In a remarkable opening night Friday, three SOL Class 6A teams (#21 Neshaminy, #22 Council Rock South & #24 Pennsbury) pulled off major upsets. The Sweet Sixteen in Class 6A includes nine SOL teams. (Photo courtesy of Michael Rice Photography. To view photos, click on the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f894249383
Class 6A
#17 Central Bucks East at #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh (Tuesday, 7 pm)
Plymouth Whitemarsh
–19-5 overall
–10-0 SOL Liberty Division champions
Key Players: Sr. G Mani Sajid (23.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.9 spg), Sr. Michael Pereira (13.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg), Jr. G Buddy Denard (6.8 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg), Sr. G Terron Davis (5.8 ppg). Sajid, a Towson commit, surpassed the 1,000-point milestone and has broken the program’s all-time scoring record.
Notable Wins: #3 Coatesville, #6 Abington (twice), #13 Cheltenham, #17 CB East (twice), #19 Wissahickon (twice), #21 Neshaminy, Class 5A #4 Upper Dublin (twice),
How they got here: Opening round bye
Central Bucks East
–15-9 overall
–5-5 SOL Colonial, tied for third place
Key Players: Sr. F Connor Mekanik (9 ppg, 7 rebs), Sr. G Henry Bartchak (10 ppg, 3 rebs, 3 assists), So. G Keegan Marascio (12 ppg, 5rebs, 3 assists), Jr. G Quinn Slack (5 ppg, 4 rebs,3 assists)
Notable Wins: #4 Central Bucks South, #20 Central Bucks West (twice), #24 Pennsbury
How they got here: Central Bucks East defeated #17 Downingtown West 54-38. Henry Bartchak led CB East with 20 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Connor Mekanik added 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Quinn Slack was in double figures with 11, along with four steals, while Keegan Marascio had three points, six rebounds and six assists.
Central Bucks East coach Erik Henrysen: “We’re definitely in a tough spot in the bracket, and we understand it. We played PW twice this year. The first time they hammered us, we were shorthanded, and the second time, for three quarters, we really played well. If we could just eliminate that first quarter where we came out and we’re down 19-5, I think that game could have been a little bit different, so we’re going to build off that.”
Next up: Winner will face winner of #8 Garnet Valley/#24 Pennsbury.
#13 Cheltenham at #4 Central Bucks South (Tuesday, 7 pm)
Central Bucks South
–18-5 overall
–7-3 SOL Colonial Division, second place
Key Players: Sr. G Alex Shahin, Sr. G Shane Farrell, Sr. C Kayote Adebayo, Sr. F Leo Medwid
Notable Wins: #5 Souderton (twice), #17 CB East, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland
Next up: CB South will host the CB West-Cheltenham winner on Feb. 17.
How they got here: Opening round bye
Cheltenham
–18-7 overall
–10-0 SOL Freedom champion
Key Players: Sr. G Chris Harmon (15.5 ppg, 5.1 assists, 4.7 rebs), Sr. G Mark Hill (15.5 ppg, 1.5 assists, 82 percent FT, 2.5 steals), Sr. G Jaedn Mosely (11.4 ppg, 4 assists, 1.5 steals), Sr. F Tyree Martin (6 ppg, 7 rebs, 3 assists), Isaiah Dill (6 ppg, 3.3 assists)
Notable Wins: #4 CB South, #6 Abington, #14 Chester, #17 CB East, #21 Neshaminy, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland (twice), Class 5A #10 Springfield Twp (twice)
How they got here: #13 Cheltenham defeated #20 Central Bucks West 45-35. The Panthers had a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter when they outscored the Bucks 16-7. Isaiah Dill’s 14 points led the Panthers. Chris Harmon added 10 points, and Jaedn Mosley had eight. Tyree Martin contributed seven points to the balanced attack.
Next up: Winner will face the winner of #5 Souderton/#21 Neshaminy.
#21 Neshaminy at #5 Souderton (Tuesday, 6 pm)
Souderton
–17-6 overall
–8-2 SOL Colonial Division champions
Key Players: Sr. G Chanse Salone, Sr. G Nate Rusike, Jr. G Koby Rollerson, Sr. F Marques Green
Notable Wins: #6 Abington, #17 CB East (twice), #20 CB West (twice), #22 Council Rock South, #24 Pennsbury, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland
How they got here: Opening round bye.
Neshaminy
–15-9 overall
–6-4 SOL Patriot, third place
Key Players: Jr. G Logan Gale (18 ppg, 6 rebs), So. F Marlon Yon (11 ppg, 7 rebs), Sr. G Eriq Gold, Jr. G Luke Armhein
Notable Wins: #17 CB East, #20 CB West, #22 Council Rock South, #24 Pennsbury
How they got here: Neshaminy upset #12 Perkiomen Valley 42-36, limiting the favored Vikings to just 10 field goals. Sophomore Marlon Yon scored 23 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and had three blocked shots to lead Neshaminy. Junior Logan Gale added 12 points and four steals.
Neshaminy coach Mark Tingle: “(Souderton) had a bye for a reason, so we know they’re going to be a good team. We just have to really get into the film because, again, we didn’t get to play them, and we really didn’t see much film of them playing other people throughout the year. We know they have really good guard play; a couple guys that can really play.”
Next up: Winner will face the winner of #2 Methacton/#18 Upper Darby
#22 Council Rock South at #6 Abington (Tuesday, 7 pm)
Abington
–18-7 overall
–7-3 SOL Liberty Division, second place
Key Players: Jr. G Xander Grasty (17 ppg, 3 assists), Jr. G Kyler Pickron (9 ppg, 2 steals), Sr. G Faizon Garland (10 ppg, 4 assists)
Notable Wins: #5 Souderton, #7 Spring-Ford, #13 Cheltenham, #14 Chester, #15 Downingtown West, #19 Wissahickon (twice), #24 Pennsbury, Class 5A #4 Upper Dublin, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland
Abington coach Dan Marsh: “We are looking forward to districts and proving Abington basketball is back and we belong.”
How they got here: Opening round bye
CR South
–15-7 overall (15-3 after an 0-4 start)
–8-2 SOL Patriot Division champion
Key Players: Sr. G Ryan Delp (15 ppg), Sr. G Ray Haglund (4.5 assists, all-time school record holder in assists), Jr. F Lucian Mirc (11 ppg), Sr. F Joey Madara (6 rebs)
Notable wins: #20 CB West, #21 Neshaminy, #24 Pennsbury
How they got here: Council Rock South upended #11 Penn Wood, rallying from a six-point halftime deficit to send the game into overtime where the Golden Hawks won 50-45. Lucian Mirc scored a team-high 17, including six in the fourth quarter and four in overtime. Ryan Delp added 14 and was 5-for-5 from the line in OT. Brendan Balmer scored 11, including nine in the third quarter.
CR South coach Jim Cassidy: “We know how talented Abington is just from being kind of a cousin of ours in the league. We actually saw them down at the Sixth Man Center in the fall, and they’re just a talented squad, there’s no two ways about it. They’ve beaten Upper Dublin this year. They’re going to be a test. You are not a top six seed in District One for no reason. So, I told our guys after the game we’re obviously excited. You get an overtime district playoff win; it’s exciting. But it’s back to work, and I trust our guys will be ready to go. We’ll be there, and I trust our seniors will have our guys in the right mindset.”
Next up: The winner will face the winner of #3 Coatesville/#14 Chester.
#24 Pennsbury at #8 Garnet Valley (Tuesday, 7 pm)
Pennsbury
–14-9 overall
–7-3 SOL Patriot, second place
Key Players: So. G Patrick Jajua (14 ppg, 3 rebs, 2 assists), Jr. F Sean Breslin (10.5 ppg, 6.5 rebs, 1.8 blocks), Sr. C Max Manga (7.8 ppg, 8 rebs), So. G Brayden Clark (11.2 ppg, 3.3 rebs, 3.5 assists)
Notable Wins: #21 Neshaminy, #22 Council Rock South, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland
How they got here: Pennsbury pulled off the upset of the opening round, sending #9 Lower Merion home with a 51-45 win. The Falcons took a 36-24 lead into the fourth quarter when the Aces put 21 points on the board. Pat Jajua led the Falcons with 16 points, 15 of which came in the first three quarters. Max Manga had 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while Brayden Clark had nine points and three steals. Sean Breslin had nine points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
Garnet Valley
11-4 Central League third place
Lost to Conestoga 48-43 in the Central League title game
Key players: Junior Grayson Golek surpassed the 1,000-point mark and averages close to 20 points a game; junior point guard Mason Koperna also averages in double figures.
Notable wins: Class 6A #9 Lower Merion, #10 Conestoga, #18 Upper Darby, #22 Council Rock South, Class 5A #6 Marple Newtown,
How they got here: Opening round bye
Next up: Winner will face the winner of #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh/#17 Central Bucks East.
Class 5A
#5 Upper Moreland at #4 Upper Dublin (Wednesday, 7 pm)
Upper Dublin
–20-4
–6-4 SOL Liberty, third place
–SOL Tournament champion for third consecutive year
Key Players: Sr. G Kobe Bazemore, Jr. G Horace Jackson, Jr. F Justin Ragsdale, Jr. G Noah Cohen
Notable Wins: Class 6A #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh, Class 6A #2 Methacton, Class 6A #6 Abington, Class 6A #7 Spring-Ford, Class 6A #13 Cheltenham (twice), Class 6A #19 Wissahickon, Class 6A #20 CB West, Class 6A #21 Neshaminy, Class 6A #22 Council Rock South
Upper Moreland
–15-8
–7-3 SOL Freedom, second place
Key Players: Sr. G Nate Best, Sr. F Larry Hughes, So. G Cannon Campbell, So. G Jose Hernandez
Notable Wins: #7 Pottstown, #10 Springfield Twp (twice), Class 6A #22 Council Rock South
UM coach Dan Heiland: “With the new crossover rules, we don’t play (UD) anymore. Last year, it felt like we played them once a week. They’re a quality team, obviously, They’re the 4-seed, they’re 18-4, and they had some really good wins, beating some PCL teams, beating some of the better 6A schools out there in the Suburban One, PAC and Ches-Mont. Derek (Brooks) does a tremendous job with that group. He always has. They won their third Suburban One Tournament championship and beat PW, who was on fire.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us, but I think if we show up and play like we know we can, we bring energy and the right attitude, and we execute, we can give ourselves a chance. It’s just a matter of us doing our part and controlling what we can control. That gives us the best opportunity if we can do that.”
Next up: The winner will face the winner of the #1 Holy Ghost Prep/#8 Harriton contest.
Class 4A
#4 Lower Moreland at #1 Pope John Paul II (Tuesday, 7:45 pm)
Lower Moreland
–6-16 overall
–2-8 SOL Freedom Division
Key player: Sr. Nate Fellah
Notable wins: Class 3A #3 New Hope-Solebury, #4 Faith Christian
Pope John Paul II
–19-3 overall
–10-3 PAC Liberty Division second place
Lost to Spring-Ford 55-41 in the PAC Tournament title game
Players to watch: Sr. G Jason Green, Sr. G Ayden Wise
Notable Wins: Class 5A #1 Holy Ghost Prep, #5 Pottstown, #9 Pottsgrove, Class 6A #2 Methacton, #12 Perk Valley
Next up: The winner will face the winner of #2 Bishop Shanahan/#3 Collegium Charter in the District 4A title game.
Class 3A
#3 New Hope-Solebury at #2 Bristol (Tuesday, 7 pm)
New Hope-Solebury
2-17 overall
0-10 SOL Freedom Division
Key player: Sr. G Rocco Massimino
Bristol
9-13 overall (Lost last eight games of regular season)
7-7 BAL
Notable wins: Class 4A #4 Lower Moreland, Class 2A #4 Dock Mennonite Academy
Next up: Winner will face #1 MaST Charter in the District 1 3A title game.
About the Author
