also scored in twin digits for the Big Red with 10 points. Matt Stauffer (8) and David Kiersnowski (7) led the modest Patriot scoring.
North Penn (11-8, 7-5) came up with a 55-48 conference victory over Quakertown (9-11, 6-6). The Knight attack was led by Matt Possanza with 13 points and T.J. Gill with 12 points. Kenny Gula tallied a game-high 14 points for the Panthers, while Rick Kivela added 13 and Dalton Nice scored 10.
Central Bucks West (12-8, 7-5) defeated rival Central Bucks South (14-7, 8-4) – 52-42. The balanced Buck attack was led by Ryan Fiore with 11 points. Nick Joeger scored a game-high 20-points for the Titans.
Hatboro-Horsham (9-11, 5-7) edged visiting Pennridge (5-15, 1-11) – 47-45. Four Hatters scored in double figures – Pete Williams (15), Connor Poston (11), Mike Brown (11), and Mike Marvin (10). Mike Guldin scored a game-high 17 points for the Rams, while Tim Abruzzo scored in twin digits with 14 points.
Suburban One League National Conference -----
Pennsbury (11-9, 8-4) remained in the hunt for a conference title with a 49-38 victory over Council Rock South (7-12, 3-9). Jesse Krasna scored a game-high 18 points for the Falcons. Terrence McGovern led the Golden Hawks with 11 points.
Norristown-PW box score
Norristown 13 12 12 10 - 47
Plymouth Whitemarsh 15 12 17 16 - 60
Norristown: Jahquil Hargrove 3 0-0 6; Allen Yates 2 0-0 4; Sheldon Mayer 4 1-2 11; Chris Davis 3 4-6 10; Aaron Webb 4 1-2 9; Bryant Baylis 1 0-0 2; Tyreese White 1 1-1 3; Malek Williams 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 7-11 47.
3-point field goals – Mayer (2)
Plymouth Whitemarsh: C.J. Aiken 7 0-1 14; Whis Grant 3 3-5 9; Jaylen Bond 5 3-7 13; Sam Pygatt 3 5-5 11; Stephon Baker 2 0-0 4; Brandon Dixon 2 1-4 5; T.J. Clancy 0 2-2 2. Totals 22 14-24 60.
3-point field goals - none
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