This week’s notebook features Springfield, North Penn and Bensalem and recaps the holiday tournament action.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Springfield Spartans
Springfield head coach Gary Nolan is in his first year as coach of the Spartans after a 15-year stint as an assistant coach for Holy Ghost Prep.
“I still teach math at Holy Ghost Prep, but I live in Springfield and feel that I am a part of this community,” said Nolan. “The transition to me being the head coach has been good so far for everyone. The players are beginning to know the things that I expect, and we are trying to build something here.
“When I came here, I didn’t expect to go undefeated,” added Nolan. “We are the smallest team in the league – and the challenge for us to win is a big one. Wins and losses are always there – but our goal is to build a program and continue to show improvement.”
That improvement was on full display in a scheduling quirk that saw the Spartans play consecutive games against Upper Moreland.
The Spartans lost badly to the Bears 44-23 in a scheduled SOL American Conference game – and turned around six days later and defeated Upper Moreland 33-30 in the Christopher Dock Holiday Tournament.
“We really don’t have a big scorer,” said Nolan. “If you look at our box score, you see that we get scoring from different players – teams can’t focus on just one player.
“Justin Hill, Ryan Daley, Brendan Dugan, Christian Yoast, and Sean Stovall have all played well,” continued Nolan. “Each of them have stepped up and had good games.”
Springfield (2-8) will have its hands full when the Spartans begin SOL American Conference play this week when the Spartans host unbeaten Plymouth Whitemarsh (10-0) on Tuesday (1/6/15).
“PW is a program that has 4-A district and state championships,” said Nolan. “And that is where we want to go (on the 2-A level).”
SOL American Conference Holiday Tournament Performances
Plymouth Whitemarshremained unbeaten with a trio of tremendously impressive wins over the break. The Colonials won both of their games in the prestigious Pete & Jameer Nelson Holiday Classic with victories over Friends Central (58-55) and Chester (72-70). PW also collected an exciting 67-64 overtime victory over George Washington in a non-league game.
Cheltenham also collected a pair of wins in the Pete & Jameer Nelson Holiday Classic with wins over both the Academy of the New Church (56-52) and Glen Mills (66-59).
Upper Dublin won the Great Valley Holiday Tournament with wins over Harriton (63-53) and host Great Valley (62-51).
Springfield split its pair of games in the Christopher Dock Holiday Tournament. The Spartans defeated Upper Moreland 33-30 and lost in the championship final to Christopher Dock 49-42.
Wissahickon splits its pair of games in the Wissahickon Holiday Tournament. The Trojans defeated Council Rock South 56-40 and followed with a 45-40 loss in the championship final to Souderton. Wissahickon also lost a non-league game to Penn Wood – 63-45.
Upper Merionwon its first game of the season with a 39-31 victory over KIPP Academy in the Deb Recupido Memorial Tournament. The Vikings lost to host Neshaminy 52-36 in the tournament opener. Upper Merion also lost a non-league game to Radnor – 52-40.
Norristown lost both games in the 41st Annual Triangle Club Tournament. The Eagles lost to Susquehanna Township (76-55) and Central (62-53).
Upper Moreland lost both games in the Christopher Dock Holiday Tournament. The Golden Bears lost to Springfield (33-30) and followed with a loss to Upper Perkiomen (43-42).
SOL American Conference Standings
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (10-0 overall, 4-0 conference)
2. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (6-3, 3-1)
Wissahickon Trojans (5-4, 3-1)
Norristown Eagles (4-4, 3-1)
5. Cheltenham Panthers (4-6. 2-2)
6. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (4-6. 1-3)
7. Springfield Spartans (2-8, 0-4)
Upper Merion Vikings (1-9, 0-4)
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Tuesday (1/06/15)
Cheltenham Panthers @ Upper Moreland Bears
Norristown Eagles @ Wissahickon Trojans
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Springfield Spartans
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Upper Merion Vikings
Friday (1/09/15)
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Cheltenham Panthers
Norristown Eagles @ Upper Moreland Bears
Springfield Spartans @ Upper Merion Vikings
Wissahickon Trojans @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
North Penn Knights
North Penn was one of four teams that tied for the SOL Continental Conference title last year, and head coach John Conrad expects another battle at the top of the standings this year.
“Pennridge and Souderton are the front runners right now, but there is a lot that can happen this year,” said Conrad. “What makes the conference so interesting is the way that the teams play the game.
“Pennridge is the team that likes to play the most up-tempo – and they have great chemistry and five good athletes,” added Conrad. “We like to keep the game in the 40’s and 50’s – and so does Souderton, Hatboro, and Quakertown. CB West and CB South can really play both styles, and every game is a challenge.”
The Knight players have accepted that challenge and began their holiday break by notching a pair of wins at the Perkiomen Valley Holiday Shootout. North Penn defeated the host Vikings 54-51 and followed that with a 62-58 win over Methacton.
“We have been playing much better – and those were two really good teams,” said Conrad. “We have played the last few games without our point guard Cordell Lord (injury), and we have moved (6-foot, 6-inch) Joey Richards to the point and he has done an outstanding job. He has a great work ethic and is very smart – and when he moves to the college level, he wants to play outside.
“Jared Melone is such a gamer and scores inside for us,” added Conrad of his 6-foot senior. “I’ve never been accused of being too bright – but right now we have a 6-6 point guard and a 6-0 inside player.
“Kyle Hulmes has really come on and has scored some big points for us,” continued Conrad. “He could always get to the rim – and he really has improved his jump shot.”
North Penn will have a huge conference week in front of them when the Knights travel to Pennridge on Tuesday (1/6/15) and host Souderton on Friday (1/9/15).
SOL Continental Conference Holiday Tournament Performances
Pennridge collected its third straight Boyertown Christmas Tournament trophy with wins over Governor Mifflin (79-70) and Boyertown (68-52). The Rams also won a non-league win over Christopher Dock – 75-52.
Souderton won the Wissahickon Holiday Tournament with victories over both Father Judge (48-45) and Wissahickon (45-40). The Indians also collected a non-league win over Perkiomen Valley (60-47).
North Penn won the Perkiomen Valley Holiday Tournament with a pair of wins over Perkiomen Valley (54-51) and Methacton (62-58).
Central Bucks West captured an out-of-state tournament title as the Bucks won the Annapolis (Maryland) Holiday Tournament. West defeated both Patuxent (46-45) and Annapolis (55-40). CB West lost a non-league game to Methacton – 58-47.
Central Bucks South split its pair of games in the Athletes Helping Athletes Tournament. The Titans defeated host Council Rock North (52-47) and lost in the finals to St. Anthony’s of New York (53-52).
Quakertown split its pair of games in the Salisbury Holiday Tournament. The Panthers defeated Northampton (64-40) and lost in the finals to host Salisbury (51-40).
Central Bucks East lost both of its games in the Boardwalk Basketball Classic held in Wildwood, New Jersey. The Patriots lost to Schalick (NJ – 46-42) and lost in the consolation final to Farrell (NY – 52-44).
Hatboro-Horsham lost both of its games in the Cougar Holiday Classic held in Hazelton. The Hatters lost to Hazelton (56-51) and followed with a loss to Stroudsburg (52-44).
SOL Continental Conference Standings
1. Pennridge Rams (9-1 overall, 4-0 conference)
2. Souderton Indians (7-4, 3-1)
Central Bucks South Titans (6-4, 3-1)
4. Central Bucks West Bucks (8-3, 2-2)
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (5-3, 2-2)
North Penn Knights (6-5, 2-2)
7. Central Bucks East Patriots (4-7, 0-4)
Quakertown Panthers (3-6, 0-4)
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Tuesday (1/06/15)
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Quakertown Panthers
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Central Bucks South Titans @ Souderton Indians
North Penn Knights @ Pennridge Rams
Friday (1/09/15)
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Central Bucks East Patriots
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Pennridge Rams
Quakertown Panthers @ Central Bucks South Titans
Souderton Indians @ North Penn Knights
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Bensalem Owls
Bensalem began the season 0-6 – however, the Owls have soared to three wins in their last four games. Included in that streak was a tournament championship as Bensalem captured the Dick Dougherty Memorial Tournament with wins over both Roxborough and Bristol.
“We entered the season without a whole lot of varsity experience,” said Bensalem head coach John Mullin. “I think we are playing better now because the team is gaining that experience, and they are more comfortable playing with each other.
“During the losing streak at the beginning of the season, I kept telling the players to think we are 0-0,” added Mullin. “And now that we have won three of the last four – we still need to think that way. We have to take one game at a time.”
Bensalem has featured a balanced team with four players – Nick Mulvey, Avery Nyekan, Neel Patel, and Keith Howard each making significant contributions.
“Nick has been our most consistent scorer and can really get to the rim,” said Mullin. “And Avery is a two-year starter who is our leader and controls the tempo.
“Neel has shown the ability to score and has been a very solid defender,” added Mullin. “And Keith has been a powerful inside force for us.”
The Owls are winless in conference play, but Mullin can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“Abington and Pennsbury are without question the best teams in the league,” said Mullin. “But I really think third place is up for grabs. The other teams in the league might have a hard time with Abington and Pennsbury, but we should be very competitive with each other.”
SOL National Conference Holiday Tournament Performances
Pennsbury had an impressive holiday break with a trio of remarkable wins. The Falcons soared to a pair of wins in the Pete & Jameer Nelson Holiday Classic with victories over Atlantic City (NJ – 49-40) and Math, Civics, & Sciences (63-61). Pennsbury also won a non-league game over Holy Ghost Prep – 50-39.
Neshaminy won the Deb Recupido Memorial Tournament with wins over both Upper Merion (52-36) and Lincoln (46-41).
Bensalem won the Dick Dougherty Memorial Tournament with wins over both Roxborough (58-43) and Bristol (69-66).
Truman split its pair of games in the Holy Ghost Holiday Tournament. The Tigers defeated Holy Ghost Prep (56-52) and lost to Woodson (Va) in the championship final – 74-55.
Council Rock North split its pair of games in the Athletes Helping Athletes Tournament. The Indians defeated Spring-Ford (62-30) and lost to Central Bucks South (52-47). Rock North defeated Ben Franklin 63-58 in a non-league game.
Abington lost a pair of games in the Kobe Bryant Classic. The Ghosts lost to both St. Joe Prep (62-45) and host Lower Merion (73-57).
William Tennent lost a pair of games in the Unionville Holiday Tournament. The Panthers lost to both host Unionville (64-32) and to Kennett (65-53).
Council Rock South lost a pair of games in the Wissahickon Holiday Tournament. The Golden Hawks lost to both host Wissahickon (56-40) and to Father Judge (61-52).
SOL National Conference Standings
1. Abington Ghosts (7-3 overall, 4-0 conference)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (8-3, 3-1)
Council Rock North Indians (7-2, 3-1)
4. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (3-6, 2-2)
William Tennent Panthers (3-7, 2-2)
6. Truman Tigers (3-6, 1-3)
Neshaminy Redskins (4-4, 1-3)
8. Bensalem Owls (3-7, 0-4)
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Tuesday (1/06/15)
Abington Ghosts @ William Tennent Panthers
Neshaminy Redskins @ Pennsbury Falcons
Bensalem Owls @ Truman Tigers
CR North Indians @ CR South Hawks
Friday (1/09/15)
Council Rock South Hawks @ Pennsbury Falcons
Council Rock North Indians @ Abington Ghosts
Truman Tigers @ Neshaminy Redskins
William Tennent Panthers @ Bensalem Owls
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
2. Abington Ghosts
3. Pennsbury Falcons
4. Pennridge Rams
5. Council Rock North Indians
6. Souderton Indians
7. Central Bucks West Bucks
8. Upper Dublin Cardinals
9. Central Bucks South Titans
10. North Penn Knights
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