SOL Boys’ Basketball Wrap (12-30-24)

Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Monday.

Cactus Jam (Jam Division)

CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 63, MONROE (WA) 61

The third time was the charm.

Twice before the Patriots reached the tournament title game, but twice they came up short. On Monday, the Patriots used an inspired third quarter to turn a 30-28 halftime deficit into a 47-35 lead heading into the final quarter.

They needed every one of those points to hold off a fourth-quarter rally by Monroe.

Monday’s game was the second meeting between East and a Monroe squad that was undefeated entering the tournament.

In the initial meeting, East edged Monroe 46-44.

“We were in the six-team bracket, and they basically put us two (teams) as the top seeds,” East coach Erik Henrysen said. “The first game loser went into the bottom of the bracket. (Monroe) won the next game to go back to the championship game.”

The Patriots connected on 20 of 28 from the foul line while Monroe was 16 for 25.

Key players: Nolan Behm – who earned MVP honors – led East with 23 points. Shane O’Hara-Jamison added 13 points, which included three 3-pointers. He also was named to the all-tournament team.”

Central Bucks East coach Erik Henrysen on winning the title: “Monroe is a very, very good team. The first half was back and forth, and coming out in the third, we really put a good quarter together to create a little separation until they tried to crawl back in the end.

“I think this (tournament title) was a big deal. We came together as a group. Monroe only has two losses, and they’re both to us. They’re off to a great start. I know we frustrated them, and they were far from pleased with seeing us twice.”

–Third quarter surge: “Nolan Behm and Shane O’Hara really had big quarters for us. I think the key was what we did defensively to their big guy, who was outstanding – he was 6-6, thick and strong and could work around the paint with both hands. We just collectively clamped down on him. He had the first two points in the third quarter probably within 20 seconds, and the rest of the quarter we really did a good job defending.”

–Point guard by committee: “We’re kind of going point guard by committee. Our freshman, Keegan Marascio, has been that first runout, and then Quinn Slack and Henry Barchak have been doing a great job as a trio. They’re spelling one another. In fact, Quinn Slack and Henry Barchak fouled out. The game was a little bit different in terms of refereeing style than we’re used to.”

Up next: Central Bucks East (8-2, 1-2 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks West Friday (7:30 pm).

Central Bucks East 11-17-19-16 63

Monroe 13-17-5-26 61

Central Bucks East (63) – Nolan Behm 23, Shane O’Hara-Jamison 13, Quinn Slack 2, AJ Molnar 8, Keegan Marascio 7, Jackson Lutz 2, Graham Smith.

Monroe (61) – Caleb Campbell 11, Tate Hammerquist 3, Kieran Greear 17, Dylan Hall 3, Wyatt Prohn 8, Isaiah Kiehl 7, Chayce Waite-Kellar.

3-point goals: CBE – Shane O’Hara-Jamison 3, Graham Smith, AJ Molnar, Nolan Behm; M – Kieren Greear, Wyatt Prohn, Isaiah Kiehl.

Cactus Jam (Cactus Division)

PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 86, COLONY (AK) 39

The Colonials put the finishing touches on a memorable trip to Arizona, rolling to a win over Colony High School.

There was no mistaking the significance of the trip to the players and coaches alike.

“It’s just what the doctor ordered – 72 and sunny today with no humidity,” PW coach Jim Donofrio. “This was a thought back in April. I had been out here literally when they first did the tournament in 2001.

“Back then, a lifetime ago, it was a wonderful experience. Parents came out. Tempe – it’s just the way it’s situated, the way they do it with the hotels – a first class place. You’re within walking distance of all kinds of shops and restaurants.

“It’s the same thing now – the same hotel. It’s always a bit of a risk because it’s not a cheap thing to pull off, but you hope everything goes well with it, and in this case, it’s been a wonderful experience for the second time around as well. You always find a solid tournament over the winter break, but every now and then you get a feeling – it’s time to go away again. We’ve done it four or five times. I tell the kids – this isn’t even about you, I did it for me. I needed a vacation. You just have to come with me.’”

Monday’s finale was never a contest as the Colonials – behind the 15-point effort of Mani Sajid – opened up a 26-2 lead after one quarter on their way to the rout.

Sajid’s 31 points included a 3 and a 4-for-4 effort at the foul line. Also finishing in double figures were Michae Periera (11 points) and Terron Davis (10 points).

Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Jim Donofrio on the tournament: “There’s three things about it, and you can teach the kids a lot with this. One of the best things about it –it literally is a chance for a team bonding opportunity, and you hope that goes well. You put them in rooms with people they might not room with normally. You’re having one team dinner after another. You can’t help but see changes happen right before your eyes. It was an A-plus grade for that.

“The second thing is – this isn’t like going to Florida, which has an East Coast feel. This is across the country, and this is a West Coast atmosphere, it’s West Coast landscape – the landscape is right out of the Old West. You’ve got beautiful mountain ranges and a whole different color scheme – the whole neutral feel. It’s just a little bit more of a laidback feel. For kids that are juniors and seniors thinking about colleges – would I like to go away? You’re 10 minutes from Arizona State University, so it’s a college town, and that’s a great thing.

“Then you can also give the kids the idea – can you mix business with vacation? Can you get up for these three games you have to play because every day you’re there – there’s so much going on that’s fun. We put them in an escape room. We took them to the Phoenix Suns/Dallas Mavericks game. We had some parents come out with the players’ siblings, so we had a huge team dinner the second day there. It’s a great time with all those things combined.

“You give them freedom to see the town, and they did a great job with it. They represented us really, really well.”

Up next: Plymouth Whitemarsh (8-2, 3-0 SOL) will host Abington on Friday.

Colony 2-17-14-6 39

Plymouth Whitemarsh 26-16-32-12 86

Colony (39) – Mylz Mongeau 0 6-6 6; Malik Balmes 2 0-0 5; Nick Bailey 1 0-0 2; Nile Deland 2 0-0 6; Ridge Spencer 1 1-1 3; Leyton Lockard 2 0-0 5; Eli Whitworth 2 0-0 5; Charlie Gardner 2 0-0 4; Trenton Lockard 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 13 7-7 39.

Plymouth Whitemarsh (86) – Eddie Patruno 1 0-0 3; Terron Davis 5 0-0 10; Eric Conicello 4 0-0 9; Mani Sajid 13 4-4 31; Michael Pereira 5 1-6 11; Kyle Gallagher 1 0-0 2; Ehab Ahmed 1 0-0 2; Buddy Denard 2 2-2 7; Caleb Bridgeman 3 0-0 7; Zhaiden Gray 1 2-2 4; TOTALS 36 9-14 86.

3-point goals: C – Nile Deland 2, Malik Balmes, Leyton Lockard, Eli Whitworth, Trenton Lockard; PW – Terron Davis, Eric Conicello, Mani Sajid, Buddy Denard, Caleb Bridgeman.

Pete & Jameer Nelson Classic (at Widener University)

ABINGTON 59, CHESTER 57

The Ghosts led by double digits on several occasions but needed a steal at the buzzer to preserve the win.

“We must have missed four or five free throws, and it’s crazy because we had the same situation at Phillipsburg (in a two-point loss Friday),” coach Dan Marsh said. “I said, ‘Look, we have to learn from these games.’

“I think it’s great that we’re playing these tight games, but our inexperience is hurting us a little bit, and then our one player with varsity experience, Paul Glants, fouled out. It was a very good game but sloppy still, but to be 7-3 coming out of December – we’ll take it.”

Abington and Chester were deadlocked at 27 at halftime. The Ghosts – sparked by 10 points from Xander Grasty – appeared to be in control after a 20-10 third quarter, but the Clippers refused to go away.

Key players: Jake Manigault 17, Xander Grasty 16, Faizon Garland 16.

Abington coach Dan Marsh: “The game was at Widener, but Chester must have brought their whole town. It was bonkers. We got up 12 or 14, and then they would just storm back, and the crowd was going nuts. We were missing free throws down the stretch to give them a chance.

“It’s another one of those games where we just don’t have the experience in these type of games and these types of atmospheres to finish it, but we persevered.

“(When the game began) Chester came out and stole the ball and threw down a monster dunk. The place goes nuts, they go up 7-0. We battle back and take the lead 9-7. It settled down. We finally took control. We got up 12 or 14. They called a timeout, and they just started rattling us. I told them – it wasn’t pretty, but we persevered. We’re not going to blow people out, so we’re going to have to learn how to scratch and claw these wins, so I’m proud of them for persevering.”

Up next: Abington (7-3, 2-1 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday.

Abington        15-12-20-12 59

Chester          14-13-10-20   57

Abington (59) – Kyler Pickron 2 0-0 4; Faizon Garland 6 2-3 16; Xander Grasty 6 3-6 16; Jake Manigault 6 3-4 17; Zion Hospedales 0 1-2 1; Paul Glants 2 0-0 5; TOTALS 22 9-15 59.

Chester (57) – Kristian Chambers 3 2-2 8; Dallas Thompson 2 3-4 7; Zahir Clayton 3 0-0 9; Rashaad Dorsey 2 9-12 13; Nyrell Pray 3 1-2 7; Paul Lindsay 5 0-0 11; Nymeer Madison 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 19 15-20 57.

3-point goals: A – Jake Manigault 2, Faizon Garland 2, Xander Grasty; Paul Glants; C – Zahir Clayton 3, Paul Lindsay.

Modi Risher Holiday Tournament

TL HANNA (SC) 60, PENNSBURY 57

The Falcons came up just short in Monday’s title game, but that could not detract from a trip was a positive experience on all counts.

“It’s an absolutely invaluable experience – couldn’t replace it by doing anything else other than going away,” Pennsbury coach Wes Emme said. “Wherever you go, your experience is going to be different. A historic town like this with a rich history, the weather, the style of play – all of that plays into it.

“These kinds of tournaments just bring teams together, whether you play well or you don’t play well. I think we played exceptionally well for the most part over the course of our four days here. We hope to bring with us to the league some of this stylistic play that we learned about ourselves in terms of how we can be successful as a team.”

Sparked by eight points from Grayson Gozum, the Falcons raced out of the gate to a 22-14 lead after one quarter, but the Yellow Jackets trimmed that lead to 33-30 by halftime and then used a 23-13 third quarter to go on top 53-46 heading into the final quarter on their way to the win in Monday’s title game.

The Falcons received double-digit scoring efforts from Pat Jajua (15 points), Grayson Gozum (12 points), Mike Roccograndi (11 points) and Max Manga (11 points).

Pennsbury coach Wes Emme on the game: “It was a really, really good game, a really high level high school basketball game. TL Hanna has some guys – they have serious size. They have two brothers that were both 6-6 and really did a number inside. Our guys really battled. It was kind of like a war of attrition – we got in some foul trouble, and that gave them an opportunity to get back in the game, getting to the free throw line consistently.”

Up next: Pennsbury (5-5, 2-1 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North on Friday.

TL Hanna      14-16-23-7   60

Pennsbury     22-11-13-11   57

TL Hanna (60) – Zac Williams 3 3-4 9; Malik Crawford 0 0-2 0; Jamijay Williams 3 0-0 8; Kaleb Allen 1 0-2 3; Lucas Wiersma 8 4-7 20; Brice Wiersma 8 0-2 16; Ali Shannon 0 4-4 4; TOTALS 23 11-21 60.

Pennsbury (57) – Mike Roccograndi 4 2-4 11; Grayson Gozum 4 2-5 12; Sean Breslin 3 0-0 8; Pat Jajua 6 0-0 15; Max Manga 5 1-2 11; TOTALS 22 5-11 57.

3-point goals: P – Pat Jajua 3, Sean Breslin 2, Grayson Gozum 2, Mike Roccograndi; TLH – Jamijay Williams 2, Kaleb Allen.

PHILLIP SIMMONS (SC) 33, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 30

Points were hard to come by for both teams, and the Bucks wound up on the short end of the score in their finale at the Modie Risher Tournament.

Max Millilo’s 12 points on four 3-pointers led West. Roman Kulesa added 10 points.

Central Bucks West (4-8, 0-3 SOL) will host Central Bucks East Friday (7:30 pm).

Central Bucks West 5-5-15-5 30

Phillip Simmons 10-8-4-11 33

Central Bucks West (30) – Roman Kulesa 3 3-4 10; Max Millilo 4 0-0 12; Daniel Pellegrini 1 0-2 2; Gavin Reichner 1 1-2 3; Isaiah Rubenstein 0 0-2 0; Harry Meyers 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 10 4-10 30.

Phillip Simmons (33) – Hopper Afum 2 0-0 4; Montrell Mungin 1 0-2 2; Kolten Kellerman 2 1-4 5; Hudson Hatch 3 0-0 6; Alondre Wright 2 0-0 4; Jack Mevold 0 2-2 2; Blake Darby 5 0-2 10; TOTALS 15 3-10 33.

3-point goals: CBW – Roman Kulesa, Max Millilo 4, Harry Meyers. PS – None.

Rare Footage Holiday Classic (at Archbishop Ryan)

MUHLENBERG 66, BENSALEM 62 (OT)

The Owls, who led 19-13 after one quarter, took a 32-30 lead into halftime. They still led by one heading into the fourth quarter when Muhlenberg evened the score, setting the stage for overtime where the Mules held a 10-6 edge.

“It was a great game,” Bensalem coach Ron Morris said. “Playing Muhlenberg – they’re one of the really good teams out of District 3. We saw them in the summer at the Awesome Fest Tournament in Allentown.

“It was an honor to be part of Rare Footage Classic. It gives our kids an opportunity to show what they can do on a nice stage in a great event. Sean (Rogers) does a lot for kids – boys and girls – up and down the East Coast, and to be part of his event, it’s an honor.”

Amir Drummond’s 21 points included three 3-pointers and led the Owls. He also was 4-for-4 at the foul line. Aidan Mayfield added 13 points, and Jahmir Chatman had nine.

Bensalem coach Ron Morris on the game: “Our kids battled. Muhlenberg’s a really tough, physical team. The difference was the offensive rebounds. They were able to get some key offensive rebounds in certain moments.

“We had different lineups. It was good to get Christian Lee back. He’s not 100 percent, but he was able to give us some time today and see his shot go through, so that’s always good to get him back in rhythm so he’s ready after the new year.

“We’re getting it together. We hope to have Mikey (Kramer) back this week, but overall, our kids battled. It was a great event against a great team. I told our guys – this was playoff atmosphere basketball. This will get us ready – like we did the last couple of games – for where we’re trying to go in February and March, so it helps us prepare for the rest of the season.”

–Props: “Amir (Drummond) had a really good offensive game, scoring for us. Aidan Mayfield continues to get better and better on the offensive end. Jahmir Chatman does all the little things. Trevor Morris gave us some big minutes off the bench again.”

Up next: Bensalem (6-3, 3-0 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South Friday.

Muhlenberg 13-17-12-14-10 66

Bensalem 19-13-11-13-6 62

Muhlenberg (66) – Justin Armstrong 1 0-0 2; Jayden Kantner 5 4-5 14; Amari Allen 1 0-0 2; Mike Miller 2 1-4 5; Shermar Killens 9 8-11 27; Eli Hemmings 5 2-2 12; Jeffrey Collerto 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 25 15-22 66.

Bensalem (62) – Jahmir Chatman 2 5-8 9; Aidan Mayfield 4 5-9 13; Christian Lee 1 0-0 3; Amir Drummond 7 4-4 21; Chris Kelly 1 1-2 3; Trevor Morris 3 0-0 6; Jacob Eberhardt 3 0-0 7; TOTALS 21 15-23 62.

3-point goals: M – Shermar Killens; B – Amir Drummond 3, Christian Lee, Jacob Eberhardt.