PW, Abington & CB West will be in action in Tuesday’s District One 6A semifinals at Temple University. Seven SOL teams will see action Tuesday and Wednesday. Check back for recaps.
Central Bucks West edged Pennridge to capture the SOL Continental Conference title and went on to earn the fourth seed in the District One 6A Tournament.
Ask Jake Reichwein what makes this year’s squad work, and the senior center has an immediate response.
“Definitely the brotherhood,” he said. “We put so much time and effort into the season, it’s unbelievable.
“Through that, we’ve become so close. We all know each other’s game and how we like to play. We’re playing well together.”
So well that this year’s squad has put its name in the program’s record books as the first West team to advance to Temple University for the District One 6A semifinals.
“This is definitely something that we wanted to be part of – going to Temple, but our goal is not just to get there,” Reichwein said.
The Bucks hope to play the role of giant killer against an undefeated Plymouth Whitemarsh squad that is ranked 19th in the latest USA Today Super 25.
“Our goal is to win it, but it’s going to be tough,” Reichwein said. “PW is a great team.”
Reichwein is part of a senior class that includes Collin MacAdams, Shane McCusker, Davis Zerweck, Chase Heller and Stephen DeLash.
“They’re a dedicated group,” coach Adam Sherman said. “They’ve all had important minutes this season.”
Two years ago, they were sophomores on an upstart West squad that rode its sixth seed out of District One to the second round of the state tournament where – after knocking off District 3 runner-up Central York – the Bucks fell to eventual state champion Roman Catholic.
“This year’s seniors were involved two years ago, so now it’s their chance,” Sherman said. “This team, from that experience, I think it lit a fire under them. They really invested their time to try and get back to that level.”
This year’s squad has experienced both the agony and the ecstasy of the win-or-go-home postseason. Last year, the Bucks were upset by Hatboro-Horsham in double overtime in an opening round game.
“For them to get to this level this year and learn from their mistakes last year, it’s so exciting,” Sherman said. “They are a dedicated group.”
That dedication was underscored last summer when Reichwein was sidelined with a broken foot.
“Jake wasn’t able to play with us much in the offseason, but he traveled with the team to summer league games just to watch and be a part of it and be a good teammate,” Sherman said. “There aren’t many kids that would drive an hour or an hour and a half to a spring or summer league game and not play just to show he wanted to be part of the family.”
Reichwein – who has signed a letter of intent to continue his football career at Holy Cross – had a built-in excuse to take a break from the basketball team while he was injured. That, however, was never a consideration.
“I want to see my guys win,” Reichwein said. “We have a really good connection. I went to as many games as I could. They certainly got a lot better this summer.”
The end result is a trip to Temple, giving Reichwein, whose brother Cal was a senior on the 2016 squad, bragging rights at the family dinner table.
“There’s always a little friendly competition, but he’s cheering us on,” the Bucks’ senior forward said.
Central Bucks West will take on Plymouth Whitemarsh at Temple on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
#1-1 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH vs. #1-4 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST at Temple University (Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.)
Plymouth Whitemarsh
- 26-0 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champion for fifth consecutive year
- Defeated #4 CB West 62-41 in SOL Tournament title game
- Defeated #6 Pennridge 79-55 in SOL Tournament semifinals
- No. 19 in the latest USA Today rankings
- Winners of five consecutive SOL American Conference titles
- Led by senior guards Ahmad and Ahmin Williams, Ish Horn and Danny Cooper, as well as senior forward Alan Glover and 7-foot-3 junior center Naheem McLeod
- The Colonials have won 50 straight games at home
How they got here: In Friday’s quarterfinal contest, Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated #8 Upper Darby 70-58. The Colonials, who trailed by one heading into the fourth quarter, outscored their visitors 23-10 to close out the game. Ish Horn’s 27 points led the Colonials. Ahmad Williams added 12.
In a second round game, Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated #16 Bensalem 71-40, outscoring the Owls 44-18 in the second half. Naheem McLeod (19 points), Ish Horn (18), Alan Glover (12) and Ahmin Williams (11) all finished the game in double figures.
Opening round bye.
Central Bucks West
- 21-5 overall
- 10-2 SOL Continental Conference champion
- Lost to #1 PW 62-41 in SOL Tournament title game
- Defeated #2 Abington 53-43 in SOL Tournament semifinals
- Led by senior G/F Collin MacAdams (14.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 apg), senior G Shane McCusker (8.9 ppg), senior F Jake Reichwein (8.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and junior G Jack Mulhearn (7.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg)
- Bucks have won 13 of their last 14 games
How they got here: In a quarterfinal game Friday, Central Bucks West defeated #5 Coatesville 48-41, limiting the high-scoring Red Raiders to their lowest offensive output of the season. Collin MacAdams, back in the lineup after recuperating from mononucleosis, led the Bucks with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Jack Mulhearn and Mika Munari each had nine points.
In a second round game, Central Bucks West opened up a 24-8 lead after one quarter and went on to defeat #20 Central Bucks East 64-55. Jack Mulhearn led the Bucks with 17 points while Jack Neri, Jake Reichwein and Shane McCusker each added 11 points.
Opening round bye
#1-2 ABINGTON vs. #1-3 LOWER MERION at Temple University (Tuesday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m.)
Abington
- 20-5 overall
- 12-0 SOL National Conference champion
- Defending District One 6A champion
- Lost to #4 CB West in SOL Tournament semifinals (with Eric Dixon sidelined), snapping a six-game win streak
- Led by junior forward Eric Dixon (24.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg), senior point guard Robbie Heath (18.5 ppg) and junior G/F Lucas Monroe (13.1 ppg)
- Heath and Dixon are the third- and fourth-leading scorers in school history
- The Ghosts are looking to capture their third district title in the last four seasons
How they got here: In Friday night’s quarterfinal round, Abington defeated #7 Norristown 57-43. Eric Dixon’s 23-point effort led the Ghosts, who had a four-point lead at halftime and then outscored the Eagles 29-19 in the second half. Lucas Monroe had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with six assists.
In a second round contest, Abington upended #18 Neshaminy 71-41. Eric Dixon, who returned to the lineup after sitting out the SOL Tournament with an injury, led the Ghosts with 18 points. Robbie Heath added 12 and JP Nolan and Lucas Monroe (6 assists) each added 11 points.
Opening round bye
Lower Merion
- 22-4 overall
- 14-3 Central League second place behind Penncrest
- Defeated Penncrest 48-46 to win the Central League title.
- Eighth straight state berth is longest streak in District One 6A
- Regular season wins over #8 Upper Darby (87-66, 55-44), #9 Garnet Valley (77-69, 75-68) and #18 Neshaminy (73-64) as well as Class 5A #1 Penncrest 67-59
How they got here: In a quarterfinal game Friday, Lower Merion defeated #6 Pennridge 63-39. The Aces, who buried 10 threes, were led by the 21-point effort of Steve Payne. Jack Forrest (19 points) and Harrison Klevan (11 points) also finished in double figures.
In a second round contest, Lower Merion defeated #14 Conestoga 76-69. Five players scored and all five finished in double figures – Jack Forrest (23), Darryl Taylor (14), Steve Payne (14), Harrison Klevan (13) and Josh Martin (12).
Opening round bye
6A Playbacks
#1-7 NORRISTOWN at #1-6 PENNRIDGE (Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.)
Pennridge
- 18-7 overall
- 9-3 SOL Continental, second place
- Lost to #1 PW 79-55 in SOL Tournament semifinals
- Led by junior G Sean Yoder (16.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg), senior F Tyrese Lewis (11.0 ppg), junior PF/C Jonathan Post (11.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), sophomore F Jake Pestrak, senior Mike Molettiere (leading three-point shooter)
How they got here: In Friday’s quarterfinal contest, Pennridge fell to #3 Lower Merion 63-39. Tyrese Lewis led the Rams with 16 points.
In a second round contest, Pennridge edged #20 North Penn 43-41. Guards Sean Yoder (13 points) and Ryan Warner (12 points) led the Rams.
Opening round bye
Norristown
- 17-8 overall
- 8-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division regular season champions
- Fell to Spring-Ford 44-43 in overtime in a PAC semifinal contest.
- Eagles average 53.3 points a game while allowing 46.2
- Balanced attack features Mikeel Allen (12.6 ppg), Vernon Tubbs (11.8 ppg), Tyler Lyons (8.7 ppg), Marcus Sanford (7.3 ppg) and Darius Hopewell (6.5 ppg)
How they got here: In Friday’s quarterfinal round, Norristown fell to #2 Abington 57-43. Leading the Eagles was Vernon Tubbs with 13 points.
In second round action, Norristown defeated #23 Perkiomen Valley 50-41. Darius Hopewell and Marcus Sanford both scored 12 while Vernon Tubbs and Mikeel Allen each added 10.
Opening round bye
#1-16 BENSALEM at #1-12 DOWNINGTOWN EAST (Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.)
Bensalem
- 16-9 overall
- 7-5 SOL National Conference, third place
- Led by Ward Roberts (14.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 spg) and James Leible (11.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
How they got here: In Friday’s playback, Bensalem downed #24 Downingtown West 48-40. Leading the Owls were Ward Roberts (16 points), Kris Shields (14 points) and James Leible (10 points).
In second round action, Bensalem fell to #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh 71-40 after trailing by just five (27-22) at halftime. Ward Roberts led the Owls with 18 points.
In opening round action, Bensalem defeated 17th-seeded Pennsbury 58-55 in overtime, thanks to a Kris Shields 3-pointer at the buzzer of OT. Shields scored a game-high 22 points while Ward Roberts (14 points) and James Leible (11 points) also finished in double figures. The Owls connected on 16-of-20 from the foul line.
Downingtown East
- 17-8 overall
- 8-4 Ches-Mont National Division third place
- Led offensively by Malik Slay (18.0 ppg) and Andrew King (12.0 ppg)
- The Cougars, who have the most wins in program history, earned the program’s first district playoff win with their opening round win over Penn Wood.
How they got here: In a playback game on Saturday, Downingtown East downed #20 Central Bucks East 86-70 in a shootout. Tariq Kalim’s 31 points led the Cougars. Andrew King added 17 points and Malik Slay, 14.
In second round action, Downingtown East fell to #5 Coatesville. Malik Slay led the Cougars with 22 points.
In an opening round game, Downingtown East defeated #21 Penn Wood 51-31. Senior Nate Robinson scored 12 of his career-high 15 points in the second half. Malik Slay added 14 points.
#1-18 NESHAMINY at #1-14 CONESTOGA (Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.)
Neshaminy
- 15-9 overall
- 7-5 SOL National Conference, tied third place
- Led by Division-I recruit senior Chris Arcidiacono (25.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg), senior Anthony Papeo (10.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, D-III recruit), Danny Bodine (8.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, D-III recruit) and senior Charles Dominick (8.0 ppg)
- Redskins finished the regular season with a winning record for the first time since 2011
- Arcidiacono, younger brother of former Villanova University star and current Chicago Bulls guard Ryan, reached the 1,000-point club earlier this season. He also scored a school-record 43 points in a 71-70 overtime win over Truman on Feb. 6.
How they got here: In a playback game Friday, Neshaminy kept its season alive with a 70-60 win over #1-23 Perkiomen Valley. Chris Arcidiacono’s 37-point performance – which included a 14-for-14 effort at the foul line – led the ‘Skins. Danny Bodine scored a career-high 20 points.
In a second round game, Neshaminy fell to #2 Abington 71-41. Chris Arcidiacono (12 points) and Anthony Papeo (10 points) led the Redskins.
In an opening round game, Neshaminy edged 15th-seeded Central Bucks South 50-47, staging a late rally for the come-from-behind win. Chris Arcidiacono led the ‘Skiins with 25 points, connecting on 15-of-16 from the foul line. Anthony Papeo added 10 and Charles Dominick had nine.
Conestoga
- 17-8 overall
- 10-6 Central League
- Regular season wins over #3 Lower Merion (62-57, 65-61) and #6 Pennridge (59-51).
How they got here: In Friday’s playback contest, Conestoga defeated #22 North Penn 62-54. Leading the Pioneers were Shane Scott (18 points), Zach Lezanic (15 points) and Milton Robinson (14 points).
In second round action, Conestoga fell to #3 Lower Merion 76-69. Milton Robinson led the way with 25 points. Also finishing in double figures were Zach Lezanic (13 points), Charlie Schappell (11) and Shane Scott (10 points).
In the opening round, Conestoga upset #14 Cheltenham 56-54 in overtime. Milton Robinson led the Pioneers with 18 points. Zach Lezanic added 13.
CLASS 5A
#1-4 WISSAHICKON vs. #1-1 PENNCREST at Temple University (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.)
Wissahickon
- 18-6 overall
- 11-3 SOL American Conference, second place
- Led by senior G Max Rapoport (16.0 ppg), junior G Eddie Fortescue (15.0 ppg) and senior G/F Zach Reiner (11.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 7.0 apg)
- Fell to Penncrest 60-56 in last year’s District One 5A quarterfinals.
How they got here: In Saturday’s second round, Wissahickon defeated #5 Great Valley 55-48. Max Rapoport led the Trojans with 15 points and five steals. Carmen Ostroski added 10 points.
In an opening round game, Wissahickon defeated #13 Strath Haven 67-48. Zach Reiner led the Trojans with 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting. He also had eight assists and five rebounds. Also finishing in double figures were Max Rapoport (13 points), Eddie Fortescue (12) and Anthony Lawrence (10).
Penncrest
- 23-3 overall
- 14-2 Central League
- Lions fell to Lower Merion 48-46 in the Central League title game
- Defending District One 5A champions
- Led by 5-9 senior Tyler Norwood, the school’s all-time leading scorer with more than 1,500 points. He averages close to 22 points a game.
- Two of Lions’ three losses came at the hands of Class 6A #2 Lower Merion
How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal, Penncrest opened up a 27-13 halftime lead and never looked back on its way to a 57-31 win over #9 Holy Ghost Prep. Tyler Norwood’s 18 points led the way. Malcolm Williams added 10 points.
In an opening round game, Penncrest opened up a 25-10 halftime lead on its way to a 53-27 win over #16 Upper Moreland. Leading the Lions were Tyler Norwood (20 points) and Malcolm Williams (10 points).
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