The SOL will be represented by three teams in Saturday’s District One 6A finals at Temple University. Check back for game stories of both contests.
BOYS DISTRICT ONE 6A FINAL
#3 CHELTENHAM vs. #1 METHACTON (at Temple University, Saturday, Feb. 29, 7 pm)
Cheltenham
- 24-3 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champions
- Lost to Pennridge 54-52 in the SOL Tournament title game, snapping a nine-game win streak.
- Regrouped after a season-ending injury to top player Zahree Harrison early in the season.
- Starting lineup includes Rider University-bound Jaelen McGlone (16.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.4 apg), Justin Moore (15.4 ppg, 5.1 apg), Brandon Scott (6.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.7 apg), Sean Emfinger (9.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.1 spg) & Travis Coleman (5.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 spg).
- The Panthers boast a deep and talented bench that includes Saleem Payne (6.4 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg), Michael McClain (6.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.3 spg), David Pope (38 percent 3-point shooter), Rasheem Deery (40 percent 3-point shooter), Brandon Hawkins (3.0 rpg, 75 percent from foul line)
- Regular-season losses were to Philadelphia Catholic League power Bishop McDevitt (61-59) and Inter-Ac power Malvern Prep (85-79)
How they got here: In Tuesday’s semifinal game, Cheltenham defeated #7 Bensalem 77-60. Jaelen McGlone (24 points) and Justin Moore (19 points) led the way. Brandon Scott added nine, and Sean Emfinger, eight ponts.
In a quarterfinal game, Cheltenham defeated #6 Coatesville 68-61, opening up a 35-23 halftime lead and then holding off the Red Raiders late charge. Jaelen McGlone’s 22 points led the Panthers. Justin Moore added 16 while Travis Coleman and Sean Emfinger both had nine points.
In a second round contest, Cheltenham raced out to a 22-4 lead midway through the second quarter on its way to an 83-57 win over #19 Upper Darby. Justin Moore led a balanced attack with 19 points while Jaelen McGlone and David Pope each had 13. Brandon Scott also finished in double figures with 10 points while Travis Coleman had nine and Saleem Payne added seven.
Opening round bye.
Methacton
- 25-2 overall
- 10-0 PAC Liberty Division regular season champions
- Defeated second-seeded Pope John Paul II 74-39 in PAC Tournament title game. Jeff Woodward (15 points, 14 rebounds), Erik Timko (18 points) & Brett Byrne (18 points) led the Warriors.
- Warriors score an average of 67.5 points and allow 41.8.
- 6-9 senior center Jeff Woodward – a Colgate signee – is the program’s all-time leading scorer. He averages 13.5 points a game
- 6-3 senior shooting guard Erik Timko averages 19.8 points a game and has 66 3-pointers on the season. He surpassed the 1,000-point mark in the district semifinal.
- Also making important contributions are 5-11 senior guard Owen Kropp (11.6 ppg), 6-0 senior guard Brett Eberly (8.2 ppg) & 6-1 sophomore guard Brett Byrne (5.0 ppg). Eberly and Kropp are both 3-point threats.
- Regular season win over Inter-Ac power Malvern Prep (69-60). Only losses came at the hands of PCL power Roman Catholic (52-59) and Wilson (56-58).
How they got here: In Tuesday's semifinal contest, Methacton rolled to an 81-54 win over #4 Chester. Jeff Woodward had an impressive double-double with 20 points and 25 rebounds. Erik Timko led the Warriors with 25 points. Brett Eberly added nine points and Cole Hargrove had eight.
In a quarterfinal game, Methacton led by just three at halftime but blew open a close game in the second half, downing #8 Pennridge 69-46. Jeff Woodward scored 16 points, Brett Eberly added 15 and Erik Timko had 13 points, including the 1,000th point of his career. Brett Byrne added eight points.
In a second round contest, Methacton opened up a 35-21 halftime lead on its way to a 66-41 win over #16 Council Rock South. Erik Timko’s 24 points led the Warriors. Brett Byrne added 13.
Opening round bye.
GIRLS DISTRICT ONE 6A FINAL
#2 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST vs. #4 PENNSBURY (at Temple University, Saturday, Feb. 29, 5 pm)
Central Bucks West
- 23-4 overall
- 12-0 SOL Continental Conference regular season champions
- Defeated #8 Upper Dublin 38-33 to capture the SOL Tournament title, the program’s third in six years. The Bucks upended #4 Pennsbury 30-23 in the semifinals.
- Led by Penn State signee Maddie Burke (14 ppg, 4.4 rpg), a long-range sharpshooter who connects on 44 percent from beyond the arc.
- Also making important contributions are sophomore Emily Spratt (10 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.4 apg), senior point guard Olivia Irons (8 ppg), junior Paige Gilbert (6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and senior Jess Broskey (6 ppg, 3.7 rpg).
- First trip to district title game since CB West won it in 2015
How they got here: In Wednesday’s semifinal, Central Bucks West edged #3 Spring-Ford 49-45. Olivia Irons, who had a pair of clutch 3s late in the game, led the Bucks with 15 points. Sophomore Emily Spratt scored 12 points and was 6-for-6 from the foul line down the stretch. Paige Gilbert added eight points.
In a quarterfinal contest, Central Bucks West defeated #10 North Penn 68-59. Maddie Burke scored 11 of her 16 points in the first quarter, propelling the Bucks to a 20-14 lead. Jess Broskey had the hot hand after halftime, scoring 17 of her game-high 22 points. Olivia Irons added 14 points and Paige Gilbert, seven points.
In a second round game, Central Bucks West defeated #15 Neshaminy 52-41. Maddie Burke’s 16 points led the Bucks. Olivia Irons had 14, including an 8-for-8 effort at the foul line down the stretch. Emily Spratt had 11 points (5-for-6 at the foul line), and Paige Gilbert owned the backboards, pulling down 14 rebounds to go along with six points.
Opening round bye.
Pennsbury
- 22-4 overall
- 11-1 SOL National Conference co-champions with Neshaminy
- Fell to #2 Central Bucks West 30-23 in SOL Tournament semifinals, snapping a nine-game winning streak.
- Led by sophomore point guard Ava Sciolla, who averages 14.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game and is the glue that keeps the Falcons together
- Senior Mary Miller (9.5 ppg), sophomore Nicole Pompili (9.5 ppg) as well are junior Bella Arcuri (6.7 ppg, 3 apg, 2 spg) are also important contributors
How they got here: In Wednesday’s semifinal, Pennsbury upset #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh 50-41. Ava Sciolla scored 24 points to lead the Falcons. Mary Miller (9 points) and Bella Arcuri (8 points) also contributed.
In a quarterfinal contest, Pennsbury defeated #5 Methacton 53-34. The Falcons – who battled the Warriors to a 13-13 halftime tie - blew the game open with a 30-21 second half. Bella Arcuri’s 19 points led the Falcons. Ava Sciolla added 13, and Abbi Nassivera had six.
In a second round game, Pennsbury rolled to a 58-30 win over #13 West Chester Rustin, allowing just eight points in the second half. Bella Arcuri (17 points) and Ava Sciolla (14 points) led the Falcons. Nicole Pompili added 10 points and Mary Miller had eight.
Opening round bye.
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