Council Rock North defeated Cheltenham to earn the ninth and final state playoff spot. Norristown also picked up a win in a consolation game.
By Scott Huff
Council Rock North earned its invitation to the PIAA Quad-A state tournament as the Indians (21-6) survived the dreaded playback bracket for the ninth seed with a 54-47 victory over Cheltenham (17-10). The game was played under the dome at Wissahickon High School.
“I can’t say that I am surprised we were able to survive, but getting into the playoffs like this was a real challenge,” said Council Rock North head coach Derek Wright. “We hit a real low point with the loss to Souderton (70-53) at home, but you have to credit the players. They were teenagers that reacted like adults, and as a result we are still alive.”
The Indians received clutch outings from their pair of outstanding seniors to overcome a red-hot Cheltenham squad. Arron Goodman recorded a double/double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Aaron Morgan was steady in the backcourt with 12 points – five assists – and five steals.
“We go into every game thinking we are going to win,” said Morgan. “You can’t really think about losing – that it could be your last game. Right now we have won three games in a row, and we are going into the playoffs with some momentum.”
“We have talent, and we have good coaching,” said Goodman. “But we still have a lot to do as far as getting better. We are far from perfect, and we’ll work hard to get ready for that next game.”
There will be no next game for the Panthers, who proved to be more than competitive with the Indians.
“We have played hard all season, and that is a testament to the players,” said Cheltenham head coach Brian Johnson. “You hate to have the seniors go out with a loss, but when you reach this point of the season, only the state champion is going to end its season with a win.
“I am so proud of the league we play in,” added Johnson in reference to the Suburban One League American Conference. “This was a big game – but we played in a big game every single Tuesday and Friday during the year.”
Cheltenham – which stormed back to beat Pennsbury 67-63 with a furious fourth period rally in its last game – closed to within 48-43 with 52 seconds left in the game. However, Rock North was able to close out the game and earn its invite to the PIAA dance.
Nafis Walker led the Panthers with 14 points, while Aaron McGlawn and Guy Henderson each scored eight points.
“We have been in a lot of games like this during the season,” said Wright. “We have been able to make some plays and come up wins. Right now we have to focus on getting better.”
Cheltenham Panthers 12 10 10 15 - 47
Council Rock North Indians 12 18 7 17 - 54
Cheltenham Panthers: Nafis Walker 14; Aaron McGlawn 8; Guy Henderson 8; Jarrell Haywood 6; Nike Lyons 5; Terrance Davis 4; and Toyon Wynder 2. Total – 47.
Council Rock North: Arron Goodman 15; Aaron Morgan 12; Matt McCloskey 9; Rip Engel 7; Kyle McCloskey 4; Alex Jordan 4; and Brandon Knotts 3.
Eagles Soar to Consolation Victory
Norristown (19-8) scored 22 points in the fourth period as the Eagles captured the #5 seed from District One in the PIAA Quad-A playoffs with a 42-36 victory over visiting Souderton (20-7). The Birds had only scored 20 points in the first three periods combined.
“We really were able to turn up the pressure in the fourth period,” said Norristown head coach Michael Evans. “We wanted to press the whole game – but you have to score to press – and we couldn’t put the ball in the basket.
“But we came up with a win against quality teams the last two games against Souderton and Central Bucks West,” added Evans. “After that loss to Chester (81-31) we should have our confidence back. We knew after the loss against Chester that we were still in states, but I was happy the way we played to win the last two games.”
The Eagles were led to victory behind the terrific fourth quarter play of both Marquis Bryant and BJ Gordon. Bryant scored 11 of his game-high 14 points in the final frame, while Gordon was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final minute.
Souderton – which entered the fourth period with a seven-point lead – was led in scoring by Luke Moyer with 13 points. The Indians will enter the state tournament as the # 6 seed from District One.
Souderton Indians 8 13 6 9 - 36
Norristown Eagles 5 9 6 22 - 42
Souderton: Luke Moyer 13; John Kanas 7; Mark Wonderling 6; Ryan Connolly 5; Dan Felecki 3; Ry Yazallinas 2. Total – 36.
Norristown: Marquis Bryant 14; Luke Kelley 9; Curt Lever 5; BJ Gordon 4; Chris Evans 4; Samir Bey 3. Total – 42.
Central Bucks West Falls to District One # 8 seed
Central Bucks West (22-5) will have to enter the PIAA Quad-A playoffs with a three-game losing streak as the Bucks dropped a 50-44 contest to host Coatesville (24-6). West closed to within 46-44 late in the game, but the Bucks could not come up with the game changing plays to secure the win.
Tyler Schechter scored a game-high 20 points to fuel the Central Bucks West offense, while Derek Dyer added eight points for the Bucks.
Chris Miller scored a team-high 17 points to pace the Red Raiders, while Emmett Hunt scored in twin digits for the winners with 11 points.
Central Bucks West Bucks 12 8 8 16 - 44
Coatesville Red Raiders 18 9 10 13 - 50
Central Bucks West: Tyler Schechter 20; Derek Dyer 8; Jack Rogers 7; Shane Kellar 5; Sherrod Higginbotham 4. Total – 44.
Coatesville: Chris Miller 17; Emmett Hunt 11; Vinnie Williams 7; Eric Trowery 4; Dameon Nixon 3; Tyler Burke 3; Farrel Boyd 2; Tymier Miller 2; and Chris Jones 1. Total - 50
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