By Scott Huff
Perkasie – Rev up the snowplows.
Get those Souderton streets cleared – the Indians are once again Suburban One League Continental Conference champions.
It may not be a time for a parade, but Souderton (19-2, 11-2) has regained the conference title after a two-year hiatus with a 64-48 victory over host Pennridge (5-16, 1-12).
“I really felt that at the beginning of the season that we had a team that could compete for a championship,” said Souderton head coach Perry Engard. “This team is a joy to coach. They go out on the floor and believe they can win every single game.“We had some blips along the way,” added Engard. “But we handle things internally as a team, and we always look forward.
“We have a big game with Quakertown at home on Friday,” continued Engard. “It is our senior night, and we hope to get everyone involved.”
The last time the two teams met on January 19th – Souderton won, 77-52. The score may have been forgettable, but it was a very memorable game.
“It was a very physical game the first time we played at their place,” said Engard of a contest that saw Panther head coach Kevin Keeler ejected for arguing calls.
“We are really looking forward to playing Quakertown after what happened the first game,” said Souderton senior A.J. Picard. “A win gives us 20 for the season and should give us a good seed in the district playoffs.”
Souderton prepped for the Q-town match with its win over the pesky Rams.
“Give (Pennridge head coach) Dean Behrens a lot of credit for the job he did this year,” said Engard. “They are an explosive team – a young team – and they should be very good next season.”
Pennridge does not have a senior on its roster – Souderton has nine.
“Our senior experience has helped us in a number of games this year,” said Picard. “And this was one of them.”
The Big Red appeared to be on cruise control with a 35-20 halftime lead. The margin swelled to 51-33 by the beginning of the fourth period.
Pennridge went on a 15-4 run to begin the fourth quarter and actually sliced the lead to 54-47 with 2:59 left in the game. But Souderton scored ten consecutive points to ice the win.
Rocky Ferrier led the Rams with 15 points, while Mike Guldin and Tim Abruzzo each scored eight points.
Nate Lewis had perhaps his best game of the season for the Indians and scored a game-high 18 points. Picard added 17 points, while Nate Moyer scored in twin digits with 10 points.
“We’re anxious to play Quakertown, and anxious to get ready for districts,” said Engard. “We think we are a pretty good basketball team. And that’s not being cocky, but confident.”
Suburban One League – National Conference
Council Rock North (17-4, 10-3) took a huge step toward a conference title as the Indians routed Abington (10-10, 7-5) – 65-40.
Rock North blew open a tight contest by outscoring the Ghosts 19-6 in the second period. Arron Goodman scored a game-high 21 points, while Charlie Anatasi scored in twin digits with 10 points. Wesley Rines led Abington with a team-high 15 points.
Neshaminy (16-4, 10-3) kept pace with Rock North for a conference title with a 46-41 victory over Bensalem (12-7, 6-6).
Redskin sophomore Ryan Arcidicano scored a game-high 21 points that included seven key points in the fourth period. Ivan Flores led the Owls with 12 points.
Pennsbury (12-9, 9-4) won its third straight conference game and kept its mathematical hopes alive for a conference title defense with a 69-50 victory over Truman (6-14, 3-9).
The Falcons had three players score in double figures – Zak Kumor with a game-high 18 – Kiernan Bolger with 11 – and Jesse Krasna with 10. The Tigers were led in scoring by Merdic Green with 16 points.
William Tennent (10-11, 2-11) collected its second conference win with a 57-41 victory over Council Rock South (7-13, 3-10). The Panthers took control of the game in the third period with a 16-6 run.
Dan Eckhardt led Tennent with 17 points, while Chris Weise and Tyrone Whiteside each scored nine points. Chris Crane led the Golden Hawks in scoring with a team-high 15 points.
Suburban One League Continental Conference
Central Bucks South (15-7, 9-4) kept its hold on second place in the conference with a 51-31 victory over North Penn (11-9, 7-6).
The Titans were led in scoring by Nick Joerger with 14 points, while Justin Policare, Joe Maher, and Mike Pincus each scored nine points for the winners. Matt Possanza led the Knights with 19 points.
Central Bucks West (13-8, 8-5) is playing some of its best basketball down the stretch as the Bucks captured a 54-39 victory over rival Central Bucks East (6-13, 4-9).
Patrick Furst led all scorers for West with 17 points, while Ryan Fiore scored in twin digits for the Bucks with 12 points. The Patriots were led in scoring by Skylar Scrivano with 15 points.
Quakertown (10-11, 7-6) defeated Hatboro-Horsham (9-12, 5-8) – 44-43 – in overtime. Rick Kivela scored the game-winning basket with 24 seconds left in OT for the Panthers.
Kenny Gula led Quakertown with 15 points, while Kivela and Dalton Nice each scored 10 points. Pete Williams scored 15 points for the Hatters, while Mike Marvin chipped in with 12 markers.
Suburban One League American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (20-1, 13-0) kept its conference unbeaten streak in tact with a 77-52 victory over Cheltenham (10-11, 7-6).
Senior C.J. Aiken had a spectacular outing for the Colonials with 34 points and 17 rebounds. Jaylen Bond scored 24 points, while Brandon Dixon had 11 assists. Rob Mansell led the Panthers with 19 points, while Malcolm Weston added 11 points.
Wissahickon (16-5, 9-4) torched Upper Merion (6-14, 3-10) in the first period – 21-3 – and coasted to a 74-37 victory.
The Trojans were led in scoring by Jack O’Neill with 25 points, while Jordan Reed added 12 markers. Francis Rafferty led the Vikings with a nine-point effort.
Upper Moreland (5-16, 3-10) has now won three of its last four games as the Golden Bears defeated Springfield (3-16, 0-13) – 42-28.
The Spartans have now lost 13 straight games overall and remains winless in the league.
Norristown (13-6, 8-4) will host Upper Dublin (13-6, 8-4) on Thursday (2/11/10). Tuesday night’s game between the Eagles and the Flying Cardinals was postponed due to the weather.
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