Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action. Photo courtesy of Larry Small: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p611902550
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 61, UPPER DUBLIN 60
The Patriots won a thriller, surviving a shot at the buzzer by the Cardinals to eke out the non-league road win in a battle of teams that lead their respective divisions.
Jake Cummiskey hit 1 of 2 free throws with five seconds remaining to give the Patriots a one-point lead. UD’s shot from beyond the arc for the win fell short.
“What a game,” East coach Erik Henrysen said. “It’s a big game, it’s on the road, and we’re in the middle of a pretty difficult part of our schedule.
“Even before the holiday, we knew Council Rock South was going to be a tough game, we had two tough games down in Maryland, and now we’re on the road for three straight with Upper Dublin, Bensalem and then Truman. We knew this would be a stretch that would be a challenge for us, and getting a win on the road against one of the top teams is an accomplishment.”
For a while, it looked as though the Patriots might cruise to the finish line. They led 18-14 after one quarter and extended that to 34-28 by halftime. Cummiskey’s nine points led a balanced East attack.
“We came out of halftime and really got going,” Henrysen said. “We were able to build an 18-point lead. We felt really good about how things were going. We were handling some of their trapping pretty well until we didn’t. The tide really turned, we played a little bit tight, and we had three guys in foul trouble – Cummiskey, (John) DiRoberto and (Miles) Demby, so we were dealing with that while they were ramping up pressure. It wasn’t a great recipe for us.
“I thought we got good contributions from a lot of the guys. Caleb Lyzinski came off the bench and really did a job for us early when Miles Demby got into foul trouble. He was able to rebound the ball and did a job guarding guys that could step out and shoot a 3 and play on the inside. He had a big block. He came through with a lot of rebounds. We felt like he was definitely one of the difference makers.”
Cummiskey’s 18 points led the Patriots and included a 9-for-10 effort at the foul line. He also had five rebounds and five assists. DiRoberto added 12 points, which included three 3-pointers. He also had three steals. Tyler Dandrea added 10 points and seven rebounds, and Nolan Behm had eight points. Lyzinski contributed seven rebounds and four points off the bench.
“It would have been a tough (loss) to take, but we were happy with three-plus quarters of basketball,” Henrysen said. “Obviously, we didn’t finish the way we would have liked to finish, but we got the win, so we’ll take it.”
For the Cardinals, Ryan Mulroy’s 20 points led the way. He scored 11 after the break and was a catalyst in UD’s comeback attempt. Idris Rines added 12 points while Noah Cohen had nine and Kobe Bazemore finished with seven.
The two teams combined for 50 foul shots. East converted 20 of 28 while UD connected on 15 of 22.
Central Bucks East (11-1, 6-0 SOL) will travel to Bensalem Friday for a crossover game, and Upper Dublin (9-3, 6-1) will be on the road at William Tennent on Friday.
Central Bucks East 18-16-16-11 61
Upper Dublin 14-14-10-22 60
Central Bucks East (61) – Jacob Cummiskey 4 9-10-18; Dhruv Mukund 1 1-2 4; Tyler Dandrea 3 2-4 1; John DiRoberto 3 3-4 12; Nolan Behm 3 2-3 8; Miles Demby 1 3-5 5; Caleb Lyzsinski 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 17 20-28 61.
Upper Dublin (60) – Kobe Bazemore 2 2-3 7; Chris Kohlbrenner 1 0-0 2; Brady Fogle 2 1-2 4; Ryan Mulroyh 7 6-8 20; Idris Rines 3 5-6 12; Brandon Altman 2 0-1 4; Hoah Cohen 3 2-2 9; TOTALS 20 15-22 60.
3-point goals: CBE – John DiRoberto 3, Tyler Dandrea 2, Dhru Mukund, Jacob Cummiskey; UD – Idris Rines 2, Kobe Bazemore, Brady Fogle, Noah Cohen.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 58, QUAKERTOWN 27
Defense.
The Bucks rode their stifling defense to a title in the Modie Risher Holiday Tournament in South Carolina, and they picked up where they left off with a dazzling defensive effort in their non-league win over the visiting Panthers.
West limited the Panthers to just seven points in the second half – all at the foul line.
“We have been able to establish defense as our calling card,” West coach Adam Sherman said. “However, I have been really proud of how we are sharing the ball on the offensive end.
“We are starting to play for each other. They are having fun sharing the ball. Hopefully, we can keep it going. We have some tough games ahead of us.”
The Bucks, who led 15-10 after one quarter, took a 33-20 lead into halftime. Their willingness to share the ball was underscored in a first quarter that saw six players contribute scoring – none more than four points. At halftime, Roman Kulesa led a balanced West attack with nine points while Sam Jankowski added seven.
For the game, Kulesa led West’s attack with 13 points while Jankowski added 10. Matt Engle had eight points, which included a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line. Daniel Gallagher added seven points, and Julian Phillips had six.
For the Panthers, who were coming off a title in the Salisbury Holiday Tournament, Miles Longacre and Ethan Tomlinson led the way with six points each.
Central Bucks West (9-3, 3-3 SOL) will host Council Rock South for a crossover game on Saturday at 3 p.m. Quakertown (6-6, 2-4) will be on the road at Springfield Twp on Friday.
Quakertown 10-10-6-1 27
Central Bucks West 15-18-23-2 58
Quakertown (27) – Sam Wilkin 1 1-2 3; Kyle Rosenberger 1 1-1 3;Miles Longacre 2 1-6 6; Anthony Callahan 1 0-0 2; Ethan Tomlinson 1 4-6 6; Jameson Sykes 1 0-0 2; Gavin Mushrush 1 2-2 4; Jaxon Torres 0 1-2 1; TOTALS 8 10-17 27
Central Bucks West (58) – Matt Engle 1 6-6 8; Bowen Gugger 2 1-2 5; Roman Kulesa 6 0-0 13; Sam Jankowski 4 0-0 10; Aidan Kimberly 2 0-0 4; Julian Phillips 3 0-0 6; Dan Gallagher 3 0-0 7; Jackson Wisniowski 1 0-0 3; Daniel Pellegrini 0 2-2 2; TOTALS 22 9-10 58.
3-point goals: Quakertown – Miles Longacre; CBW -Sam Jankowski 2, Roman Kulesa, Dan Gallagher, Jackson Wisniowski.
LOWER MORELAND 53, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 47
The Lions needed a bounce-back win after losses to a pair of much larger schools – Norristown and Lincoln – in the Dick Dougherty Memorial Holiday Tournament.
Wednesday’s non-league win over Rock North was exactly what the doctor ordered.
“This was a great win,” LM coach Dicky Rhoads said. “Traditionally, we don’t beat the CR Norths. We haven’t beaten them in a while. This was a really good win for us, for sure.
“I was pleased with our effort. (It) was a tough holiday tournament – we needed to bounce back. This was a big non-league game before the crossover games in the Suburban One.”
The game didn’t start out on a promising note for the Lions, who trailed 20-7 after one quarter. Oliver Schaefer had the hot hand for the Indians, burying a pair of 3s and scoring eight points. The Lions trimmed that lead to 29-21 by halftime and took a lead they would not lose with a 21-6 third quarter burst. John Kroll was the catalyst for LM, scoring nine points. Kevin Hegeudus added five.
“We came out a little slow – we were down eight at halftime,” Rhoads said. “It was a gutsy win. We told the boys- they’ve got to want to have it, and they came out in the second half on fire. We kept the pressure on them. We didn’t change our game plan. We really just told them they have to dig down, find it within themselves and come out on fire for the second half, and they did, which I was very proud of.”
Kroll’s 16 points, which included three 3 pointers, led the Lions. Hegedus added 10 points while Mason Tammaro had nine. Carl Barnette contributed eight points, and Nathan Fallah had seven.
“It started on defense with all of them,” Rhoads said. “They played really good team defense.
“On the offensive side, Kroll only had two turnovers with four assists, and he had nine points in the third quarter. Coming out in the third quarter, he was a huge jump for us. The defense starts with him. He’s usually on the ball, and he was on the ball handler today. The intensity started there. He hit some big shots.
“Zach Kendall hit a big 3 in the third quarter. The same with Kevin (Hegedus) – Kevin came down on the second possession of the third quarter and hit a 3 also. Carl (Barnette) had big rebounds in the fourth quarter. He came out on fire.”
Schaefer led all scorers with 17 points, which included five 3-pointers. Grady Burt added 16 points – 10 in the first half. Andrew O’Keeffee had seven points.
Lower Moreland (5-7, 2-5 SOL) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham for a crossover game Friday, and Council Rock North (4-7, 2-4) will host Central Bucks South on Friday.
Council Rock North 20-9-6-12 47
Lower Moreland 7-14-21-11 53
Council Rock North (47) – Grady Burt 6 3-5 16; Oliver Schaefer 6 0-0 17; Josh Erman 1 0-1 2; Tyler Rodowicz 1 0-2 2; Andrew O’Keeffe 3 1-2 7; Ethan Neels 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 18 4-10 47.
Lower Moreland (53) – Carl Barnette 3 0-0 8; Mason Tammaro 3 3-4 9; Kevin Hegedus 4 0-0 10; John Kroll 5 3-5 16; Zach Kendall 1 0-0 3; Nathan Fellah 2 3-8 7; TOTALS 18 9-17 53.
3-point goals: CRN – Oliver Schaefer 5, Grady Burt, Ethan Neels; LM – John Croll 3, Carl Barnette 2, Kevin Hegedus 2, Zach Kendall.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 71, NORRISTOWN 70
Jah Pendergrass-Sayles buried a 3-pointer with one second on the scoreboard clock, erasing a two-point deficit to give the visiting Colonials the electrifying win.
“We haven’t played at Norristown in 6-7 years for what is basically in this area is one of the top -if not the top – rivalries in local high school sports,” PW coach Jim Donofrio said. “At least it was for years and trying to explain that to our guys – ‘Listen, get ready for a fight, get ready for kids that are terrifically quick, get to the rim fast, and they crash boards like crazy.’ That’s always been their MO, it just has been.”
Talk about saving your best for last – the Colonials did just that. They trailed 19-9 after one quarter, 42-31 at halftime and found themselves on the short end of a 59-45 score heading into the final quarter.
“After three quarters, their chins are down,” Donofrio said. “I said, ‘What are you doing? A game is a long time. We scored 25 points at Wissahickon in a quarter, and we have yet to be hot tonight. Every team is going to get a moment to be hot, and we haven’t had ours yet. Let’s go have it.’”
The Colonials went out and scored 27 points in the final quarter. Jaden Colzie had the hot hand, burying a 3-pointer and scoring 13 points in the final frame. Mani Sajid also found his offensive rhythm, connecting on three 3-pointers in the quarter. Pendergrass-Sayles had five points, including the game-winner.
“Mani (Sajid) has a ton of pressure on him because he became known before he got minutes on the floor,” Donofrio said. “That’s just our social media world today. I hate it because he’s got pressure he ends up putting on himself. He just has to keep pushing, he’s got experience, he’s got to try and force some issues, and tonight he did.
“Colzie is having one of those great senior seasons. Period. It’s a little too much for what I’d like us to do offensive balance-wise, but it doesn’t matter. He is a veteran, experienced, talented guy. When everybody else is doubting themselves on offense, he isn’t, so good for him.”
Colzie’s 24 points led the Colonials while Sajid finished with 18 – 15 in the second half. Pendergrass-Sayles also finished in double figures with 10.
“When you’ve got all new guys, there’s not just one learning curve – there’s like 10 learning curves,” Donofrio said. “How much of it is a discussion of logical X’s and O’s, and how much of it is a discussion of heart and fight.
“There’s just something about our learning curve as far as understanding how to get revved up. We’re nice people, and for nice people, it’s a lot harder road sometimes. We did everything we could poorly on defense. We looked like we didn’t care to stop anybody.
“The basic message at halftime was – ‘You’re tougher than you realize. You’ve got to get a sense of pride,’ but at the same time, a game is a long time.”
Jayden Byrd’s 21 points led the Eagles, Rashon Giddens added 19, and Myon Kirlew had 15.
“Norristown kids know how to get to the rim, and we’re letting them,” Donofrio said. “We obviously have fight in us because we’ve proven we’re fighting in most of these games.
“I’m not doubting our fight. I’m doubting our understanding of how much intensity and focus it takes for 32 minutes. That has to grow up, but this was a huge win to get. The first 10 games on our schedule – it wasn’t the easiest first 10 games for a rebuilding type team. Sanford (Del.), West Chester Henderson, Unionville is 9-1, Norristown at Norristown, Abington away to start the year, and also Upper Dublin.
“We’re not thrilled for the 6-4. The more important thing is – we have to be learning from these experiences. If we’re just going to have the experiences and still make the same mistakes, you’re going to be an average team. We have to learn from the experiences, and that’s taking too long. Hopefully, we get better.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-4, 4-2 SOL) will host New Hope-Solebury on Friday in a crossover game.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 12-18-15-27 72
Norristown 19-22-18-12 71
Plymouth Whitemarsh (71) Jaden Colzie 11 0-2 24; Ben Marsico 2 0-0 5; Terron Davis 1 0-0 2; Jack Hayes 1 1-1 3; Mani Sajid 7 0-2 18; Kyle Gallagher 1 0-0 3; Ehab Ahmed 0 1-2 1; Josh Harris 2 2-2 6; Jah Pendergrass-Sayles 4 0-0 10; TOTALS 29 4-9 72.
Norristown (71) – Jayden Byrd 7 7-8 21; Miles Daniels 2 1-1 6; Rashon Giddens 8 3-8 19; Kevin Bonds 1 0-0 2; Myon Kirlew 5 3-5 15; Tyson Tuggle 3 2-4 8; TOTALS 26 16-26 71.
3-point goals: PW – Mani Sajid 4, Jaden Colzie 2, Jah Pendergrass-Sayles 2, Ben Marsico, Kyle Gallagher; Norristown – Myon Mirlew 2, Miles Daniels.
CHELTENHAM 78, DOBBINS TECH 63
The Panthers notched their ninth win in 10 games Wednesday, opening up a 33-14 lead after one quarter and going on to earn a win that saw 10 players contribute scoring.
Josiah Hutson (18 points) and Nile Tinsley (17 points) led the offensive onslaught with Hutson jumpstarting the Panthers with 12 first-quarter points that included a pair of 3s, but listening to coach Patrick Fleury tell it, this was a team effort.
“Nile had a great game, Jo had a great game, the kids had great games,” Fleury said. “(Hutson’s 12 points) were a testament to the other kids. He didn’t have to work exceptionally hard for his 12, and that’s what it’s all about. We don’t want to be a one-trick pony.
“Coach (John Calapari) said to John Wall – ‘You’re going to go to the NBA. Your testament to greatness will be how many of your teammates you take with you,’ so I would say for our team what I’ve always told them is – we’ll have college players, whether it’s Division 3, 2, 1, but your legacy here will be how many people did you take with you based on your talent. That’s what it’s about.
“I tell them all the time -you’re not going to remember how many points you have versus a specific team. We’ve got eighth graders, we’ve got seventh graders, and our biggest thing retention-wise is – how can we bring value to your life, your family’s life, the people close to you. His 12 points were a testament to our kids not pressing the issue and just letting the energy of the game and team find the person to make the plays. So, Jo – congrats to him. Twelve points in the first quarter is amazing. If we stayed with that, could he have gotten 30? Maybe, but that isn’t our goal. It’s always about – what can you do for the next person. That’s your testament to greatness.”
In addition to Hutson’s 12 points in the first quarter, Tinsley added six on a pair of 3s, and Kamal Mason had five. Kevin Addison-Anderson and Saleem Kelly both added a 3-pointer in a first quarter that saw the Panthers bury seven shots from beyond the arc.
Cheltenham took a 47-26 lead into halftime. Dobbins outscored the Panthers 37-31 but couldn’t put a dent in Cheltenham’s lead.
In addition to Hutson and Tinsley, Mason, Addison-Anderson and Osei Johnson all had eight points. Korey Wyatt and Peyton McClendon both added six points.
“I’m definitely happy – a win is a win,” Fleury said. “I’ve learned, especially from last year, which was a very humbling experience, to enjoy these. I just have a vision for all of the kids – whether they’re playing 25 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes, four minutes, I think they all could play in college, and we try to coach them with the staff we have to do so.
“I’m pleased with the win. Dobbins is a good team, but their 60-plus points – that’s what I have a problem with, and that’s on me. That’s not on the kids. I have to do a better job in our two-hour practice of keeping them to the same level, no matter what. So, the 60 points – I don’t look at as a reflection of the kids. I look at it more of a reflection on me, trying to balance having a lifelong relationship with them but also pushing them to their goal.”
Cheltenham (9-1, 6-0 SOL) will travel to Abington for a crossover game on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Dobbins Tech 14-12-23-14 63
Cheltenham 33-14-12-19 78
Dobbins Tech (63) – Makaii Akridge 1 0-0 3; Jarrell Little 7 1-1 19; Zachary Campbell 3 4-6 11; Saleem Hudson 8 0-0 18; Sam Thomas 1 0-0 2; Haneef Davis 0 2-2 2; Tylee Richardson 4 0-0 8; TOTALS 24 7-9 63.
Cheltenham (78) – Kamal Mason 3 0-0 8; Josiah Hutson 7 1-2 18; Mark Hill 1 0-2 2; Aidan Wilson-Worley 0 1-2 1; Korey Wyatt 3 0-0 6; Kevin Addison-Anderson 2 3—4 8; Osei Johnson 4 0-0 8; Salim Kelly 1 1-2 4; Nile Tinsley 6 2-2 17; Peyton McClendon 3 0-0 6; TOTALS 30 8-14 78.
3-point goals: Dobbins – Jarrell Little 4, Saleem Hudson 2, Makaii Akridge, Zachary Campbell; Cheltenham – Josiah Hutson 3, Nile Tinsley 3, Kamal Mason 2, Kevin Addison-Anderson, Salim Kelly.
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