Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Saturday. Photos provided courtesy of Larry Small. Check back for a gallery of photso: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f716903222
Non-league
BENSALEM 63, WISSAHICKON 55
After back-to-back wild finishes that included improbable 3-pointers at the buzzer – the first a corner 3 by Antonio Morris for the win against Central Bucks West on Wednesday and then, on Friday, an even wilder sequence that saw Noah Morris alertly turning a blocked shot into a game-tying 3 in regulation in an overtime win over Central Bucks South, the Owls won a game without any late-game heroics.
“For the first time this week, no theatrics,” Bensalem coach Ron Morris said. “Coming into the game after two huge, emotional wins with the way we won, we knew today getting the kids back up to that level was going to be difficult.
“Wissahickon is a great program. Kyle (Wilson) has been doing a great job for a long time. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, so credit to our players. After a late night last night because we didn’t get off the bus until late and then being ready to go today, credit to our players.”
The Owls – behind five points from both Antonio Morris and Jaidyn Moffitt – led 12-9 after one quarter and took a 26-20 lead into halftime. Antonio Morris accounted for 14 of the Owls’ points. Bensalem took a 45-34 lead into the final quarter, thanks a 19-point third quarter that was highlighted by a pair of Noah Morris 3-pointers.
The Trojans outscored their hosts in the fourth quarter but never seriously threatened.
“It was just a great team victory, well balanced,” Morris said. “Our team at any given time, any different player can score.
“Antonio had 19 today. Credit to Amir Drummond. By his standard, it wasn’t one of his better games yesterday. He bounced back today and had a monster game. He finished with 16 points, he made some tough finishes.
“He was getting in the paint and kicking. He was getting in the paint, controlling the ball. He just did a really good job.”
In addition to Antonio Morris and Drummond, Moffitt also finished in double figures with 17 points, which included nine fourth-quarter points and a 6-for-7 effort at the foul line. Noah Morris added six points, but there were others who made important contributions.
“We got in serious foul trouble in the first half,” Morris said. “We had four players with two fouls. Jahmir Chatman came off the bench, and he just gave us quality minutes in the first half. We went back to him in the second half.
“He’s the kind of player that just buys into his role. When we call on him, he shows up and just does good things.
“Another guy off the bench, Idris Savadago, had another good game where he just comes in and he gets rebounds, (defensive) stops, and he’ll finish around the rim. Overall, it was a great team victory to finish the week and just try to keep this rolling.”
For the Trojans, Dom Vacchiano led the way with 18 points – nine in each half. Josh Paulits also finished in double figures with 12 – 10 after the break. Nico Vacchiano added nine points while Michael Maltin and Brayden Ryan both had seven
“(We) lost a tough, hard-fought battle against a very good 12-1 Bensalem team,” Wissahickon coach Kyle Wilson said. “(We) were within striking range, and even took the lead early in the third quarter, but too many unforced errors later in that quarter led to Bensalem retaking the lead, and never giving it back.”
Saturday’s win was Bensalem’s ninth in a row, one in a handful in that span that did not come down to the wire.
“As a coach, it’s nicer to win not at the buzzer,” Morris said. “I know it’s great for the fans. It’s great for the kids to be able to celebrate the way they have.
“Today wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t as theatric at the end. These kids just really have bought into playing hard, playing for one another, buying into their roles. That’s what makes this go. Like always, we enjoy it tonight and get ready for another war on Tuesday against North Penn because we know that won’t be easy either.”
Bensalem (13-1, 9-0 SOL) will host North Penn in a crossover game on Tuesday, and Wissahickon (5-9, 4-4) will host Lower Moreland on Tuesday.
Wissahickon 9-11-14-21 55
Bensalem 12-14-19-18 63
Wissahickon (55) – Michael Maltin 3 1-2 7; Brayden Ryan 3 0-0 7; Nico Vacchiano 4 1-4 9; Gabe Lassiter 0 2-2 2; Josh Palutis 5 1-6 12; Dom Vacchiano 7 3-3 18; TOTALS 22 8-17 55.
Bensalem (63) – Antonio Morris 7 3-6 19; Noah Morris 2 0-0 6; Micah White 1 1-2 3; Amir Drummond 4 8-10 16; Jahmir Chatman 1 0-0 2; Jaidyn Moffitt 5 6-7 17; TOTALS 20 18-25 63.
3-point goals: Wissahickon – Brayden Ryan, Josh Palutis, Dom Vacchiano; Bensalem – Antonio Morris 2, Noah Morris 2, Jaidyn Moffitt.
WILLIAM TENNENT 70, MaST CHARTER 47
Kirby Mooney once again worked his magic on the court for the Panthers, scoring 34 points – which included three 3-pointers and a 5-for-5 effort at the foul line – in a brilliant offensive outing.
Kirby and company served early notice that they had their offensive game untracked, outscoring their hosts 26-13 in the first quarter. The Panthers took a commanding 42-19 lead into halftime on their way to the decisive win.
Chris D’Ambra and Tre Stracuzzi each added 10 points for the Panthers. D’Ambra also had five steals. Sean Devine led the Panthers under the backboards with seven rebounds to go along with six assists. Imad Abunima contributed three blocks.
William Tennent (6-8, 3-6 SOL) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh in a crossover game Tuesday.
William Tennent 26-16-14-14 70
MaST Charter 13-6-13-15 47
William Tennent (70) – Kirby Mooney 13 5-5 34; Chris D’Ambra 3 3-3 10; Imad Abunima 4 0-0 8; Ryan Bula 1 0-0 2; Tony Pople 1 0-0 2; Vincent Sulpizio 1 0-0 2; Andrew Curtis 1 0-0 2; Tre Stracuzzi 4 0-0 10; TOTALS 28 8-8 70.
MaST Charter (47) – Dom Arrocho 1 0-0 3; Miguel Torres 2 0-0 5; Reuben Dorcus 6 0-0 15; Joel Spivey 1 0-0 2; Shawn Nunez 7 2-6 18; Logan Webb 1 0-0 2;; Brian Mallong 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 19 2-6 47.
3-point goals: WT – Kirby Mooney 3, Tre Stracuzzi 2, Chris D’Ambra; MaST – Reuben Dorcas 3, Shawn 2, Miguel Torres, Dom Arrocho.
HOLY GHOST PREP 47, PENNSBURY 44
The Falcons came oh so close to sending Saturday’s non-league game into overtime with their shot at the buzzer for the tie coming up just short.
The game started out on a promising note for the Falcons, who led 17-10 after one quarter. Sam Dlugi sparked the Falcons with eight points in the quarter. The visiting Firebirds answered with a 14-5 second quarter and went into halftime with a 24-22 lead. The two teams were deadlocked 35-35 after three quarter, and the Firebirds edged the Falcons in the final quarter.
Danny Cohen’s 14 points led the Falcons. Dlugi also finished in double figures with 10 and also led the Falcons under the boards with seven rebounds to go along with three blocks. Teddy Mangan added nine points and three steals. Connor Taddei had six points.
Holy Ghost’s Adrien Varella stole the spotlight in the win, scoring a game-high 25 points.
Pennsbury (7-8, 4-5 SOL) will host Central Bucks West Tuesday in a crossover game.
Holy Ghost Prep 10-14-11-12 47
Pennsbury 17-5-13-9 44
Holy Ghost Prep (47) – Zachary Sharlin 1 0-0 2; Adam McDonald 1 1-2 3; Robert Segarich 1 0-0 3; Mark Stenardo 1 0-0 3; Gavin McLaughlin 0 2-2 2; Adrien Varella 10 4-4 25; Thomas Nahill 3 0-2 7; Charles Steinmetz 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 18 7-10 47.
Pennsbury (44) – Teddy Mangan 3 1-2 9; Mike Roccograndi 1 0-0 3; Danny Cohen 6 1-1 14; Grayson Gozum 2 0-0 5; Connor Taddei 2 1-1 6; Sam Dlugi 5 0-0 10; TOTALS 18 3-4 44.
3-point goals: Holy Ghost – Adrien Varella, Thomas Nahill, Robert Segarich, Mark Stenardo; Pennsbury – Teddy Mangan 2, Mike Roccograndi, Danny Cohen, Sam Callahan.
METHACTON 66, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 65
The Colonials lost a heartbreaker to the visiting Warriors, who buried a shot at the buzzer to win it.
This one was tightly contested from the outset with the visiting Warriors, who led 20-17 after one quarter, taking a 31-28 lead into halftime. The Colonials – sparked by nine points on three 3s by Jaden Colzie – outscored their visitors 16-12 in the third quarter and took a 44-43 lead into the final quarter.
Colzie – who had four 3 pointers – scored 29 points in a brilliant offensive outing to keep the Colonials in the game. Mani Sanji added 16 points, Ben Marsico had nine points on three 3s, and Jah Pendergrass-Sayles contributed eight.
Methacton was led by the 24-point effort of Christian Matos.
The two teams combined for 20 3-pointers.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (8-5, 6-2 SOL) will travel to William Tennent Tuesday for a crossover game.
Methacton 20-11-12-23 66
Plymouth Whitemarsh 17-11-16-21 65
Methacton (66) – Anthony Daddazio 0 2-2 2; Mason Conrad 1 2-2 4; Sal Iemmello 3 4-4 12; Christian Matos 10 0-3 24; Alex Hermann 3 3-3 9; Emmanuel Rodriguez 2 0-0 6; Wes Robinson 3 1-2 9; TOTALS 22 12-16 66.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (65) – Jaden Colzie 10 5-7 29; Ben Marsico 3 0-0 9; Terron Davis 1 1-1 3; Mani Sajid 6 1-2 16; Jah Pendergrass-Sayles 3 2-4 8; TOTALS 23 9-14 65.
3-point goals: Methacton – Christian Matos 4, Sal Iemmello 2, Emmanuel Rodriguez 2, Wes Robinson 2; PW – Jaden Colzie 4, Ben Marsico 3, Mani Sajid 3.
PERKIOMEN VALLEY 58, SOUDERTON 43
The Indians came up short in Saturday’s non-league game at Perk Valley.
Bill Sackor’s 17 points led the Indians. Trey Bui and Danny Dyches both added eight points.
PENN WOOD 45, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 30
CENTRAL DAUPHIN 74, CHELTENHAM 45
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