Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Friday.
SOL Liberty/Freedom Crossover
UPPER DUBLIN 54, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 29
Seaton Kukla and Colin O’Sullivan scored 14 and 10 points respectively to lead the Flying Cardinals, but both contributed a whole lot more than just points in Friday’s convincing win.
“Seaton Kukla had a very impactful game,” UD coach Chris Monahan said. “He’s a skilled offensive player, and he had a real impactful game on the offensive glass. He did a great job rebounding the ball early.
“They got in foul trouble early, and he was a big part of that. Even though he ended up sitting some of the first half because of three fouls, he set the tone, rebounding in the first half. He’s another guy – he’ll continue to get better.”
The Cardinals’ coach also had high praise for O’Sullivan, who is the star quarterback of UD’s football team.
“Colin is a natural leader,” Monahan said. “Coming off football – he put so much into football, and he had such a great season, it takes him a little bit of time to get basketball legs, but he is definitely coming around with that. He’s starting to feel his shot a little bit.
“You add scoring into his game – he’s always been a very steady presence handling the ball, especially if things aren’t going well. He’s becoming the player that he’s always been capable of coming out of football season. I think game to game, week to week he’s going to keep getting better.”
The two teams were deadlocked 10-10, but the Cardinals blew the game wide open with a 25-point second quarter to go into halftime with a 35-18 lead on their way to the win.
O’Sullivan’s 10 points included a pair of 3-pointers. He scored seven points in the Cardinals’ 20-point third quarter. Kukla, who scored 14, was 8-for-10 at the foul line.
In addition to O’Sullivan and Kukla, Griffin Pensabene added eight points, and DJ Cerisier had seven. Chris Kohlbrenner and Mason Pensabene both had six points.
For Springfield, Kyle Smythe had 13 points, and Dylan McKenzie added six.
Upper Dublin (6-2, 4-0 SOL) will host Holy Ghost Prep in a non-league game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Springfield Township (3-4, 1-4) will travel to MaST Charter School for a non-league game on Monday.
Springfield Township 10-8-5-6 29
Upper Dublin 10-15-20-9 54
Springfield Township (29) – Dylan McKenzie 3 0-0 6; Miles Godwin 2 0-1 4; Ben Cooney 0 1-2 1; Brett Smith 1 0-0 2; Harry Rittenhouse 0 1-4 1; Kyle Smythe 6 0-0 13; Tommy Coppol 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 13 2-7 29.
Upper Dublin (54) – DJ Cerisier 3 0-1 7; Noah Lee 1 0-0 3; Chris Kohlbrenner 2 1-4 6; Mason Pensabene 1 4-5 6; Colin O’Sullivan 4 0-0 10; Griffin Pensabene 3 2-4 8; Seaton Kukla 3 8-10 14; TOTALS 17 15-24 54.
3-point goals: Springfield Twp – Kyle Smythe; UD – Colin O’Sullivan 2, DJ Cerisier, Noah Lee, Chris Kohlbrenner.
SOL Liberty Division
CHELTENHAM 72, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 56
If the visiting Panthers were looking for a strong start, they got just that, opening up a 23-8 lead after one quarter and never looking back.
Rasheem Dearry led four Panthers in double figures with 17 points. He also had five rebounds and was a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
“Just overall, it’s a good team win,” Cheltenham coach Patrick Fleury said. “It was good that we were able to go in there and play well. We’re happy with it. We just want to continue to build and just play for one another.
“We’re okay with whatever the outcome is – obviously, we want to win, but as long as we move like a family and a brotherhood, whatever comes from it, we’re okay with it.”
Brandon Bush added 14 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots. His 10 first-quarter points, which included a pair of 3s, ignited the Panthers. Elias Walker had 12 points and five assists, and Nasir Edens also has 12 points.
“That was amazing for us,” Fleury said of Edens’ performance. “He was a kid who I can honestly say from when he was a freshman – we should have played him on varsity knowing what I know now. He’s just stayed the course. He’s very capable as a scorer, and he’s like the intangibles guy. He does so many little things that make us who we are. Tonight he was a little bit more assertive. It was beautiful to see.”
Justin Savage led the Panthers under the backboards with 12 rebounds. He also had eight blocked shots. Impressive numbers by any standard, especially since Savage is a guard.
“That was unbelievable,” Fleury said.
Josiah Hutson had four assists to go along with seven points. Kamani Healey had five rebounds.
“Joey Weimer came in and gave us good minutes,” Fluery said. “He didn’t score, but he definitely played better defensively. He was disruptive, which was something that was very, very good for us. Craig Metcalfe also gave us great minutes.”
The Panthers connected on 20-of-29 at the foul line with Dearry burying 8-of-10 to lead the way.
“Free throws are something that we’re harping on as a team,” Fleury said. “Tonight it wasn’t great, but in spurts, we got to the line and converted, and that was good to see.”
For the Colonials, Qudire Bennett led the way with 17 points – 11 in a 17-point third quarter. Jaden Colzie and Marshall Baker both added nine points while Jimmy Flowers had six.
“Hats off to Jimmy (Donofrio),” Fleury said of the Colonials’ long-time coach. “Obviously, we respect him and everything he’s accomplished. We’re that Suburban One school that wants to take the next jump.
“PW – their strength of schedule at the beginning was one of the tougher ones, so they’ll be better later,” Fleury said. “They have a young point guard – sophomore Jaden Colzie – as we do with Josiah (Hutson), and that was a good matchup to see. We think Josiah is a Division 1 kid.”
Cheltenham (7-0, 4-0 SOL) will travel to Abington for a non-league rivalry game on Saturday at noon. Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-4, 2-2) is scheduled to play the Gilman School (Md.) as part of the R1A Classic at Harford College on Saturday (11 a.m.).
Cheltenham 23-14-18-17 72
Plymouth Whitemarsh 8-12-17-19 56
Cheltenham (72) – Rasheem Dearry 4 8-10 17; Josiah Hutson 2 1-2 7; Elias Walker 5 2-5 12; Kamani Healey 1 0-0 2; Nasir Edens 4 4-5 12; Brandon Bush 5 2-3 14; Justin Savage 1 3-4 5; Craig Metcalfe 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 23 20-29 72.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (56) – Zende Hubbard 1 2-2 4; Jaden Colzie 4 0-1 9; Marshall Baker 3 2-2 9; Jimmy Flowers 2 1-2 6; Taji Hubbard 2 0-0 4; Qudire Bennett 9 1-1 22; Rodney Willis 0 2-4 2; TOTALS 21 8-12 56.
3-point goals: Cheltenham – Brandon Bush 2, Josiah Hutson 2, Rasheem Dearry, Craig Metcalfe; PW – Qudire Bennett 3, Jaden Colzie, Marshall Baker, Jimmy Flowers.
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