Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action in Friday’s opening round of the District 1 Tournament. Upper Moreland/Holy Ghost Prep photos courtesy of Jon Sklut, PW/CR South photos courtesy of Larry Small, Abington/Springfield-Delco photos courtesy of John Gleeson & Cheltenham/NP photos courtesy of Michael Rice. Check back for galleries of all four games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f716903222 (CB West photos courtesy of Marge Bullock: http://www.margebullock.com)
Class 6A
#11 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 48, #22 PENNSBURY 33
In a rematch of a mid-January crossover game, the Bucks defeated the Falcons by a similar score, but according to coach Adam Sherman, that might well be the only similarity.
“The last time there was a snow day, so we played on Wednesday but we were supposed to play on a Tuesday,” the Bucks’ coach said. “The gym was freezing, and neither team shot the ball well.
“We played them a little different defensively this time. We played them man – the last time we played them our matchup. We had a couple injuries the last time, but this time we were a little healthier, and we were able to play regular man-to-man. I thought we defended really well.”
Defense has been a trademark of this West squad, but it was the Bucks’ offense that stole the spotlight in the first quarter, erupting for 20 points and a double-digit lead after one quarter.
“Your biggest concern is the kids come out and they play tight,” Sherman said.
That obviously didn’t happen, thanks – in part – to the hot hand of Bowen Gugger, who scored nine points in the quarter.
“We liked his matchup, and we tried to get him the ball a couple of times,” Sherman said. “He came through and played well.”
By halftime, the Bucks had a 29-15 lead, and they never looked back.
“They scored 10 in the first quarter, and every other quarter we held them to single digits,” Sherman said. “We got up 20 in the third or fourth quarter, and we were able to get the win.”
Gugger’s 16 points led the Bucks, who also received 13 points from Roman Kulesa and 10 points from Matt Engle. Julian Phillips had seven.
“Roman Kulesa was solid, and I thought Matt Engle had a nice game,” Sherman said. “I liked the way Julian Phillips defended today. He was covering the Cohen kid, and he did a nice job.”
Connor Taddei’s 10 points led the Falcons, who received seven points from Mike Roccograndi.
Central Bucks West (19-7, 10-6 SOL) will travel to #6 Methacton for Tuesday’s second round game. Pennsbury closed out its season with an 11-12 record overall and an 8-8 record in SOL action.
Pennsbury 10-5-6-12 33
Central Bucks West 20-9-7-12 48
Pennsbury (33) – Teddy Mangan 1 0-0 2; Mike Roccograndi 1 5-7 7; Danny Cohen 1 0-0 2; Connor Taddei 4 0-0 10; Eric David 1 0-0 2; Tyler Boraski 1 0-0 3; Simon Dlugi 1 1-2 3; TOTALS 11 8-11 33.
Central Bucks West (48) – Matt Engle 4 1-2 10; Bowen Gugger 6 2-2 16; Roman Kulesa 5 0-0 13; Sam Jankowski 1 0-0 2; Julian Phillips 2 3-6 5; TOTALS 18 6-10 48.
3-point goals: Pennsbury – Connor Taddei 2, Tyler Boraski; CBW – Roman Kulesa 3, Bowen Gugger 2, Matt Engle.
#12 CHELTENHAM 47, #21 NORTH PENN 41
The Panthers used a tenacious defensive effort to earn the hard-fought win over the visiting Knights in Friday’s district opener.
“It was just a total, total team effort, and for us, the best thing was – it was marked by defense,” Cheltenham coach Patrick Fleury said. “Offense sells tickets, but the biggest thing is defensively – not only this year – we have to become fighters in the sense of competition.
“Tonight, we were able to be one fist, almost like Remember the Titans when they came together rather than when they went to camp the first time. We were just cohesive. I was very proud of them. I would have been proud however the game would have turned out with the defensive effort that they gave. They played hard, and they played together. I can’t ask for anything else.”
The Knights came out of the gate and opened a 12-6 lead after one quarter. Norman Gee’s seven points led the visitors. The Panthers flipped the tables in the second quarter, outscoring their visitors 15-5 to go into halftime with a 21-17 advantage. Nile Tinsley (7 points) and Osei Johnson (6 points) led the Panthers in the second quarter.
“Aidan (Wilson-Worley) came in and probably had at least four or five rebounds in the first half, so he was kind of controlling the paint,” Fleury said. “We were down 6-0, but they were able to settle in and just play for each other.”
North Penn trimmed that lead to two (32-30) heading into the final quarter. Johnson and Kamal Mason both had four points in a quarter that saw the Panthers connected on 4 of 6 at the foul line to seal the Knights’ fate.
“We spend a lot of time on it, and we’ll always spend a lot of time on it moving forward,” Fleury said of shooting foul shots. “We always spend time on it, but now it will never be something that is glossed over.”
Johnson’s 13 points led a balanced Cheltenham attack. Josiah Hutson added 11, which included a 4-for-5 effort at the line. Tinsley finished with seven
“I think it was a collective team effort,” Fleury said. “It was defense – 41 points is ideal. That’s 10 in a quarter. That was always a coach (Scott) Eveslage thing. He used to always tell us – 12 and under, 12 and under, so as a coach, that’s first and foremost for us. They did it tonight. It wasn’t a great offensive night, but if you put defense before that, you’re able to give yourself a chance to win, especially when you’re hitting free throws.
“Cheltenham is a unique place. I live here, I love it. When people come together, we’re limitless. When we’re not together, when we’re adversarial, when it’s different goals, when it’s the disease of ‘me’, when there’s backstabbing and all that type of stuff, you’re not very strong.”
The Knights were led by Gee’s 15-point effort. Ahmaar Godhania and Tre Simpson both added nine points.
Cheltenham (18-6, 14-2 SOL) will travel to #5 Coatesville for Tuesday’s second round game. North Penn closed out its season with a 12-11 record overall (10-6 SOL).
North Penn 12-5-13-11 41
Cheltenham 6-15-11-15 47
North Penn (41) – Ahmaar Godhania 3 1-1 9; Lee Hammond 1 0-0 3; Norman Gee 5 2-2 15; Aiden Atkinson 1 0-0 2; Corey Meade 1 1-3 3; Tre Simpson 3 3-4 9; TOTALS 14 7-10 41.
Cheltenham (47) – Kamal Mason 2 2-4 6; Josiah Hutson 3 4-5 11; Mark Hill 1 0-0 2; Kevin Addison-Anderson 2 0-0 4; Aidan Wilson-Worley 0 0-2 0; Osei Johnson 4 3-3 13; Nile Tinsley 3 0-0 7; Peyton Mcclendon 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 17 9-14 47.
3-point goals: NP – Norman Gee 3, Ahmaar Godhania 2, Lee Hammond; Cheltenham – Osei Johnson 2, Josiah Hutson, Nile Tinsley.
#13 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 77, #20 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 55
Sophomore Mani Sajid and senior Jaden Colzie had the hot hand for the Colonials, combining to score 42 points to lead their team to the bounce-back win.
Friday’s opening round win came on the heels of a 62-56 loss to Central Bucks East in the opening round of the SOL Tournament a week ago.
“Monday was a harsh practice with truth,” PW coach Jim Donofrio said. “The loss to CB East was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. I just didn’t think the kids were committing all the way.
“There just had to be a whole lot of directness on Monday that it’s just unacceptable – ‘I think we’re just going through the motions. You’re enjoying the journey, but that’s not what we’re all about.’ There were a lot of challenges put out as far as looking to the future and telling the seniors in particular, ‘You have two or three days to figure it out, or I might be pretty much looking forward because the example you’re setting for the underclassmen is making me nervous.’ That’s kind of harsh, but it’s time for truth.
“We lost seven of our nine games leading in the fourth quarter with the ball in our hands, so something’s missing – either a certain confidence was missing in the core five or a lack of desire to win. It doesn’t matter. I told them, ‘If this was a business, you’d all be fired.’ It sounds harsh, but that’s how you have to think.”
The Colonials – behind five points from Sajid – opened up a 16-7 lead after one quarter.
“We came out, and they had a 55-second possession, and it was almost like practice for how they run their offense on the first set – our guys did everything correct, so that’s a really good sign,” Donofrio said. “I looked at (assistant) Chuck Moore and said, ‘We’re not going to allow that to happen all night because they’ll have total possession of the game.’ We had to do something to shake things up.
“The kids played unbelievably intense defense. They played great, and I hope they’re proud of
themselves that this is what the best teams do all the time. You can’t take breaks. We were avoiding contact at CB East and William Tennent (a 67-55 loss). We’re shooting 3s, and nobody is crashing boards. We think we’re playing a pick-up game in April, so all of that had to be worked on. I thought – I hope I don’t lose them. I don’t care if you’re happy at all for the next four days. We have to end this season with all the underclassmen realizing what is required.”
The game sped up considerably in a second quarter that saw both teams put 20 points on the board. Sajid and Ben Marsico both had six points for the Colonials while Mike Burns had seven for the Hawks, who buried four 3s in the quarter.
The third quarter belonged to Colzie, who erupted for 11 points as the Colonials added to their lead and took a 55-37 lead into the fourth quarter. The Hawks never threatened.
“He was really very good tonight,” Donofrio said of his senior point guard. “Jaden’s ratio of scoring-to-assists was his best of the season, and that’s been one of our struggles. It gives confidence to our guys who aren’t as well known, and the big kid – Michael Pereira – is evolving fast at 6-8.
“Let’s face facts – that’s huge on great high school teams. They have a big presence, and all of a sudden, he’s emerging at a really good time, and Benny Marsico is a heck of a sharpshooter, and we just have moments where we have not given him enough wide open looks. Jaden plays a certain style, and so does Mani, and how do you
incorporate that great individual talent into team basketball. So tonight, at both ends of the floor, that was clicking. The energy and the passion to win and the pride to win was different than any other time. What do you do with that? These guys are so young – do they understand that’s how it has to be all the time? I don’t know. I was very proud of their performance tonight. I really was.”
Sajid’s 23 points included 11 points in the fourth quarter and a 5-for-5 effort at the foul line. Colzie added 19 points. Pereira contributed 12 points, and Marsico added 11 points, including three first-half 3-pointers.
“That practice Monday was the hardest they’ve played all year, so I put a lot of that on myself,” Donofrio said. “Sometimes you can overthink in this new realm of coaching with such sensitivity. It’s the ‘sensitive era,’ and you just can’t win that way, so I kind of went back to old ways with new learning. We had three really hard practices, and you hope something comes out of it, and they played their best game of basketball tonight. They played with that energy.”
For the Golden Hawks, Gabe Cerulli (12 points), Timmy Rahill (11 points) and Ryan Wekluk (10 points) led the way.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (15-9, 12-4 SOL) will travel to #4 Chester for a second round game Tuesday. Council Rock South closed out its season with a 14-9 record overall (11-5 SOL).
Council Rock South 7-20-11-17 55
Plymouth Whitemarsh 16-20-19-22 77
Council Rock South (55) – Jordan Getz 1 0-0 3; Ryan Wekluk 3 4-4 10; Mike Burns 2 0-1 5; Gabe Cerulli 5 2-4 12; Timmy Rahill 5 0-2 11; MJ Thompson 2 0-0 5; Liam Wekluk 3 0-0 6; Ryan Delp 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 22 6-11 55.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (77) – Jaden Colzie 8 2-2 19; Ben Marsico 4 0-0 11; Terron Davis 1 0-0 2; Jack Hayes 1 0-0 2; Mani Sajid 8 6-7 23; Michael Pereira 6 0-2 12; Ehab Ahmed 2 1-1 5; Jah Pendergrass-Sayles 1 1-2 3; TOTALS 31 10-14 77.
3-point goals: CRS – Jordan Getz, Mike Burns, Timmy Rahill, MJ Thompson, Ryan Delp; PW – Ben Marsico 3, Jaden Colzie, Mani Sajid.
#24 SPRINGFIELD-DELCO 58, #9 ABINGTON 42
Jeremiah Lee connected on six straight foul shots in the game’s closing minutes with his final two vaulting him over the coveted 1,000-point mark. The senior needed 23 to
reach the milestone, and he finished with 24. He also had three rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
The Ghosts opened up a 7-2 lead out of the gate, but they were outscored 23-8 the rest of the half and trailed 25-15 at the break.
Abington shot 14-46 (30.4 percent) from the floor, and the Ghosts were 6-for-25 from beyond the arc (24
Abington closed out its season with an 18-7 record overall (12-4 SOL).
Springfield-Delco 12-13-16-17 58
Abington 10-5-8-19 42
Springfield-Delco (58) – Patrick Flaherty 5 1-3 12; Chris Dolan 2 2-2 6; Jake Adams 1 0-2 2; Colin Treude 6 6-8 19; Ryan Johnston 1 3-4 5; TJ Valletti 4 6-11 14; TOTALS 19 18-30 58.
Abington (42) – Damon Rawls 0 0-2 0; Paul Glants 1 0-0 2; Jeremiah Lee 6 8-12 24; Aaron Jones 1 0-0 2; Jalen Flournoy 2 0-0 6; Kamari Brasher 1 0-0 2; Khalid Jenkins 1 0-0 2; Lathan Miller 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 14 8-16 42.
3-point goals: Springfield-Delco – Patrick Flaherty, Colin Treude; Abington – Jeremiah Lee 4, Jaden Flournoy 2.
#16 CONESTOGA 53, #17 NESHAMINY 19
#15 DOWNINGTOWN WEST 68, #18 WILLIAM TENNENT 58
Class 5A
#8 UPPER MORELAND 79, #9 HOLY GHOST PREP 76
The partisan crowd collectively held their breath as the Firebirds – trailing by three – took a shot from the corner for the tie, but the shot fell short at the buzzer, and the Golden Bears escaped with a win.
“They had a great look at the end to tie it up and send it to overtime – I was definitely holding my breath with the way they shot the ball tonight,” UM coach Dan Heiland said.
Alex Best’s 19 points led four UM players in double figures. Both teams shot the ball well in a contest that saw the teams combine for 155 points and – between them – bury 24 3-pointers.
“I thought both teams – I wouldn’t say played their best defense, but I thought both teams played tough defense, but also, both teams made a bunch of big shots,” Heiland said. “I thought both teams played a physical, tough style of defense. Both teams took advantage of what the other team was giving them and made shots, which you have to do this time of the season.”
There were early signs that this could be a shootout after a first quarter that saw the two teams combine for 49 points with UM on top 29-26. Colson Campbell scored eight of his 13 points – which included a pair of 3s – in the quarter. Alex Best had six points, and Nate Best had all five of his points to lead the Golden Bears.
The two teams were deadlocked 41-41 after an entertaining first half, but the Firebirds took a three-point lead into the final quarter.
With 2:20 remaining in regulation, the Golden Bears trailed by six, prompting Heiland to call a timeout.
“I really just got the guys together and told them – ‘Things didn’t go our way in the last minute, but we still have time, we’ve got to stay together, we’ve got to stay focused, we’ve got to keep the mindset
that it’s not over, and we’ve got to keep battling,’” Heiland said. “They took that on, they accepted that challenge, and they literally battled to the very end.
“Alex Best had a couple of big 3s late in the game to cut into their lead. Down the stretch, we ran a nice set. Colson Campbell got the ball off a ball screen and got to the middle, came to a great jump stop and hit the skip pass to Brayden Martin in the corner. He knocked down a 3 to put us up by one. It was a scramble – a couple big plays in big moments.
“We’ve been in a lot of tight, tight games the last couple of weeks. I’m very happy for those guys to experience the winning side of things because they definitely deserved it, making all the winning plays we made down the stretch to close the gap on the lead and eventually take the lead and hold onto it.”
Best’s 19 points included three 3 pointers. Sean Murphy added 14 points, Campbell had 13, and Brayden Martin had 12. Campbell also had three 3-pointers while Martin and Anthony Carson both had two 3-pointers. As a team, the Bears had 11 3-pointers while the Firebirds had 14.
Heiland credited the play of one of the game’s unsung heroes.
“Jimmy Perce was a huge spark off our bench tonight,” the UM coach said. “He’s a guy that probably averages 10-15 minutes a game. He’s a role player, he’s a tough gritty kid. He helped bring the ball up and initiate offense. He plays tough defense.
“He’s a kid you love to coach because he’s going to do exactly what you ask him to do, and he’s going to do it at a high level and with intent. Everything he does has purpose. It was really good to see him step up. He made a 3 late in the game. Because of the effort he put forward, he was able to stay in – I don’t know if it was the whole fourth quarter but most of the fourth quarter. He was able to close out the game with us. He also had a nice fast break layup to put us up three at the end.”
Adrien Varella’s 24 points led the Firebirds and included four 3-pointers. Robert Segarish also had four 3s, and he finished with 16 points.
Upper Moreland (14-9, 10-6 SOL) will travel to top-seeded Unionville for Wednesday’s quarterfinal game
Holy Ghost Prep 23-18-16-19 76
Upper Moreland 26-15-13-25 79
Holy Ghost Prep (76) – Zachary Sharlin 4 0-0 10; Adam McDonald 0 1-2 1; Robert Segarish 6 0-0 16; Mark Stenardo 5 0-0 11; Gavin McLaughlin 1 1-1 3; Adrien Varella 10 1-3 24; Thomas Nahill 5 0-0 11; TOTALS 31 3-6 76.
Upper Moreland (79) – Nate Best 1 3-5 5; Alex Best 7 2-2 19; Colson Campbell 4 0-0 13; Anthony Carson 2 0-0 6; Jimmy Perce 2 0-0 5; Sean Murphy 7 0-0 14; Brayden Martin 6 2-2 12; Larry Hughes 2 1-2 5; TOTALS 30 8-11 79.
3-point goals: HGP – Robert Segarich 4, Mark Stenardo, Adrien Varella 3, Zachary Sharlin 2, Thomas Nahill; UM – Alex Best 3, Colson Campbell 3, Anthony Carson 2, Brayden Martin 2, Jimmy Perce.
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