SOL girls’ basketball teams will be competing in District One AAAA seeding games for third, fifth, seventh and ninth places. Check back for a recap.
#8 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH at #6 UPPER DUBLIN – Third place game (Friday, 7 p.m.)
Upper Dublin
- 21-6 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champions
- Fourth conference title in as many years
- Point guard Allison Chernow averages 10.3 points and 5.3 assists to lead the Cardinals. Josie Barrett also averages in double figures.
- Regular season wins over #14 Spring-Ford (41-35), #16 Cheltenham (42-39 & 41-22), #19 Plymouth Whitemarsh (41-26 & 42-22), #22 Norristown (61-42 & 50-36) and #27 West Chester Rustin (56-28)
How they got here:
- In a 30-29 district semifinal loss to second-seeded Perkiomen Valley, the Flying Cardinals trailed by seven with 1:10 remaining but rallied to make it a one-point game with a chance to win it, forcing four straight turnovers in that span. Allison Chernow scored a team-high 12 points while Josie Barrett had seven.
- In a quarterfinal game against third-seeded Garnet Valley, Upper Dublin once again relied on its stifling defense to earn a 35-28 win. Demi Balasa, who finished with eight points and eight rebounds, buried a three-pointer to give the Cardinals a 30-28 lead on their way to the win. Josie Barrett led the Cardinals with nine points while Ashley Barber had seven points and nine rebounds.
- In a second round game, Upper Dublin turned in a dazzling defensive effort, limiting Ches-Mont League champion Bishop Shanahan – the tournament’s 11th-seeded team – to just 23 points in a 37-23 win. Shanahan scored seven of those points in the final minute of the game when the starters for both teams were on the bench. Shanahan’s trio of Ciara Forde, Devon Adams and Courtney Warley average 35 points a game combined but managed just 13 combined in the loss. Ashley Barber and Demi Balasa limited Adams to just a three-pointer.
- In an opening round game, Upper Dublin sophomores Nicole Kaiser and Maggie Weglos provided a big lift in the Flying Cardinals’ 44-27 win over 27th-seeeded West Chester Rustin. Kaiser scored 12 points off the bench and Weglos added 10 for the Cardinals, who led 24-13 at halftime.
Central Bucks South
- 20-6 overall
- 11-3 SOL Continental Conference, tied with CB West for second place
- Regular season wins over #6 Upper Dublin (42-39), #13 Neshaminy (52-40), #18 Abington (49-38), #24 CB East (50-44 & 41-22), #31 Pennridge (58-53 & 67-32) and split season series with #10 CB West (36-38, 51-32)
- Led by seniors Jordan Vitelli (14.8 ppg) and Taylor Dunn (7.4)
How they got here:
- In a district semifinal game, Central Bucks South fell behind early and never led in a 57-47 loss to 12th-seeded Downingtown East. Jordan Vitelli finished with a double-double – 15 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Alexa Brodie and junior Meghan Kuypers both added seven points.
- In a quarterfinal game, Central Bucks South pulled off an upset of top-seeded North Penn, earning a 57-54 win in overtime. The Titans, who led by nine at halftime, led 39-24 with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter, but the Lady Knights staged a remarkable rally and took a 45-42 lead in the closing seconds. South’s Jordan Vitelli connected on a shot beyond midcourt at the buzzer, setting the stage for overtime where the Titans outscored the Lady Knights 12-9. Vitelli led all scorers with 28 points while freshman Alexa Brodie added 10 and junior Meghan Kuypers, nine points.
- In second round action, Central Bucks South trailed 9-2 early but – thanks to Jordan Vitelli’s buzzer beater from well beyond the arc – took a 22-16 lead into halftime on its way to a 41-37 win over 24th-seeded Central Bucks East. Vitelli led a balanced attack with eight points while Meghan Kuypers added seven – all in a fourth quarter that saw the Titans open up a 12-point lead.
- In an opening round game, Central Bucks South received scoring from 11 players on its way to a 68-35 win over 25th-seeded Haverford. The Titans were led by Jordan Vitelli’s 17 points. Taylor Dunn (10 points), Mackenzie Ehresman (nine points) and Tricia DeCesare (eight points) also contributed.
Winner gets: The winner will go into the western part of the state bracket and will face District 3’s fourth place squad – the loser in the Harrisburg/Cedar Crest contest – in an opening round game on Friday, March 4.
Loser gets: The loser will take on District 12’s third place team on Friday, March 4.
#3 GARNET VALLEY at NORTH PENN – Fifth place game (Friday, 7 p.m.)
North Penn
- 25-3 overall
- 14-0 SOL National Conference champions
- Defeated Central Bucks West 48-47 in overtime to capture the SOL Tournament title
- Balanced lineup includes six players who average between five and 12 points.
- Lady Knights are led by senior forward Mikaela Giuliani (11.92 ppg) and junior point guard Sam Carangi (10.63 ppg).
- Irisa Ye (9.33 ppg), Jess Huber (8.33 ppg), Bri Hewlett (7.5 ppg) and Mia Melchior (5.4 ppg) also are consistent offensive contributors.
- Regular season wins over #3 Garnet Valley (75-41), #6 Upper Dublin (42-35), #13 Neshaminy (44-39). Swept season series with #8 CB South (47-36 & 58-46), #10 CB West (63-51 & 49-46), #24 CB East (47-34 & 55-25) and #31 Pennridge (#50-40 & 59-43).
- Only regular season losses came at the hands of #2 Perk Valley (69-50) in the opening game of the season and St. John’s College High School (66-44)
- 20-game winning streak snapped with district quarterfinal loss to Central Bucks South
How they got here:
- In a game for district seeding, North Penn opened up a 32-23 lead over 13th-seeded Neshaminy at halftime and then outscored its visitors 25-6 in the second half on its way to a 57-29 win. Mikaela Giuliani led the Lady Knights with 19 points and seven rebounds. Jess Huber (13 points), Bri Hewlett (11 points) and Sam Carangi (eight points, four assists) also contributed.
- In a district quarterfinal game against eighth-seeded CB South, North Penn – after trailing by 15 late in the third quarter – took a 45-42 lead when Jess Huber scored in the closing seconds of regulation. That lead was erased when Jordan Vitelli – after her team took possession under North Penn’s basket with 2.9 seconds remaining – launched a shot from beyond midcourt that fell through the net, tying the score and setting the stage for overtime. The Lady Knights were outscored 12-9 in OT, suffering a heartbreaking 57-54 loss. Bri Hewlett (15 points), Huber (13) and Sam Carangi (12) all finished in double figures for North Penn.
- In the second round, the Lady Knights used a 22-6 second quarter tear to turn a two-point lead into a 34-16 halftime lead on their way to a 64-36 rout of 17th-seeded Penn Wood. Mikaela Giuliani (24 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots), Sam Carangi (18 points, six assists, four steals) and Jess Huber (12 points, five assists, three blocked shots) all turned in huge performances for the Lady Knights.
- In opening round action, the top-seeded Lady Knights made easy business of 32nd-seeded Penncrest, opening up a 41-7 halftime lead on their way to a 63-18 mercy rule win. Mikaela Giuliani scored a game-high 23 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau midway through the second quarter. Irisa Ye (11 points), Jess Huber (10 points) and Bri Hewlett (seven points) also contributed offensively.
Garnet Valley
- 24-4 overall
- 17-1 Central League regular season champions
- Defeated Springfield-Delco 53-36 to capture Central League championship
- Led by senior Maddie Ireland, who surpassed the 1,000-point milestone in December.
- Lineup also includes a pair of talented freshmen in Emily McAteer, who averages 12.5 points a game, and Brianne Borcky, who averages around 10.
How they got here:
- In a district seeding game against Conestoga, Garnet Valley rallied from a 32-28 deficit heading into the fourth quarter against to knot the score 47-47 at the end of regulation and then won it in OT 57-53. Maddie Ireland led the way with 22 points. Emily McAteer (12 points), Nicole Barnes (11 points) and Brianne Borcky (nine points) also contributed offensively.
- In a quarterfinal game, Garnet Valley was stymied by sixth-seeded Upper Dublin’s defense in a 35-28 loss. Maddie Ireland and Nicole Barnes each scored 10 to lead the Jaguars.
- In second round action, Garnet Valley defeated 14th-seeded Spring-Ford 66-57. Maddie Ireland was one of three players in double figures, finishing with 21 points, nine steals and four assists. Emily McAteer added 20 points, which included a 7-for-7 effort at the foul line. Nicole Barnes had 14 points. Sam Tomasetti had a big game on the board, finishing with 12 rebounds. The Jaguars buried 18-of-20 shots from the foul line.
- In Garnet Valley’s 60-45 opening round win over 30th-seeded Oxford, freshman Emily McAteer scored a career high 28 points to go along with 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. Maddie Ireland added 15 points, and freshman Brianne Borckey added nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Winner gets: The winner of the fifth place game will face District 12’s second place team in an opening round state game on Friday, March 4.
Loser gets: The loser will take on District 3’s third place team – the winner of the Harrisburg/Cedar Crest contest – in an opening round state game on Friday, March 4.
#13 NESHAMINY at #7 CONESTOGA – Seventh place game (Friday, 5:30 p.m.)
Nesahminy
- 20-7 overall
- 14-0 SOL National Conference champions
- Regular season wins over #18 Abington (57-49 & 54-42) and #28 Council Rock North (49-45 & 37-36)
- Led by co-captains – senior point guard Morgan Goldenbaum and junior Devon Storms
- Freshmen Allison Harvey, the team’s top scorer, and Brooke Mullin are also major contributors.
- Redskins are 20-4 after starting season 0-3.
How they got here:
- In a district seeding game, Neshaminy trailed top-seeded North Penn 32-23 at halftime but scored just six points in the second half in a 59-25 loss. Brooke Mullin (12 points) and Devon Storms (eight points) led the Redskins.
- In its quarterfinal game at 12th-seeded Downingtown East, Neshaminy led early – 15-10 after one quarter and 22-19 at halftime, but the Redskins were doomed by a third quarter that saw the Cougars go on a 17-9 tear to earn a 51-46 win. Freshman Allison Harvey had 12 points while Devon Storms and Brooke Mullin both had nine.
- Neshaminy upset fourth-seeded Mount St. Joseph Academy 48-40 in a second round game, opening up a 26-19 halftime lead and never looking back. Devon Storms led the Redskins with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Freshman Brooke Mullin had 13 points and eight rebounds, and senior point guard Morgan Goldenbaum added seven points, nine rebounds and four assists.
- In an opening round game Friday, Neshaminy rode the big performance of freshman Brooke Mullin (16 points, seven rebounds, eight steals, four blocked shots and three assists) to a 48-31 win over #20 West Chester Henderson. The ‘Skins – who trailed 7-6 after one quarter – took an 18-15 lead into halftime and then outscored Henderson 30-16 in the second half. Freshman Allison Harvey added nine points.
Conestoga
- 20-7 overall
- 14-2 Central League, second place behind Garnet Valley
- Led by 6-2 senior guard/forward Ellie Mack, who has committed to Bucknell University.
- Lost to #9 Springfield –Delco in the Central League semifinals
- Opened season with 15 wins in 17 games.
- Regular season wins over #21 Harriton (41-35), #25 Haverford (59-39 & 53-34), #28 Council Rock North (50-34), #29 Radnor (49-41), #32 Penncrest (51-30) and split season series with #9 Springfield (47-34 & 35-38).
How they got here:
- In a district seeding game, Conestoga fell to third-seeded Garnet Valley in overtime 57-53. The Pioneers led heading into the fourth quarter but were outscored 29-16 in the fourth quarter and OT combined. Ellie Mack singlehandedly kept the Pioneers in the game, finishing with a game-high 34 points that included a remarkable 24-of-25 effort at the foul line.
- In a district quarterfinal, Conestoga lost to second-seeded Perkiomen Valley 57-46. Ellie Mack had a game-high 27 points.
- In a second round game, Conestoga defeated 10th-seeded Central Bucks West 51-43, rallying from a 28-23 halftime deficit to earn the win. Maria Koblish (17 points) and Ellie Mack (16 points) led the Pioneers.
- In a district opening round game, Conestoga raced to a 16-2 lead and took a 30-11 lead into halftime on its way to a 45-31 win over #26 Unionville. Maria Koblish led the way with 17 points while Ellie Mack had 14 points. Liz Scott added seven points.
Winner gets: In the opening round of states, the winner will face the champion of either District 2 or District 4 on Friday, March 4.
Loser gets: The loser will face the District 11 champion in the opening round of states on Friday, March 4.
#18 ABINGTON at #17 PENN WOOD – Ninth place game (Friday, 7 p.m.)
Abington
- 19-7 overall
- 12-2 SOL National Conference second place
- Led by junior Lizzie O’Leary (11.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg), senior Sammy Lochner (10.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.1 spg), sophomore Sam Brusha (8.1 ppg) and senior Leah Simmons (7.7 ppg).
- Swept regular season series with #28 Council Rock North (53-34 & 56-45)
- Played a tough December schedule that included competing in the She Got Game Classic in Washington, D.C., and the Cardinal O’Hara Holiday tournament.
How they got here:
- In a playback game for a state berth, Abington earned its third trip to states in as many years with a 60-49 win over 11th-seeded Bishop Shanahan. Senior Sammy Locher led the Ghosts with 18 points and six assists. Also making important contributions were Lizzie O’Leary (14 points, 11 rebounds), Sam Brusha (13 points), Britney James (eight points) and Leah Simmons (seven points, 10 rebounds).
- In an all-SOL playback game, Abington defeated 10th-seeded Central Bucks West 55-47. The Ghosts, who trailed 24-14 after one quarter, outscored the Bucks 41-23 the rest of the way. Junior center Lizzie O’Leary had a big game, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. She was a perfect 11-for-11 at the charity stripe. Sammy Lochner added 13 points for the Ghosts.
- Abington scored just 13 points in the second and third quarters combined in its second round 52-39 loss to second-seeded Perkiomen Valley. Senior Sammy Lochner led the Ghosts with 12 points while Lizzie O’Leary and Sam Brusha each added nine.
- In an opening round contest, Abington raced to an 18-2 lead on its way to a 51-25 rout of #15 Great Valley. The Ghosts received monster performances from their bigs – Leah Simmons (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Lizzie O’Leary (12 points, 15 rebounds). Sammy Lochner added seven points.
Penn Wood
- 19-7 overall
- 8-0 Delaware Valley champion
- Led by senior forward Dahnye Redd, who averages over 20 points a game
- Regular season wins over #12 Downingtown East (62-61) and #29 Radnor (55-45)
- Earned program’s first ever trip to the state tournament
How they got here:
- In a playback game, Penn Wood earned a dramatic 44-43 win over 28th-seeded Council Rock North when Gabrielle Hairston buried a three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining. Dahnye Redd led the Patriots with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
- In a 48-39 playback win over 24th-seeded Central Bucks East, Penn Wood was led by the 25-point performance of senior forward Dahnye Redd. Carle Andrews added 10 points in a contest that saw the Patriots rally from a 21-20 halftime deficit to outscore East 28-18 in the second half.
- In second round action, Penn Wood trailed by just two after one quarter but was outscored 37-14 in the second and third quarters in a 64-36 loss to top-seeded North Penn. Dahnye Redd led the way with 18 points while Carle Andrews added seven.
- In an opening round game, Penn Wood, the 17th seed, defeated 16th-seeded Cheltenham 68-27. The win avenged a regular season 67-60 loss to the Lady Panthers as well as last year’s first round exit from districts at the hands of Cheltenham. Senior Dahnye Redd led all scorers with 25 points while Joy Morton and Carle Andrews both added 18 points.
Winner gets: The winner will earn a date with the District 12 champion in the opening round of states on Friday, March 4.
Loser gets: The loser will move into the western half of the state bracket and will earn an opening round date with the District 3 champion – the winner of the Cumberland Valley/Governor Mifflin game – on Friday, March 4.
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