Check out he recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Saturday.
Non-league
BENSALEM 58, WISSAHICKON 55
Every win is a big win, and Saturday’s road win without senior point guard Eric Gonzalez on the heels of a disappointing loss to Central Bucks South less than 24 hours earlier loomed large for an Owl squad that had lost four of five games.
“This was a big win,” Bensalem coach Ron Morris said. “The benefit of playing Friday and Saturday is – if you lose Friday, you get to come right back at it Saturday to go back and have another battle.
“We knew it was going to be tough – Eric (Gonzalez) wasn’t here today. His brother was getting married, and he was his best man. We always preach family, so it was a no-brainer. You can’t miss that.
“It was a total team effort. Noah (Morris) started in place of Eric, and he hit some shots. It was nice to see him make a couple of outside shots. He’s working so hard, putting in extra hours after practice, so for him to see a couple go in is good for his confidence and good for our team moving forward.”
The Owls trailed 34-29 at halftime and still trailed 45-44 heading into the final quarter when – sparked by six points from Antonio Morris – they outscored their hosts 14-10 to eke out the win.
With the Owls clinging to a one-point lead, Antonio Morris delivered the basket that gave them their three-point final margin of victory.
“Antonio came over halfcourt – they tried to double him, he split it and went down for an uncontested layup – he went right to the rim,” coach Morris said. “We got a stop, they fouled, we missed the front end of a one-and-one. They had a three that missed. We got the rebound, and the game ended.”
Antonio Morris scored 18 points to lead the Owls. Jaidyn Moffitt added 13 points, and Noah Morris also finished in double figures with 10. Amir Drummond contributed seven points, and Jack Wineburg, six points.
“Everyone stepped up,” coach Morris said. “Amir (Drummond) came in off the bench and gave us big minutes. Jack (Wineburg) continued to do what Jack does. His six points were big-time buckets in the second half. He had a couple of real nice assists.
“Micah (White) continues to rebound and defend, and (Jaidyn) Moffitt has been coming on offensively. He’s a presence down low, and he hit a three. Antonio continues to put in extra time also to work on his outside shot, and he hit a couple
“Idris (Salvadago) gave us some big minutes inside. He’s a big body. Nate (Cooper) played well. He came in, he’s able to spell Micah, and he’s a defensive and rebounding guy also, so we got a lot of great contributions. As I told them, when you’re missing a guy, it’s more than one who has to step up and make up for it, and we truly did that.”
Jaylon Williams scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Trojans. Dominic Vacchiano finished with 15 points, and Will Kirkpatrick added 13 points. Vacchiano’s eight first-quarter points propelled the Trojans to an early lead.
“Wissahickon is a good program,” Morris said. “Kyle (Wilson) does a great job. Their kids play hard, they made some shots, and we were able to come out on the winning end of it.
“We knew going in – it’s a tough place to play, but we love playing there. It’s such a cool environment with the dome. It makes you feel like you’re playing a college game.”
Bensalem (9-5, 5-4 SOL) – 20th in the latest District 1 6A power rankings – will travel to North Penn on Tuesday. Wisssahickon (5-9, 5-4) will be on the road at Lower Moreland.
Bensalem 15-14-15-14. 58
Wissahickon 16-18-11-10. 55
Bensalem (58) – Noah Morris 4 0-1 10; Micah White 0 0-2 0; Amir Drummond 2 3-5 7; Antonio Morris 8 0-1 18; Jack Wineburg 3 0-0 6; Idris Salvadago 2 0-0 4; Jaidyn Moffitt 5 2-4 13; TOTALS 24 5-13 58.
Wissahickon (55) – Will Kirkpatrick 4 3-4 13; Jaylon Williams 7 3-7 20; Owen Coughlin 1 0-0 3; Andrew Slackman 2 0-0 4; Dominic Vacchiano 4 6-10 15; TOTALS 18 12-21 55.
3-point field goals: Bensalem – Noah Morris 2, Antonio Morris 2, Jaidyn Moffitt; Wissahickon – Jaylon Williams 3, Will Kirkpatrick 2,Dominic Vacchiano, Owen Coughlin.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 74, METHACTON 44
Coach Jim Donofrio wasn’t sure how his team would respond to back-to-back games in a span of less than 24 hours. It turns out the veteran coach needn’t have worried.
The Colonials raced out of the gate to a 20-8 lead after one quarter and extended that to 34-13 at halftime. The Warriors never threatened.
“We really played well,” Donofrio said. “We haven’t had too many back-to-backs on the schedule this year. It was tricky because we’re trying to look it as an eight-quarter weekend.
“We’ve played some really nice games so far, and I know they have the ability to be a level above a lot of teams. You have to want to stay humble and believe there’s a lot to learn. Since the West Chester East loss (on Dec. 30), they’ve really taken a lot of mileage from that. We were a little bit flat in that one as happens to teams at every level. The officiating was frustrating our guys to a lot of levels that game, and you’re going to have to learn how to react to those situations. I was just really proud of our 13-point halftime defensive performance. That’s a message that you’re trying to send.”
In the 20-point first quarter, Jaden Colzie scored seven points and Lincoln Sharpe had eight. Colzie’s 22 points led the Colonials. Quidire Bennett (18 points) and Chase Coleman (15 points) also finished in double figures. Jah Pendergrass-Sayles and Sharpe both had six points.
“When you look at Methacton, they have three kids (averaging) in double figures, and they have at least two or three that like to knock down 3s, especially the young kid, Matt Christian,” Donofrio said. “Jah Sayles had the job of simply not leaving him. We have really not practiced that at all, but after three quarters, (Christian) had three points. It was only in the fourth when we left off a little bit that he got 10 points. By taking him out of the equation – to me, he’s the guy that sets the tone for them with big 3s in big moments.”
The Colonials’ coach also had high praise for his junior point guard.
“Jaden Colzie defensively was terrific,” Donofrio said. “J has been pressing and putting pressure on himself, and he just relaxed and played basketball today.
“Chase (Coleman) and Q are standards. This was a short-rotation game. We couldn’t mess around with this game at all. Once these guys locked into a rhythm – it was preparation for what you have to do in the playoffs.
“The defense tonight – without a walk-through, without a practice, and there was a big event going on at school, so we could only do 30 minutes of film when we got on the bus, but they followed our defensive game plan perfectly. That’s a really big sign.”
After a 3-0 week to start the new year, Donofrio is taking a rare day off Sunday.
”I’m going to relax tomorrow,” he said. “I told them if they call me to get in the gym, I’m going to change my number. Just leave me alone for one day, just one day and then we’ll be back at it on Monday.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (12-2, 9-0 SOL) – fifth in the latest District 1 6A power rankings – will host William Tennent Tuesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 20-14-16-24 74
Methacton 8-5-13-18 44
Plymouth Whitemarsh (74) – Jaden Colzie 8 5-8 22; Jimmy Flowers 1 0-0 2; Chase Coleman 7 1-8 15; Mani Sajid 2 0-0 5; Qudire Bennett 7 3-3 18; Jahseir Sayles 2 0-0 6; Rodney Willis 3 0-0 6; TOTALS 30 9-19 74.
Methacton (44) – Anthony Daddazio 1 2-2 5; Sal Iemmello 5 1-2 11; Evan Spang 0 0-6 0; Cam Chilson 5 0-0 11; Alex Hermann 0 1-2 1; Matt Christian 2 4-4 10; Emmanuel Rodriguez, Preston Hull 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 15 9-18 44.
3-point goals: PW – Jahseir Sayles 2, Jaden Colzie, Mani Sajid, Qudire Bennett; Methacton – Matt Christian 2, Anythony Daddazio, Cam Chilson, Emmanuel Rodriguez.
UPPER DUBLIN 41, HOLY GHOST PREP 37
The streaking Cardinals won their eighth straight game Saturday. The non-league road win came on the heels of an emotional 48-46 win over Cheltenham less than 24 hours earlier.
“Both teams played well on defense similar to our game last night,” UD coach Derek Brooks said. “I thought Ghost played very hard – they were physical, they challenged us.
“We jumped off to a nice start, and then we missed a couple shots, we had a couple of turnovers, and I think our confidence waned a little bit. We had a lead most of the game. I think we got a little fatigued. It’s been a long week, but fortunately, we did just enough to hang on. Our defense was consistent and constant. Offensively, we’re going to need to be better, but we did enough to get us the win.”
The Flying Cardinals – behind eight points from Brady Fogle, which included two 3s – led 17-9 after one quarter but then scored just five in the second quarter. They still outscored the Firebirds by one in the frame and took a 22-13 lead into halftime. The Firebirds never seriously threatened.
Fogle’s 15-point effort – which included three 3s – led the Cardinals. Seaton Kukla added 10, including a pair of 3-pointers. DJ Cerisier and Mason Pensabene both contributed six points.
“I thought Brady Fogle had a nice bounce-back game,” Brooks said. “Mason Pensabene’s effort was really good leading us on the floor.
“Ryan Mulroy didn’t score, but he did great on defense and rebounding. We give out an unsung hero award after a win, and he received that for us today. Seaton Kukla had a good game – he had two fouls early and was able to avoid getting in foul trouble the rest of the game. He had a couple of baskets inside, a couple big threes for us.”
Upper Dublin (11-4, 7-2 SOL) – fifth in the latest District 1 5A power rankings – will travel to New Hope-Solebury Tuesday.
Upper Dublin 17-5-9-10 41
Holy Ghost Prep 9-4-10-14 37
Upper Dublin (41) – DJ Cerisier 2 2-3 6; Mason Pensabene 2 1-2 6; Brady Fogle 5 2-2 15; Seaton Kukla 4 0-2 10; Chris Kohlbrenner 0 2-4 2; Idris Rines 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 14 7-13 41.
Holy Ghost Prep (37) – Noah McDermott 1 0-0 2; Seamus McDermott 3 0-0 7; Adrien Varella 5 2-5 12; Dasani McNeely 2 0-2 4; Mel Lindsey 3 3-4 10; Colin Lucas 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 15 5-11 37.
3-point goals: UD – Brady Fogle 3, Seaton Kukla 2, Mason Pensabene; HGP – Seamus McDermott, Mel Lindsey.
NORTH PENN 57, DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY 50
It was anybody’s game heading into the fourth quarter of Saturday’s non-league game. The Knights – who led 30-28 at halftime – found themselves deadlocked at 34 after scoring just four points in the third quarter, but they seized control of the contest in the final quarter, closing it out with a 23-point quarter.
The win over Dock – the top-seeded District 1 2A school – was the fifth in a row for the Knights, who are sixth in the latest District 1 6A power rankings.
“I think a lot of that is centered around the kids have really bought into playing for one another and done a better job on the defensive end,” NP coach John Conrad said of his team’s strong play in recent weeks.
The Knights put three players in double figures. Norman Gee led the way with 16 points – 11 in the first half.
“I thought Norm Gee was fantastic today,” Conrad said. “Dock likes to pressure, and I thought he handled the ball very well. I’m not sure how many turnovers he had, but it wasn’t many. I thought he defended real well. He had a couple of steals and runouts. I just thought he had a really good all-around game today.”
Ryan Zeltt added 13, including six points in the final quarter. Ryan Deininger saved his best for last, scoring 11 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
“The kids don’t really care (who scores) as long as we come out on the right side of the ledger,” Conrad said. “They’re buying in, they’re unselfish, and defensively, they’ve done a better job.
“Ryan Zeltt rebounded very well for us today as did Ryan Deininger. They both did a nice job on the glass.”
North Penn (10-4, 6-3 SOL) will host Bensalem on Tuesday.
Dock Mennonite 15-13-6-16 50
North Penn 17-13-4-23 57
Dock Mennonite (50) – Lane Bergey 1 1-2 3; Nathan Lapp 3 10-13 18; tony Martin 3 3-5 10; Joyt Butje 6 0-0 12; AJ Washington 1 0-0 2; Vaughn Martin 1 3-5 5; TOTALS 15 17-25 50.
North Penn (57) – Mario Sgro 2 0-0 5; Norman Gee 6 3-3 16; Teddy McAllister 3 2-4 9; Ryan Zeltt 4 4-4 13; Ryan Deininger 4 3-6 12; Corey Meade 1 0-4 2; TOTALS 20 12-21 57.
3-point goals: Dock – Tony Martin 2, Hoyt Butje; NP – Mario Sgro, Norman Gee, Teddy McAllister, Ryan Zeltt, Ryan Deininger.
PENNRIDGE 60, PERKIOMEN VALLEY 55
Perk Valley brought an impressive resume into Saturday’s non-league game at Pennridge. The Vikings were 4-0 against SOL opponents this season and found themselves ranked in the top 10 in the district.
The red hot Rams were unfazed, winning for the seventh time in eight games after a 3-4 start to the season.
“It’s a great group of guys,” coach Dean Behrens said. “They get along well, They’re really nice, nice kids. We don’t have much height, we have some flaws that can be magnified, but our kids are really bought in, they’re starting to get some confidence, they’re believing in their teammates. It seems like every night somebody else is stepping up.”
That trend continued on Saturday.
“The last two games Gannon Perlini has come off the bench and given us nine last night and 11 today,” Behrens said. “Tommy Cramer hit two foul shots last night to seal the game, and today he hit two big ones to make it a two-possession game. Matt Campione went 4-for-4 in the last minute. Jake Buesing really did a great job on the kid (Julian) Sadler from Perk Valley who’s averaging about 22 a game. Everybody is contributing. Ryan Hass came off the bench and did a great job last night. The kids are really excited, and I’m really happy for them.”
This was another close one, and the Rams’ five-point win came on the heels of a two-point overtime win over Council Rock North less than 24 hours earlier and a three-point win over Neshaminy on Tuesday.
The Rams trailed 14-12 after one quarter but evened the score at halftime with an 18-point second quarter. Perlini’s 11 points, which included three 3s, led the Rams in the half. They took a 41-40 lead into the final quarter when they outscored their visitors 19-15. Xavier Peters scored all 10 of his points in the second half, and Tommy Cramer had eight points in the fourth quarter.
Behrens knew his team would have its hands full with the Vikings.
“I snuck over to Perk Valley Dec. 27 when they were playing North Penn (a 61-41 PV win), and I was like – oh my gosh, they’ve got some size, they’re physical, they’ve got some big strong broad-shouldered fellows, and they have the Sadler kid who can really fill it,” the Rams’ coach said. “They have a kid, number 21 (6-4 Kyle Shawaluk) – he really was a long fellow who could stroke it, and they’re really well coached. I think Mike (DeCarolis) is one of the best coaches in the area, but we caught them at our place Saturday afternoon at 1:30. Of course, all our games are one -possession games – we’re back and forth. It seesawed back and forth for most of the game.”
Cramer’s 11 points led a balanced Ram attack. Peters finished with 10 while Perlini and Caden Fisher both had nine points. Buesing added eight.
“Tuesday we’re three weeks away from the end of the season,” Behrens said. “I told the boys – the last third of the season game-wise is now. We have seven games left. If we want to make some noise, we have to stay the course The kids were really excited after the game.
“We actually had a really nice crowd for a Saturday matinee. We had a little bit of a student section. Probably about 50 kids showed up, which I thought was super cool. We had a fun time.”
Pennridge (10-5, 5-4 SOL) – 15th in the latest District 1 6A power rankings – will travel to Council Rock South Tuesday.
Perkiomen Valley 14-16-10-15 55
Pennridge 12-18-11-19 60
Perkiomen Valley (55) – Mason Thear 3 0-1 6; Luke Hansen 1 0-0 2; Julian Sadler 4 2-2 12 Kyle Shawaluk 5 1-3 14; Shane Nelson 5 0-0 11; Morgan McKinney 4 0-2 8; Joshua Tagert 1 0-0 2; 23 3-8 55.
Pennridge (60) – Caden Fisher 3 0-0 9; Jake Buesing 3 0-0 8; Gannon Perlini 2 5-6-9; Xavier Peters 4 1-2 10; Tommy Cramer 3 5-9 11; Ryan Hass 1 0-1 2; TOTALS 20 11-19 60.
3-point goals: PV -Kyle Shawaluk 3, Julian Sadler 2, Shane Nelson ; Pennridge –Caden Fisher 3, Gannon Perlini 3, Jake Buesing 2, Xavier Peter.
FATHER JUDGE 77, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 53
The Golden Hawks found themselves on the short end of a 17-9 score at halftime of Saturday’s ALS Showcase against Father Judge. They played the Crusaders all but even over the middle two quarters before the Crusaders closed it out with a 31-point fourth quarter.
Timmy Rahill turned in an impressive 23-point effort – which included five 3-pointers – to lead the Golden Hawks. Matt Robinson also finished in double figures with 12 points, and Gabe Cerulli addd seven points.
Council Rock South (3-13, 1-9 SOL) will host Pennridge on Tuesday.
Council Rock South 9-14-11-19 53
Father Judge 17-14-15-31 77
Council Rock South (53) – Matt Robinson 2 7-10 12; Gabe Cerulli 3 1-2 7; Timmy Rahill 7 4-5 23; Jordan Getz 2 0-1 5; Michael Burns 1 0-2 2; Aiden Wallace 1 0-0 2; Liam Wekluk 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 17 12-20 53.
Father Judge (77) – Rocco Westfield 1 0-0 2; Laquan Byrd 5 1-1 15; Ernest Shelton 2 0-0 4; Kevair Kennedy 2 1-2 5; Chris Brennan 3 0-0 8; Mike McCusker 1 1-2 3; Anthony Lilly 4 5-7 13; Tearran Peete 3 0-0 6; Derrick Mortono Rivera 8 0-0 19; Mike Browning 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 30 8-15 77.
3-point goals: CRS – Timmy Rahill 5, Matt Robinson, Jordan Getz; FJ – Laquan Byrd 4, Derrick Morton-Rivera 3, Chris Brennan 2.
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