Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Monday. UD/CB West photos courtesy of Mark Allen. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Cardinal Holiday Tournament
Upper Dublin 52, Central Bucks West 31
With a pair of big games on the horizon, Upper Dublin took care of business in the championship game of the Cardinal Holiday Tournament with a 52-31 win over CB West Monday.
The Flying Cardinals – who led 21-18 at halftime – clamped down defensively in the second half, holding the Bucks to five field goals and 13 points in the second half.
The win wrapped up a 10-1 December for the Cardinals.
Key Players: Horace Jackson had nine second-half points and was 7-for-7 from the free throw line for the game to lead the way with 16 points. Kobe Bazemore added 12 points.
UD coach Derek Brooks:
“Obviously, getting a couple wins here is the big thing, but just staying active and doing the things you have to do to prepare to get ready back into the schedule when next week starts is important.
“Our tournament had some good teams. We had Neshaminy, Conestoga, and CB West. And this was my first chance to really kind of watch West. And I was pretty impressed with what I saw, especially for a young team. They’re going to be very good. They’re good this year, but they’re going to be very good next year. I coached with Sherm – Adam Sherman – for years, so I know how good of a job they do over there and how disciplined they are.
“But it’s just good to be here and play some good competition. We’re kind of trending in the right direction, which is good. I feel like we’re getting better in a lot of aspects.”
–The game: “They’re so disciplined and they play at a very dictated pace. They’re never in a rush. I felt like we had a speed and athleticism advantage against them, so I really wanted to push the pace. Our pressure forced a lot of turnovers in the first half. We held them to 18 points through two. And we were only up three at half. We missed a bunch of layups.
“I kind of could have opened it up a little bit more, and we were a little late defensively on a few rotations after pressing. That gave them some buckets. But fortunately, in the second half, we were able to push the pace. And once we got it to eight to 10 points, that allows us to play more at our pace because they have to try and speed themselves up a little bit at that point to work their way back in the game. So fortunately, we were able to keep extending the lead.
“It ended up being a big margin, but it was a competitive game for three quarters.”
Up Next: Upper Dublin plays at Cheltenham in a non-league game on Saturday. CB West hosts Owen J. Roberts in a non-league game Saturday.
CB West 7 11 8 5 – 31
Upper Dublin 10 11 17 14 – 52
CB West (31)
Max Millilo 5, Melo Aylmer 7, John Vrettos 6, Dan Pellegrini 7, Isaiah Rubenstein 2, Gavin Reichner 4.
Upper Dublin (52)
Kobe Bazemore 12, Brandon Altman 7, Noah Cohen 9, Horace Jackson 10, Justin Ragsdale 2, Jake Scherzer 4, Luke Caron 2.
Conestoga 51, Neshaminy 49
Neshaminy started slowly, scoring just six points in the first quarter, but battled throughout before coming up just a little bit short against defending District One champ Conestoga in the consolation game of the Cardinal Holiday Tournament.
Neshaminy was just 12-for-26 from the free throw line for the game.
Key Players: Logan Gale scored a team-high 12 points for Neshaminy. Marlon Yon added 10.
Up Next: Neshaminy is off until a Jan. 6 home game against Bensalem in SOL Patriot play.
Neshaminy 6 11 20 12 – 49
Conestoga 11 10 18 12 – 51
Neshaminy (49)
Leiva 1 1-4 3; Amrhein 3 0-0 8; Gale 5 2-4 12; Gold 2 0-0 5; Amati 2 3-10 9; Yon 2 6-8 10; Mardaleishvili 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 12-26 49.
3-point goals: N-Amrhein 2, Gold
Dick Dougherty Memorial Tournament
Bensalem 63, Bristol 46
A fast start set the tone in this one, as Bensalem punched its ticket into the tournament championship game with the 63-46 win over nearby rival Bristol.
The Owls erupted for 22 points in the first quarter and took an eight-point lead into the second quarter and also halftime (32-24).
First-year Bensalem coach Jerry Devine coached the past eight seasons down the road at Bristol, his alma mater, where he was a standout player, a 1,000-point scorer and member of the school’s athletic hall of fame.
Bensalem coach Jerry Devine:
“We jumped out to a hot start, led by Naman Parmar’s eight first-quarter points (including two 3-pointers). Mike Ellzy and Jacob Eberhardt did a great job handling Bristol’s full-court pressure.
“We were very balanced scoring, Mike Ellzy led with 19 points, followed by Jacob Eberhardt and JJ Bourelly with 14 each, and Parmar with 10.
“Defensively, we played a complete game. Parmar neutralized Bristol’s 6-7 center, Christian Manning, while Eberhardt was great at the top of the 1-3-1 zone to limit guard Kyleal Cottrell’s penetration. It was a complete team effort, with every player contributing to a great win.”
Up Next: Bensalem plays Academy Park Tuesday night in the tournament championship game.
Bristol 14 10 13 9 – 46
Bensalem 22 10 15 16 – 63
Bristol (46)
Braylen Williams 5 0-0 10; Kyleal Cottrell 4 2-4 10; Avery Harrison 1 0-0 2; Uriah Johnson 2 0-0 5; Talon Nemeth 4 0-0 10; Christian Manning 4 1-2 9. Totals 20 3-6 46.
Bensalem (63)
JJ Bourelly 6 1-2 14; Julian Vose 1 0-0 3; Juel Nimely 0 1-2 1; Naman Parmar 4 0-0 10; Michael Ellzy 8 2-2 19; Matt Richard 1 0-0 2; Jacob Eberhardt 5 4-6 14. Totals 25 8-12 63.
3-point goals: Bristol – Nemeth 2, Johnson; Bensalem – Parmar 2, Bourelly, Vose, Ellzy.
All-City Classic
Abington 48, Spring-Ford 39
In a Monday matinee, Abington shook off a rough second quarter to rally back and beat Springfield 48-39 as part of the All-City Classic at Widener University.
The Galloping Ghosts went cold and only scored one point in the second and entered the second half trailing 20-13, but a 15-6 third quarter – highlighted by eight points from Xander Grasty – changed the tone of the game. Abington ended up outscoring Spring-Ford 35-19 in the second half.
Key players: Xavier Grasty scored 16 – all in the second half – to lead all Abington scorers. Faison Garland had 12 and Amare Stone 10.
Abington coach Dan Marsh:
—The game: “We jumped to a 12-2 lead like we’ve done in the past, and then we scored one point for the rest of the half. We scored one point in the second quarter, so it was 17-13 at halftime. Spring-Ford likes to dictate the pace and ugly it up, and it was working.
“That might have been the worst quarter in my history of coaching. That was really bad. One point and lots of turnovers, and we just looked terrible. It’s funny because at halftime I was ready to lose it, and my assistant coach, Gary Massey, grabs me, and he’s like, ‘Listen, dude, you can’t go in there and yell at them. They’re young, immature. We’ve got to go in there and just tell them what they’ve got to do differently in a calm voice.’
“I gave him the game ball because he kind of saved the game. In the third quarter, we came out and scored more than we did in the first half, so we took control in the third quarter, and we ended up winning by 10. They made a couple of runs at us, but once we took control, I felt more comfortable.
“Spring-Ford is going to win a lot of games. They were 8-1 coming in, so we knew it was a big one. They were able to slow us down and make it ugly, and we didn’t handle it very well, I’ll be honest, but we were able to fight through it.”
—Props: “(Faison Garland) really struggled in the second quarter, and he had some uncharacteristic turnovers. He’s our point guard, he’s a senior leader, he’s a captain, and I was getting on him pretty hard, and he responded. He’s our engine, and he came out in the third quarter – once he starts going, it’s tough to slow us down. He got a couple of steals, a couple of layups and got us right back in the game.
“Xander (Grasty) started being more aggressive too. Like I said, they kind of lulled us to sleep and I give them credit. We were just playing catch out in front of their passive zone. We weren’t really doing much, and it was a really ugly (second) quarter, but we persevered. We’re still learning. We only have two starters from last year, so we’re still trying to get there, and this is a good win for us.”
Up Next: Abington returns to Widener to play Chester on Tuesday night (6 p.m.)
Abington 12-1-15-20 48
Spring-Ford 7-13-6-13 39
Abington (48)
Kyler Pickron 9, Amare Stone 10, Malcom Lucas 1, Xander Grasty 16, Faison Garland 12, Raymond Rice 2.
Spring-Ford (39)
Ethan Ojakovo 4, Bryce Robinson 2, Declan Plate 6, Jack Kennedy 11, Syaire Barnes 16.
3-point goals: A – Garland; S-F – Barnes 2.
Boardwalk Basketball Classic
John Carlson Memorial Bracket
Hatboro-Horsham 49, Freedom 33
Hatboro-Horsham came out firing, hitting five 3-pointers in the first quarter to run away from Freedom 49-33 in an opening round game as part of the Boardwalk Basketball Classic in Wildwood (NJ) on Monday.
Shane Phillips hit three 3s in the first quarter that saw the Hatters open up a 21-10 lead.
Defensively, the Hatters held Freedom to just 11 points in the second half and 10 field goals for the game.
Key Players: Jaden Thompson finished with 16 points, while Phillips had 14 to lead the Hatters.
H-H coach Bill Coleman:
“Games are always interesting after the holiday break, so it was good to get the win in our bracket here in Wildwood.”
–Props: “We challenged JT (Thompson) and Shane (Phillips) to limit their matchups in the second half, and both didn’t give up anything for the rest of the game.”
Up Next: H-H will play in the John Carlson Bracket championship Tuesday (2:45) against Williamstown (N.J.).
Hatboro-Horsham 21 8 8 12 – 49
Freedom 10 12 3 8 – 33
H-H (49)
Corben Miller 1 0-0 2; Aimen Cybok 1 0-0 3; Kenny Lutz 2 0-0 4; Nate Glenn 1 0-0 3; Jaden Thompson 7 1-2 16; Kevin Stroup 3 0-0 7; Shane Phillips 5 0-0 14. Totals 20 1-2 49.
Freedom (33)
Brody Stellato 2 0-3 6; Elijah Zimpfer 1 4-7 6; Pallo Spotte 0 1-2 1; Tyler Grillo 5 2-2 13; Gabriel Reed 3 0-0 7. Totals 10 7-14 33.
3-point goals: H-H-Phillips 4, Cybok, Glenn, Thompson, Stroup
Jay Craven Memorial Bracket Championship
Wings Academy (NY) 69, Pennsbury 54
Pennsbury was outscored 18-5 in the first quarter and played from behind for most of the night, falling to Wings Academy in the championship game of the Jay Craven Bracket at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic in Wildwood (NJ).
The Falcons trailed by 15 at halftime, 34-19.
Key Players: Sean Breslin scored a team-high 20 points for Pennsbury, including 12 in the second half. Patrick Jajua added 11 points, including four 3-pointers. As a team, the Falcons had eight 3s for the game.
Pennsbury coach Wes Emme:
“(We) played a really tough opponent in Wings Academy, and I think we lacked some focus early on. In the first period we missed five layups and had five turnovers. Several uncharacteristic mistakes that gave them a buffer.
“Patrick Jajua and Sean Breslin made some shots late and Brayden Clark was very good making plays, but every time we felt like we gained some momentum, they would make another play.
“It was a missed opportunity against a quality opponent. We have to bounce back and be better tomorrow.”
Up Next: Pennsbury will host Moore Catholic (NY) in a non-league game Tuesday.
Pennsbury 5 14 19 16 – 54
Wings Academy 18 16 17 18 – 69
Pennsbury (54)
Max Manga 5 0-0 11; Sean Breslin 6 5-6 20; Brady Kent 1 0-0 3; Brayden Clark 3 1-2 7; Patrick Jajua 4 0-0 11. Totals 20 6-8 54.
3-point goals: P-Breslin 3, Jajua 3, Manga
Surf ‘N Slam Hoop Classic
Plymouth Whitemarsh 85, Skyview (Wash.) 46
Plymouth Whitemarsh made it 2-for-2 in San Diego, routing Skyview (Wash) by 39 points in a second-round game of the Surf ‘N Slam Classic on Monday.
Mani Sajid had a huge game for the Colonials with 35 points, including 21 points in the first half and five 3-pointers for the game. Buddy Denard was also in double figures with 13.
PW blew open a close game with a 25-12 second quarter to make it 46-27 at halftime. Sajid had nine points in the quarter, and Terron Davis had six.
PW coach Jim Donofrio:
–The game: “We had a good practice yesterday, and we challenged ourselves to get better at the little things and respect the little things. And then how about we gain some confidence as shooters and scoring because we really haven’t been shooting well this season at all.
“I think the focus was really, really good, and I think they’re gaining confidence. Like I said yesterday – this trip is like chicken soup for the soul kind of thing. You get to kind of forget the past. It’s funny how quickly things can turn right back around, and it’s just a good lesson.
“Today, we really concentrated on the scouting report and playing with serious concentration on how to take away their best player’s strengths. We frustrated a lot of players today, and I’m always happy about that.”
–Sajid on fire: “They play a match-up zone, and it’s always good to play someone who really doesn’t know you well at all. I talked to their coach yesterday, so I know he had watched plenty of film, but he decided to focus on staying home on Michael (Pereira) inside whenever we ran our stuff and giving Mani space on the perimeter. That got Mani into an early rhythm. I thought he might get into the 40s. He set the rhythm, and so many other guys are starting to wake up.”
–The challenge: “We’re challenging them to realize that as a coaching staff, we’re very serious about this. You’re surrounded by Chuck Moore and Alan Glover, former players, Marc Berman, John Salmons. These guys all played on great PW teams, and they don’t take a lack of focus or a lack of energy lightly. So, these guys have been hearing it for the last month and not just from me. The expectation is – you can give a heck of a lot more in self-confidence, a heck of a lot more in realizing that they put in an incredible amount of time into this game for young high school guys, and they deserve success.”
Up Next: PW takes on Seattle Prep in its final game of the tournament on Tuesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 21-25-14-20 85
Skyview (Wash.) 15-12-14-5 46
Plymouth Whitemarsh (85)
Jack Hayes 2 0-0 5; Luca Taormina 1 0-0 2; Terron Davis 4 0-0 8; Mani Sajid 15 0-0 35; Michael Pereira 4 1-2 9; Austin Edwards 2 0-0 4; Justin Probst 1 0-0 2; Buddy Denard 6 0-0 13; Zhaiden Gray 2 0-0 5; Micah Thompson 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 38 1-2 85.
Skyview (46)
Dez Daniel 1 10-10 12; Malakai Weimer 2 0-0 5; Spencer Haschall 3 0-0 8; Tycen Haij 4 0-0 10; Andy O’Brien 1 0-0 2; Myles Williams 1 1-2 3; Toren Baker 2 0-0 4; Noah Moped 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 15 11-12 46
3-point goals: PW – Sajid 5, Hayes, Denard, Gray; S – Haij 2, Haschall 2, Weimer.
Great Valley Holiday Tournament
Upper Moreland 69, Pottstown 51
Up five going into the fourth quarter, Upper Moreland exploded with a 25-point final eight minutes to blow past Pottstown in an opening round game of the Great Valley Holiday Tournament.
Sophomore Cannon Campbell scored 10 of his game-high 20 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, in the critical fourth quarter.
Key Players: Aside from Campbell, Larry Hughes had 15, Nate Best 10 and Kyle Moore eight points for the Golden Bears.
Up Next: UM will play Downingtown East in the tournament championship game on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 10 20 14 25 – 69
Pottstown 11 12 16 12 – 45
Upper Moreland (69)
Nate Best 3 3-4 10; Kyle Moore 2 2-2 8; Brody Hughes 2 0-0 4; Larry Hughes 6 3-6 15; Chase Moore 1 0-0 3; Cannon Campbell 7 3-3 20; Jose Hernandez 2 2-2 7; Darrius Whetstone 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 13-17 69.
Pottstown (51)
Whitehurst 1 1-2 3; Robins 1 1-2 3; Duren 1 0-0 2; Robbins 2 0-0 4; Wood 6 2-5 14; Jones 1 0-0 3; Butler 7 3-4 19; Jackson 1 0-0 3. Totals 20 7-13 51.
3-point goals: UM- Campbell 3, K. Moore 2, Best, C. Moore, Hernandez; P-Butler 2, Jones, Jackson
Modie Risher Classic
Central Bucks South 73, Burke (S.C.) 39
CB South made it two in a row in South Carolina as it took care of business against the host school, Burke (SC) 73-39 to earn a spot in Tuesday’s championship game.
The Titans came out firing right from the start, with 36 first-half points to build a 36-23 halftime lead. They then outscored Burke 37-16 in the second half.
Key Players: Kayode Adebayo scored a team-high 17 points, 13 in the second half. Leo Medwid had 12 of his 14 points in the first half. Chase Ross had 12 points.
Up Next: CB South plays in the tournament championship game against Lucy Beckham High School (S.C.) at noon.
CB South 14 21 19 18 – 73
Burke 11 12 9 7 – 39
CB South (73)
Adebayo 7 3-5 17; Montes 2 2-2 6; Shahin 2 2-2 6; Crim 1 2-2 5; Zakrzewski 2 0-0 4; Barrett 2 0-0 4; VanZanten 2 1-2 5; Ross 5 0-0 12; Medwid 6 1-2 14. Totals 29 11-15 73.
Burke (39)
Nelson 6 1-3 14; Venning 3 1-2 7; Hamilton 2 1-2 6; Mann 2 2-2 7; Buggs 1 0-0 3; Gowens 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 5-9 39.
3-point goals: CBS-Ross 2, Crim, Medwid
Tim Ehst Holiday Tournament
Murrell Dobbins 59, Souderton 57
Trailing by 12 to start the fourth quarter, Souderton rallied but fell in the end to Murrell Dobbins Technical School by a 59-57 in a first round game of Dock Mennonite’s Tim Ehst Holiday Tournament on Monday.
Koby Rollerson scored 16 points for the Indians, while Chanse Salone and Nate Rusike added 15 points each.
Up Next: Souderton takes on Quakertown in the tournament consolation game on Tuesday.
Souderton 7 11 17 22 – 57
Dobbins 10 16 21 12 – 59
Souderton (57)
Koby Rollerson 16, Chanse Salone 15, Nate Rusike 15, Marques Brown 6, Dylan Quinn 3, Levi Epps 2
Dobbins (59)
Green 19, Davis 14, Roberts-Moore 13, Laws 11, Baldwin 2
Dock Mennonite 70, Quakertown 42
Easton Rotary Basketball Tournament
Executive Charter Academy 53, Pennridge 50
Pennridge played well early but was outscored 30-16 in the middle quarters and that proved too much to overcome in a 53-50 loss in an opening round game of the Easton Rotary Basketball Tournament on Tuesday.
Ryan Schwind (12), Connor Murray (12) and Ryan Flood (10) all scored in double figures for the Rams.
Up Next: Pennridge takes on host Easton in the consolation game of the tournament at 3 p.m.
Executive Charter 5 15 15 18 – 53
Pennridge 10 8 8 24 – 50
Executive Charter (53)
Michael 4 6-7 15; Bass 4 1-1 7; Wilkens 1 0-0 2; Styles 3 1-1 7; Loper 1 3-4 6; Sancho 2 0-0 6; Totals 19 11-13 54.
Pennridge (50)
Rownan Smith 4 0-1 8; Ryan Kuntz 1 1-2 3; Ryan Schwind 4 3-5 12; Jake Dietl 1 0-0 2; Ryan Flood 4 2-3 10; Mike Alba 1 0-0 3; Connor Murray 5 2-2 12. Totals 20 8-13 50.
3-point goals: EC-Tung 2, Sancho 2, Michael, Bass, Loper; P-Schwind, Alba
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