Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Saturday.
Non-league
ABINGTON 54, PENNSBURY 45
The Ghosts continued to get a lift from their bench players.
In Saturday’s non-league game at Harriton, it was senior Jon Roberts coming off the bench to contribute 12 points and seven rebounds, earning game MVP honors for his performance. He was 5-for-6 from the field and connected on a three.
“Jon Roberts had a great game,” Abington coach Dan Marsh said.
The Falcons held a 13-12 advantage after one quarter, but the Ghosts outscored the Falcons 15-7 in the second to go into halftime with a 27-20 lead. Khalid Jenkins had five points off the bench to lead a balanced Ghost attack in the first half.
In the third quarter, the Falcons trimmed three points off the Ghosts’ lead but still trailed 37-33. The Ghosts closed out the game strong, outscoring the Falcons 17-12 in the final frame.
“We were in control most of the game,” Marsh said. “They made some runs, and we persevered.”
Also, for the Ghosts, Jeremiah Lee led a balanced Ghost attack with 13 points while connecting on 5-of-7 shots from the field and 3-of-4 at the line. He also had four rebounds, four steals and five assists. Paul Glants contributed eight points, and Jenkins added seven points off the bench, connecting on all three of his shots from the field. Aaron Jones had four points, five rebounds and three steals.
For the Falcons, Mike Roccograndi’s 15 points led the way. Danny Cohen and Connor Taddei both had eight points with both connecting on a pair of 3s. Grayson Gozum added six points.
Abington connected on 22-of-39 shots from the floor (56.4 percent) and 3-for-10 from beyond the arc (30 percent). The Ghosts were better from the field than the foul line where they were 7-for-16 (43.7 percent).
The Ghosts had 15 steals on the heels of 16 thefts the night before in their win over Wissahickon.
Abington (6-2, 2-2 SOL) will host Quakertown on Tuesday, and Pennsbury (4-4, 2-2) will host Council Rock North on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 13-7-13-12 45
Abington 12-15-10-17 54
Pennsbury (45) – Teddy Mangan 0 4-4 4; Mike Roccograndi 7 0-0 15; Danny Cohen 3 0-0 8; Grayson Gozum 1 4-4 6; Connor Taddei 3 0-0 8; Eric David 0 0-2 0; Simon Dlugi 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 16 8-10 45.
Abington (54) – Damon Rawls 1 1-2 3; Aaron Jones 2 0-0 4; Jaden Flournoy 1 0-0 3; Jeremiah Lee 5 3-4 13; Jake Manigault 1 0-0 2; Paul Glants 3 1-2 8; Kamari Brasher 1 0-0 2; John Roberts 5 1-6 12; Khalid Jenkins 3 1-2 7; TOTALS 22 7-16 54.
3-point goals: Pennsbury – Danny Cohen 2, Connor Taddei 2, Mike Roccograndi; Abington – Jaden Flournoy, Paul Glants, John Roberts.
CHELTENHAM 42, PENN WOOD 33
Defense was the name of the game in Saturday’s non-league win.
The two teams went into the final quarter deadlocked at 25, and the Panthers closed it out with a 17-8 fourth quarter.
“Thirty-three points is commendable,” Cheltenham coach Patrick Fleury said. “It’s a testament to just how connected they were defensively tonight.
“I think the three games (this week) definitely took a toll on them. We were able to watch a little bit on Penn Wood but with (games) Friday and Saturday, it was tough to really do what we would normally do, but we definitely knew they were a good opponent, a playoff team, so the defense was definitely there. There’s definitely a lot we have to clean up, but I’m super happy with it overall.”
In the fourth quarter, Kamal Mason’s six points led the Panthers. Kevin Addison and Osei Johnson were both 4-for-4 from the foul line in the quarter, and Salim Kelly had a big 3-pointer.
For the game, Addison’s 12 points led the Panthers while Johnson had seven and Mason finished with six.
“Kevin Addison led us,” Fleury said. “We always preach – each game somebody else is going to have to step up, whether it be the leading scorer or whatever the case is. You never really want to be a one-trick pony.
“I’m an Eagles fan so winning ugly is not something that I’m not unaccustomed to seeing or being a part of, but it was good – they held together, they stayed together. We didn’t play perfect by any means. We didn’t play as well as we would have liked. It’s not about that always. It’s about getting a win for our team and our community.”
A key to the win was the Panthers’ 13-for-14 effort at the foul line, including an 8-for-8 showing in the fourth quarter.
“It was obviously a hard-fought game,” Fleury said. “They’re a very good team, and 13-for-14 from the line is the story.
“Our legs were gone, and you could see that. Credit to Penn Wood – they obviously were a part of that because of how hard we had to play to get this win. I’m proud of them and want to keep moving forward. It’s good they have a day off tomorrow.
“It was just important to win the right way and just continue to push forward. We have a long way to go, but I’m proud of our guys and their fight and their ability to pull out a couple of close games early.”
Cheltenham (6-1, 4-0 SOL) will travel to Springfield Twp on Tuesday.
Penn Wood 6-12-7-8 33
Cheltenham 6-11-8-17 42
Penn Wood (33) – Chris Taylor 1 0-0 3; Lamaj Mapp 8 3-7 19; AD McLean 2 0-0 5; Armuari Womack 2 1-2 5; Nafi Davis 0 1-2 1; TOTALS 13 5-11 33.
Cheltenham (42) Kamal Mason 3 0-0 6; Josiah Hutson 1 2-2 5; Aidan Wilson-Worley 0 1-2 1; Kevin Addison 4 4-4 12; Chris Harmon 1 0-0 2; Osei Johnson 1 4-4 7; Salim Kelly 1 0-0 3; Nile Tinsley 2 0-0 4; Peyton McClendon 0 2-2 2; TOTALS 13 13-14 42
3-point goals: Penn Wood – Chris Taylor AD McLean; Cheltenham – Osei Johnson, Josiah Hutson, Salim Kelly.
WEST CHESTER RUSTIN 62, BENSALEM 56
The Owls led for the better part of Saturday’s non-league contest in Saturday’s Diane Mosco Classic but saw the game slip away late.
“We were up four or five with five minutes left,” Bensalem coach Ron Morris said. “It was a tough battle. We kind of got tired at the end, playing on back-to-back nights with guys still recovering from illness.
“West Chester Rustin is a really good program. Coach Vince (Mostardi) does a great job over there. They’re always in the state playoffs. I’d be shocked if they’re not in the state playoffs this year. They’re a complete team. They have really good guard play.”
Jaidyn Moffitt and Amir Drummond each scored eight points in a first quarter that saw the Owls go on top 18-15. Bensalem took a 32-26 lead into halftime.
Rustin gained momentum in the second half, outscoring the Owls 15-11 in the third quarter to make it a 43-41 game. The Golden Knights closed it out with a 21-13 fourth quarter to earn the win.
Moffitt’s 14 points led the Owls, and Drummond had 13. Antonio Morris had 11 points while Nate Cooper had seven, and Noah Morris had six.
“It was nice to have Jaidyn Moffitt back today – he was sick all week, so it’s tough to jump back in and think everything’s going to be perfect,” Morris said. “Each game you learn from, starting with myself – go back watch the film and reflect, improve on what we need to and continue to work hard on what we did well.
“A lot of positives came out of today. I thought we played extremely hard. Even when we got tired, we gave everything we had. In the fourth quarter, they got a lot of foul shots, and they converted. They took advantage of those opportunities at the foul line. We had a couple shots go in and out down the stretch. The ball just didn’t bounce our way.
“We tip our hat to West Chester Rustin for playing a great game, and again, it starts with me to make sure the team is fully equipped and ready for all situations. We will learn from this and get ready for our next game.”
Rustin’s Ben Malley led all scorers with 27 points.
“Their one guard, Ben Malley, was really good tonight,” Morris said. “It was like throwing in the ocean for him. We had all different defenders on him. Contested shot after contested shot – he was just making them. He was really good.
“They got good guard play, good role players, a big kid who is 6-7 or 6-8. He blocked some shots, and he altered some shots. I think we got tired down the stretch. It’s a great experience. It’s an honor to play in the Diane Mosco Scholarship Shootout. We appreciate John Mosco and all he does for high school basketball. It’s just an honor to be invited to play in an event like this. It was a good opportunity for our kids”
Bensalem (4-1, 4-0 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday.
Bensalem 18-14-11-13 56
West Chester Rustin 15-11-15-21 62
Bensalem (56) – Antonio Morris 5 0-0 11; Noah Morris 2 0-0 6; Micah White 2 1-2 5; Amir Drummond 5 3-4 13; Nate Cooper 3 0-0 7; Jaidyn Moffitt 5 4-5 14; TOTALS 22 8-11 56.
West Chester Rustin (62) – Ben Malley 10 5-5 27; Petty 1 0-0 3; Ryan Jaross 4 2-4 11; Danny Batchelor 1 1-2 3; Chase Hatton 1 2-2 4; Chaz Davis 6 2-7 14; TOTALS 23 12-21 62.
3-point goals: Bensalem – Noah Morris 2, Antonio Morris, Nate Cooper; Rustin – Ben Malley 2, Ryan Jaross, Petty.
HOLY GHOST PREP 84, WILLIAM TENNENT 78 (OT)
The Panthers found themselves staring at a 46-28 halftime deficit. Down but not out, they exploded for 30 third-quarter points, outscoring the Firebirds 30-8 to go on top 58-54. The Firebirds rallied to knot the score 73-73, setting the stage for overtime that saw the Firebirds outscore the Panthers 11-5.
Imad Abunima led the Panthers with 26 points, which included five 3-pointers. Kirby Mooney added 24 points, and Sean Devine had 12 points.
William Tennent (3-4, 2-2 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Tuesday.
Holy Ghosts Prep 24-22-8-19-11 84
William Tennent 14-14-30-15-5 78
Holy Ghost Prep (84) – Zak Sharlin 7 5-7 20; Adam McDonald 3 1-3 7; Robbie Segarich 7 1-3 17; Gavin McLaughlin 2 0-0 4; Dean Bergkoetter 1 0-0 2; Adrien Varella 11 4-5 30; Liam Duffy 2 0-2 4; TOTALS 33 11-20 84.
William Tennent (78) – Kirby Mooney 8 8-9 24; Chris D’Ambra 2 0-0 4; Sean Devine 4 2-2 12; Luke Torok 1 1-2 4; Imad Abunima 8 5-7 26; Jayden Bright 1 1-1 3; Tre Starcuzzi 2 0-0 5; TOTALS 26 17-21 78.
3-point goals: HGP – Varella 4, Segarocj 2. Sharlin; WT – Abunima 5, Devine 2, Torok, Stracuzzi..
EPISCOPAL ACADEMY 72, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 48
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