Jarrad Saffren recaps all of Tuesday’s SOL boys’ basketball action. North Penn/Tennent photos provided courtesy of Jon Sklut, CR North/Neshaminy courtesy of John Gleeson and Wissahickon/Upper Dublin by Keith Clemens Photography. Check back for a gallery of all three games…CLICK HERE.
By Jarrad Saffren
Eighteen Suburban One League boys basketball teams played league games Tuesday night.
One—Pennsbury—played a nonleague game, against Archbishop Ryan.
Nine league games, one nonleague game.
It was a busy night. The results and recaps are below.
SOL National
Council Rock South 67, Harry S. Truman 56
Council Rock South rebounded after its first loss of the season to Parkland on Sunday (59-50).
“It was a good response to Sunday,” CR South coach Derek Wright said.
The Golden Hawks continued their hot start, improving to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Suburban One League National Conference play.
CR South and Abington—both 2-0—are the only undefeated teams left in SOL National play.
South is 2-0 with two road wins in loud gyms, Council Rock North and now Harry S. Truman. National coaches always say Truman is a tough place to play.
“It’s more of a closed-in environment, so it gets loud pretty quickly,” Wright said. “They are relentless, too. (Truman coach) Byron (Conover) does a good job maintaining that identity. They come after you regardless of the score.”
South led 17-6 lead after one quarter and 35-21 after one half. But Truman stayed relentless, cutting South’s lead to 48-40 after three quarters.
“Then their fans got into it,” Wright said.
The Hawks won the fourth quarter 19-16. They shot 11-of-14 from the free throw line in those last 8:00.
South did not score more than 53 points before Tuesday night.
Three Hawks players—Ryan Boyd (17), Kevin Newbert (13) and Alex Nordenholt (13)—scored in double figures and combined for 43 points.
Christian Jabbar and Ryan McNamee added seven for the Hawks.
“Our forwards and guards worked as well together tonight as they had all year,” Wright said. “The guards did a better job passing the ball into the paint area.”
Boyd continues to play like an all-league forward.
“He’s a skilled big man. Hopefully he continues to come hungry to practice every day and he’ll continue to get better,” Wright said. “He’s a great kid, coachable and hungry to learn.”
Boyd is 6-foot-6, so smaller forwards often collapse on him. But he is good in traffic.
“He has good footwork when he stays with it. And he can handle pressure,” Wright said. “He keeps his pivot foot balanced. He does a good job still finishing when undersized teams collapse on him.”
Austin Thomas—South’s leading scorer going into Tuesday night—only scored five. But the senior contributed in another way.
“He steadied the offense,” Wright said.
Thomas, Newbert and Nordenholt are South’s three best scorers. Two usually score in double figures. The third contributes in another way, like Thomas on Tuesday night.
“We met with them before the season and talked about how they may not have games where they score a lot. They have to understand the strength of the team is depth,” Wright said. “It was Austin tonight. Kevin didn’t score much on Friday but was great defensively. These guys wanna win. So they don’t care who gets the credit.”
Kelechi Ogbonna led Truman with 18 points. Danell Snelling added 16.
CR South (5-1, 2-0 SOL) hosts Bishop McDevitt Thursday night at seven. Truman (3-1, 0-1 SOL) plays Bensalem on the same night and time.
Council Rock South 17-18-13-19 67
Harry S. Truman 6-15-19-16 56
Council Rock South (67) – Austin Thomas 5, Shaun Smith 3, Christian Jabbar 7, Alex Nordenholt 13, Kevin Newbert 13, Ryan McNamee 7, Ryan Boyd 17.
Harry S Truman (56) – Jeff Nixon 4, Kelechi Ogbonna 18, Danell Snelling 12, Zierr Reid 4, ZJ Jackson 6, Jordan Freeman 2, Marvel Rogers 4.
Bensalem 40, Council Rock North 37 (OT)
Bensalem earned its first league win over a tough, well-coached CR North team.
“North dictated the game by holding the ball,” Bensalem coach Mike McCabe said. “They played hard and tried to keep the score low. They are tough. (North coach) Jesse (Krasna) coached a great game. He does a great job with those kids.”
McCabe called for traps and presses to disrupt Krasna’s deliberate game-plan.
“We played well when we started trapping and pressing. Everyone did. It was a team effort,” McCabe said. “We were running and jumping the passing lanes.”
North still held a five-point lead in the fourth quarter. But Bensalem stormed back to tie the game with seconds to go. Bensalem’s Ward Roberts clanged a three off the back rim as time expired.
In overtime, the Owls continued their momentum and built a five-point lead. Bensalem’s Kris Shields scored five points in OT. North trailed 40-37 going into its last possession.
But an Indians player missed a three. Bensalem’s Richard Dean grabbed the rebound.
“Our guys played so hard,” Krasna said. “We got a lot of good looks in the second half but went ice cold.”
Shields led the Owls with nine points and eight rebounds. Dean added seven points and nine boards. Isaiah Carpenter had five points and five boards.
Bensalem (3-2, 1-1 SOL) takes on Truman Thursday night at seven. CR North (2-5, 0-2 SOL) plays Abington on the same night and time.
Abington 60, Neshaminy 38
Abington made history in its win over Neshaminy.
Three Abington players posted double-doubles. Eric Dixon had 24 points and 10 rebounds. Joseph O’Brien posted 12 points and 13 boards. And Robbie Heath had 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
It was the first time in Abington history that three players posted double-doubles. It was the first time since 1996-97 that three Ghosts players pulled down double-digit rebounds.
Abington also became the first team this season to slow down Neshaminy’s Chris Arcidiacono.
The big, athletic Ghosts held Arcidiacono to eight points, a season-low. He came into the game averaging 29.6 points.
Abington’s defense suffocated every other Neshaminy player, too. The Redskins scored eight points or less in three of four quarters. Abington led 14-4 after one quarter and 30-12 at halftime.
Anthony Papeo led Neshaminy with nine points.
“We played a tough team and didn’t make shots,” Neshaminy’s Mark Tingle said.
Abington improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in National play. The Ghosts beat Pennsbury 37-31 on Dec. 16.
Abington battles CR North Thursday night at seven. Neshaminy (2-2, 1-1 SOL) plays Pennsbury on the same night and time.
Abington 14-16-16-14 60
Neshaminy 4-8-18-8 38
Abington (60) – Eric Dixon 24, Robbie Heath 4, Joseph O’Brien 12, Robert Young 5, Darius Brown 2, Rohan Malnotra 5, Bryan Coffman 4, Gary Massey 2, Jonah Canada 2.
Neshaminy (38) – Zach Tredwary 4, Corey McGarry 4, Mark Gentry 6, Chris Archidiacono 6, Anthony Papeo 9, Cameron Jeffers 2, Anthony Verrachio 5, Andrew Note 2.
SOL Continental
Central Bucks East 50, Pennridge 47
Pennridge led 32-27 at halftime. But Central Bucks East won the third quarter 12-3, taking the lead toward the end of the quarter.
“It was a team defensive effort. We didn’t come out with a ton of steals. But we forced bad shots and rebounded the ball,” CB East coach Erik Henrysen said. “We switched between man and zone. They like to score in bunches and we stalled them a bit.”
The Rams won the fourth quarter 12-11, but it wasn’t enough.
“We kept trying to hold on. But the kid (Pennridge guard Sean) Yoder was tough,” Henrysen said. “(Matt) Pattyson and (Elijah) Seger hit some foul shots to get us where we needed to be.”
Yoder scored 22 points for Pennridge. No other Rams player scored more than seven.
Pattyson (15) and Collin Stein (12) combined for 27 points for CB East. Pattyson and Seger both shot 3-of-4 at the line. Ryan Plack added eight points.
“Pennridge is real tough. And it’s a tough place to play,” Henrysen said. “When we got down early, we didn’t do what we wanted to do on D. But we challenged the guys at halftime to put forth the effort we are used to, and we got our rhythm back in the third. We didn’t gamble as much.”
CB East (4-2, 1-1 SOL) takes on Central Bucks West Thursday night at 6:30. Pennridge (2-4, 0-2 SOL) battles Souderton Thursday night at seven.
Central Bucks East 11-16-12-11 50
Pennridge 15-17-3-12 47
Central Bucks East (50) – Matt Pattyson 15, Ryan Plack 8, Collin Stein 12, Cooper Fink 6, Ben Markowitz 3, Elijah Seger 6.
Pennridge (47) – Jordan Roehrer 5, Sean Yoder 22, Ryan Kinky 3, Kyle Yoder 2, Tyrese Lewis-Eutsey 2, AJ Demarco 3, Ryan Cuthbert 5, Jon Post 7.
North Penn 56, William Tennent 46
North Penn continued its hot start, winning for the fourth time in five games, improving to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Suburban One League Continental Conference play. 
The Knights built a 15-point lead halfway through the third quarter. But William Tennent made a run and cut NP’s lead to six.
“We played well in spurts. They play with heart and pride. But a 10-point win at that place is always good,” North Penn coach John Conrad said. “(William Tennent’s) Pat McCauley is really good. He made threes from long range. We extended and he kept making them. It didn’t matter how far we extended.”
Lance Ford—normally a forward—played point guard for the Knights for the second straight game. North Penn’s normal starter at point guard—AJ Mitchell—was still out with an illness.
Ford—who stands 6-foot-4 and sees the whole floor—spread the ball around to a lineup of capable scorers.
Four North Penn players—Ricky Johns (12), David Giuliani (10), Chris Coleman (10) and Reece Udinski (eight)—scored at least eight points.
“We could be very competitive if we’re willing to share the basketball. Lance helped us get in and out of stuff. He ran the offense effectively,” Conrad said. “We tried different combinations. We found that Lance has been the most efficient at point for us. And he has willingly accepted that role. I think he’ll stay there now. As a tall point guard, he’s been successful distributing the ball. Plus having another guy of that size in there helps us rebound.”
North Penn also dominated on the glass.
“Guiliani was good on the offensive glass,” Conrad said. “Derek Heiserman also rebounded well, and had two put-backs that helped hold them off in the fourth.”
McCauley and Dave West both led William Tennent with 11 points. Both made three threes.
North Penn (4-1, 2-0 SOL) hosts La Salle College Thursday night at seven. William Tennent (0-4, 0-1 SOL) plays Central Bucks South Thursday night at seven.
North Penn 14-12-15-15 56
William Tennent 10-9-9-18 46
Central Bucks West 56, Central Bucks South 43
CB West earned its first league win of 2016-17 behind 37 points from Collin MacAdams (19) and Jake Reichwein (18).
“Offensively they had a big night. They got to the basket well, attacking the rim off the bounce,” CB West coach Adam Sherman said. “Jake was pretty effective close to the rim. It depends on the matchups, but they have the potential to be a good duo.”
Jack Mulhearn added eight points for the Bucks.
Nate Robinson led CB South with 12 points. Alex Karras scored nine. But MacAdams and Shane McCusker limited them.
“MacAdams and McCusker played well defensively. I was more happy with that than anything,” Sherman said. “Collin did a good job on Robinson. Shane did a good job on Karras. Both have good length and were able to limit touches in good spots and make them shoot tough shots.”
CB West (2-2, 1-1 SOL) hosts CB East Thursday night at 6:30. CB South (2-3, 1-1 SOL) takes on William Tennent Friday night at seven.
Central Bucks West 14-4-17-21 56
Central Bucks South 11-7-9-16 43
Central Bucks West (56) – Jack Mulhearn 8, Shane McCusker 2, Liam Cooney 5, Matthew Cooper 4, Collin MacAdams 19, Jake Reichwein 18.
Central Bucks South (43) – Alex Karras 9, Nate Robinson 12, Dan Tecce 7, Colin Sauers 6, Tommy Kuypers 3, Andrew Dietz 2, Ian McCaw 2, Colin Kenney 2.
SOL American
Wissahickon 53, Upper Dublin 46
Wissahickon earned its first SOL American win without its best player, 6-foot-3 junior forward Zach Reiner.
“We didn’t play as well as I would have liked. But I was pleased. We were still without our top guy, Zach Reiner, so it’s tough to be too upset,” Trojans coach Kyle Wilson said. “Zach didn’t miss a game his sophomore or freshman year. So the guys are still finding a way without him. We started strong but played even for the next three quarters. But it was enough to win.”
Reiner is nursing a second-degree ankle sprain.
“Hopefully he’ll be back next Friday,” Wilson said.
Chaz Owens “slid into Zach’s spot” and scored 17 points. He shot 6-of-8 from the foul line.
“He’s a very versatile guy like Zach, and is 6-foot-4, so he can play anywhere from the one to the four. So we played him in Zach’s point-wing position.”
Wissahickon’s Marlyn Johnson added 13 points.
“Marlyn stepped up and played really well,” Wilson said. “And Shane Ford had another really good game.”
Ford scored nine points.
Wissahickon held Upper Dublin to six first quarter points and 18 first half points.
“Our defense played well. Our offense was unbalanced at times. We fired up a bunch of threes at one point,” Wilson said. “But we were never giving up easy baskets, so it was ok.”
Rio Besachio led Upper Dublin with 17 points.
Wissahickon (2-2, 1-1 SOL) battles Hatboro-Horsham Friday night at seven. Upper Dublin (0-4, 0-1 SOL) takes on Plymouth Whitemarsh on the same night and time.
Wissahickon 11-13-14-15 53
Upper Dublin 6-12-13-15 46
Wissahickon (53) – Chaz Owens 17, Donovan Oliphant 5, Marlyn ohnson 13, Matteo Atkins 2, Zach Gelman 2, Max Rapoport 4, Alex Tappen 1, Shane Ford 9.
Upper Dublin (46) – J Heim 3, Mike Cottom 4, Nyjee Scott 7, Ian Mcgonagle 2, C. Stover 4, J. Ryan 2, Michael Ryan 6, Rio Besachio 17, Q Derr 1.
Hatboro-Horsham 59, Quakertown 33
Hatboro-Horsham improved to 3-0 in its new conference, the American.
The Hatters have won their league games by 40, 26 and 26, respectively.
“It’s been a good start, but now we have Wissahickon, and later we’ll have PW and Cheltenham, so we’ll see,” H-H coach Ed Enoch said.
On Tuesday night, H-H’s Clifton Moore and Jay Davis did their usual thing. Moore had 23 points and nine rebounds. Davis dropped 18 points.
“Clifton and Jay were very good offensively,” Enoch said. “We got down 7-0. Quakertown was spectacular in the first quarter. They really had us on our heels. They played really hard and really well. But Clifton and Jay brought us back.”
The Hatters also may have found a third option. Chris Edwards had nine points and 11 boards Tuesday night.
“He was really good tonight. He fills up the stat sheet. Rebounds, points. He was a major factor,” Enoch said. “At the end of the year last year he helped us off the bench. As the season went on he started gaining more confidence, and became a very important sub. He’s a good athlete with a good feel for the game. He gets loose balls, rebounds and is always in a good position defensively.”
Hatboro-Horsham (4-1, 3-0 SOL) plays Wissahickon Friday night at seven. Quakertown (0-4, 0-1 SOL) takes on Cheltenham Thursday night at seven.
Cheltenham 66, Upper Moreland 46
Cheltenham traveled to Upper Moreland, where it lost 60-59 to the Golden Bears last season.
“It seemed like from the beginning to the end we were trying to avenge that loss,” Cheltenham coach John Timms said. “We said it was a business trip. We wanted to go in there, handle our business and go home, and we were very businesslike. From beginning to end, we stayed focused.”
The Panthers dropped 27 points in the first quarter and never looked back.
"We had our biggest quarter since I have been here. They came out so focused,” Timms said. “To me, this is how we should have come out against Perkiomen Valley last year (in a 49-45 District One Class 4A first round playoff loss), and it was like we learned from that. We have to come out from beginning to end. We can’t pick and choose.”
Cheltenham’s Trevonn Pitts had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Tim Spencer dropped 13 points, including three threes. Jack Clark pitched in 12. Ahmad Bickley had eight points and eight assists.
“I was very proud of the team,” Timms said. “I said to the boys after the game, this is one of the proudest moments I had for those guys. It was one of our better games of the year, one of our most complete games of the year. That Upper Moreland team is good, and it was important to jump out early, and we did that and maintained that throughout, so I was very, very, very relieved.”
Jake Villanueva led Upper Moreland with 16 points. Ryan Coyle added eight.
Cheltenham (4-1, 2-0 SOL) hosts Quakertown Thursday night at seven. Upper Moreland (2-3, 0-2 SOL) plays Springfield-Montco on the same night and time.
Cheltenham 27-13-14-12 66
Upper Moreland 15-10-6-15 46
Cheltenham (66) – Trevonn Pitts 20, Ahmad Bickley 8, Jack Clark 12, Tim Spencer 13, Tim Myarick 2, Nadir Slocum 3, Naim McCall 2, Rodney Carson 4, Kyin Healey 2.
Upper Moreland (46) – Christian O’Donnell 1, Tommy Jacob 4, Damian Washington 5, Ryan Coyle 8, Anthony Green 7, Brett Brossman 3, Shane Stone 2, Jake Villanueva 16.
Nonleague
Archbishop Ryan 59, Pennsbury 47
Pennsbury lost its second straight game and dropped to 3-2.
The Falcons (3-2, 0-1 SOL) lost to Abington 37-31 on Dec. 16, their league opener.
They play Neshaminy Thursday night at seven.
Monday, Dec. 20
Council Rock North 41, Glen Mills 31
The Indians trailed 18-15 at halftime but held Glen Mills to just seven points in the first 14 minutes of the second half, rallying to earn the non-league win.
“The boys did a great job defending the post, rebounding and taking care of the ball in the second half,” coach Jesse Krasna said.
Leading the Indians were Noah Ehlin with 12 points and Drew Burton with 10.
Upper Moreland 55, Lower Moreland 47
The Golden Bears rallied from a 12-7 deficit at the end of one quarter to go on top 25-22 by halftime. Lower Moreland trailed by just one heading into the final quarter when the host Bears exploded for 22 points to earn the win in the battle of neighboring rivals.
Shane Stone (13 points), Brett Brossman (11) and Damian Washington (10) all finished the game in double figures. Casey Decker added eight points.
Lower Moreland 12-10-10-15 47
Upper Moreland 7-18-8-22 55
Lower Moreland (47) – Smolda 12, Wiggins 4, K.Zoubroulis 6, J. Zoubroulis 2, Cohen 13, Horn 5, Shimon 5.
Upper Moreland (55) – Casey Decker 8, Christian O’ Donnell 5, Damian Washington 10, Ryan Coyle 5, Anthony Green 3, Brett Brossman 11, Shane Stone 13.
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