Scott Huff’s SOL Boys’ Basketball Notebook features CR North, Pennridge and Upper Moreland.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennridge Rams
Pennridge head coach Dean Behrenswatched his talented Rams (13-3, 7-1) lose for just the third time this season in a heartbreaking 50-48 loss to unbeaten Plymouth Whitemarsh (15-0, 8-0) in the marquee game of the Suburban One League challenge last Saturday night.
“We had our chances to win a game against a team that most likely will be the number one seed in the district playoffs,” said Behrens. “It was a great game for the fans – and it was played in a great atmosphere at PW.
“After the game was over – nobody said a word for the hour long bus ride home,” added Behrens. “The players know all about power points – and they felt that we lost out on a great chance to beat a great team.
“We have some tough games coming up this week in our league,” continued Beherns as the Rams host first place Central Bucks West (8-0) on Tuesday and travel to play dangerous Central Bucks South (5-3) on Friday. “But if we played like we played against Plymouth Whitemarsh we should be okay.”
The okay part of the Pennridge season this year has revolved around the superlative play of seniors Dan Long and Max Wagner. Now you can add senior Devon Balmer to the equation – along with Ryan Cuthbert, Kyle Yoder, and Steve Lowry.
“Devon stepped up and played a great game against Plymouth Whitemarsh,” said Behrens. “He hit some three pointers and gave us a chance.
“Dan and Max also played great against PW, but they have played great all season,” added Behrens. “We won’t have any easy games the rest of the season. It is very hard to beat teams twice in the same season – and everyone is going to have to step up and play well.”
SOL Continental Conference Standings
1. Central Bucks West Bucks 8 0
2. Pennridge Rams 7 1
3. Central Bucks South Titans 5 3
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 5 3
5. Central Bucks East Patriots 3 5
6. North Penn Knights 2 6
Souderton Indians 2 6
8. Quakertown Panthers 0 8
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Tuesday (1/19/16)
Central Bucks East @ North Penn
Central Bucks West @ Pennridge
Central Bucks South @ Hatboro-Horsham
Souderton @ QuakertownFriday (1/22/16)
Hatboro-Horsham @ Central Bucks East
Souderton @ Central Bucks West
Pennridge @ Central Bucks South
Quakertown @ North Penn
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock North head coach Derek Wright and his Indians (7-8, 5-3) are in playoff mode as the conference season rushes to a close.
“We are going to have to string some wins together if we want to make the playoffs,” said Wright. “This week might be the first week all season that we have been healthy. We have a lot of missed games by key players due to sickness and injuries.
“We get Pennsbury on Tuesday – and we will learn a lot about our team by playing a team with a good record,” added Wright of the Falcons (10-5, 6-2). “It is a good opportunity for our team to take control of our season. We have to come into the game with a good mindset that we can compete with the teams in our league.
“Every team in our league knows each other so well – anything really can happen – and each game has its own personality,” added Wright. “We just have to go out each game and play hard and play smart.”
The Indians have been led all season by a pair of seniors – Will Desautelle and Riley Thompson.
“Will has been our leader both on offense and defense,” said Wright. “Whenever we need a big play – Will seems to make it.
“Riley is coming off a football injury and is finally getting healthy,” added Wright. “Riley and the supporting cast are very important to how we finish the season.”
SOL National Conference Standings
1. Abington Ghosts 7 1
2. Pennsbury Falcons 6 2
3. Council Rock North Indians 5 3
4. Council Rock South Hawks 4 4
Harry S Truman Tigers 4 4
6. Bensalem Owls 3 5
7. William Tennent Panthers 2 6
8. Neshaminy Redskins 1 7
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Tuesday (1/19/16)
Abington @ Neshaminy
Council Rock North @ Pennsbury
Bensalem @ Council Rock South
Harry S Truman @ William Tennent
Thursday (1/21/16)
Council Rock South @ Abington
Pennsbury @ Bensalem
William Tennent @ Neshaminy
Friday (1-22/16)
Harry S Truman @ Council Rock North
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Moreland head coach Matt Heiland knew before the season that his young Golden Bears would have a ticket to ride a roller coaster.
“I really thought – with the way the schedule was set up – that this could be a streaky group,” said Heiland. “I knew that there were going to be times this year when we had some success – and I also knew that there might be times that we would have some tough times.”
The success came with a five-game winning streak that included consecutive wins over Wissahickon, Harry S Truman, Upper Dublin, Springfield, and Franklin Charter. The tough times came in a seven-game losing streak that included consecutive losses to Jenkintown, Cheltenham, Norristown, Central Bucks South, Upper Merion, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Bensalem.
“We get back into the league with games against teams we were able to beat in the first half of the season, and our goal is to start another winning streak,” said Heiland. “Right now it is all about getting ourselves in position to get into the playoffs.”
Upper Moreland is a Class AAA school that owns an overall mark of 7-9 and a SOL American Conference record of 3-5.
“All we want to do is get into the playoff field,” said Heiland. “In the postseason anything can happen – and if we can win some games, we could stay close to .500 and maybe get a home game.”
Upper Moreland has been led this season by senior Brendan O’Donnell.
“Brendan is a 32-minute a game player,” said Heiland. “His leadership and experience has been a huge help with a very young team. He is such a dynamite person – a great kid.
“Brendan has done a lot for the development of (junior) Shane Stone, (junior) Casey Decker, and (sophomore) Ryan Coyle,” added Heiland. “Despite the losing streak – we’re a much better team now than we were a month ago. I really believe that.”
SOL American Conference Standings
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 8 0
2. Cheltenham Panthers 7 1
3. Upper Dublin Cardinals 4 4
4. Upper Merion Vikings 4 4
5. Norristown Eagles 3 5
Upper Moreland Bears 3 5
Wissahickon Trojans 3 5
8. Springfield Spartans 0 8
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Tuesday (1/19/16)
Cheltenham @ Upper Dublin
Upper Merion @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Wissahickon @ Upper Moreland
Norristown @ Springfield
Friday (1/22/16)
Springfield @ Cheltenham
Wissahickon @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Upper Moreland @ Upper Dublin
Upper Merion @ Norristown
Suburban One Sports.com
Super SiX
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (15-0, 8-0)
2. Abington Ghosts (12-3, 7-1)
3. Central Bucks West Bucks (14-2, 8-0)
4. Pennridge Rams (13-3, 7-1)
5. Cheltenham Panthers (12-3, 7-1)
6. Pennsbury Falcons (10-5, 6-2)
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