Seven SOL girls’ basketball teams will be in action in Friday’s opening round of the District One 6A Tournament. Check back for game recaps as well as previews of upcoming games in Class 4A & Class 5A. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Garber: https://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p520934698)
#23 OWEN J ROBERTS at #10 NESHAMINY (Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.)
Neshaminy
- 16-7 overall
- 13-3 SOL Patriot Division second place
- The Redskins are led by the trio of sophomore Reese Zemitis (12.3 ppg, 145 rebounds), sophomore point guard Lola Ibarrondo (10.7 ppg, 59 assists) and junior Taylor Gurysh (9.7ppg), the team’s leading offensive rebounder.
- Maya Lewis and Mimi Smith have returned from injuries to stabilize the team’s rotation. Lewis solidifies the Redskins’ defense, and Smith leads the team in 3-point field goal percentage.
- Wins over #6 West Chester Rustin (65-60), #12 Central Bucks West (45-30), #22 Central Bucks East (40-39),
- Split season series with #4 Pennsbury (30-45 & 36-27) & #21 Council Rock South (51-37 & 42-45)
Coach John Gallagher says: “Our first scrimmage this year was us traveling to OJR on Nov. 30, 2021. Now in our first district game, we see them traveling to us for a win-or-go-home game. While OJR is relatively small, they play at a fever pitch at both ends of the floor. We need to remain disciplined in our approach to their speed. Avery White is a special talent who can break down defenses with her ability to get to the rim and shoot from the three-point line.”
Owen J Roberts
- 14-6 overall
- 4-6 PAC Liberty Division fourth place
- Senior Chestnut Hill College recruit Avery White leads the Wildcats
- Wins over Class 6A #15 Central Bucks South (58-54 OT), #16 Great Valley (40-34) & Class 5A #7 Villa Maria Academy (45-42)
Winner faces: #7 Perkiomen Valley
#21 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH at #12 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.)
Central Bucks West
- 16-7 overall
- 11-5 SOL Colonial Division second place behind Souderton
- Senior guard Emily Spratt – who is committed to continue her basketball career at Jefferson University – surpassed the 1,000-point milestone this season. She averages 15 points and six rebounds.
- Junior guard Tai Henkels (8.0 ppg, 3 rpg) and junior guard Katie Finnan (5.5 ppg) are also key players at both ends of the court.
- Wins over Class 6A #15 Central Bucks South (38-36 & 43-41) and #21 Council Rock South (40-29)
- Split season series with Class 6A #22 Central Bucks East (33-43 & 34-27)
CB West coach Zach Sibel says: “We’re excited to be back and competing in the district playoffs. We face a really good CR South team in the opening round and are hoping to get a chance to avenge an earlier loss against district power Abington. Our team has been tested all year with close games and battles, and we hope that experience travels with us to this tournament.”
Council Rock South
- 13-8 overall
- 8-8 SOL Patriot Division third place
- Junior captain Karissa Smedley (10.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2 apg, 2.5 spg) sets the tone for a young squad, leading the team in deflections and charges taken.
- Sophomore Cam Gregory (11.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg) averages 2.5 3-point field goals made a game.
- Junior Mia Stock (7.7 ppg, 5 rpg, 1 bpg) and sophomores Lily Bross (5.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3 rpg) and Katie Purpura (4.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.5 spg) are also key contributors.
- Wins over Class 6A #22 Central Bucks East (51-47) & Class 4A 4 New Hope-Solebury (74-70)
- Split season series with #10 Neshaminy (51-37 & 45-42)
- Won six of eight to close out regular season.
CR South coach Blair Klumpp says: “We’re really excited to be back in district playoffs after graduating an all-league back court. It will be a great experience for this group; we are excited to compete amongst and against some of the best teams in the area and are hoping our preparation and recent stretch of playing good basketball carries into the playoffs.”
Winner faces: #5 Abington
#20 DOWNINGTOWN WEST at #13 UPPER DUBLIN (Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.)
Upper Dublin
- 15-8 overall
- 12-4 SOL Liberty Division third place
- Sophomore guard Amy Ngo (14.7 ppg, 37 3-pointers) leads a UD squad that is anchored by seniors Geena Sarnoski (9.8 ppg, 46 3-pointers), Bliss Brenner (4.5 ppg) and Colleen Klammer (4.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg)
- Wins over Class 6A #10 Neshaminy (23-22), #15 Central Bucks South (12-10, 8-8), #19 Hatboro-Horsham (43-36 & 51-30), #22 Central Bucks East (28-23), Class 5A #3 Upper Moreland (37-28), #4 Bishop Shanahan (48-41) & Class 4A #4 New Hope-Solebury (57-35).
- Won 11 of 12 to close out regular season after a 3-7 start
UD coach Morgan Funsten says: “We are excited about the season we have had so far and look forward to extending it as long as possible.
Downingtown West
- 15-7 overall
- 6-6 Ches-Mont National Conference
- Led by 5-6 senior guard Alyssa Stauffer, 5-9 freshman guard Samantha Schurtz & 5-11 junior guard Lizzie Grant.
- Wins over Class 6A #24 Kennett (50-41) & Class 4A #4 Collegium Charter (44-41)
- Split season series with #18 Coatesville (47-38 & 40-61)
- Won six of seven to close out regular season
Winner will face: #4 Pennsbury
#18 COATESVILLE at #15 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH (Friday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m.)
Central Bucks South
- 12-10 overall
- 8-8 SOL Colonial Division third place
- Senior Taylor Hinkle, a Holy Family commit, averages 14.6 points a game and became just the fifth player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
- Sophomore point guard Yoyo Sumayoa (9.00 ppg) and junior Allison Sauers are also key contributors.
- Wins over Class 6A #8 Downingtown East (48-31), #13 Upper Dublin (40-29), #14 Garnet Valley (60-42), #21 Council Rock South (52-41), #22 Central Bucks East (54-34 & 45-44) and Class 4A #4 New Hope-Solebury (55-28)
Coach Beth Mattern says: “We are excited to start the district playoffs and look forward to the challenges the tournament brings. Friday night is a one-game season, and we are excited to see what we can achieve.”
Coatesville
- 14-8 overall
- Junior Danae Elzzy, who surpassed the 1,000-point milestone earlier this month, is the go-to player for the Red Raiders.
- Win over Class 5A #12 Academy Park (55-26)
- Split with Class 6A #20 Downingtown West (38-47 & 61-40) and Class 5A #4 Bishop Shanahan (55-26 & 32-45)
Winner faces: #2 Souderton
#19 HATBORO-HORSHAM at #14 GARNET VALLEY (Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.)
Hatboro-Horsham
- 12-8 overall
- 9-7 SOL Liberty Division fourth place
- Senior Alice Hall is the program’s first 1,000-point scorer since 2005, and the MIT commit also has over 700 rebounds.
- Senior Emily Thomas (9.8 ppg) handles the ball under pressure, drives, defends and is a consistent scorer. Junior Caroline Shegogue, who will be playing with stitches she received after a tough game against Abington, runs the offense at point.
- Senior Sam Hollish has hit some big shots for the Hatters, and junior Leah Harrington is a lockdown defender. Junior Abby Waeltz and sophomore Alyssa Tooley provide defense off the bench, and sophomore Kitty Randa is a post player off the bench.
- Regular season win over #16 Great Valley (49-42)
- Split season series with #5 Abington (80-50 & 68-62)
Assistant coach Nicole Miletto says: “It’s been a few years since Hatboro-Horsham made it to districts. Going into the last game of the season, we weren’t sure if we were going to squeak in at the last spot, but we had a huge win against Abington, which was down a couple of players. It wasn’t an easy win, but the girls got a nice lead and continued to play hard throughout the game. The last part of the season the Hatters have picked up the intensity and look more confident out on the floor. There’s still a lot of work to do, but we are excited to be in the playoffs and feel confident we can complete with a lot of teams.”
Garnet Valley
- 18-7 overall
- 14-5 Central League third place
- Young team led by 5-10 freshman Haylie Adamski (13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 spg), 5-11 sophomore Emily Olsen (12.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and 5-6 senior captain Ava Posenti (8.1 ppg, 2.3 apg, 4.9 spg).
- Wins over #16 Great Valley (41-31) #17 Conestoga (61-51 & 61-35), Class 5A #5 Harriton (47-39), #6 Radnor (50-39) and #11 Penncrest (57-35)
- Jaguars are 9-2 in last 11 games of regular season
Winner faces: #3 Methacton
#22 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST at #11 SPRING-FORD (Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.)
Central Bucks East
- 10-11 overall
- 7-9 SOL Colonial Division fourth place
- Returned just one starter from last year’s SOL Colonial Division championship squad
- Led by senior guard Elise Duffy (12.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and sophomore guard Anna Barry (12.7 ppg, 60 3-pointers)
- Wins over Class 4A #2 Villa Joseph Marie (56-29) & #4 New Hope-Solebury (51-35)
- Split season series with #2 Souderton (30-27 & 33-44) & #12 Central Bucks West (43-33 & 27-34).
Coach Liz Potash says: “We’re excited to be back in district playoffs and representing the Colonial Division in the SOL. We’ve had many ups and downs throughout the season but stuck together and battled each night. We want to send our seniors, Emily Curran and Elise Duffy, off with one last playoff run.”
Spring-Ford
- 18-4 overall
- 7-3 PAC Liberty Division third place behind Methacton & Perk Valley
- Rallied for a come-from-behind 43-36 win over Perk Valley in PAC championship game
- Fifth straight PAC title for a program that has 11 titles
- Young team led by sophomore point guard Anna Azzaia, who averages 15.0 points a game and is also a defensive catalyst
- Starting lineup includes sophomores Mac Pettinelli (8.0ppg), Katie Tiffan (7.5ppg), Sienna Miller (6.3ppg) and senior Kamryn Pufko.
- Wins over Class 6A #23 (35-18 & 68-41), Class 5A #1 Springfield Delco (45-36), #4 Bishop Shanahan (73-41) & #8 Mount St. Joseph (33-31)
- Split season series with #7 Perkiomen Valley (54-39 & 48-55)
Winner faces: #6 West Chester Rustin
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