Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action in Wednesday’s PIAA 6A Tournament. Cheltenham/Cedar Cliff photos provided courtesy of Richard Vernick. Check back for a gallery of photos. All SOS photo galleries for BOYS BASKETBALL can be viewed by clicking HERE.
#1-3 CHELTENHAM 52, #3-4 CEDAR CLIFF 44
The Panthers got off to a slow start in Wednesday’s second round game, scoring just 15 points in the first half and trailing their visitors 24-15 at halftime. They trailed by as many as 13 in the first half but came back to dominate the second half.
“Obviously, they’re a very good team,” Cheltenham coach Patrick Fleury said. “I think early on we had to find our rhythm offensively. We were a little too passive, we weren’t making quick decisions, we were holding the ball a little bit too much – the ball wasn’t moving, the bodies weren’t moving.
“We were missing assignments, and I think that kind of stifled us. Holding a team like that to 24 points in the first half with not being able to execute offensively was a testament to the kids and them realizing what makes them good or at least starts them to being good.”
The Panthers outscored Cedar Cliff 37-20 in the second half, and it seems as though finishing games strong has become something of a trademark of this Panther squad.
“Sometimes we have a big second half,” Fleury said. “In the first half, we have to make more of a point to get the rhythm that we need.
“Hats off to them. This is a group that’s been together during COVID and not having fans. These guys were younger when Zahree Harrison and those guys started their run. They’re coming back to playing in front of crowds, and at the beginning, we were a little bit hesitant on both ends. I think the switch kicked in, particularly playing a team with that much size and how well coached they are.
“We just had to continue to push and fight. Being down 13-14 points was not a position we like being in, and the kids didn’t hang their heads. They just buckled down and made adjustments and continued to fight.”
Justin Savage led the Panthers with 14 points to go along with six rebounds, two blocks, two steals and two assists. Rasheem Dearry added 13 points, six rebounds and three steals. Josiah Hutson also had 13 points and added five steals. Elias Walker had six points and three steals, and Brandon Bush added six points, five rebounds and one steal.
“It was amazing to see our community, our school represented at the game,” Fleury said. “That’s what we want Cheltenham to build – that type of feeling. For the seniors to go undefeated at home is a feat that should not go unnoticed. I’m very proud of them, and we have to move on to our next assignment – Penn Wood. We’re playing a tough team, and we need refocus and continue to get better.”
Cheltenham (29-1, 16-0 SOL) will face District One’s 10th place team, Penn Wood, in Saturday’s quarterfinal round. Penn Wood upset District 12 champion Parkland 60-50.
Cedar Cliff 15-9-15-5 44
Cheltenham 9-6-18-19 52
Cedar Cliff (44) – Charlie Werner 5, Ayden Frey 8, Sam Grube 2, Trenten Smith 2, Justin Houser 4, Tyler Houser 15, Mike Armanini 8.
Cheltenham (52) – Rasheem Dearry 13, Josiah Hutson 13, Elias Walker 6, Brandon Bush 6, Justin Savage 14.
#3-3 CENTRAL DAUPHIN 73, #1-7 BENSALEM 60
The Owls trailed by seven at halftime but rallied to knot the score heading into the final quarter when they were outscored 30-17 by their hosts. Despite the disappointing outcome, coach Ron Morris had no complaints about his team’s effort.
“The boys fought hard,” the Owls’ coach said. “We just have to thank God we were blessed with such a great season.
“I’m just so thankful for this senior class. They set a strong foundation since I took over the program. This team is as resilient as they come. They didn’t quit until there were four zeros on the clock.”
The two teams were deadlocked after one quarter, but Central Dauphin outscored the Owls 18-11 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 33-26 advantage. Sparked by 10 points from Allen Myers in the third period, the Owls evened the score 43-43 heading into the final quarter.
Donovan Hill, who was saddled with foul woes, erupted for 12 points in the final quarter. Prior to that point, he only had a first quarter 3-pointer.
“Donovan Hill, who is going to Niagara, is 6-8, and he got into foul trouble. We took advantage, and Allen had a really big third quarter,” Morris said.
Morris didn’t have to look far to figure out what went wrong in Wednesday’s season-ending loss. The Owls committed 21 turnovers and gave up 13 offensive rebounds.
“And we didn’t shoot well from the (foul) line as a team,” the Owls’ coach said. “That’s a recipe for not being able to win at this stage of the game.”
The two teams were deadlocked 43-43 heading into the final period.
“We got a stop and then we gave up an offensive rebound, kick out and they hit a three,” Morris said. “Then we turned it over twice, and from there, it was seven to nine points the rest of the way. At the end, we had to foul. We started pressing, and (Hill) got some easy buckets.
“We knew if we gambled pressing that was a possibility, and it was. We were able to get some good traps, and they would get out and get transition buckets in the fourth quarter, so we were just trading baskets at that point.”
Jeremy Rodriguez scored 21 points to lead the Owls. He had seven points in the first quarter and 11 heading into the final frame when he erupted for 10 points, which included a perfect 6-for-6 effort at the foul line. Myers added 16 points, and Aaron Sanders also finished in double figures with 10 points.
“Jeremy (Rodriguez) was scoring throughout the game, and in the fourth quarter, Jeremy was getting going,” Morris said. “We ran out of gas, and we couldn’t get the stops and rebounds when we needed them most.
“Credit to Central Dauphin for hitting shots. They had four 3s in the fourth quarter.”
Bensalem closed out a successful season with a SOL Patriot Division title and a 21-9 record. The Owls were 13-3 in SOL play.
“I thank my staff – we couldn’t have had the success we had without them and all the hours they put in with film study and scouting reports and stuff like that,” Morris said. “The support of the school and the administration, and the outpouring from the community has been amazing.
“As much as it stings now, this team accomplished some really great things. It’s about the community, the family atmosphere and the culture that we have here.”
The future, despite the loss of a standout senior class, is bright.
“We have some good returning players,” Morris said.
Central Dauphin 15-18-10-30 73
Bensalem 15-11-17-17 60
Bensalem (60) – Jeremy Rodriguez 6 7-7 21; Tra Edwards 1 2-4 4; Allen Myers 6 4-8 16; Eric Gonzalez 2 0-0 5; Aaron Sanders 4 0-3 10; Antonio Morris 2 0-0 4. TOTALS 21 13-22 60.
Central Dauphin (73) – Daron Haggans 0 1-2 1; Wayne Fletcher II 1 0-0 3; Andrew Renaldi 1 2-2 4; Christian Wilburn 1 1-2 3; Jaydon Laudermilch 6 3-4 17; Travis Linn 2 2-2 7; Jett Franz 2 2-3 6; Keon Blanding-Dockens 7 1-2 17; Donovan Hill 5 3-5 15. TOTALS 25 15-22 73.
3-point goals: Bensalem – Jeremy Rodriguez 2, Aaron Sanders 2, Eric Gonzalez; CD – Jaydon Laudermilch 2, Keon Blanding-Dockens 2, Donovan Hill 2, Travis Linn, Wayne Fletcher.
#12-3 ARCHBISHOP WOOD 77, #1-5 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 50
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