Check out the results for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Tuesday. Check back to view photos of the Wissahickon/Upper Moreland, CB South/Hatboro-Horsham & CR North/Pennsbury games.
By Jarrad Saffren
For the first time all season, all 24 Suburban One League boys basketball teams played on the same night. Twelve league games, one warm Tuesday evening in mid-December. Two battles for first-place—one in the SOL National, one in the SOL Continental—highlighted the schedule. The other games weren’t too shabby either, as five were decided by five points or less.
SOL National
Pennsbury 43, Council Rock North 30
Before Tuesday night’s game, Council Rock North coach Derek Wright was talking about why it’s important that his best defensive players can guard multiple positions.
“We aren’t big,” said Wright.
The Indians’ tallest starter is 6-foot-3 forward Will Desautelle. No other starter is taller than 6-feet, making Pennsbury a bad matchup for North.
The Falcons run their offense through two 6-foot-8 big men, the lanky Mark Flagg and the thick Isaiah Carpenter. Flagg was the one who killed the Indians Tuesday night at CR North. But Carpenter scored at key moments as well.
The Indians double-teamed Flagg underneath but still could not stop him. Flagg scored all five Falcons points in the first quarter and 10 of 14 in the first half, leading Pennsbury to a two-point edge at the break.
“We needed someone to step up. A lot of people were struggling,” said Pennsbury coach Bill Coleman. “Mark picked it up. It was an ugly first half.”
In the first 16 minutes, Pennsbury shot 5-20 and North shot 5-15. Coleman said his team was settling for too many jumpers.
“Get it in the paint, man. Get it in the paint and pound it in,” said Coleman. “In the first half, we went away from it. They were packing it in. The first shot always looks open against North. We took it. We fell for it. In the second half, we didn’t fall for it.”
On their first three possessions after halftime, the Falcons dumped the ball into Carpenter. He laid the ball in twice and was fouled on the third possession, making one free throw. The 5-0 run put Pennsbury up seven.
North cut the lead back to four before a Vaughn Ward layup and an Addison Howard three put Pennsbury up nine after three quarters. North never got close again.
Pennsbury made the difference at the line, making 16 free throws to North’s three. The Indians also missed seven free throws.
Pennsbury improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the SOL National, moving into a first-place tie with Council Rock South. The Falcons play Bensalem Friday at 7 p.m. CR North dropped to 3-1 and 1-1. The Indians go to Harry S. Truman Friday for a 7 p.m. start.
Pennsbury 5-9-14-15 43
Council Rock North 5-7-7-11 30
Pennsbury: Addison Howard 7, Corey Dea 4, Mark Flagg 17, Mike Alley 2, Joey Monaghan 4, Tyler Sessa-Reeves 2, Isaiah Carpenter 5, Vaughn Ward 2.
Council Rock North: Will Desautelle 13, Ryan Costello 6, Matt McAlister 3, Riley Thompson 6, Tyler Nowmos 2.
Council Rock South 66, Bensalem 65 (OT)
The Golden Hawks improved to 2-0 in league play, earning an early share of first-place in the SOL National as a result of their come-from-behind win.
“It was a great team effort. It was a great game for us,” said CR South coach John Easterly. “Being down in the fourth, battling back and winning in overtime really is a move in the right direction for our very young and inexperienced team.”
Bensalem had a two-point lead in the fourth quarter when South started pressing.
“We got some easy baskets and took it to overtime,” said Easterly.
With ten seconds left, South was down two again when Mike Stock “made a great move to the basket and got a score for us that put us into overtime,” Easterly said.
The senior captain and three-year starter had nine points and seven rebounds.
“He’s just a steady influence on our team. He just kind of anchors the team and calms us down,” said Easterly. “Scoring that bucket at the end—it was great senior leadership from him.”
Bensalem had a shot to win the game at the end of overtime but missed short.
“In overtime we played well,” Easterly said.
In addition to Stock, the coach praised 6-foot-3 point guard Kevin Newbert, who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
“Kevin Newbert had a great game. It was his best game of the year. He came up big for us,” said Easterly. “He’s 6-3, so we expect him to rebound, and he did his job tonight rebounding and scored and had assists. He was very productive for us.”
Ryan Boyd, a 6-foot-6 junior forward, led South in overtime with four points. He had 13 points and eight boards overall.
“He had a great game as well,” Easterly said. “Eight of those 14 points were second-chance points where he got an offensive rebound and put-back, so those are great hustle points that helped the team out.”
South’s usual scoring suspects—Alex Nordenholt and Austin Thomas—chipped in 14 and 12, respectively. Nordenholt also registered five assists.
“We got good production from Alex and Austin. Bensalem did a great job of guarding those two, but they still got points for us,” Easterly said. “Both of those kids had a great second half.”
The Owls – who took a 33-29 lead into halftime – were led by the double-digit performances of four players. Brandon Vaughn scored a game-high 20 points, and Richard Dean added 13. B.J. Jones had 11 points, and Taco Douglas had 10.
CR South (3-2, 2-0 SOL) battles Abington Thursday at 5 p.m. Bensalem (1-3, 1-1 SOL) travels to Pennsbury Friday for a 7 p.m. start.
Council Rock South 19-10-15-15-7 66
Bensalem 17-16-13-13-6 65
Council Rock South: Austin Thomas 12, Alex Nordenholt 14, Kevin Newbert 16, Ryan McNamee 2, Mike Stock 9, Ryan Boyd 13.
Bensalem: Brandon Vaughn 20, Richard Dean 13, Anthony Greene 2, Josh Hill 2, BJ Jones 11, Brian Quarterman 5, Taco Douglas 10, John Demeny 2.
Harry S. Truman 58, William Tennent 49
Truman lost to CR South last Wednesday and did not play last Friday. Coach Byron Conover said his players were anxious to get back on the court against another team.
“The kids were so disappointed after Wednesday’s loss at CR South,” he said.
But the first-year coach also called the layoff a “blessing in disguise.” The Tigers were able to practice for four days, and Conover was able to scout Tennent last Friday at CR North.
“I got my football guys warmed up and we went back to that Truman man-to-man,” Conover said.
Two football/basketball players sparked Truman Tuesday night. Maurice Jackson, a two-year starter and team captain for the basketball team, registered a double-double, pouring in 12 points.
“He’s our leader,” said Conover. “Kids gravitate to him.”
Sixth man Justin Fant “came in and gave us a spark with energy and defense,” said Conover. “He still has that football mentality where he wants to go 500 miles per hour.
“We had to slow him down to like 475, but he gives that it factor. He loves that role and relishes it. I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Kelechi Ogboona continued to lead the Truman offense, scoring 12 points on four threes. Ogboona is averaging 15 points per game, the best mark of any Tigers player. Conover said his scorer can still improve. “He needs to step up his defense, like we all do.”
Quin McQueen added nine points off the bench, all on threes. James Clowney scored eight points.
Overall, Conover was proud of his guys for bouncing back.
“I told my guys, ‘The great thing about basketball is that it’s not college football.’ It’s not one game and out,” said Conover. “We were humbled by CR South. So I told them all week we gotta protect our home floor. We did that tonight.”
Truman (2-2, 1-1 SOL) buses to Upper Moreland Wednesday for a 7 p.m. start. Tennent (0-5, 0-2 SOL) takes on New Foundations Charter on the same night and time.
Abington 69, Neshaminy 49
The Ghosts got back on track in league play after losing their opener to Pennsbury last Thursday.
Abington (4-2, 1-1 SOL) hosts CR South Thursday night. Neshaminy (0-2, 0-2 SOL) goes for its first win against fellow winless SOL National foe William Tennent.
SOL American
Upper Moreland 48, Wissahickon 46
Upper Moreland trailed by three late in the fourth quarter. Damian Washington caught the ball at the top of the key and launched a three. Bang. Forty-five all.
Wissahickon drove back down the floor and was fouled. The shooter made one of two to cut the Trojans’ deficit to one.
“Then they started pressuring us,” said Upper Moreland coach Matt Heiland.
Brendon O’Donnell was fouled. He hit one of two to put Upper Moreland back up two, 48-46. Wissahickon coach Kyle Wilson called timeout with 37 seconds to play.
“He set up a play and we sniffed it out,” said Heiland.
But Wissahickon got the rebound, kicked the ball to the corner, and missed a three off the front rim. Upper Moreland batted the ball out toward center court. Game over.
“Our bench was very excited. We rushed the court and celebrated with our guys on the floor,” Heiland said. “We have preseason goals. We break our season up in quarters. The first quarter was five games and our goal for the first quarter was to go 3-2. We got it done tonight.”
Heiland said UM’s season goal is finish above .500 at 12-10.
But the Golden Bears are not just reaching expectations on paper. Heiland’s team is playing as well as he could have hoped for.
In Tuesday’s win, Brett Brossman (11 points), Washington (11 points) and Brendan O’Donnell (10 points) led a balanced Golden Bear attack.
In five games, Washington has drained 20 threes on 44 attempts. Brossman buried three threes himself Tuesday night.
“Shane Stone is also playing exceptional,” said Heiland, who also praised O’Donnell.
“He had a tough night against PW, so he took a step back, reflected on it, and bounced back tonight.”
So did Upper Moreland.
The Trojans were led by Zach Reiner (15 points), Noah Curran (eight points), Alex Tappan (eight points) and Max Rapoport (seven points).
The Golden Bears (3-2, 1-1 SOL) will try to start a winning streak Wednesday night against Truman. Wissahickon (3-3, 1-1 SOL) clashes with PW Friday night at 7 p.m.
Upper Moreland 15-11-8-14 48
Wissahickon 10-10-13-13 46
Upper Moreland: Brendan O’Donnell 10, Damian Washington 11, Ryan Coyle 2, Brett Brossman 11, Mike Lyons 2, Shane Stone 12.
Wissahickon: Max Rapoport 7, Zach Gelman 6, Noah Curran 8, Alex Tappen 8, Michael Howard 2, Zach Reiner 15.
Cheltenham 63, Upper Dublin 39
Three Panthers scored in double figures and 11 scored in all. Khalif and Anthony White scored 12 points each, and Justin Sutton netted 10. Trevonn Pitts added seven, Maurice Valentine dropped six, and Amir Lewis stroked five.
Pitts also had nine rebounds, while Sutton had seven boards plus two blocked shots.
Cheltenham won every quarter by at least five points, opening up a 28-18 halftime lead and never looking back.
Ryan Stover was the only Upper Dublin player who scored in double figures, netting 12. Grant Adlam was second with nine points. John Barrett added eight.
"It was a big game for us after last night's loss," said Cheltenham coach John Timms of his team's 77-51 loss to Archbishop Carroll. "It was good to see the kids bounce back and get back to the face of our team, which is defense."
Cheltenham (4-1, 2-0 SOL) battles Academy of the New Church on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. Upper Dublin (0-4, 0-2 SOL) buses to Upper Moreland Friday for a 7 p.m. start.
Cheltenham 17-11-18-17 63
Upper Dublin 12-6-9-12 39
Cheltenham: Khalif White 12, Anthony White 12, Ahmad Bickley 2, Jack Clark 3, Maurice Valentine 6, Blair Brown 2, Amir Lewis 5, Justin Sutton 10, Rodney Carson 3, Trevonn Pitts 7, Aiden Corrigan 1
Upper Dublin – John Barrett 8, Ben Abel 2, Cortez Goff 4, Will Derr 4, Grant Adlam 9, Ryan Stover 12
Plymouth Whitemarsh 87, Upper Merion 56
It was another balanced effort for the Colonials, who have now won two SOL American games by 37 and 31 points.
Four Colonials players—Xzavier Malone, Grady Minick, Mike Lotito, and Davon Burrell—scored in double figures. Malone, as usual, led the way, dropping 24 to go along with four rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and three assists. Minick had 12 points and Lotito and Burrell each netted 11.
Ahmad Williams and Oakley Spencer added nine apiece. Twelve PW players got on the score sheet.
Upper Merion was led by Matt Faw, who scored 20, and Ethan Miller, who netted 17.
PW (4-0, 2-0 SOL) takes on Wissahickon Friday at 7 p.m. Upper Merion (0-2, 0-2 SOL) plays at Sun Valley Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
PW 16-26-20-25 87
UM 8-13-22-13 56
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Oakley Spencer 9 (3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block), Grady Minick 12 (3 rebounds, 1 rebound, 1 steal), Xzavier Malone 24 (4 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 3 assists), Kevin Ashenfelter 6 (3 assists), Ahmin Williams 1 (3 assists, 2 steals), Ahmad Williams 9 (1 rebound, 3 assists, two steals), Mike Lotito 11 (2 rebounds, 2 assists), Matt Walker (2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist), Naheem McLeon (1 block), Davon Burrell 11 (1 rebound, 1 assist), Cheo Houston 2, Devon Lawrence 2 (2 rebound)
Upper Merion: Aidan Newell 3, Isaiah Graham-Mobley 2, Ethan Miller 17, Chris Carita 6, Matt Faw 20, Andrew Persaud 3, Connor McDermott 2, Jordyn Adegun 1, Jake Pruskowski 2.
Norristown 48, Springfield 38
Norristown improved to 2-0 in league play behind strong performances from Darryl Carr and Tyrique Lyons.
Carr and Lyons combined for 33 of Norristown’s 48 points, Carr with 18, Lyons with 15. Carr and Lyons also combined for 12 rebounds, Carr with seven, Lyons with five.
Ryan Daley, Quentin Johnson, and Larry Clark all scored at least 10 points for Springfield, but it wasn’t enough. Only two other Springfield players scored and they combined for just seven points.
Norristown (3-3, 2-0 SOL) goes to Upper Merion Friday for a tilt with the Golden Bears. Springfield (1-4, 0-2 SOL) hosts Cheltenham Friday at 7 p.m.
Norristown 10-6-16-16 48
Springfield 9-9-8-12 38
Norristown: Darryl Carr 18, Tyrique Lyons 15, Ammir Carter 5, Reggie Collins 4, Darius McGowan 4, Marquis Greenwood 2.
Springfield: Ryan Daley 11, Justin Hill 4, Quentin Johnson 10, Ian Frasca 3, Larry Clark 10
Norristown 69, Pottsgrove 38 (Monday, Dec. 14)
The Eagles seized early control of Monday’s non-league game against the visiting Falcons, turning a 13-4 lead after one quarter into a 38-8 halftime lead on their way to the lopsided win.
Amir Carter scored 16 points to lead the Eagles, who also got double-double performances from a pair of players. Tyrique Lyons scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds while Darryl Carr had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Both players had three offensive rebounds. Roy Green was the fourth player in double figures with 14.
Pottsgrove 4-4-19-11 38
Norristown 13-25-15-16 69
SOL Continental
Central Bucks West 63, Pennridge 55
In an early season battle for first-place, the current favorite upended the two-time defending league champion.
CB West overcame a 12-6 deficit after one quarter to take a 24-23 lead into halftime. The Bucks distanced themselves in the third quarter, taking a five-point lead into the fourth.
Four Bucks—Cal Reichwein, Erich Hohlenleitner, Luke Irons, and Bill Power—scored in double figures. Reichwein led the balanced attack with 18 and now has 36 points in his last two games. Hohlenleitner and Reichwein also both had five rebounds.
Dan Long carried the Rams on a night when Max Wagner was not able to play. Long scored 18 points and Ryan Cuthbert added 13.
Pennridge was playing the second of a tough three-game stretch.
“We got the three CBs (Central Bucks schools) right in a row, one-two-three. That’s tough,” said Pennridge coach Dean Behrens last week. “When I saw that last year I was like, ‘Oh my god, come on.’”
Pennridge (4-1, 1-1 SOL) beat Central Bucks East 58-46 last Friday and plays Central Bucks South Friday at 7 p.m. CB West (4-1, 2-0 SOL) plays Souderton Friday at the same time.
Central Bucks West 6-18-17-22 63
Pennridge 12-11-12-20 55
Pennridge: Luke Nuneviller 3, Dan Long 18, Stephen Lowry 3, Ryan Kinky 3, Kyle Yoder 4, Ryan Cuthbert 13, Davon Balmer 5, Sean Yoder 6
Central Bucks West: Luke Irons 13, Cal Reichwein 18, Bill Power 10, Erich Hohlenleitner 12, Connor Lynch 6, Jake Reichwein 2, Collin MacAdams 2.
Central Bucks East 49, North Penn 44
CB East got back on track after losing its first game of the season last Friday to Pennridge. North Penn lost its second straight game by less than five points, and for the third time in four games overall.
Everyone contributed to a balanced attack for CB East. Tommy Strasburger led all scorers with 12, but seven other Patriots got on the score sheet. Everyone besides Strasburger scored between three and nine points. Justin O’Neil dropped nine and Elijah Seger had eight.
Matt Pattyson had six points and seven rebounds. Blake Peterson recorded two points, eight boards, and two blocks.
“We couldn’t care less who scores. We just want to get a great shot,” said CB East coach Erik Henrysen. “We’ll give up a good shot to get a great shot.”
Only one North Penn player—Noah Kwortnik—scored in double figures, and he had 10. “We’ve been happy with the defensive end. We’ve been switching it up in terms of what we’re doing,” Henrysen said. “We are confusing offenses and keeping guys in front of us and not giving up as much dribble penetration as we have in the past.”
The Patriots led 13-10 after one quarter, but the Knights went into halftime with a 25-22 lead. East erased that with a 21-8 third quarter burst.
CB East (4-1, 1-1 SOL) faces another tough test Friday night at Hatboro-Horsham. North Penn (2-3, 0-2 SOL) goes to Quakertown for a 7 p.m. start.
Central Bucks East 13-9-21-6 49
North Penn 10-15-8-11 44
Central Bucks East: Tommy Strasburger 12, Matt Pattyson 6, Blake Peterson 2, Justin O’Neil 9, Elijah Seger 8, Ryan Plack 4, Chris Reilly 5, Collin Stein 3.
North Penn: Justin Cueto 8, Matt Pickford 9, Ricky Johns 4, Reece Udinski 4, JJ Nelchior 3, Derek Heiserman 6, Noah Kwortnik 10.
Souderton 67, Quakertown 61
Souderton won its second game in a row to even its record at 3-3.
Ty Salone, Tracy Simsick, and Mike Bealer combined for 48 points for Souderton. Salone notched 20, Simsick 15, and Bealer 13.
Simsick has scored 35 points in his last two games combined.
Souderton (3-3, 1-1 SOL) battles first-place CB West Friday night. Quakertown (1-4, 0-2 SOL) hosts North Penn at 7 p.m.
Hatboro-Horsham 45, Central Bucks South 42
The Hatters won a defensive struggle behind one strong offensive performer.
Junior guard Jay Davis scored nearly half of Horsham’s points, pouring in 21. No other player scored in double figures.
CB South’s offense put up similar numbers. Chris Hones scored nearly half of the Titans’ points, dropping 18. No other Titan player reached double figures.
Clifton Moore and Joe Russell did score nine and eight, respectively, for the Hatters. Tim Waddington was second on the Titans with nine, but no other player scored more than five.
Hatboro-Horsham (3-2, 2-0 SOL) plays CB East Friday at 7 p.m. CB South (3-2, 1-1 SOL) plays at Father Judge Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Hatboro-Horsham: Kyle Katz 4, Clifton Moore 9, Joseph Russell 8, Jay Davis 21, Ezekial Soan 3.
Central Bucks South: Alex Karras 3, Nate Robinson 5, Tommy Doyle 2, Nate Johnston 1, Ian Vogt 2, Ryan Joerger 2, Tim Waddington 9, Chris Hones 18.
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