CLASS 5A
#1-5 WEST CHESTER RUSTIN 76, #1-12 UPPER MORELAND 63
The Golden Bears saw their season come to an end in Thursday’s opening round of the District 1 5A Tournament but not before giving everything they had against the fifth-seeded Golden Knights.
Junior Tyler Ibbotson had a huge night, scoring a game-high 24 points. Senior Christian O’Donnell added 14.
“We’re very proud of how this young team fought all year,” UM coach Sean Feeley said. “Christian O’Donnell was the only senior on this team and did a great job leading us all year.
“Tyler Ibbotson had a great night shooting the ball and a great year. We expect big things from Jahire Johnson, Beau Woollens and Byron Hopkins next year.”
Woolens added seven points while Hopkins and Johnson had six each.
Rustin was led by the 19-points effort of Ivy Pettit.
“We were beat tonight by a very good team who hit timely shots every time we made a run,” Feeley said. “Hats off to their coaches and players.”
Upper Moreland closed out its season with a 12-11 record (5-9 SOL)
Upper Moreland (63) – Byron Hopkins 6, Beau Woollens 7, Christian O’Donnell 14, Jourdan Gregg 2, Jahire Johnson 6, Matt Tiernan 2, Jake Tiernan 2, Tyler Ibbotson 24.
West Chester Rustin (76) – Bryce Pew 8, Taj Asparagus 13, Ivy Pettit 19, Drew Hickson 14, Jack Batchelor 9, Charlie Reinnheimer 2, Jacob Barksdale 11.
CLASS 4A
#1-2 POPE JOHN PAUL II 66, #1-3 SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 60
The Spartans hung tough but came up just short in Thursday’s district opener. They trailed by four after one quarter and three at the half.
Our guys came out nervous in the beginning and it showed," coach Chris Cole said. "Our big men missed their first three or four layups and missed four straight free throws, so instead of having 11 or 12 points we found our selves down 7-0.
"Once I called a timeout I let the guys know that even though this is a playoff game we still should treat it as a regular game, and that’s when they responded. Our bigs scored all eight of our points in the first quarter."
The Spartans tied the score in the third quarter only to watch PJP close out the quarter with a 14-6 run to go on top 44-36.
I must give credit to PJP coach as he prepared his defenders well," Cole said. "They were able to take our leading scorer, Jordan Pauls, out of his game, but that allowed our second leading scorer Wilson Krewson to dominate and take advantage of the guy defending him. Wilson was able to penetrate into the lane and hit our bigs with some great passes and finish through contact."
Krewson led the Spartans with a glittering 22-point effort. Zach Edmonds added 16.
"Going into this game the coaching staff knew that we must have a big game from at least one of our bigs and we were able to get that. Zach Edmonds played his best game of the year," Cole said. "He was able to muscle his way through defenders and finish a couple and one opportunities."
Springfield Township closed out its season with a 7-16 record.
"Overall, I am proud of the way my guys played and ended the season," Cole said. "Even though our goal was to become district champs, we still accomplished a lot this season.
"After being down 20 at halftime we won in overtime against Quakertown, after losing the night before to Abington by 39,This was the first Springfield team to beat Hatboro. They beat a Church Farm team that was 11-3 and two guys made the All-Suburban One team. Even though we only won one league game, I feel as though most of the teams respected and didn’t not underestimate us."
Springfield Township8-16-12-24 60
Pope John Paul II 12-15-17-22 66
Springfield Township (60) – Jordan Pauls 4, Jay Jay Joseph 3, Wilson Krewson 22, Ben Rittenhouse 7, Ethan Hamilton 6, Zach Edmonds 16, Max Perry 2.
Pope John Paul II (66) – Tyshyre Malachi 8, Chris White 13, Drew McKeon 16, Sean Bustynowicz 14, Justin Green 14.
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