SOL Girls’ Basketball District Preview (2-15-19)

Eight SOL girls’ basketball teams will be in action in Friday night’s District 1 6A opening round. Check back for recaps of all the games.

While five SOL teams received opening round byes, eight SOL girls’ basketball teams will be in action in Friday’s opening round of the District One 6A Tournament. Upper Moreland and Wissahickon will begin play in the District One 5A Tournament on Tuesday.

Class 6A
#2 NESHAMINY (Opening round bye)

21-3 overall
12-0 SOL National Conference champions
Fell to #3 Abington 51-44 in SOL title game after defeating #6 Souderton 51-47 in the semifinals
Let by a pair of 1,000-point scorers in Bucknell signee Brooke Mullin, who averages a double-double, and Allison Harvey, a long-range sniper.
Junior point guard Kristin Curley directs the offense
Regular season wins over #3 Abington (59-57 OT), #7 Council Rock North (56-34 & 49-32), #15 Pennsbury (33-30 & 46-25), #17 Central Bucks East (58-47), #18 Central Bucks South (51-39) and #21 Bensalem (50-28 & 53-23)
Will face winner of #15 Pennsbury/#18 Central Bucks South game

#3 ABINGTON (Opening round bye)

21-3 overall
13-1 SOL American Conference co-champions with Upper Dublin
Defeated #3 Neshaminy 51-44 in SOL title game after downing #5 Upper Dublin 56-44 in the semifinals.
Led by University of Rhode Island-bound Kassondra Brown, who averages a double-double with 17.5 points and 13.2 rebounds.
Senior Tamia Wessels (11.8 ppg), freshman point guard Khalis Whiting (11.2 ppg) and senior Cam Lexow (11.1 ppg) are all capable of putting up big numbers. Miranda Liebtag (5.2 ppg) is a defensive catalyst.
Won 13 of 14 games heading into districts.
Regular season wins over #7 Council Rock North (69-64), #12 Plymouth Whitemarsh (52-46 & 63-40), Class 5A #10 Upper Moreland (59-28 & 57-18) and #16 Wissahickon (67-43 & 75-25).
Split regular season meetings with #5 Upper Dublin (61-66 OT & 37-33)
Will face winner of #14 Central Bucks West/#19 Upper Darby game

#5 UPPER DUBLIN (Opening round bye)

19-4 overall
13-1 SOL American Conference co-champions with Abington
Lost to #3 Abington 56-44 in the SOL semifinals
Led by junior center Jackie Vargas (13.1 ppg), sophomore sharpshooter Dayna Balasa (9.7 ppg) and sophomore Sarah Eskey (7.2 ppg).
Regular season wins over #17, Central Bucks East (50-38), #12 Plymouth Whitemarsh (43-22 & 40-22), #14 Central Bucks West (45-39), #18 Central Bucks South (47-24), Class 5A #10 Upper Moreland (51-12 & 45-28) and #16 Wissahickon (60-10 & 62-17).
Split regular season games with Abington (66-61 OT & 33-37)
Will face winner of #12 Plymouth Whitemarsh/#21 Bensalem game

#6 SOUDERTON (Opening round bye)

20-3 overall
11-1 SOL Continental Conference champions
Fell to #3 Neshaminy 51-47 in SOL semifinals
Lost three starters from last year’s SOL and District One 6A title team.
Balanced scoring attack features Mikaela Reese (10.3 ppg), Megan Bealer (8.1 ppg), Megan Walbrandt (8.0 ppg), Curran O’Donnell (7.0 ppg) and Megan O’Donnell (6.3 ppg).
Defense is the Indians’ calling card with Walbrandt the catalyst.
Regular season wins over #2 Abington (67-57), #3 Neshaminy (44-39), #14 Central Bucks West (48-33 & 49-40), #17 Central Bucks East (54-35, 45-29), #20 North Penn (41-29 & 50-29) and #23 Pennridge (50-34, 55-41).
Split regular season games with #18 Central Bucks South (41-18 & 30-28 OT)
Will face winner of #11 Owen J Roberts/#22 Coatesville game

#7 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH (Opening round bye)

17-4 overall
10-2 SOL National Conference
Led by the team’s four seniors – Dana Bandurick (17.3 ppg), Sydney Blum (10.3 ppg), Olivia Boyle (9.3 ppg) and floor general Camryn Polinsky (6.2 ppg)
Bandurick, who averages 8.3 rebounds, is a force at both ends of the court and has 51 blocks and 57 steals.
Regular season wins over #9 Methacton (51-45), #10 West Chester Rustin (56-30), #15 Pennsbury (57-34 & 46-43), #18 Central Bucks South (44-33) and #21 Bensalem (55-29 & 60-23).
Will face winner of #10 West Chester Rustin/#23 Pennridge.

#21 BENSALEM at #12 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH (Friday, Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m.)
Plymouth Whitemarsh

18-4 overall
10-4 SOL American Conference third place
Starting lineup features three freshmen and two sophomores
Led offensively by sophomore Anna McTamney (12.1 ppg), freshmen Lainey Allen (9.8 ppg), Kaitlyn Flanagan (7.5 ppg), and Jordyn Thomas (6.5 ppg)
Regular season wins over #8 Downingtown East (51-37), #18 Central Bucks South (50-47), Class 5A #10 Upper Moreland (33-29 & 44-33) and #16 Wissahickon (57-25 & 49-24).

Coach Dan Dougherty says: “We are excited to be in the playoffs and to host a doubleheader with our boys. Bensalem presents some tough matchups with their speed and ability to shoot from the outside. Both teams lack a lot of playoff experience, so it may come down to which team handles their nerves better.”

Bensalem

13-9 overall
6-6 SOL National Conference fourth place
Two years removed from a 2-18 season and almost doubled the win total from last year’s 7-14 season under coach Sheldon Per.
Michaela Sit is the team’s lone senior, and Sit as well as juniors Haley Keenan, Chloe Munyon & Emily Wineburg lead a young Owls’ squad whose roster is loaded with freshmen and sophomores.
Haley Keenan averages in double figures.
Regular season win over Class 3A #2 New Hope-Solebury (32-31)

#19 UPPER DARBY at #14 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (Friday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.)
Central Bucks West

14-8 overall
9-3 SOL Continental Conference second place
Led by junior Maddie Burke and senior Izzy Treon as well as senior Tori Abelson, who was sidelined the entire season last year with a torn ACL.
Regular season wins over #18 Central Bucks South (46-38 & 51-19), #20 North Penn (47-30 &45-42), #22 Coatesville (73-30) and #23 Pennridge (43-34 & 67-45) as well as Class 5A #1 Springfield-Delco (39-34).
Handed a Trinity team ranked fifth in the state in the Class 3A one of only two losses this season (51-40).
Split regular season series with #17 Central Bucks East (62-55 & 49-51)

Upper Darby

13-9 overall
7-9 Central League seventh place
Averages 49.2 points a game and allows 49.4
Led by junior captains Jasmine Forrester and Gabby Liberio
Regular season win over #16 Kennett (67-57).

#18 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH at #15 PENNSBURY (Friday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.)
Pennsbury

17-5 overall
8-4 SOL National Conference third place
Pennsbury’s first home playoff game since 2006.
Freshman point guard Ava Sciolla (11.9 ppg) leads a balanced attack that includes junior Cami Wiegand (10.0 ppg) and senior Kate Mix (7.0 ppg)
Falcons are three years removed from a four-win season.
Young team includes two freshmen and two sophomores in top seven players.
Regular season wins over #20 North Penn (44-38) and #21 Bensalem (36-22 & 62-29).
Fell to #18 Central Bucks South in early season meeting (39-37).

Coach Frank Sciolla says: “We are excited to play a program like CB South. It all starts with Beth Mattern and what she has done there. (Alexa) Brodie handles the ball 90 percent of the time, and she was incredible in last year's District 1 final and helped carry them to the state final.”

Central Bucks South

12-10 overall
7-5 SOL Continental Conference third place tie with Central Bucks East
Led by all-state senior point guard and Colgate commit Alexa Brodie, who averages 16.7 points a game. Freshmen Taylor Hinkle (10.1 ppg) and Mackenzie Erb (5.09 ppg) have stepped up in starting roles.
Defeated #15 Pennsbury on Dec. 15 (39-37)
Regular season wins over #22 Coatesville (61-53) and #23 Pennridge (39-35 & 53-38)
Split regular season series with #6 Souderton (18-41 & 30-28 OT), #17 Central Bucks East (44-46 & 45-40) and #20 North Penn (48-40 & 45-54).

Coach Beth Mattern says: “I'm very proud of this team and the strides they have made over the course of the season. A group who had very little varsity experience came together and has jelled at the right time. We are playing a tough Pennsbury squad but look forward to the challenge.”

#17 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST at #16 KENNETT (Friday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.)
Central Bucks East

13-9 overall
7-5 SOL Continental Conference third place tie with Central Bucks South
Lost Jefferson University commit Elyse Shine to a torn ACL in the third game of season.
Patriots – 3-7 after 10 games – won 10 of 13 games to close out season.
Balanced attack led by senior guard Caroline Pla (10.9 ppg), Skylar Krause (7.8), Emily Chmiel (7.5 ppg) and Gabby Wilga (7.1).
Regular season wins over #21 Bensalem (60-33) and #23 Pennridge (46-40 & 49-45).
Split season series with #14 Central Bucks West (55-62 & 51-49), #18 Central Bucks South (46-44 & 40-45) and #20 North Penn (46-48 & 52-44).

Coach Liz Potash says: “After a tough beginning of the season, we're excited to be competing in the district tournament and looking forward to continuing to improve with whatever season is left. Behind the senior leadership of Caroline Pla, Skylar Krause and Elyse Shine (from the bench) and the emerging play of Gabby Wilga, Mia Salvati, Emily Chmiel and Aubrey DeAngelis, the team is eager to make a postseason run.”

Kennett

15-7 overall
8-2 Ches-Mont American Division second place
Fell to #8 Downingtown East 55-40 in Ches-Mont semifinals
Blue Demons average 50 points a game and, as a team, have 165 three-pointers on the season.
Led by senior Andrea Prestianne, who averages 17.1 points a game and has 42 three-pointers.
Sophomore Ellie Matthews (12.5 ppg) and junior Gina Lusvardi (9.3 ppg) also are also key contributors. Matthews leads the team with 56 three-pointers, and Lusvardi has 34.
Regular season wins over #23 Pennridge (51-45) and #24 Unionville (50-40)

#20 NORTH PENN at #13 HAVERFORD (Friday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.)
North Penn

10-12 overall
6-6 SOL Continental Conference fifth place
Led offensively by sophomore point Alli Lindsay (9.0 ppg), Val McGriff (8.2 ppg), Alaina Mullaly (8.0 ppg) and Carley Adams (7.4 ppg).
Swept regular season series with #23 Pennridge (56-46 & 67-57). Split regular season series with #17 Central Bucks East (48-46 & 44-52) and #18 Central Bucks South (40-48 & 54-48).

Haverford

16-6 overall
13-3 Central League third place
Regular season wins over #19 Upper Darby (49-33 & 60-38).
Twice lost by just four points to top-seeded Garnet Valley (51-55 & 40-44).
Veteran Fords’ squad – with nine seniors on its roster – has five senior starters.
Senior captain Erin Kelly is the floor leader at point guard. Erin Doherty is the team’s most dangerous offensive weapon.

#23 PENNRIDGE at #10 WEST CHESTER RUSTIN (Friday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.)
Pennridge

9-12 overall
2-10 SOL Continental Conference
Junior Julia Kreider (9.7 ppg), a transfer from Central Bucks West, leads the Rams offensively. Emilee Cramer (9.0 ppg), Sam Muredda (6.6) and Evelyn Loughery (6.6 ppg) also contribute to a balanced attack.
Regular season win over Class 5A #16 Wissahickon (72-45).

West Chester Rustin

16-6 overall
9-1 Ches-Mont American regular season champion
Fell to #8 Downingtown East 55-39 in the Ches-Mont title game after defeating Class 5A #3 West Chester Henderson 48-41 in the semifinals.
Led by Dakiya Daniels – a second team All-Ches-Mont American selection last year – as well as Grace Plona and Becca McGrone
Regular season wins over #17 Kennett (54-45 & 58-31), #22 Coatesville (59-54) and #24 Unionville (53-29 & 39-34).
Won six of seven heading into the playoffs.

Class 5A
#10 UPPER MORELAND at #7 HARRITON (Tuesday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.)
Upper Moreland

14-8 overall
8-6 SOL American Conference fourth place
Golden Bears are two years removed from a 0-22 season under third-year coach Matt Carroll.
Led by junior Bean Hughes (14.2 ppg) and senior Phoebe Longstreth (8.1 ppg)
Regular season wins over Class 5A #16 Wissahickon (53-26 & 42-26).

Harriton

14-8 overall
10-6 Central League fifth place
Average 45.7 points a game
Regular season win over Class 6A #19 Upper Darby (53-29). Split regular season series with #4 Radnor (57-60 & 59-49) and #8 Strath Haven (45-65 & 44-41)

#16 WISSAHICKON at #1 SPRINGFIELD DELCO (Tuesday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.)
Wissahickon

8-14 overall
4-10 SOL American sixth place
Led by junior Anna Schools, who averages 12.3 points a game.
Lost the team’s top player Brianna Tilghman for the season.

Springfield Delco

20-2 overall
14-2 Central League second place behind Garnet Valley
Average 53-5 points a game while allowing 32.9.
Jordan D’Ambrosio became just the fifth player in program history to surpass the 1,000-point milestone. The senior forward averages 13.0 points a game to lead the Cougars.
Alexa Abbonizio (12.7 ppg) and Bell Mastropietro (10.1) also are major contributors. Abbonizio has 40 three-pointers.
Regular season wins over #3 West Chester Henderson (46-37), #4 Radnor (61-37 & 43-32), #7 Harriton (51-48 & 53-21), #8 Strath Haven (59-27 & 76-36) and Class 6A #13 Haverford (43-41) and #19 Upper Darby (60-42).