Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Thursday. Pennsbury/Pennridge photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for a gallery.
SOL Patriot/Colonial crossover
PENNSBURY 49, PENNRIDGE 35
The Falcons threw some serious defense at the visiting Rams, allowing single digits in each of the first three quarters before the Rams – with the outcome already decided – scored 10 points in the fourth quarter.
“We are finding a defensive identity,” Pennsbury coach Wes Emme said. “I thought we really struggled offensively tonight, and our defense really dug in – 17 in the first half and 18 in the second, so it was consistent throughout. Ryan Zuckerman really keyed that for us.”
The win was the sixth in the row for the Falcons after a 2-3 start to their season.
“It’s good to start to feel like you know how you have to win, and finding that out earlier because we thought – come around January, the tide would start to turn for us, but it started a little sooner, and that’s good because every game counts towards district playoffs, every game counts towards the league title race,” Emme said. “These crossover games are the difference maker when it comes to those things because there are some really good teams on that side. North Penn is very good. Pennridge is exceptionally well coached, and they have some good players.
“Every league win is a good win especially on a night when you’re struggling on offense. That’s probably the biggest takeaway from tonight. We didn’t make a lot of shots, and we still pulled out a good victory by double digits. That means you’re doing something well.”
The Falcons got off to a slow start and trailed 8-6 after one quarter but outscored their visitors 13-9 in the second to go into halftime with a 19-17 advantage. Danny Cohen’s five points led the Falcons.
“Danny Cohen gave us a great spark off the bench to get the momentum shifted,” Emme said. “They kind of jumped on us. It was (8-0), and then we turned the tide a little bit.”
In the third quarter, the Falcons all but put the game out of reach, outscoring the Rams 17-8 to go into the final quarter with a 36-25 lead on their way to the big win.
Ty Kocak led the Falcons with 18 points – seven in the pivotal third quarter and 14 in the second half. Zuckerman added 16 points – 12 in the second half with 10 of those in the third quarter. Cohen finished with seven points.
For the Rams, sophomore Xavier Peters led the way, finishing with 18 points – 14 in the second half. Matt Campione added seven.
Pennsbury (8-3, 5-2 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. contest, and Pennridge (7-5, 3-4) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday.
Pennridge 8-9-8-10 35
Pennsbury 6-13-17-13 49
Pennridge (35) – Caden Fisher 2 1-3 5; Jake Buesing 0 2-2 2; Matt Campione 2 3-4 7; Xavier Peters 7 3-4 18; Ryan Hass 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 12 9-13 35.
Pennsbury (49) – Teddy Mangan 1 0-0 2; Mike Roccograndi 1 0-0 2; Danny Cohen 3 0-0 7; Sam Callahan 1 0-0 2; Ty Kocak 8 2-6 18; Sean Faust Jr 1 0-0 2; Ryan Zuckerman 4 7-11 16; TOTALS 19 9-17 49.
3-point goals: Pennridge – Xavier Peters, Ryan Hass; Pennsbury – Danny Cohen, Ryan Zuckerman.
SOUDERTON 78, HARRY S TRUMAN 36
James Blair had himself a career night.
The senior guard buried nine 3-pointers in three quarters and finished with 31 points. All told, the Indians connected on 14 shots from beyond the arc.
“James Blair had an incredible night shooting the ball,” Souderton coach Okoteh Sackitey said. “Nine threes in a game has to be a school record, and it just kind of came naturally. I tried to get him a couple of looks. It was clear that he had the hot hand.
“It was really fun to watch, and when his night was done after the third quarter, he was an outstanding teammate on the bench. We filmed the game, and I turned on the iPad to verify the final score. The last bucket was a swing player for us, Trey Bui, got a layup, and James Blair was the first person to jump up out of his seat and celebrate his layup. It was a fun night.”
Sophomore Aidan Maue also had a big night, scoring a career high 14 points –12 in the opening half.
“He kind of got us started,” Sackitey said. “It was a pedestrian start to the game, and Aidan turned up a notch. He had nine in the first quarter and got some big steals for us and brought the energy early, and that allowed us to settle in. It was a good night for him as well.”
Levi John added 11 points, and Nate Hemsing had 10 as four players finished in double figures for the Indians.
Souderton (5-6, 4-3 SOL) will host Pottstown in a non-league game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and Harry S Truman (1-10, 0-7) will travel to Central Bucks East on Tuesday.
Souderton 24-26-16-12 78
Harry S Truman 11-11-9-5 36
Souderton (78) – Nate Hemsing 3 2-4 10; Jared Zimmerman 2 0-0 4; Trey Bui 2 0-0 5; Nolan Watkins 1 1-1 3; James Blair 11 0-0 31; Aidan Maue 5 3-4 14; Levi John 4 2-2 11; TOTALS 28 8-11 78.
3-point goals: Souderton – James Blair 9, Nate Hemsing 2, Trey Bui, Aiden Maue, Levi John.
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