Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ teams in action Thursday. Pennsbury/CR North photos provided courtesy of Jon Sklut; Upper Dublin/Hatboro-Horsham provided by Geanine Jamison; Council Rock South/Truman provided by Mike Sperando. CLICK HERE for a gallery of photos.
SOL National Conference
PENNSBURY 53, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 48
The Falcons lost their first two games of the season, the Indians won their first three. When the final horn sounded on Thursday’s SOL opener, the Falcons had their first win and the Indians, their first loss.
“Obviously, Council Rock came in 3-0, and they’ve been playing really good basketball, especially on the defensive side of the court,” coach Bill Coleman said. “For us, it really came down to physical and mental toughness and being able to execute under pressure and think our way through a basketball game.
“We knew exactly how they were going to play us. Our guys luckily were able to figure it out at the end. We got in foul trouble early.”
Collin Connor – who averaged 20 points in the first two games for the Falcons – was plagued with foul woes the entire night and held to just three points.
“Gary Francis was 2-for-10, but we got contributions from other people,” Coleman said. “Kyrie Miller, our point guard, stepped up. Cooper Arnold averaged maybe seven or eight, and he had 11 today, which was good to see after we got him calmed down.
“The guys that came off the bench, Amir Johnson and Brendan McCormack, were able to make some free throws at the end of the game to help us seal the victory.”
Francis struggled from the field but buried 8-of-9 from the foul line to finish with 12 points to go along with five rebounds. He shared team scoring honors with Miller, who also had 12 points to go along with six rebounds and three steals. Arnold’s 11 points included three 3-pointers.
Foul shots loomed large in a fourth quarter that saw the Falcons connect on 13-of-18. McCormack was 2-for-2 from the foul line in the final frame and Johnson, was 3-for-4. He also led the defense with four steals.
Key to the win was another blue collar effort by Charlie Nuschke, who finished with eight points and eight rebounds and earned his second Hard Hat Award in three games.
“The hard hat is basically – who’s doing the blue collar stuff? Who’s going to get dirty for the team – rebound, take charges, get down on the floor,” Coleman said. “Charlie had his eyebrow split open – he was bleeding. He had six offensive rebounds.”
The Falcons 22-20 at halftime but outscored the visiting Indians 12-5 in the third quarter. The two teams exchanged baskets in the final frame, and the Falcons’ first win was in the books.
“I will never change the way we schedule our non-league games,” said Coleman whose team dropped a heartbreaker to Thurgood Marshall and also fell to PCL power Archbishop Ryan. “We want to play the toughest teams that we can, that will prepare us for the league and for the districts and even states if we’re lucky enough to get there. I also want to prepare kids for school in the future if they want to go that route.
“So going into every season, I know we’re going to take our lumps early, and depending on what type of squad we have, can we manage that first part of the schedule? The guys get down on themselves, and I said, ‘You played Archbishop Ryan. They’re going to be top five in the Catholic League, which is by far the best league in the country, and you competed with them. You played a team from Harlem, you had no idea who they were, other than what I told you, and you’re able to figure out a way to almost win the game with two seconds left.’ All of that is learning experiences and giving those guys an opportunity to showcase what they can do.
“This was a very big win. We’re 1-0 in the league and 1-2 overall. We have to work on some things, but they did get a little better today.”
For the Indians, DJ Mischak led the way with 16 points, and James Duffy added 11 points and four rebounds. Hunter Wan had nine points, and Parker Ehlin led the Indians under the backboards with six rebounds.
Pennsbury (1-2, 1-0 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. as part of the SOL Challenge. Also in Saturday’s SOL Challenge, Council Rock North (3-1, 0-1) will take on Central Bucks East at Council Rock South (1 p.m.).
Council Rock North 10-12-6-21 48
Pennsbury 11-9-12-21 53
Council Rock North (48) – DJ Mischak 16, Bernie Parent 3, Luke Vliet 2, Hunter Wan 9, Mikey Sylvester 3, Parker Ehlin 4, James Duffy 11.
Pennsbury (53) – Kyrie Miller 12, Collin Connor 3, Gary Francis 12, Amir Johnson 5, Brendan McCormack 2, Cooper Arnold 11, Nuschke 8.
BENSALEM 53, NESHAMINY 43
The Owls have shown a penchant for keeping things interesting in the opening week of the season. In Thursday’s SOL opener, they trailed 21-10 at halftime but used an impressive 16-5 third quarter to take control of the game on their way to the conference win.
“We came out and scored a couple of quick baskets in the third quarter, we’re trying to pull away, and they came back and took the lead again, then we came back,” Bensalem coach Mike McCabe said. “It was back and forth. I think both teams struggled to score early on. I don’t think either team has that real go-to guy yet that can score, but I’ll take a win anytime I can get it, especially in the league opener.”
Lamont Hasker was key in Bensalem’s third quarter surge, scoring eight of his team-high 15 points in the frame.
“He came out and took it to the basket,” McCabe said. “We got him involved. He did a nice job.”
Shane Simmons came off the bench and added 13 points in a solid supporting role for the Owls, who led 36-26 after three quarters.
“Shane Simmons came in and hit a nice three for us in the third quarter,” McCabe said. “He was 5-for-6 from the foul line. He did a real nice job for us.
“We were 1-for-10 from three in the first half, and we said, ‘Stop shooting. We need to get the ball inside.’ We got the ball inside to Lamont, and I said – it’s going to open up the outside game. Shane got an outside look, and he made it count.”
McCabe also credited Nasir Williams, Reuben Jean-Phillips, Adam Beck and TJ Igielski for giving the team a lift – Williams and Jean Phillips off the bench.
Beck, who finished with four points, delivered the game-winning shot in the Owls’ win over Wissahickon Tuesday. Williams had eight points and Jeremiah Alexander had six points.
“It was a nice team win,” McCabe said. “Both teams struggled to score, but it just seems like we’re finding a way to win, and that’s what we need right now. We need the experience – that’s the big part for us.”
For Neshaminy, Kyle Saglimben led the way with 15 points. Damon McGovern added 10, Mike Murray had eight and Andrew Mays, six.
Bensalem (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Coatesville on Saturday for a non-league game at 1:30 p.m. Neshaminy (1-2, 0-1) will faced Central Bucks South in Saturday’s SOL Challenge at Central Bucks West at 1 p.m.
Bensalem
Bensalem 8-12-16-17 53
Neshaminy 7-14-5-17 43
Bensalem (53) – Nasir William 8, Reuben Jean-Phillips 2, Jeremiah Alexander 6, Shane Simmons 13, TJ Igielski 5, Lamont Hasker 15, Adam Beck 4.
Neshaminy (43) – Kyle Saglimben 15, Brandon Kelly 2, Damon McGovern 10, Deval Glover 2, Mike Murray 8, Andrew Mays 6.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 61, HARRY S TRUMAN 34
The Golden Hawks needed a win, and they got a convincing one in Thursday’s SOL opener, bringing to a welcome end a three-game skid to open the season.
“Our kids have really worked hard, and they deserved it,” South coach Chris Clark said. “I thought we should have won the first game we played.
“I was happy for them because of the hard work they put in. They’ve been diligent about trying to listen and buy into what we’re doing.”
The visiting Golden Hawks led by just a 9-8 score after one quarter but took control of the game in the second quarter with a 16-4 tear to go on top 25-12. They added to that lead in an explosive third quarter that saw them put 22 points on the board. Guards Michael Stewart and Shawn Blank led the charge with seven points each.
“One of the things we talked about was really trying to be patient in the halfcourt – move the ball and get really good shots for everybody,” Clark said. “Plus we want to push the ball always and that generates offense also.
“Just trying to move the ball and get ball reversal as much as we can and get everybody involved.”
Three Golden Hawk players finished the game in double figures. Stewart led the way with 14 points, and Blank had 13. Jack Rebholz added 11, and Brian Schwartz had nine. Connor Lewis chipped in six.
“Jack (Rebholz), our point guard, was tremendous on both ends, controlling the offense, putting pressure on their point guard,” Clark said. “He was really good.
“I thought our forwards inside – Kevin McNamee, Brian Schwartz and Connor Lewis – did a good job of three-quarter fronting, guarding the post and blocking out. On the perimeter, Shawn Blank and Michael Stewart, getting points in transition, getting points in the halfcourt in just a variety of ways. It really was a total team effort on both ends of the court.”
Donald Imo’s 12 points led the Tigers.
Council Rock South (1-3, 1-0 SOL) will host Upper Dublin in a non-league game in Saturday’s SOL Challenge at 4:30 p.m. Harry S Truman (0-4, 0-1) will travel to Delaware County Christian School for a non-league game on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Council Rock South 9-16-22-12 61
Harry S Truman 8-4-12-10 34
Council Rock South (61) – Jack Rebholz 11, Michael Stewart 14, Kevin McNamee 2, Luca Baratta 4, Shawn Blank 9, David Loving 1, Connor Lewis 6.
Harry S Truman (34) – Donald Imo 12, Jon Maloney 3, Kashun Holden 1, TJ Rodgers 1, Vargas 5, Gabe Gipli 1, Kelsey 3, Alex Fisher 3, Leon 6.
SOL Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 80, SOUDERTON 67
AJ Mitchell didn't have to give up the ball as he drove to the basket late in the fourth quarter, but he trusted Tali McIver.
The senior's pass found McIver, another senior, in the right corner for a wide-open 3-pointer that hit nothing but net. McIver's dagger triple put the Knights up 11 with two-and-a-half minutes to play.
"I trusted my teammate and he was going to make it," Mitchell said confidently after the game.
North Penn played Thursday's SOL Continental opener at its pace. Storming out of the gate for the game's first seven points, the Knights used a big first half by Mitchell and great ball movement to create plenty of good looks.
Mitchell scored a game-high 23 points but McIver wasn't far off the mark with 21 of his own, including the last 11 North Penn points of the contest. Souderton did find its way into the game and the teams stormed up and down the floor in a 23-20 first quarter.
“There’s good chemistry and they’re unselfish,” Knights coach Jon Conrad said. “They’re willing to make the extra pass, we’re assisting a lot of our 3-point shots so it’s a good group of kids playing for one another.”
Sami Chouiraf scored 21 to lead Souderton, including five 3-pointers but the Indians found themselves chasing the lead for most of the game. With a couple guys battling injuries and coming off another high-tempo game on Tuesday against William Tennent, tired legs caught up to Souderton's six-man rotation late but not before it put a scare into North Penn.
Five straight points by Chouiraf midway through the third staked Souderton to a brief 48-47 lead.
McIver hit a three to restore the Knights’ lead, and a possession later, Chris Caputo hit from deep to extend the advantage to two scores. North Penn hit nine 3-pointers as a team in the win.
"We worked really hard in practice and that was a big factor in us making our shots,” Mitchell said. “We work hard every day on things like that, the little things. From the very beginning, we’ve been moving the ball really well and on and off the court, we’re good friends and it just transitions onto the court.”
Mitchell scored 17 in the first half and added his other six in the third quarter. Once McIver, who went 12-of-12 at the foul line, got going in the fourth, Mitchell was happy to cede the leading role.
"He's got a great feel," Conrad said of the senior point guard. "He carried us for most of the game, then they concentrated on him, and Tali, I thought, played great down the stretch."
Souderton cut North Penn's 10-point lead in half with 4:31 to play, but the Knights came back with a Matt Swanson free throw, two foul shots by McIver and then McIver's corner three to put the game in hand.
"We're not very big, but we've got great athletes," Conrad said. "I feel like we've got nine guys who can contribute so if we can get into other people's benches, that helps us."
Souderton (1-3, 0-1 SOL) will face Hatboro-Horsham as part of Saturday’s SOL Challenge at North Penn (1:30 p.m.). North Penn will be at home Saturday for a nonleague game with Boyertown at 4:30 p.m.
Souderton 20-19-12-16 67
North Penn 23-20-15-22 80
North Penn: AJ Mitchell 23, Tali McIver 21, Chris Caputo 9, Solomon Robinson 10, Matt Swanson 9,
Kolby Barrow 8
Souderton: Andrew Vince 6, Jack Towsen 5, Sami Chouiraf 21, Zach Thatcher 16, Mekhi Williams 2,
Kyle Walker 17
SOL American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 59, HATBORO-HORSHAM 46
The Flying Cardinals had to like their chances when they went into halftime with a 29-23 lead, but the third quarter didn’t exactly go as they’d hoped, and they found themselves trailing by one heading into the final quarter.
They put things together in the final quarter and closed out the game with a flourish, outscoring the Hatters 20-6 to earn the important win in their season opener.
“We went into halftime up six, and we talked about how good of a third quarter we wanted to have and talked about the scouting report and the shooters they have, and we came out and played a lousy third quarter,” UD coach Chris Monahan said. “We let kids that can make shots wide open, and they made shots.
“We go in the fourth down, and in the fourth quarter, we were able to get them to turn the ball over a little bit. We made a three, we got to the foul line, and we were 5-of-6 in the fourth. It started with the defense. We’re going in the right direction, and hopefully, we can keep it going.”
With the win, the Flying Cardinals are 3-1, a strong start for a team that won just six games last season.
“The first weekend was good – we had kind of an easy game,” Monahan said of UD’s 54-35 win over KIPP Dubois Charter. “Then we had a really hard game with Strawberry Mansion where we had to come back. We were down 18 in the third quarter and came all the way back.
“We had a hard-fought game with Council Rock North down at their place. It was their home opener. It’s a game that could have gone either way, but we lost that, so we open up tonight in conference, and we wanted to get back on track, and we did.”
In the first half, the Cardinals were led by Corby Watkins and Brian Klammer with eight points each. For the Hatters, Khalid Johnson had three 3-pointers for nine points, and Jake Schalki had eight points in the half.
Schalki and Jack Marvin both had six points in the Hatters’ 17-10 burst to go into the final quarter with a 40-39 advantage.
The Flying Cardinals received contributions up and down their lineup in a productive fourth quarter. Jason Williams and Bazel Brady both had five points while Drew Stover and Watkins each added four.
“We only have two seniors – Corby Watkins and Brian Klammer,” Monahan said. “We may get some back from the football team. We’re still figuring that out.
“Even the underclassmen, for the most part, played a lot last year. We do feel like our starting five and even some kids off the bench – we can get five guys in double figures every night, and one guy – tonight it was Corby – maybe goes for a little more than that. If we can get that consistently, we’re a pretty good offensive team.”
Watkins led three Cardinals in double figures with 18 points. Williams and Klammer both added 11. Mike Slivka had seven points and Stover, six.
“Corby does a lot for us offensively because he’s very athletic,” Monahan said. “He can score in different ways.
“Jason Williams made key threes early, Brian Klammer made a couple of threes, and Drew Stover, who is playing varsity for the first time his year, made some shots. It is balanced, and that’s how we like to play.”
For the Hatters, Schalki led the way with 15 points, and Johnson had 14, which included four threes. Marvin added nine points.
Upper Dublin (3-1, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South for a game against the Golden Hawks in Saturday’s SOL Challenge at 4:30 p.m. Hatboro-Horsham (2-2, 0-1) will take on Souderton in the SOL Challenge at North Penn at 1:30 p.m.
Hatboro-Horsham 10-13-17-6 46
Upper Dublin 11-18-10-20 59
Hatboro-Horsham (46) – Khalid Johnson 14, Jake Schalki 15, Zeheir Cheeze 4, Jack Marvin 9, N’Gianni Cerisier 1, Amir Bookard 3.
Upper Dublin (59) – Drew Stover 6, Corby Watkins 18, Bazel Brady 6, Jason Williams 11, Brian Klammer 11, Mike Slivka 7.
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