Scott Huff features Upper Dublin, CB South and Bensalem in this week’s notebook.
By Scott Huff
The computations are finally complete and for 14 Suburban One League teams an invitation was presented for the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs.
The SOL American Conference champion Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials received the highest SOL seed (#2). Cheltenham (#13), Upper Merion (#15), and Upper Dublin (# 27) also will compete for a district title from the SOL American Conference.
The SOL Continental Conference champion Pennridge Rams received the high conference bid (# 5). Central Bucks West (#7), Central Bucks East (#17), Hatboro-Horsham (#25), Central Bucks South (#28), and North Penn (# 29) will also compete for a district title from the SOL Continental Conference.
The SOL National Conference champion Abington Ghosts received the highest conference invite (#6). Pennsbury (#16), Council Rock North (#24), and Bensalem (#32) will also compete for a district title from the SOL National Conference.
In the District One AAA playoffs, Upper Moreland is the sixth seed in the eight-team field. The Golden Bears will face third-seeded Holy Ghost Prep in an opening round game next Friday, Feb. 20.
The pairings are as follows:
SOL Teams in the Quad-A District One Playoffs
Friday – February 12, 2016
# 32 Bensalem Owls (11-11) @ # 1 Coatesville Red Raiders (21-1)
# 17 Central Bucks East Patriots (13-9) @ # 16 Pennsbury Falcons (15-7)
# 25 Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (11-11) @ # 8 Strath Haven Panthers (19-3)
# 24 Council Rock North Indians (13-9) @ # 9 Chester Clippers (16-6)
# 29 North Penn Knights (11-11) @ # 4 Ridley Green Raiders (21-1)
# 20 Perkiomen Valley Vikings (14-8) @ # 13 Cheltenham Panthers (16-6)
# 28 Central Bucks South Titans (10-12) @ # 5 Pennridge Rams (19-4)
# 31 Radnor Indians (11-11) @ # 2 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (20-2)
# 18 Academy Park Golden Knights (16-6) @ # 15 Upper Merion Vikings (16-6)
# 26 Downingtown East Cougars (12-10) @ # 7 Central Bucks West Bucks (19-4)
# 27 Upper Dublin Cardinals (11-11) @ # 6 Abington Ghosts (19-4)
And the beat goes on…
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Upper Dublin head coach Josh Adelman and his Flying Cardinals were anything but airborne at the outset of the season. And a landing spot in the District One Quad-A playoffs was anything but a likely destination.
“It took us a while to get started, but we hung in there,” said Adelman as Upper Dublin (11-11) began the season with a 1-7 record. “The seniors in this program have been in the program for four years – and they are battle tested.
“This was a team that kept plugging away and wanted a chance to play in the playoffs,” added Adelman as the Cardinals closed the season with four straight wins to earn the invitation. “Two years ago were we 33rd and missed districts – last year we were in – and the seniors wanted to get back this year.”
Two of the key players for the Cardinals are seniors John Barrett and Ryan Stover – and both Barrett and Stover were members of the successful UD football team that played into the month of December in state playoffs.
“We knew that once they got back into basketball shape we would be fine,” said Adelman. “If was just a matter of time – and whether we had enough time to have a successful basketball season.”
Upper Dublin earned a # 27 seed and will make the short bus ride to # 6 Abington for its first round district contest.
“It is just a hop, step, and a jump to get there – and we should have a nice crowd,” said Adelman. “Abington is always a nice rival in any sport that the two schools play.
“We scrimmaged them earlier this season – and they are very good,” added Adelman. “We’re excited to be playing anyone, really, in the playoffs.”
SOL Final American Conference Standings
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (20-2, 13-1)
2. Cheltenham Panthers (16-6, 10-4)
3. Upper Merion Vikings (16-6, 9-5)
4. Upper Dublin Cardinals (11-11, 7-7)
Norristown Eagles (10-12, 7-7)
6. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (9-13, 5-9)
Wissahickon Trojans (10-12, 5-9)
8. Springfield Spartans (3-19, 0-14)
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks South head coach Jason Campbell and his Titans (10-12) did not close out the regular season in the manner of a District One playoff team, but CB South is deservedly among the field of 32 that will compete for a district title.
“We play in a very competitive conference and we had a lot of close losses,” said Campbell as the Titans finished the season with a 1-6 record in their last seven games. “We had six of our teams make the playoffs – that shows how good our league was this year.
“We make sure that we play a tough non-league schedule,” added Campbell. “I believe that we had a strength of schedule that was either the fifth or sixth toughest in the district.”
CB South will face a familiar opponent in the first round as the # 28 seeded Titans square off with the # 5 seeded SOL Continental Conference champion – Pennridge (19-4). CB South lost both conference games to the Rams by scores of 61-46 and 49-36.
“There is no element of surprise for either team in preparing for this game,” said Campbell. “We know their strengths and weaknesses – and they know ours.
“We are going to have to rely on our seniors to step up and play well,” added Campbell in reference to Tim Waddington, Chris Hones, Ryan Joerger, Ian Vogt, and Tommy Doyle. “Tim has carried us on his shoulders most of the season – and we hope to get Chris back from injury. Ryan, Ian, and Tommy have provided leadership all season.
“Once you are in the playoffs every team is 0-0,” continued Campbell. “It really is a new season – and every team has a chance to win a district title.”
SOL Final Continental Conference Standings
1. Pennridge Rams (19-4, 13-1)
2. Central Bucks West Bucks (19-4, 12-2)
3. Central Bucks East Patriots (13-9, 7-7)
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (11-11, 7-7)
5. North Penn Knights (11-11, 6-8)
Central Bucks South Titans (10-12, 6-8)
7. Souderton Indians (7-15, 3-11)
8. Quakertown Panthers (7-15, 2-12)
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Bensalem Owls
Bensalem head coach Mike McCabe and his Owls constructed a comfortable 10-8 record as the stretch run began to make the district one postseason.
However, the first year coach saw Bensalem lose a tough game to Great Valley in double overtime (50-44); followed with an upset loss to William Tennent (69-64); and followed with a heartbreaking 49-47 loss to Council Rock North. Now the Owls needed a win over Glen Mills if district playoff hopes were to remain alive.
“We were up 12 late in the third quarter against Glen Mills, and they come back and force overtime,” remembered McCabe. “And all of the sudden were down six points with just 53 seconds left in our season. But Brandon Vaughn puts us on his back and we end up winning the game.
“The biggest compliment I get from coaches after the game is that they feel our kids never quit,” added McCabe. “That is quite a testimony to the kids – I am so proud of how they carry themselves on the court and in the community.”
Bensalem snatched the very last invitation to the 32-team PIAA Quad-A District One field – and the Owls must travel to play the powerful # 1 seed – Coatesville.
“We have played in some tough atmospheres – and playing there will be one of those,” said McCabe. “But when I look back at our season – we really haven’t been in blowouts. We have been competitive in most of our games.
“The seniors are going to be rewarded this year with playoff games,” added McCabe. “And this game will present a great experience for the underclassmen.”
SOL Final National Conference Standings
1. Abington Ghosts (19-4, 13-1)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (15-7, 10-4)
Council Rock North Indians (13-9, 10-4)
4. Bensalem Owls (11-11, 6-8)
Truman Tigers (8-13, 6-8)
6. Council Rock South Hawks (7-15, 5-9)
7. William Tennent Panthers (6-15, 3-11)
Neshaminy Redskins (5-16, 3-11)
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (20-2)
2. Abington Ghosts (19-4)
3. Pennridge Rams (19-4)
4. Central Bucks West Bucks (19-4)
5. Cheltenham Panthers (16-6)
6. Pennsbury Falcons (15-7)
7. Upper Merion Vikings (16-6)
8. Central Bucks East Patriots (13-9)
9. Council Rock North Indians (13-9)
10. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (11-11)
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