Check out the results for SOL boys/girls basketball teams in action Thursday night. Photos of the Neshaminy/Pennsbury game were provided courtesy of Kathy Leister Photography. Check back for a complete gallery of that game.
Boys
PENNSBURY 46, NESHAMINY 28
Rob Daly had the hot hand in the second quarter of Thursday’s battle between the neighboring rivals, connecting on a pair of three-pointers and scoring eight points as the Falcons outscored the ‘Skins 13-6 to go into halftime with a 23-14 lead. He added two more triples in a third quarter that saw the Falcons put the game out of reach with a 16-2 tear.
Daly led a balanced Falcon attack with 14 points. Mark Flagg added nine, and Tyler Sessa-Reeves scored seven.
For the Redskins, Matt McGinty led the way with 11 points, but no other player scored more than five. The Falcons limited Billy Warren to just one field goal, and that came in the opening quarter.
Pennsbury (11-7, 7-4 SOL) will host Council Rock South on Tuesday night, and Neshaminy (3-14, 2-10) will host Harry S Truman on that same night.
Neshaminy 8-6-2-12 28
Pennsbury 10-13-16-7 46
Neshaminy: Billy Warren 2, Zach Tredway 5, Shammond Thomas 2, Francis Robles 4, Matt McGinty 11, Charles Dominick 1.
Pennsbury: Tyler Sessa-Reeves 7, Joey Monaghan 2, Raylil Winton-Law 1, Addison Howard 5, Gary Francis 2, Mark Flagg 9, Rob Daly 14, Isaiah Carpenter 4, Mike Alley 2.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 55, NEW FOUNDATIONS CHARTER SCHOOL 34
The Patriots – who found themselves deadlocked at 11 after one period – took a 26-22 lead into halftime and then owned the second half. They outscored their visitors 12-3 in the third quarter and 29-12 in the second half to win going away.
Ten players got into the scoring column for the Patriots, who were led by the double-digit efforts of Matt Pattyson (12 points) and Justin O’Neil (11). Pattyson had three triples and O’Neil two on a night that saw the Patriots connect on 9-of-20 from beyond the arc. Chris Reilly added six points, and Tommy Strasburger had six points to go along with five assists. East shot 50 percent from the field, connecting on 21-of-42 shots.
Pattyson led the defense with five steals, and Peterson had three blocks.
Keith Blassingale scored 25 of New Foundations’ points, which included six triples.
Central Bucks East (12-7, 6-5 SOL) will host Quakertown on Friday night.
New Foundations 11-11-3-9 34
Central Bucks East 11-15-12-17 55
New Foundations: Keith Blassingale 25, Ian Kennedy 2, Travon Wilson 5, Bello 2.
Central Bucks East: Tommy Strasburger 6, Justin O’Neil 11, Blake Peterson 2, Elijah Seger 5, Matt Pattyson 12, Tiemo Fenner 2, Chris Reilly 7, Ryan Cenderreli 5, Collin Stein 3, Kyle Cassidy 2.
Girls
NESHAMINY 52, PENNSBURY 25
The Redskins clinched a share of their third SOL National Conference title in three years with Thursday’s win over the Falcons. The win was their 16th in a row after dropping their first three games of the season.
A win in either one of their last two games will give the ‘Skins sole possession of the crown.
“Obviously, at the beginning of the season, everybody knew that Abington was the team to beat in our league, and rightfully so,” coach Joe Lally said of the defending conference champions. “They’ve been a great program for many, many years.
“We’re happy, but we’re not surprised. We knew if we could come together and work some things out we could have a shot at this. I’m hoping it means that the program is turning around.
“When you think of basketball, especially in our league, Council Rock South had those great teams with (Alex) Wheatley, Council Rock North had all those great years and so has Abington. Outside of those three teams, I don’t think anyone else gets any mention or probably hasn’t deserved it or earned it. Those are the three teams that have pretty much dominated it. We’re just working hard to try and get our share.”
Lally’s squad has goals that extend beyond winning another conference crown.
“There’s no doubt that we’re proud, but we’re trying to build something bigger,” he said. “We really would like to get into states and make some noise there, but we’ve played those playoff games in the district, and we know how tough it is just to get to states.
“We’ll have our hands full, but we’ll be ready.”
The Redskins took care of business early in Thursday’s game, turning an 8-4 lead after one quarter into a 25-8 halftime lead. They outscored their visitors 34-8 in the second and third quarters.
Freshman Brooke Mullin led all scorers with 13 points. Senior point guard Morgan Goldenbaum had another solid all-around game with 12 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Josafinne McIlvaine added six points. Emily Alexis led the Redskins under the boards with eight rebounds.
For the Falcons, Sydney Buell (eight points) and Niasia Boone (seven points) led the way.
Neshaminy (16-3, 12-0 SOL) will be on the road at Perkiomen Valley on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. contest, and Pennsbury (2-14, 2-9) will travel to Council Rock South on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 4-4-4-13 25
Neshaminy 8-17-17-10 52
Pennsbury: Abby Wick 1, Niasia Boone 7, Mackenzie McGill 2, Kate Mix 5, Chante Jackson 2, Sydney Buell 8.
Neshaminy: Morgan Goldenbaum 12, Tiara Porterfield 4, Josafinne McIlvaine 6, Emily Alexis 4, Thyra Tuttle 3, Fiona McDonald 5, Nicole Herb 1, Allison Harvey 3, Brooke Mullin 13, Meghan Ansel 1.
ABINGTON 58, WILLIAM TENNENT 33
The Ghosts raced to a 15-0 lead over their visitors after one period and took a 35-11 lead into halftime on their way to the convincing win.
“Our focus has been to start a little quicker, and I think we did a good job of that today,” coach Dan Marsh said.
Lizzie O’Leary had a big night for the Ghosts, collecting a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds to go along with five steals, five assists and three blocks. Sammy Lochner added 12 points, and Sam Brusha had eight.
Kyla Gibson led the Panthers with 13 points, and Kelly Scipione added seven.
Abington (13-6, 10-2 SOL) will host Bethlehem Catholic in a non-league contest on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. William Tennent (7-12, 3-9) will host Bensalem on Tuesday.
William Tennent 0-11-13-9 33
Abington 15-20-9-14 58
William Tennent: Kelly Scipione 7, Kyla Gibson 13, Jenna Rodebaugh 2, Evans 2, Jess Rutkowsky 4, Brianna Broccardi 2, Rachael Ebert 3.
Abington: Britney James 4, Cameron Lexow 2, Sammy Lochner 12, Lizzie O’Leary 16, Tami Wessels 2, Toni Washington 2, Ajah Heard 4, Jordyn Allen 4, Sam Brusha 8, Kassondra Brown 2, Thai Taylor 2.
WISSAHICKON 47, BENSALEM 28
On Tuesday night, the Trojans picked up their first win of the season, and 48 hours later, they picked up their second, jumping out to an early lead over the Owls and never looking back.
“They’re starting to execute,” coach Rodney Cline said. “They’re putting shots in, and they’re playing tough defense.
“I think our energy on the defensive side of the basketball has really helped us create a confidence and create high percentage shots for us. They’re starting to execute, they’re starting to jell with one another and developing a cohesiveness.”
The Trojans led 15-6 after one quarter and blew the game wide open with a 19-5 second quarter to go into halftime with a commanding 34-11 advantage.
“We’re creating mismatches when we need to,” Cline said. “We’re running the stuff that we need to based on the situation. They’re really finding each other, and they’re playing to their strengths.
“They’re not doing things that are out of their basketball realm. It’s just fun to watch, taking it day by day. I don’t want them to get too confident, but I want the confidence to stay there – take it one play at a time, one practice at a time and just continue to work. They’re enjoying it, and they’re enjoying each other. It’s great momentum going to the end of the season and going into summertime and next year. We have everybody back.”
Julianne Griffin led the Trojans with 16 points, and Sydney Ott added 10.
“We had some mismatches inside, and we just executed,” Kline said. “Julianne got to the free throw line and shot 17 free throws.
“She got good position, took high percentage shots, used her body well. She’s stepping up, not only as a leader scoring the basketball but as a leader on the floor.”
Cline went on to credit several other players for their contributions.
“Having Daria Earland out there spreading the floor – it just makes a big difference,” the Trojans’ coach said. “They have to account for her speed.
“I have to give credit to our point guard (Carolina Mack). She’s always consistent, she’s always stable, and tonight she took what the defense gave her. She’s coming into her own.”
Mack was sidelined last season with a concussion.
“We were sinking last year with injuries,” Cline said. “Now people are starting to come into (their own). It’s good to see the progression.
“I’m just happy for the kids. They’re earning it. It’s easier for me now to coach because as my staff and I sit on the bench and the girls are out on the floor – they’re starting to police themselves.
“The same terminology we convey to them in practice, now they’re starting to do it – settle, no excuses, use your body, let’s play smart, time of possession, execute. They’re saying all these things. It’s fun to see them start to get it. I think that’s the most pleasurable thing as a coach is when your kids start to understand the game. They can start to express it out there, and you don’t have to say as much. These girls are starting to understand what we want to do, and they’re executing it. I’m just proud of them.”
Senior Lyric Lewis led all scorers with 19 points. No other Owl had more than five, and only four players contributed scoring.
Wissahickon (2-15, 1-10 SOL) will host Upper Dublin on Friday, and Bensalem (6-12, 2-9) will host Harry S Truman.
Bensalem 6-5-11-6 28
Wissahickon 15-19-12-11 47
Bensalem: Samantha Werth 5, Lyric Lewis 19, Savannah Jordan 3, Michaela Sit 1.
Wissahickon: Brianna Tilghman 5, Daria Earland, Carolina Mack 4, Sydney Ott 10, Julianne Griffin 16, Victoria Selverian 2, Lexi Carradorini 4.
BODINE 48, CHELTENHAM 35
The Lady Panthers – without high-scoring guard Ashley Jones in the lineup (shin splints) – fell behind early and spent the rest of the night playing catch up. Cheltenham trailed 9-5 after one quarter but trimmed that deficit to just two by halftime (21-19). Bodine outscored the Lady Panthers 27-16 in the second half.
Gabbi Wright led the Panthers with 10 points while Caitlin Wallace added eight. Danielle Brown scored seven and Savannah Roberts, six points.
Cheltenham (12-5, 7-3 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Friday.
Bodine 9-12-11-16 48
Cheltenham 5-14-7-9 35
Bodine: Tiana Garvin 12, Kendra Stanford 13, Sabrina Rivera 3, Canya Harp 2, Jaiquwendolyn Hosey 6, Keyanah Price 12.
Cheltenham: Savannah Roberts 6, D’ajah Bouchereau 2, Danielle Brown 7, Mia Leonard 2, Caitlin Wallace 8, Gabrielle Wright 10.
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