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By Scott Huff
WEST NORRITON – Neshaminy head coach Jerry Devine left the cramped confines of his locker room at Norristown Area High School after addressing his team with a grin on his face.“We talked before the game how Villanova beat Georgetown by playing an almost perfect game, and how we could be like Villanova tonight,” said Devine after this Redskins (20-9) lost their second round PIAA Quad-A state basketball game to defending state champion Penn Wood (26-3) – 75-60. “But the other team can’t come out and shoot 80% from the field. It ruins the story.”
The story was that District One champion Penn Wood showcased the talent it has on its entire team to roll to an impressive win.
“I knew that we weren’t going to be perfect, but we were prepared to play four good quarters,” said Devine. “I am proud of the effort we gave, but they just didn’t seem to miss.
“We were in a zone, and both (Tyree) Johnson and (Will) Brown shot over it and seemed to make every shot,” added Devine. “When we finally did get out of it, their big men got into it. (Shawn) Oakman, (Aaron) Brown, and (Darian) Barnes all played well in the paint.”All five Patriots reached twin digits for the game as Will Brown led all scorers with 20 points. Johnson and Aaron Brown each tacked on 15 points, while Oakman bulled his way for 13 points. Barnes chipped in with 11 markers.
Enough of the Patriots, already. Penn Wood will take its next step toward a possible repeat of a state title with a game this Saturday against Scranton.
Scranton edged Pennsbury 46-44 to get to the state quarterfinal contest.
“When Penn Wood got up 16 or 17 points on us, we could have easily quit and we could have lost by 30,” said Devine. “This is a young team with four starters coming back next year, and we learned a lot from what we have accomplished this season.”Neshaminy sophomore guard Ryan Arcidiacono was once again marvelous as he scored a game-high 20 points.
“Ryan has grown this season into an unselfish leader,” said Devine. “He kept his poise on the big stage, and he was a big reason why we got to where we are this season.
“Getting here is nice for the program, but I don’t really think we overachieved,” added Devine. “We had the talent to be where we are.”
“This is just the start,” said Arcidiacono. “We are already thinking about next year. We would be very disappointed if we didn’t get back to at least where we are this season.”
In addition to Arcidiacono, the Redskins return Dwight Williams, Tyler Katz, and Mike McGarry.
The undersized McGarry at 6-5 played well off the boards against the likes of Oakman (6-9), Barnes (6-7) and Brown (6-6). McGarry also scored in double figures with 10 points.“We lose a great kid in (senior guard) Steve Warhola,” said Devine. “He was here for the bad times, and now the times are getting better.”
And next season should be even better.
Free Throws – The best defense on the night for Neshaminy was its ‘dunk defense’. Penn Wood made just two of seven dunks attempts --- The trip to the ‘Sweet 16’ was the first in Neshaminy boys basketball history --- The Patriots made seven 3-point field goals in the first half – only one in the second half.
Neshaminy 12 12 16 20 - 60
Penn Wood 18 19 18 20 - 75
Neshaminy: Dwight Williams 7; Steve Warhola 6; Mike McGarry 10; Charlie Marterella 7; Tyler Katz 8; Dave Baron 2; Ryan Arcidiacono 20.
Penn Wood: Shawn Oakman 13; Tyree Johnson 15; Will Brown 20; Aaron Brown 15: Darian Barnes 11; Mike Riddick 1.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 66 – Frankford 43
Plymouth Whitemarsh (26-2) broke open a tight game with a terrific second half to defeat Frankford (22-5) in its second round PIAA Quad-A state tournament game - 66-43.
“We have a veteran bunch of players, and we played great in the third and fourth quarters,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio. “We were a little stubborn getting into the game plan in the first half, but we finally figured it out and woke up in the second half.
“C.J. Aiken made some monster blocks in that second half,” added Donofrio of his 6-10 center that finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and eight blocks. “We got some blocks, made some steals, and really started to score points in transition.”
Senior guard Whis Grant led all scorers with 17 points, while 6-7 junior forward Jaylen Bond added 12 points. Sam Pygatt also scored in twin digits with 10 points.
Plymouth Whitemarsh will face Roman Catholic (18-8) this Saturday at a time and a site to be determined. Roman went overtime to defeat Reading, 62-47.
“The good news is that we know them and we won’t have to travel to far,” said Donofrio. “The bad news is that they also know a lot about us.
“All of these state tournament games are very different,” added Donofrio. “You have to be prepared for anything.”
Frankford 9 12 12 10 - 43
Plymouth Whitemarsh 10 15 19 22 - 66
Frankford: Carl Wallace 11; Steffon Poole 9; Dehaven Brown 8; Taylor Bessick 1; Rodney Walters 2; Harold Hicks 7; Terrell Clark 4; Karon Blackman 1.
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Whis Grant 17; Brandon Dixon 9; Brandon Brown 2; Jaylen Bond 12; Julien Bond 3; Stephon Baker 2; C.J. Aiken 11; Sam Pygatt 10.
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