Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ basketball teams in action Friday.
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 44, PENNRIDGE 41
Jay Macalindong buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer, breaking a tie and propelling the Titans to the dramatic win in a division game postponed from one night earlier.
“We get the ball with seven-and-a-half seconds left, side inbounds play,” South coach Jason Campbell said. “We draw up something in the huddle that we haven’t run yet, and it didn’t go exactly how I wanted it to.
“We didn’t get the initial pass that I wanted. I was looking for Tyler Meinel to set a screen for Jay Macalindong. I’m yelling at Tyler to spread out and set the screen. He went to the foul line and starts posting up and realizes he’s got to set a screen. Jay makes this nice little move, pulls up and hits a three, and it goes in, and that was it. Time expired. We came out with a W.”
For the Titans, it was their second win on a buzzer beater in as many games, coming on the heels of a 49-46 win over North Penn that saw Evan D’Orazio score the game-winner.
There was nothing to suggest Friday’s game would turn into yet another nail biter when the Titans opened up a 41-35 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Rams wouldn’t go away.
“It was 38-35 and Jay Macalindong drives down the lane and kicks to Evan D’Orazio in the corner for a 3-pointer that made it 41-35 with 2:40 left,” South coach Jason Campbell said. “Pennridge comes down, and (Matt) Campione drives baseline and kicks it out to (Justin) Nichols, and he shot fakes, drives baseline, throws up a floater that goes in.”
A travel violation on the Titans gave the ball back to the Rams.
“(Luke) Yoder takes a tough jumper in the foul line area, and it banks in, so now it’s 41-39,” Campbell said. “We get called for a travel with 55 seconds left. They get the ball back.”
The Titans were whistled for a foul, and Colin Monahan buried a pair to knot the score 41-41 with 36 seconds remaining. A ball heading out of bounds was deflected off a Rams’ player and was close to disaster for the Titans after they inbounded.
“We’re looking to run a play,” Campbell said. “Evan D’Orazio gets trapped. I have one more timeout left. I burn it just in time. I got the timeout, he winds up throwing the ball.
“It would have been picked off down at the other end for a layup. I said to my coaches – that was the greatest timeout I’ve called in probably five years.”
The stage was set for Macalindong’s game-winner.
For the Rams, it was their second trip to CB South in two days. The first saw them turn around and go home when it was discovered there was a leak in the roof of the gymnasium. Friday’s return trip resulted in a heartbreaking loss in a contest the Titans led most of the way.
South held a 9-7 edge after one quarter and then outscored their visitors 19-10 in the second to go into halftime with a 28-17 lead.
“Everybody was contributing in the second quarter,” Campbell said. “Our defense was fantastic in the first half. I thought we played great.
“I thought it was good throughout the game because when you hold someone to 41 points, you’re playing good defense. I just thought that was the key. It gave us opportunities for transition, but it also allowed us to hold them to one shot. We had some really good possessions on offense in the second quarter, taking smart shots and getting some free throws.
“We did a good job in transition and being able to draw fouls and get to the basket, which was great.”
The scoring slowed down considerably in the second half for the Titans, who managed just eight points in each quarter after the intermission.
“Pennridge did a good job of hanging in the game,” Campbell said. “(Colin) Monahan had a really good second half. He didn’t score in the first half, and he scored all 11 in the second half. He hit a three, he had a couple of buckets in the lane, and he was 4-6 from the foul line, 3-for-4 in the fourth quarter.”
Michael Farley’s 11 points led the Titans while Tyler Meinel had 10. Nate Macalindong added seven points.
For the Rams, Campione had 12 points and Monahan had 11. Yoder finished with nine and Nichols had seven points.
Central Bucks South (5-4, 5-3 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Tuesday for a non-league game, and Pennridge (8-5, 6-4) will host Neshaminy on Thursday in a non-league contest.
Pennridge 7-10-13-11 41
Central Bucks South 9-19-8-8 44
Pennridge (41) – Justin Nichols 3 0-0 7, Luke Yoder 4 0-0 9, Colin Post 1 0-0 2, Matt Campione 5 0-0 12, Monahan 3 4-6 11, TOTALS 16 4-6 41.
Central Bucks South (44) – Evan D’Orazio 1 0-0 3, Nate Macalindong 2 2-2 7, Jay Macalindong 2 0-0 5, Joe Rooney 1 0-0 3, Bryan Delara 1 2-2 5, Tyler Meinel 4 2-2 10, Michael Farley 5 1-3 11; TOTALS 16 7-13 44.
3-point goals: Pennridge – Matt Campione 2, Colin Monahan, Luke Yoder, Justin Nichols, CBS – Evan D’Orazio, Jay Macalindong, Nate Macalindong, Bryan Delara, Joe Rooney.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 51, SOUDERTON 47 (OT)
The Bucks took what appeared to be a commanding 17-point lead into the fourth quarter, but the visiting Indians erupted for 20 points in the fourth quarter while the Bucks managed just three, sending the game to overtime where the Bucks once again found their stride.
“We fell apart in the fourth,” West coach Adam Sherman said. “They changed defenses, they got momentum, and we got sloppy with the ball. They actually took a one-point lead with 30 seconds. We got fouled, we hit both free throws, but it ended up being tied and went to overtime.”
The Bucks outscored the Indians 11-7 in OT.
“We found a little chemistry, we made some adjustments, and we made a couple of buckets,” Sherman said. “Teddy Spratt went 11-for-15 from the free throw line, ended up with 21 points.
“John Lee had 21 points. Joe Gallagher hit a big three in overtime to give us the lead we needed.”
The Bucks opened up a 10-3 lead after one quarter and took a 17-12 lead into halftime. They added to that lead with a 20-8 third quarter only to see the Indians come roaring back in the fourth quarter.
“I thought our defense was really good,” Sherman said. “I thought that was the difference maker. I thought all the guys did really well. We played team defense, the guys were communicating. They did a nice job.
“For three quarters, we had them struggling on offense because of what we were doing defensively, and then in the fourth quarter, they changed defenses, we got sloppy, and that allowed them to get back in the game.”
Spratt and Lee led the Bucks with 21 points each. Lee had a pair of 3-pointers. Donte Mancini added six on a pair of 3’s.
For the Indians, Chris Towsen led the way with 15 points on five 3-pointers. Dylan Hollick added 14, and Shaun Purvy had 12 points, which included a perfect 8-for-8 at the foul line.
The win was just the second of the season for the Bucks, who – according to Sherman – are about where they would typically be in May or June, but the absence of an offseason has taken its toll on many teams, including the Indians who took a huge hit to graduation.
“It’s been a rough season,” Sherman said. “Things haven’t gone the way we wanted in the sense that we got a lot of injuries. We didn’t have an offseason.
“It’s kind of frustrating when you’re going out there and hearing that this team has been practicing since September, and this team played in summer leagues, and you’re like – this is not the way it’s supposed to be, but it’s just great that the kids got out there and had a chance to play.”
Central Bucks West (2-9, 2-6 SOL) will travel to New Hope-Solebury on Saturday for a non-league game (1:30 p.m.). Souderton (1-9, 1-8) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday in a non-league contest (5:30 p.m.).
Souderton 3-9-8-20-7 47
Central Bucks West 10-7-20-3-11 51
Souderton (47) – Evan Kutzler 2, Shaun Purvy 12, Chris Towsen 15, Dylan Hollick 14, Aleks Smith 2, Jayson Bonnet 2.
Central Bucks West (51) – Teddy Spratt 21, Donte Mancini 6, John Lee 21, Joe Gallagher 3.
SOL Liberty Division
WISSAHICKON 52, HATBORO-HORSHAM 28
Less than 24 hours after their stunning win over previously undefeated Plymouth Whitemarsh, the Trojans travelled to Hatboro-Horsham. Any thoughts of a letdown were put to rest in a first quarter that saw the visitors outscore the Hatters 14-4. Matt Compas ignited the Trojans, connecting on a pair of 3-pointers and scoring 10 points in the quarter.
The Hatters – behind four points from Eric Butler – outscored the Trojans 8-4 in a low-scoring second quarter, but the Trojans still took an 18-12 lead into halftime. A 22-point third quarter sent the Trojans into the final quarter with a 40-16 lead on their way to the no-doubt-about-it win.
Compas led all scorers with 24 points , which included four 3-pointers. Jackson Intrieri added 12 points, including two 3s. Josh Twersky chipped in six.
For the Hatters, Butler, Noah Schlosser and Zehier Cheeze each had eight points.
Wissahickon (10-6, 6-4 SOL) will travel to North Penn on Monday for a non-league game, and Hatboro-Horsham (3-7) will be on the road at William Tennent Tuesday for a non-league contest.
Wissahickon 14-4-22-12 52
Hatboro-Horsham 4-8-4-12 28
Wissahickon (52) – Matt Compas 10 0-0 24; Josh Twersky 3 0-2 6; Jackson Intrieri 4 2-2 12; Stefan Lowry 2 0-1 4; Morgan Wilson 2 0-0 4; Will Kunzier 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 22 2-4 52.
Hatboro-Horsham (28) – Eric Butler 2 2-4 8; Sam Fink 2 0-0 4; Noah Schlosser 2 4-5 8; Zehier Cheeze 4 0-2 8; TOTALS 10 6-11 28.
3-point goals: Wissahickon – Matt Compas 4, Jackson Intrieri 2, HH – Eric Butler 2.
SOL Freedom Division
CHELTENHAM 64, WILLIAM TENNENT 55
Cheltenham had its perfect record put to the test on Friday night. After opening up a 33-27 halftime lead and taking a five-point lead into the fourth quarter, the visiting Panthers found themselves in a dogfight. Tennent pulled to within one, 43-42, but Cheltenham closed out the game with a 21-13 tear to earn its eighth win in as many games.
“I think this is a testament to our kids and the camaraderie,” coach Patrick Fleury said. “They did come within one, but I think it’s just a testament to the support they get from all of our assistant head coaches.
“Our administration from top to bottom has spent time with the kids and gotten a chance to know them, and they’re responding to the genuine love they’re getting from the administration, their teammates. There’s not a lot of negative energy, which is a testament to the vision of the program and the support that’s there.
“Again, our assistant coaches are amazing, constantly communicating with the kids and making timely changes. The kids band together in the moment of adversity, and during the season and in life, as long as they do that and stay together, they’ll be capable of great things. Just their commitment to one another is moving, especially during COVID. It’s a good group of kids who are enjoying each other’s success. As long as we continue to do so offensively and defensively during this tough time, I think we’ll see success, and if we don’t, we’ll move together as well.”
The Panthers were a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Saleem Payne was 8-for-8 in the frame and finished with a game high 28 points. He also had five assists and two steals.
“He had a very good game, but I didn’t know he had 28,” Fleury said. “He was very efficient in doing it.
“Mike McClain had a great defensive effort. Brandon Hawkins was our second leading scorer in the fourth quarter. This was his second game back, and he’s adding value defensively and offensively. Ife West-Ingram is starting to emerge.”
Justin Savage added 12 points and three steals, and Rasheem Dearry had 10 points, five rebounds and two steals. Mike McClain shared the team lead with five assists.
For Tennent, Derrik Cosenza scored 22 points, Michael Scheller and Jay Stanfield both had eight, and Kirby Mooney had six.
Cheltenham (8-0, 7-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Wednesday, and William Tennent (8-3, 6-3) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
Cheltenham 18-15-10-21 64
William Tennent 10-17-11-17 55
William Tennent (55) – Matt Miller 5, Jay Stanfield 8, Kirby Mooney 6, Michael Scheller 8, Derrik Cosenza 22, Ryan Emmerich 4, JP McAnulty 2.
Cheltenham (64) – Rasheem Dearry 10, Brandon Hawkins 5, Elias Walker 2, Saleem Payne 28, Justin Savage 12, Ife West-Ingram 5, Mike McClain 2.
- Log in to post comments
