It was a rough day for SOL boys’ basketball teams. All three teams in action fell in the opening round of the PIAA 6A State Tournament. PW/Parkland photos courtesy of Larry Small. Check back for a gallery of photos:https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f716903222
PIAA 6A opening round
#3-1 CUMBERLAND VALLEY 84, #1-12 BENSALEM 59
The Eagles took an early lead and never looked back on their way to the opening round win on Saturday.
“It was a tough game,” Bensalem coach Ron Morris said. “Coming up here to Cumberland Valley – a rowdy atmosphere, which was awesome. It was like a mini arena.
“We battled – they were a big team. Everyone’s big at this time of year. They moved the ball really well, they moved without the ball, and they made a lot of shots. Round one of states on their home floor definitely gives them the advantage. To their credit, they definitely made a lot of shots. They got some transition buckets.”
The Eagles led 17-11 after one quarter and extended that lead to 39-24 at halftime. Antonio Morris scored nine points to lead the Owls in the half. It was a 63-38 game after three quarters as the Eagles went on to earn a win that brought an end to the Owls’ season.
“We didn’t give up, everybody stuck together,” Morris said. “Antonio Morris had a really good game shooting. (Jaidyn) Moffitt was scoring early inside. They played a 2-3 zone, and they were long. They marked Noah (Morris) – everywhere Noah went, someone was on him the entire time. We tried all different ways to get him the ball, and it was tough to get him the ball.
“They’re District 3 champions, and District 3 has really good basketball. Making states is hard, and we knew coming in it was going to be a tough game. Unfortunately, we came out on the wrong end, but credit to our guys. Even guys we put in at the end that don’t get to play as much got some buckets. Angelo Simone had a 3. He’s a senior shooter that doesn’t play many minutes. It was just great to see our bench still get excited for him getting a bucket at the end, and being able to send our seniors off and give them a curtain call was good for them.
“Our fans stuck by us. A lot of fans drove out and made the two-hour ride. It was good for our kids to feel the love out there.”
Antonio Morris led the Owls with 16 points, which included four 3-pointers. Jaidyn Moffit added 13 points – nine in the second half, and Amir Drummond added 10 points – eight after the break.
“It was just a great experience overall for our kids,” Morris said. “We had a charter bus, we went to Messiah College to warm up.
“Our administration – Mr. (Geoff) Per and Dr. (Samuel) Lee – did a lot for our program to make this a great memory for the kids, and everything works out. The game didn’t go the way we wanted, but then we got to go as a program and cheer on a girl from our school in the state wrestling championships. It goes to the point that it’s bigger than basketball – being there for each other, having these great memories.
“Only one team finishes the season with a win. We’re happy – it was a great season, it was a great run, a lot of great basketball, a lot of great memories. This senior group – they’re a strong foundation since I took over, and it’s just been a pleasure to coach them. They’ve all made so many personal sacrifices for the betterment of the team. I’m forever grateful. Our administration was great, our coach staff, our fans, all the teachers, all the community members that made the ride out. That’s what it’s about.”
Bensalem – the SOL Patriot Division champion – closed out its season with a 19-9 record overall, 14-2 SOL.
Bensalem 11-13-14-21 59
Cumberland Valley 17-22-24-21 84
Bensalem (59) – Antonio Morris 6 0-0 16; Noah Morris 1 0-0 3;, Micah White 2 0-2 4; Amir Drummond 4 2-5 10; Nate Cooper 2 0-0 4; Jahmir Chatman 1 0-0 2; Chris Kelly 1 0-0 2; Angelo Semon 1 0-0 3; Idris Savadago 1 0-0 2; Jaidyn Moffitt 6 1-2 13; TOTALS 25 3-9 59
Cumberland Valley (84) – Jared Dolimpio 3 0-2 8; JJ Lebo 8 0-0 17; Jake Snyder 7 5-6 19; Joe Richardson 1 0-0 2; Adam Somerville 2 1-2 5; Aiden Diehl 2 2-2 6; Nolan Buzalka 3 2-3 8; Creston Austin 8 3-4 19; TOTALS 34 13-19 84.
3-point goals: Bensalem – Antonio Morris 4, Angelo Semon, Noah Morris; CV – Jared Dolimpio 2, JJ Lebo.
#3-2 CHAMBERSBURG 72, #1-7 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 41
The Trojans came out firing on all cylinders, opening up a 22-3 lead after one quarter and extending that to 27-3 on their way to the opening round win.
“We are disappointed that our season ended this way,” East coach Erik Henrysen said. “We just couldn’t find a rhythm offensively early, which led to trouble defensively and that set the tone for the game.”
The Patriots came to life offensively in the second quarter, scoring 18 points, but they still found themselves on the short end of a 45-21 halftime score. They never could put a dent in the early hole they dug for themselves.
Jai’tavius ‘JJ’ Kelly was unstoppable, torching the Patriots for a career high 40 points.
“We didn’t have an answer for JJ Kelly – it felt like he singlehandedly beat us,” Henrysen said. “The game was a disappointment, but it can’t take away from the incredible impact our seniors have had on our program. I’m positive that they are up there with the winningest graduating class ever at East.
“We tried to communicate that to the boys. It stings now. But when that goes away, they can look back at all of their accomplishments and be proud. Our staff definitely is.”
Jake Cummiskey and Tyler Dandrea each scored 12 points to lead the Patriots. With his 12-point effort, Cummiskey put his name in the program record books.
“We got to see Jake move up to number two all-time on the career scoring list tonight,” Henrysen said of Cummiskey, who needed nine points to move up to number two on the list. “Without the COVID year, he’d surely be number one. When he was a freshman, I told everyone that he had a chance to be one of the best to ever play at East. He sure lived up to it.
“All of our seniors were able to push our program forward.”
Central Bucks East closed out its season with a 20-9 record overall. The Patriots – champions of the SOL Colonial Division – were 12-4 in league play.
Central Bucks East 3-18-7-13 41
Chambersburg 22-23-14-13 72
Central Bucks East (41) – Jacob Cummiskey 12, Dhruv Mukund 5, Bryce Lolas 2, Tyler Dandrea 12, Justin DiRoberto 5, Nolan Behm 5.
Chambersburg (72) – Jai’tavius Kelly 40, Colton Cornwell 9, Landon Buhrman 4, Dylan Banda 2, Jermere Jones 11, Ari Snyder 2, Stanley Lozius 4.
3-point goals: CBE – Jacob Cummiskey, Justin DiRoberto, Tyler Dandrea, Dhruv Mukund; Jai’tavius Kelly 4, Colton Cornwell.
#11-1 PARKLAND 65, #1-10 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 35
The Trojans, who led 12-7 after one quarter, took control of Saturday’s state opener with a 21-8 second quarter burst to go into halftime with a 33-15 lead. They went on to outscore the Colonials 32-20 in the second half to earn the decisive win.
The Colonials were led by Ben Marsico with 10 points and Mani Sajid with nine.
Plymouth Whitemarsh closed out its year with a 17-12 record overall (12-4 SOL).
Plymouth Whitemarsh 7-8-13-7 35
Parkland 12-21-17-15 65
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