Check out the results for SOL Boys’ basketball teams in action Thursday night.
PENNSBURY 42, ABINGTON 36
Abington and Pennsbury have had some classic battles over the years. Add Thursday night’s SOL opener to that list.
“It was a very good game to watch,” coach Bill Coleman said. “It was going back and forth.
“Every game with Abington the last six years have all been battles, and it’s been fun. They’ve been on the winning end of most of them, but if you just go back and watch the games on tape and just be a spectator, they’re always fun to watch. They’re always battles, and it’s always fun to play Abington. Luckily, we came out on the winning end this time.”
The Falcons survived some serious foul woes to edge the Ghosts, breaking a nine-game losing streak to the three-time SOL National Conference champions dating back to Jan. 3, 2012.
Both of Pennsbury’s big men – Mark Flagg and Isaiah Carpenter – battled foul woes.
“Mark was on the bench almost three quarters,” said Coleman of Flagg, who eventually fouled out.
Carpenter overcame his foul problems to collect a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
“Isaiah came up huge with some big-time rebounds and some post moves in the third and fourth quarter,” Coleman said. “Our defense was very stingy.
“We did do a very good job of keeping our defense tight, not allowing penetration by their guards, and our bigs matched up with theirs.”
The Falcons led 8-5 after one quarter and took a 15-13 lead into halftime. They took a 24-19 lead into the final quarter when they held off a surging Ghost squad, outscoring their visitors 18-17.
“Our guard play in the fourth quarter – Tyler Sessa-Reeves had all nine of his points in the quarter,” Coleman said. “He stepped up and hit a big shot, and I don’t think he missed a free throw in the fourth quarter.
“It was a complete team effort. Different people are stepping up at different parts of the game when we need them, and it’s fun to watch.”
Both Abington and Pennsbury have a whole lot of new faces this season.
“We’re really young,” Coleman said. “We only have one senior that has experience – Rob Daly, and any win we get is a learning experience.
“These guys have never been through it and really don’t know what to expect. We just keep on asking them to get better every day, keep the effort higher and don’t be satisfied. Every time we step on the floor either versus St. Joe’s Prep, Souderton and now Abington – it’s a learning experience.”
Daly and Flagg both added six points for the Falcons. Abington was led by the 13-point effort of Eric Dixon. Robbie Heath contributed six points.
Pennsbury (3-0, 1-0 SOL) will face SOL American Conference power Plymouth Whitemarsh in Saturday’s Coaches vs. Cancer games at Archbishop Wood (1:30 p.m.). Abington (2-2, 0-1) will also be part of Saturday’s event at Archbishop Wood, taking on Conwell Egan.
Abington 5-8-6-17 36
Pennsbury 8-11-5-18 42
Abington: Rob Young 3, Robbie Heath 6, Donell Wessels 1, Brian Close 4, Xavier Monroe 1, Bernard James 4, Joe O’Brien 4, Eric Dixon 13.
Pennsbury: Addison Howard 6, Tyler Sessa-Reeves 9, Isaiah Carpenter 12, Rob Daly, Mark Flagg 6. Ward 3.
CHELTENHAM 51, UPPER MERION 39
The visiting Panthers led 16-11 after one quarter and blew the game wide open with a 19-6 second quarter scoring tear to go into halftime with a 35-17 lead. The Vikings outscored the Panthers in the second half but never really threatened.
Khalil White led a balanced Cheltenham attack with 10 points. Trevonn Pitts added nine. Justin Sutton contributed eight points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots in a solid all-around effort. Anthony White had six points, five rebounds and four steals, and Amir Lewis had seven points.
Defense, according to coach John Timms, was the key.
“The guys bought into defense, and the key tonight was focusing on Matt Faw and really pressuring the ball handlers, making it difficult for them to get into their offensive sets,” the Panthers’ coach said. “It was Anthony White’s job to defend Faw, and he did an excellent job.
“Branden Mack is our football star, but he’s also our defensive specialist.”
Faw scored 13 points to lead the Vikings while Ethan Miller added 11.
Cheltenham (3-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Archbishop Carroll for a non-league contest on Monday. Upper Merion (0-1) will be on the road at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday.
Cheltenham 16-19-5-11 51
Upper Merion11-6-11-11 39
Cheltenham: Khalil White 10, Anthony White 6, Trevonn Pitts 9, Maurice Valentine 3, Justin Sutton 8, Branden Mack 4, Amad Bickley 2, Amir Lewis 7, Jack Clark 2.
Upper Merion: Matt Faw 13, Ethan Miller 11, Isaiah Graham-Mobley 5, Aidan Newell 2, Andrew Persaud 3, Jordyn Adegun 4.
UPPER MORELAND 64, SPRINGSIDE CHESTNUT HILL 55
The Golden Bears opened up a 15-11 lead after one quarter and extended that to 30-21 by halftime. The two teams spent the second half exchanging baskets with UM winning by the nine-point advantage it held at halftime.
The Golden Bears were led by the trio of Brendan O’Donnell, Damian Washington and Shane Stone. O’Donnell finished with a team high 19 points while Washington and Stone both had 15.
Springside Chestnut Hill’s Sean Simon led all scorers with 35 points.
Upper Moreland (2-1) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh in Friday’s SOL opener.
Springside Chestnut Hill 11-10-17-17 55
Upper Moreland 15-15-17-17 64
Springside Chestnut Hill: Sweiter 8, Simon 35, McAdoo 8, Peyton 4.
Upper Moreland: Brendan O’Donnell 19, Damian Washington 15, Ryan Coyle 3, Casey Decker 5, Brett Brossman 5, Lyons 2, Shane Stone 15.
WISSAHICKON 42, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 34
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