SOL Girls’ Basketball District Preview (2-14-20)

Check out the preview capsules for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action in the District One Tournament. Check back for game recaps.

Nine SOL girls’ basketball team will be in action when the District One 6A Tournament begins Friday. For Hatboro-Horsham, this is the program’s first trip to the postseason in 15 years.

“Back in October, we really didn’t know what our team would look like,” HH coach Dennis Steinly said. “Alice Hall was coming off shoulder surgery and the timeline for her return was somewhere in December or January, but she worked really hard, and her rehab was ahead of schedule so she was cleared to play a week before practice began. She did not play competitive basketball since June, so it was going to take time for her to work her way back.

“We brought in a lot of new faces – many of whom hadn’t played basketball in a couple of years. Our first scrimmage against Jenkintown was the first time this team played competitive basketball together. We play in a very tough league, and our non-league schedule was fairly competitive.”

Six of eight of the Hatters’ non-league opponents are competing in the postseason, and after starting the season 0-2 in the Hatters’ own tipoff tournament, the Hatters won seven of their next eight games.

Steinly credits the team’s six seniors – Hallie Anderson, Cam Ryan, Graceanne Griffis, Sydney Kemp, Jada Mills and Rickelle Wescott – for playing a major role in the team’s growth this season.

Class 6A

#1 Plymouth Whitemarsh (Opening round bye)

20-3 overall
13-1 SOL American Conference champions
Fell to #8 Upper Dublin 39-35 in SOL Tournament semifinals, the third meeting between the two teams.
The Colonials split their regular season meetings with Upper Dublin, winning the first 47-25 and falling in the second 26-39.
Balanced scoring is the name of the game for the Colonials, who are led by sophomore point guard Kaitlyn Flanagan (11.1 ppg) and junior forward Anna McTamney (11.0).
Also making important contributions are freshman Erin Daley (9.2 ppg), junior Gabby Cooper (8 ppg) and junior Jordyn Thomas (7.6 ppg).
Regular season wins over #9 Downingtown East (53-37), #19 Abington (84-52, 65-43), #20 Hatboro-Horsham (76-32, 65-36) and #24 Upper Darby (63-18) as well as Class 5A Upper Moreland (46-27, 46-35).
All three PW losses came in final five games after opening the season 17-0.

Will face winner of #18 Haverford at #17 Unionville in the second round.

#2 Central Bucks West (Opening round bye)

20-4 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 – who defeated #4 Pennsbury 30-23 in the semifinals – also won the first meeting between the two teams 35-32.
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).
Regular season wins over #10 North Penn (57-45 & 56-46), #11 CB East (56-37 & 66-45), #12 Souderton (41-24 & 58-50), #13 West Chester Rustin (71-49), #18 Pennridge (58-32 & 74-52) and #19 Abington (41-33)

Will face the winner of the #18 Pennridge at #15 Neshaminy game in the second round.

#4 Pennsbury (Opening round bye)

19-4 overall
11-1 SOL National Conference co-champions
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 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) are also important contributors
Regular season wins over Class 6A #21 Bensalem (53-21 & 56-33) and #22 Council Rock South (51-26 & 59-35) as well as Class 3A #2 New Hope-Solebury (37-27 & 44-26).
Split regular season series with National Conference co-champion #15 Neshaminy (42-44 & 44-32).

Will face the winner of #20 Hatboro-Horsham at #13 West Chester Rustin in the second round.

#8 Upper Dublin (Opening round bye)

17-7 overall
12-2 SOL American Conference second place
Lost to #2 Central Bucks West 38-33 in SOL Tournament title game, a loss that broke a 10-game winning streak.
Won two of three meetings against #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh, splitting the regular season series (25-47, 39-26) and winning in the SOL Tournament semifinals (39-35).
Led by Lehigh University-bound senior Jackie Vargas, who averages 13.6 points and controls the paint.
Senior Anajae Smith, a Millersville University signee, has averaged 7.8 points and been a welcome addition to the lineup after being sidelined most of the regular season with an injury.
Dayna Balasa (8.5 ppg) is dangerous from long range, Kara Grebe (6.3 ppg) provides muscle in the paint, and point guard Jess Polin (5.4 ppg) distributes the ball.
Regular season wins over #7 Garnet Valley (36-28), #19 Abington (59-50, 43-36) and #20 Hatboro-Horsham (63-23, 56-22).
Split season series with Class 5A #9 Upper Moreland (37-40, 44-29).
Since losing three games in a six-day span in early January, the Cardinals are 11-2. Both of those losses came at the hands of #2 CB West.

Will face winner of #24 Upper Darby at #9 Downingtown East

#23 Boyertown at #10 North Penn (Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.)

North Penn

15-6 overall
8-4 SOL Continental Conference tied for second place
Balanced scoring attack led by Bloomsburg University commit Val McGriff (11.4 ppg) and junior Alli Lindsay (10.9). Senior Carley Adams (6.2 ppg) – who has signed with East Stroudsburg University – and senior Alaina Mullaly (5.8 ppg) are also key contributors.
Regular season wins over #12 Souderton (46-38, 37-34), #15 Neshaminy (57-50) and #17 Unionville (51-34).
Split regular season series with #11 Central Bucks East (38-46, 68-62) and #18 Pennridge (61-64, 59-44), avenging both early season losses late in the year.

Coach Jen Carangi says: “We are excited to host a playoff game for the first time since 2017. Our team has been balanced all year, but our unselfishness recently has helped us play even better. We are looking forward to getting started Friday night.”

Boyertown

10-12 overall
4-6 PAC Liberty Division
Led by junior Abby Kapp (11.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and senior Julia Smith (11.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.3 apg).
Senior captain Amber Marburger (5.4 ppg, 2.9 apg) and senior Avery Sweisfort (5.0 ppg) combine to average close to 10 rebounds
Regular season wins over Class 5A #14 Pope John Paul II (52-40).
Split regular season series with #14 Owen J Roberts (39-31, 31-43)
Lost five of last eight games.

Winner will face: The winner will face #7 Garnet Valley in a second round game.

#22 Council Rock South at #11 Central Bucks East (Friday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m.)

Central Bucks East

15-7 overall
8-4 SOL Continental Conference tied for second place
Junior center Emily Chmiel had a breakout season, averaging 18.8 points and close to 12 rebounds a game.
The Patriots, who have no seniors on their roster, are led by co-captains Mia Salvati (12 ppg) and Gabby Wilga (5.7 ppg). Sophomore Aubrey DeAngelis (5.9 ppg) and junior Emily Barry (4.9 ppg) also make important contributions.
Regular season wins over #18 Pennridge (63-47, 67-54), #19 Abington (69-57), #21 Bensalem (54-35) as well as Class 4A #1 Gwynedd Mercy (44-36).
Split with #10 North Penn (52-44, 62-68) and #12 Souderton (46-38, 43-54).
Won five of six to close out regular season.

Coach Liz Potash says: “The team is looking forward to competing in the district playoffs and hungry to avenge last year’s exit in the playbacks. The team has worked hard since last March to put themselves in a better seeding position and are looking forward to a home playoff game on Friday night.”

Council Rock South

10-12 overall
6-6 SOL National Conference
Young team has only two seniors on it roster
Led by junior Nicole Blaustein (12.7 ppg), senior Hannah Binder (8.0 ppg) and senior Jenna Culp (5.3 ppg)
Regular season wins over Class 4A #2 Lower Moreland (48-34) and #3 Villa Joseph Marie (52-37).
Split regular season series with #21 Bensalem (49-38, 27-51).

Coach Blair Klumpp says: “As a program, we are excited for this opportunity. We have been really focused and the energy at practice has been great. We didn’t end the season as strong as we wanted to, but that is the best thing about the postseason – everyone has the same record. We haven’t been to the playoffs in three years and it’s been longer than that since the program won a (district) game. So this is a great opportunity and experience for our girls. We have had girls from all four grade levels contributing throughout the year so we need to keep building off that and give our best overall team effort in the postseason.”

Winner will face: Winner will travel to #6 Ridley for a second round game.

#21 Bensalem at #12 Souderton (Friday, Feb. 14, 6 p.m.)

Souderton

16-6 overall
7-5 SOL Continental Conference
Mikaela Reese is the lone senior on a squad that lost four starters to graduation. The senior captain scores 12.5 points a game and also leads the team in rebounds and assists.
Also contributing to the Indians’ balanced attack are freshman Casey Harter (7.7 ppg) as well as juniors Olivia Schneider (7.2 ppg) and Jordan Zimmerman (6.5 ppg)
Regular season wins over #18 Pennridge (58-51, 54-37), #19 Abington (56-49), #20 Hatboro-Horsham (51-33) Class 5A #12 Harriton (35-24) and #14 Pope John Paul II (39-24) as well as Class 4A #1 Gwynedd Mercy Academy (44-33).
Split with #11 Central Bucks East (38-46, 54-43).
Indians won five of last six regular season games.

Coach Lynn Carroll says: “We’re excited to have earned a home game in the district tournament. We finished the regular season playing at a high level, and we will strive to continue that as we head into the postseason. Our offense has been firing on all cylinders and we’re playing our best defense of the season. I think Bensalem is better than their record indicates. They have kids who can make plays starting with Haley Keenan. We need to continue to play high-energy, focused defense and unselfish offense in order to win the game.”

Bensalem

12-10 overall
7-5 SOL National Conference
Coach Sheldon Per, who took over the reins of the program last year, has led the Owls to the district playoffs in back-to-back years.
Led by the senior trio of Haley Keenan (14.9 ppg), Chloe Munyon (10.4 ppg) and Emily Wineburg (5.0 ppg). All three are four-year starters.
Split regular season series with #22 Council Rock South (38-49, 51-27) and defeated Class 2A #1 Sacred Heart

Winner will face: The winner will travel to #5 Methacton for a second round game.

#18 Pennridge at #15 Neshaminy (Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.)

Neshaminy

14-8 overall
11-1 SOL National Conference co-champions
Led by senior captains Kristin Curley (13.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.7 spg), Olivia Scotti (10.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.7 spg) and Emily Tantala (8.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 spg).
Senior captain Kelli Kowalick, a major contributor, is battling a hand injury.
Regular season wins over #11 Central Bucks East (52-44), #21 Bensalem (40-31, 46-41), #22 Council Rock South (56-20, 65-34) as well as Class 4A #3 Villa Joseph Marie (74-40)
Split regular season series with #4 Pennsbury (44-42, 32-42)

Coach Joe Lally says: “Heading into the playoffs, our expectations are to make a run. We haven’t changed our thought process. We know we have seniors that are here for the last time, and we’re excited to get started. We achieved our first goal, which was winning or sharing our league title, so goal number one is behind us, and now it’s to make a deep run in districts again and hopefully into states.”

Pennridge

12-10 overall
4-8 SOL Continental Conference
The Rams’ balanced scoring attack is led by seniors Julia Kreider (10.7 ppg) and Evelyn Loughery (10.2 ppg). Sophie Cweiber (8.2 ppg), Ashley Gordon (6.8 ppg) and Katie Yoder (5.5 ppg) also contribute.
Senior point guard Corinn Mart (5.5 ppg) has been sidelined with an injury and is questionable for Friday’s opener.
Regular season wins over #22 Council Rock South (43-22), #23 Boyertown (46-37) as well as Class 5A #8 Pottsgrove (66-49) and Class 4A #3 Villa Joseph Marie (59-49)
Split regular season series with #10 North Penn (64-61, 44-59)

Winner faces: The winner will travel to #2 Central Bucks West in the second round.

#19 Abington at #14 Owen J Roberts (Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.)

Abington

12-10 overall
9-5 SOL American Conference third place
14^th straight year in district tournament under coach Dan Marsh, whose teams are 12-1 in the first round.
Young Ghost squad is led by sophomore point guard Khalis Whiting (12.5 ppg). Freshman Cire Worley is the top scorer, averaging 16.0 points a game. Freshman Jaida Helm (9.2 ppg) and junior Amanda Jackson (7.9 ppg) are also key contributors.
Regular season win over Class 5A #1 Springfield-Delco (52-50).
Split regular season series with Class 6A #20 Hatboro-Horsham (61-60, 81-71) and Class 5A #9 Upper Moreland (47-23, 45-46)
Ghosts have made six straight state playoff appearances

Owen J Roberts

16-8 overall
6-4 PAC Liberty Division third place
The Wildcats, after an opening round PAC Tournament winner over Pope John Paul II, fell to eventual champion Spring-Ford 54-38 in the tournament semifinals.
Led by four-year varsity starter Olivia LeClaire, who was a first team All-PAC selection as both a sophomore and junior. The senior guard/forward surpassed the 1,000-point milestone this year.
Regular season win over Class 5A #8 Pottsgrove (47-36). Split regular season series with Class 6A #5 (48-37, 39-41) and #23 Boyertown (31-39, 43-31)
Winner faces: The winner will travel to #2 Spring-Ford in the second round.

#20 Hatboro-Horsham at #13 West Chester Rustin (Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.)

Hatboro-Horsham

11-11 overall
7-7 SOL American Conference
First trip to districts since 2006
Led by sophomores Alice Hall (13.4 ppg) and Emily Thomas (10.6 ppg). Cam Ryan (8.3 ppg) is the Hatters’ floor general.
Split regular season series with Class 5A #9 Upper Moreland (54-51, 55-56) and defeated Class 4A #2 Lower Moreland (61-38).
Averaged 61 points per game in the last five games while shooting close to 40 percent from the field overall (34 percent from 3).

Coach Dennis Steinly says: “We are excited to be in the playoffs for the first time in a long time. I’m especially happy for this group of seniors who have played such a big part in our growth. All coaches hope to have their team playing its best basketball this time of year, and I believe we are in that position. The results of our last five games may not show it, but statistically, we are playing at our highest level of the season. We are assisting on 75 percent of our field goals. Defensively, our rebounding is much better, and we are forcing over 20 turnovers per game.

“WC Rustin is a very good team – they play unselfishly on offense, so we will need all five players alert. They are a well-balanced team. Defensively, Rustin will press full court, and their half-court defense is team-oriented. They don’t have a lot of size, but they play with a lot of heart and compete for 32 minutes. They really get after you and there is no quit in their approach.”

West Chester Rustin

14-7 overall
10-2 Ches-Mont American Division second place
Lost to #9 Downingtown East 60-43 in the Ches-Mont semifinals.
Freshman Laine McGurk averages in double digits off the bench. Senior Sam Greer is the floor general, junior Gracy Shivers is dangerous from long range, and sophomore forward Laney Costin defends the opponent’s top offensive weapon.
Regular season wins over Class 6A #17 Unionville (51-32, 57-31) as well as Class 5A #6 West Chester East (47-41) and #13 Academy Park (60-46)
Won nine of 12 games heading into districts.

Winner faces: The winner will face #4 Pennsbury in the second round.

Class 5A

#9 Upper Moreland at #8 Pottsgrove (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.)

12-10 overall
8-6 SOL American Conference
Led offensively by senior Bean Hughes (16.3 ppg) and freshmen EmmyFaith Wood (10.6 ppg)
Regular season wins over Class 6A opponents #8 Upper Dublin (40-37), #19 Abington (46-45), #20 Hatboro-Horsham (56-55), 5A opponents #11 West Chester Henderson (39-28), 4A opponents #2 Lower Moreland (43-22) and 3A opponent #2 New-Hope Solebury (34-23).

Coach Matt Carroll says: “This is the third straight year we have made the playoffs, but it is our first real shot at playing well and earning a playoff victory. Playing teams such as PW (two times), Upper Dublin (two times), undefeated Jenkintown and many others has helped prepare us for our most meaningful test of the year. We are an experienced group with some firepower off the bench who won’t shy away from the playoff spotlight. We are excited and prepared for this moment.”

Pottsgrove

17-5 overall
10-0 PAC Frontier Division regular season champions
Lost to Class 6A #5 Methacton 55-47 in PAC semifinals
The junior-heavy team has just two seniors on its roster
Led by junior co-captains Sydney Mowery (11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and point guard Riley Simon (8.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.1 apg).
Junior Rachel Ludwig (6.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg), junior Sierra Potts (6.8 ppg) and senior Summer Walker (6.7 ppg) also contribute to a balanced attack.
Regular season wins over Class 6A #23 Boyertown (40-22) and #24 Upper Darby (48-35) as well as Class 5A #12 Harriton (37-35)
Lost three of last four games entering the tournament.