Scott Huff’s notebook features CB East, CR North and Upper Moreland and also recaps Friday’s SOL openers.
By Scott Huff
The 2014-2015 Suburban One League basketball season is under way with a ‘host’ of teams defending conference championships.
The SOL Continental Conference has an astounding four teams defending a conference title. Pennridge (15-8, 9-5), Central Bucks South (13-10, 9-5), Central Bucks East (12-11, 9-5), and North Penn (11-12, 9-5) all were knotted at the top of the standings in 2013-2014.
The SOL National Conference has a single defending champion. Abington (14-0, 25-6) won the conference with an unbeaten conference record, while Pennsbury (23-6, 12-2) was a strong second place finisher in 2013-2014.
The SOL American Conference also has a single defending champion. Plymouth Whitemarsh (20-5, 13-1) won the conference, while the Cheltenham Panthers (11-11, 11-3) finished as the runner-up in 2013-2014.
To date there are four teams with unbeaten overall records in the 2014-2015 season – Central Bucks West (5-0), Abington (4-0), Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-0), and Council Rock North (3-0).
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks East Patriots
The good news for Central Bucks East is that the Patriots have marched to a 4-1 record so far this season with victories over Lincoln (45-27), Bensalem (39-33), Upper Dublin (57-49), and New Foundations (61-50). The bad news is the only loss came in its lone SOL Continental Conference game – a 52-29 setback against Pennridge.
“We didn’t play well at all against Pennridge, but we were fortunate to have a game the next night against New Foundations and played well,” said Central Bucks East head coach Erik Henrysen. “We are playing a lot of games early in the year – and we haven’t had too many practices. But we have been winning – so we tweaked some things and have learned a lot during games.
“It looks like our league is going to very competitive again this year,” added Henrysen reminded that the SOL Continental Conference had quad-champions last season. “Most of the teams in our league have gotten off to good starts this year, and every game is going to be a challenge.”
The Patriots have been led during the early going by junior Tommy Strasburger, junior Blake Peterson, and junior Justin O’Neil.
“There is no secret that Tommy is our guy offensively,” said Henrysen. “And the good thing about his play is not only can he score – but he can get the ball to other people when teams focus on him.
“Blake has the size and length to control the middle of the floor,” added Henrysen in reference to his 6-foot, 7-inch center. “And Justin has developed into quite a good defensive player.
“We will be getting Travis Ives back from injury soon, and that is going to help,” continued Henrysen. “And we have been getting contributions from some of the other players.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Pennridge opened the conference season with a 52-29 victory over Central Bucks East. The Rams were led in scoring by Joe Molettiere with 18 points, while Dan Long scored in double digits with 13 points.
Central Bucks South opened the conference season with a 62-53 victory over North Penn. The Titans were led in scoring by Chris Hones with a game-high 16 points, while Sean Gallagher scored in twin digits with 13 points.
Central Bucks West opened the conference season with a 57-47 victory over Quakertown. The Bucks were led in scoring by Cal Reichwein with a team-high 11 points.
Souderton opened its conference season with a 44-30 victory over Hatboro-Horsham. The Indians were led in scoring by Evan Slone with a game-high 18 points, while Tim Markow also scored in double figures with 15 points.
Central Bucks East opened the conference season with a 52-29 loss to Pennridge. The Patriots were led in scoring by Tommy Strasburger with a team-high eight points.
North Penn opened the conference season with a 62-53 loss to CB South. The Knights were led in scoring by Cordell Lord with a team-high 12 points, while Joe Richards scored in twin digits with 10 points.
Quakertown opened the conference season with a 57-47 loss to Central Bucks West. The Panthers were led in scoring by Kevin Norvaisis and Brian Rejniak who each scored 16 points.
Hatboro-Horsham opened the conference season with a 44-30 loss to Souderton. The Hatters were led in scoring by Walt Kimble who scored a team-high 15 points.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Tuesday (12/16/14)
*Central Bucks West (5-0, 1-0) @ Pennridge (3-1, 1-0)*
Central Bucks East (4-1, 0-1) @ North Penn (1-4, 0-1)
Central Bucks South (3-1, 1-0) @ Hatboro-Horsham (2-1, 0-1)
Quakertown (1-2, 0-1) @ Souderton (2-3, 1-0)
Friday (12/18/14)
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Central Bucks East Patriots
*Pennridge Rams @ Central Bucks South Titans*
Souderton Indians @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Quakertown Panthers @ North Penn Knights
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock North head coach Derek Wright wanted to challenge his team early in the season with a quality non-conference opponent – and the Indians were up to the challenge with a 48-37 victory over Hazelton on Saturday.
“I was pleased with way that we played against a program with the great reputation that Hazelton has earned over the years,” said Wright. “It was a hard fought game – and a game that has to help us down the road with mental toughness.
“We were able to make free throws under pressure,” added Wright as CRN scored 23 fourth period points – 17 from the foul line – to secure the win. “And when you can make those free throws under pressure, it helps you win games. That was great thing to see at this point in the season.”
Rock North has been led in the early going by senior Matt Margolis and junior Riley Thompson. And the Nowmos brothers – Steve and Tyler – have also been huge contributors.
“The ball has been in the hands of Matt and Riley a lot so far,” said Wright. “And they have been strong with the ball and have made good decisions.
“And both Steve and Tyler have come up with some key plays for us,” added Wright. “They have both made big free throws and have been solid defensively.”
Unbeaten Council Rock North – which is 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference – will have a huge task Tuesday (12/16/14) as the Indians travel to Pennsbury (2-2, 0-1) to meet the talented Falcons.
“Playing at Pennsbury is never an easy place to play,” said Wright. “And it is going to be exciting to see how we handle that pressure against an excellent team.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Council Rock North opened its conference season with a 56-37 victory over William Tennent. The Indians were led in scoring by Riley Thompson and Matt Margolis who each scored a team-high 16 points.
Abington opened its conference season with a huge 58-57 victory over Pennsbury. The Ghosts were led in scoring by Amir Hinton with 16 points, while Matt Penecale scored in double figures with 14 points.
Neshaminy opened its conference season with a 49-46 victory over Bensalem. The Redskins were led in scoring by Shammond Thomas with a team-high nine points.
Council Rock South opened its conference season with a 54-50 victory over Truman. The Golden Hawks were led in scoring by Dan Buchnik with 14 points, while Matt Stewart (13) and Austin Thomas (11) also scored in twin digits.
William Tennent opened its conference season with a 56-37 loss to Council Rock North. The Panthers were led in scoring by John Ryan with a game-high 17 points, while Kevin Simonsen added 11 points.
Pennsbury opened its conference season with a 58-57 loss to Abington. The Falcons were led in scoring by Mekhi Bryant with a game-high 19 points, while Juan Perez Jones (12) and Cameron Jones (11) also scored in double figures.
Bensalem opened the conference season with a 49-46 loss to Neshaminy. The Owls were led in scoring by Nick Mulvey with a game-high 14 points, while Neel Patel scored in double digits with 12 points.
Truman opened its conference season with a 54-50 loss to Council Rock South. The Tigers were led in scoring by TyQuan Law with a game-high 14 points, while Lucas Waters scored in twin digits with 12 points.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Tuesday (12/16/14)
Abington (4-0, 1-0) @ Neshaminy Redskins (2-1, 1-0)
Bensalem (0-4, 0-1) @ Council Rock South (2-2, 1-0)
*Council Rock North (3-0, 1-0) @ Pennsbury (2-2, 0-1)*
Harry S Truman (1-2, 0-1) @ William Tennent (1-4, 0-1)
Friday (12/18/14)
Pennsbury Falcons @ Bensalem Owls
*Council Rock South Golden Hawks @ Abington Ghosts*
William Tennent Panthers @ Neshaminy Redskins
Harry S Truman Tigers @ Council Rock North Indians
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Moreland was smack middle of the SOL American Conference lions’ den playing its conference opener at Plymouth Whitemarsh – and at halftime the Bears were tied with the mighty Colonials 25-25.
“We played very relaxed with nothing to lose in the first half – the kids had fun,” said first-year Upper Moreland head coach Matt Heiland. “We proved we could play with an excellent team in the first half – but then we had to play the second half.”
Upper Moreland – which won two straight games over William Tennent (45-37) and Chestnut Hill (49-42) going into the PW game – was outscored 30-10 in the second half. The final score would become a deceiving 55-35.
“We obviously are not satisfied with a 20-point loss – our expectation every game is to win,” said Heiland who was an Upper Moreland assistant coach for the last four years. “We have goals to accomplish – and losing to PW does nothing to keep us from getting those goals.
“Our team focus is to work toward making the next play,” added Heiland. “We have Wissahickon next – and we want to play well in that game.”
Senior James Martin has been playing well thus far in the young season.
“James plays the game with 100 percent heart, and we will go as far as he can take us,” said Heiland. “He is the only player still remaining from our district championship team two years ago – and he knows what it takes to win.
“We know that we play in a difficult league, but we will make no excuses,” added Heiland. “We want to play in the AAA playoffs at the end of the season – but we also want to show that we can play with the big boys in our league.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Upper Dublin opened its conference season with a 45-44 victory over Norristown. The Flying Cardinals were led in scoring by John Barrett with a team-high 12 points, while Simeon Fryer and Will Derr each scored 11 points.
Wissahickon opened its conference season with a 53-44 victory over Springfield. The Trojans were led in scoring by Todd Bentley with a game-high 16 points, while Stephen Driscoll (12) and Brandon Pace (10) also scored in twin digits.
Plymouth Whitemarsh opened its conference season with a 55-35 victory over Upper Moreland. The Colonials were led in scoring by Xzavier Malone with a game-high 16 points, while Jimmy Murray (13) and Andre Mitchell (12) also scored in double figures.
Cheltenham opened its conference season with a 69-55 victory over Upper Merion. The Panthers were led in scoring by Khalil White with a game-high 19 points, while Fatir Al-Ahad (14), Anthony White (11), and Maurice Valentine (10) also scored in double digits.
Norristown opened its conference season with a 45-44 loss to Upper Dublin. The Eagles were led in scoring by Roy Green with a game-high 16 points, while Darryl Carr scored in twin digits with 12 points.
Springfield opened its conference season with a 53-44 loss to Wissahickon. The Spartans were led in scoring by Justin Hill with a team-high nine points.
Upper Moreland opened its conference season with a 55-35 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh. The Golden Bears were led in scoring by James Martin with a team-high 12 points.
Upper Merion opened its conference season with a 69-55 loss to Cheltenham. The Vikings were led in scoring by Matt Faw who scored a game-high 21 points.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Tuesday (12/16/14)
*Cheltenham (1-4, 1-0) @ Upper Dublin (2-2, 1-0)*
Norristown (1-2, 0-1) @ Springfield (1-3, 0-1)
Plymouth Whitemash (4-0, 1-0) @ Upper Merion (0-4, 0-1)
Wissahickon Trojans (1-1, 1-0) @ Upper Moreland (2-2, 0-1)
Friday (12/18/14)
Upper Merion Vikings @ Norristown Eagles
Springfield Spartans @ Cheltenham Panthers
*Wissahickon Trojans @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials*
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
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