Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action in Friday’s opening round of the District One 6A Tournament. Souderton/Bensalem photos by Keith Clemens Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos. (CB East/CR South photo provided by CB East)
#12 SOUDERTON 44, BENSALEM 24
Mikaela Reese was ecstatic.
A young Indians’ squad had just notched a convincing opening round win over the visiting Owls, ensuring themselves at least two more games.
“I’m having so much fun,” the Indians’ senior captain said. “It’s senior year. I just couldn’t ask for more. I’m just so happy with where we’re at, and I’m so proud of everything that everyone has done.
“Not many people on our team played in playoff games before. I was really excited for them to experience this. I don’t think anyone thought we’d be where we’re at. It’s been amazing. That’s the only word I can use. It’s amazing.”
One team’s jubilation is another team’s heartbreak, and the mood was decidedly more somber in the Owls’ locker room. There were plenty of tears, most because it marked the end of a remarkable journey for seniors Haley Keenan, Chloe Munyon and Emily Wineburg. All three were four-year varsity starters.
“It’s devastating,” Keenan said. “We grew up together pretty much, and it sucks that we have to say good-bye.”
Three years ago, the three seniors were starters for an Owls’ squad that won just two games. They leave with back-to-back district appearances to their credit.
“This team – we were laughed at three years ago, humiliated losing by 30-40 points,” Bensalem coach Sheldon Per said. “They changed the whole culture. Two years in a row, two playoff appearances.”
“We changed the way people look at girls’ basketball at Bensalem,” Keenan said. “The friendships I made on this team will last a lifetime, and the coaches will always be there for us.”
Per acknowledged this was a tough farewell for him as well.
“They’re special,” the Owls’ coach said. “And even the fourth senior – Mia Parker – that quit last year. We had a long talk this year, and I told her the way it was.
“She was outstanding. She probably didn’t play as much as she wanted, but when Emily (Wineburg) was sick, she played a couple of great games. The four seniors have shown the sophomores what’s going on.”
The Owls – behind a pair of Keenan baskets – led 4-3 after one quarter.
“You can afford to only score three points in a quarter if you play defense the way our kids play defense,” Souderton coach Lynn Carroll said. “If we don’t defend the way that we do, it could be a 10-3 quarter and then it’s a whole different story.”
Behind nine points from Reese and a pair of 3s from Jordan Zimmerman, the Indians outscored their visitors 17-9 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 20-13 lead.
“I’ve lost count of the number of Bensalem games we have on film, and at no point did they play zone, so when they came out in a zone, we were kind of forcing the issue,” Carroll said. “We have not played against a zone for a while except for ourselves at practice.
“I think it took a little bit of time to adjust and remember that we know what we’re doing against a zone defense. In the second quarter, Jordan and Mikaela hit some outside shots, and they had to come out of it.”
Freshman point guard Casey Harter scored seven points in the third quarter as the Indians outscored their visitors 11-6. Souderton held a 24-11 advantage in the second half.
“We were down seven at halftime this year and maybe 10 last year to PW, but the second half we just didn’t have enough offense,” Per said. “They’re well coached, they played good man-to-man.
“Our zone bothered them a little bit until they hit some shots. Our kids got down after halftime when they hit their first couple of buckets and we were down 14 or 15, but they’re a super group.
“I coached boys for 23 years – I had boys sleeping at my house, I fed them, I drove them to practice. I got attached to them, and yet I was never as emotional as when I’m coaching the girls. Every time I talk to them I thought I was going to cry. It’s an emotional group. They’re great kids. I call them my 12 daughters. One of them is my granddaughter. They’re just super kids, I’ll miss them. They get along with each other.”
Keenan led the Owls with 14 points, Munyon had six and Wineburg, four points, as the three seniors accounted for all their team’s scoring.
“We made a few mistakes, but they’re a better team than us overall,” Keenan said. “They play really good defense.”
Reese’s 15-point effort led the Indians. Harter added 11 points, Zimmerman had eight and Olivia Schneider finished with seven points.
“We know we can play at a high level – let’s keep doing it and see what can happen,” Carroll said. “This group is kind of no-nonsense. They show up ready to compete and ready to win.
“They’re not at all playing this underdog – ‘Oh, look at what we accomplished that nobody thought we would.’ They play as if, ‘Of course, we play this way.’ At practice, they’re working hard, they’re focused. They’re all playing with a lot of confidence.”
Reese finished with a game-high 15 points and also had eight rebounds, five steals, three assists and two blocks. Harter had 11 points and added six rebounds, two assists and a steal. Zimmerman had eight points and three assists. Olivia Schneider chipped in with seven points.
Souderton (17-6, 7-5 SOL) will travel to #5 Methacton for a second round game. Bensalem (7-5 SOL) closed out its season with a 12-11 record.
Bensalem 4-9-6-5 24
Souderton 3-17-11-13 44
Bensalem (24) – Emily Wineburg 2 0-0 4; Haley Keenan 6 1-2 14; Chloe Munyon 2 1-2 6; Delaney Bell 0 0-2 0; Totals 10 2-6 24.
Souderton (44) – Jordan Zimmerman 2 2-2 8; Erin Bohmueller 1 1-1 3; Olivia Schneider 2 3-6 7; Casey Harter 5 0-1 11; Teya McConnaha 0 0-2 0; Mikaela Reese 5 4-4 15; Totals 15 10-16 44.
3-point goals: Bensalem – Haley Keenan, Chloe Munyon, Souderton – Jordan Zimmerman 2, Casey Harter, Mikaela Reese.
#10 NORTH PENN 64, #23 BOYERTOWN 53
It took a while for the Knights to pull away from a pesky Bear squad, but in the fourth quarter, the Knights connected on 10-of-12 from the foul line and Alli Lindsay buried a pair of timely 3s to seal Boyertown’s fate.
“It was a heck of a game,” North Penn coach Jen Carangi said. “Boyertown played really, really well. They shot the ball really well. It took us a while to make adjustments.
“We were playing our normal defense but just were leaving shooters. They only had four kids who scored the whole night, and we were concerned with people who haven’t made shots or taken shots, and we were leaving their scoring threats wide open. I really think it was nerves. We’re the home team, we’re the higher seed. We should be the one that’s controlling play. I definitely felt for a while there we didn’t make it easy.”
The Knights, who led 20-16 after one quarter, took a 30-27 lead into halftime. Val McGriff led a balanced attack with seven while Lindsay and Rachel Dunn both had six.
“Boyertown plays this 2-3 defense, and we got some easy, easy shots, but there were times we didn’t knock them down,” Carangi said. “The more you miss – the more it becomes a head game to you.
“Rachel (Dunn) played really, really well, and also, Kate Early who scored early for us. She scored five points in the first quarter, and that was key.”
The Knights took a 46-41 lead into the fourth quarter when they outscored the Bears 18-12. In addition to Lindsay’s two 3s, Mullaly had five points and Carley Adams was a perfect 4-for-4 at the foul line.
“In the fourth quarter, we finally buckled down and made some foul shots when it mattered and got some key stops on defense,” Carangi said. “Alli Lindsay stepped up and knocked down two threes that were huge. We went into full-court pressure, and Alaina Mullaly had a key steal and a layup, and she knocked down foul shots. Carley Adams knocked down foul shots. Down the stretch, we figured out a way to get it done.
“I give the girls credit because a year ago the end result may not have been the same. This year they’re a year older, a year more experienced – I think it really showed in that quarter. It was one of those games – when the final horn went off, I was pretty darn grateful.”
McGriff led the Knights with 18 points, which included an 8-for-9 effort at the foul line.
“Val was solid for us all game,” Carangi said. “Offensively, defensively, she was solid.”
Lindsay added 12 and Dunn finished with 11. Adams had nine points and Mullaly, seven in a contest that saw the Knights bury 17-of-20 foul shots.
“We were overthinking so much early the year, and it’s like we’re finally settling in and we’re just playing,” Carangi said. “When we did that, we played so well. I hope we can get back to that and stop worrying about stuff that’s out of our control and just play basketball.
“The first game is tough because this is the do-or-die game, and I felt like the whole game that was hanging over us. In the third quarter, Boyertown took the lead by one. I called timeout, and I said, ‘Guys, we lose this and we are going home. You guys need to make sure it doesn’t happen.’ I feel like it snapped us out of it. Sometimes I think sitting around and not playing – while people look at it as a positive, I’m happy that we got all of our kinks out tonight.”
North Penn (16-6, 8-4 SOL) will travel to #7 Garnet Valley for a second round game on Tuesday that will be part of a girls/boys doubleheader.
“Getting through two rounds without having to see another SOL team – for me, I will take it,” Carangi said. “We have nothing to lose on Tuesday, and whatever happens happens. We’re still in contention to play for states. The last time our seniors went to states was their freshman year, and they want to get back. That for them would be the ultimate goal.”
Boyertown 16-11-14-12 53
North Penn 20-10-16-18 64
Boyertown (53) – Mikayla Moyer 3 0-0 6; Ashley Kapp 11 0-0 27; Avery Sweisfort 3 0-2 7; Julia Smith 4 1-2 13; Totals 21 1-4 53.
North Penn (64) – Laynie Doran 1 0-0 2; Alli Lindsay 5 0-0 12; Rachel Dunn 5 1-2 11; Alaina Mullaly 2 3-4 7; Kate Early 2 1-1 5; Carley Adams 2 4-4 9; Val McGriff 5 8-9 18; Totals 22 17-20 64.
3-point goals: Boyertown – Ashley Kapp 5, Julia Smith 4, Avery Sweisfort, NP – Alli Lindsay 2, Carley Adams.
#11 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 57, #22 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 34
The Patriots raced out of the gate to a 22-point lead midway through the second quarter. The Golden Hawks staged a rally to pull to within 28-15 at the intermission, but they never could dig themselves out of that early hole.
“We told them – it’s always good to get a win because if you don’t win you’re going home,” coach Liz Potash said. “We were happy with winning, but we felt like we were rusty. Our last game was Feb. 4. We haven’t played in 10 days.
“We tried to give them a little rest in between. I think the rust showed tonight. We were a little bit sloppy on the offensive end.”
The Patriots led 13-3 after one quarter and stretched that to 17-3 after back-to-back baskets by Emily Chmiel and Aubrey DeAngelis. They upped that lead to 26-4 after Emily Barry connected on the front end of a one-and-one. The Golden Hawks – behind nine points from Nicole Blaustein – closed out the half with an 11-2 tear.
“We had played so many games in a short amount of time,” Potash said. “Twice in January we played four games in five days, so for us to be done last Tuesday was a little bit strange. I do think there’s something to be said for not playing anyone in the last 10 days.
“I thought we came out and we executed well on offense in the beginning. Defensively, we were able to hold them, and then we started getting sloppy on the defensive end with fouls and sloppy on the offensive end. We had a lot of missed shots in the paint where we could have put that game away sooner, but I thought it was a good job just sticking with it and winning the game. That’s big.”
Chmiel’s 18 points led the Patriots. Mia Salvati and DeAngelis both added 11. Gabby Wilga had eight.
“The girls wanted to put themselves in a better position to go further than we did last year, and tonight was the first step to do that,” Potash said. “We’re never going to complain about winning a playoff game. We don’t take that for granted.
“We reminded the girls this week – you need good weeks of practice. There are plenty of teams that are home now and would love to be in our position. The same thing tonight – eight teams went home. For us to still be playing is obviously the goal.”
The two teams combined for 61 foul shots – the Golden Hawks connected on 18-of-32 and the Patriots, 22-of-29.
Blaustein’s 18 points led the Golden Hawks. Jenna Culp added six.
Central Bucks East (16-7, 8-4 SOL) will travel to #6 Ridley on Wednesday. Council Rock South (6-6 SOL) closed out it season with a 10-13 record.
Council Rock South (34) – Jenna Culp 1 4-6 6; Nicole Blaustein 4 8-10 18; Hannah Binder 1 0-2 2; Montanna Chambers 0 4-5 4; Karissa Smedley 1 0-1 2; Ryann Szydlik 1 0-0 2; Totals 8 18-32 34
Central Bucks East (57) – Katie Finnan 0 2-2 2; Gabby Wilga 2 4-4 8; Mia Salvati 3 5-7 11; Elise Duffy 0 2-4 2; Emily Chmiel 7 4-6 18; Emily Barry 2 1-2 5; Aubrey DeAngelis 3 4-4 11; Totals 17 22-29 57.
Central Bucks East 13-15-15-14 57
Council Rock South 3-12-9-10 34
3-point goals: CBE – Aubrey DeAngelis.
#15 NESHAMINY 46, #18 PENNRIDGE 38
Sparked by the double-figure scoring efforts of Kristin Curley and Emily Tantala, the Redskins – who were without senior Kelli Kowalick (injury) – outscored the Rams 15-8 in the second quarter to seize control of the game.
“It’s always great to advance,” Neshaminy coach Joe Lally said. “Pennridge plays really hard. I’m really happy with the way our team responded playing shorthanded and stepping up together. I’m really proud of them.
The Redskins led by as many as 16.
“Defense – everything was defense,” Lally said. “We knew they were very aggressive on the offensive end, so for us it was just maintaining the fact that we needed to play good defense, limit their penetration and control their second shot opportunities.”
The Rams – behind five points from Evelyn Loughery – led 11-8 after one quarter, but the Redskins closed out the half with a 15-8 quarter. Curley and Tantala combined for 15 points in the half with Curley scoring eight.
The Redskins took a 30-24 lead into the final quarter. They connected on 8-of-12 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to seal the Rams’ fate.
“We had them in foul trouble in the third quarter,” Lally said. “We wanted to make sure we got into the one-and-one in the fourth quarter, having confidence we could put the game away there if we needed to.
“It didn’t quite work that way. We put them away, but they started pressing, and we got some easy layups. There were a couple of and-ones – (Kristin) Curley had an and-one, and (Emily) Tantala had an and-one. Those plays are just daggers.”
Curley led the Redskins with 16 points, including a 7-for-9 effort at the foul line. Tantala added 11.
“I want to give a huge shoutout to freshman Taylor Gurysh,” Lally said. “She started tonight as a freshman, and she played really well.
“She had five points, but I’m sure when I look at the Hudl stats, she’s going to end up with five or six rebounds. She defended really well. I’m very happy with her play as a freshman. She’s not afraid of the moment, which is great.”
The Rams were led by the double-digit scoring efforts of Julia Kreider (13 points) and Loughery (10 points). Both connected on a pair of 3-pointers.
Neshaminy (15-8, 11-1 SOL) will travel to #2 Central Bucks West for a second round game Wednesday. Pennridge (4-8 SOL) closed out its season with a 12-11 record.
Pennridge 11-7-6-14 38
Neshaminy 8-15-7-16 46
Pennridge (38) – Corinne Mart 0 1-2 1; Sophie Cweiber 1 1-2 3; Katie Yoder 2 0-0 4; Julia Kreider 5 1-1 13; Evelyn Loughery 4 0-0 10; Ashley Gordon 3 1-1 7; Totals 14 4-6 38.
Neshaminy (46) – Sydney Tryon 1 0-0 2; Emily Tantala 4 2-2 11; Kacie Sienko 1 0-0 3; Olivia Scotti 2 1-3 5; Kristin Curley 4 7-9 16; Alex Ziegler 1 2-4 4; Taylor Gurysh 2 1-2 5; Totals 15 13-20 46.
3-point goals – Pennridge – Evelyn Loughery 2, Julia Kreider 2, Neshaminy – Emily Tantala, Kacie Sienko, Kristin Curley.
#14 OWEN J ROBERTS 43, #19 ABINGTON 37
The Ghosts brought an impressive 12-1 record in opening round district games under coach Dan Marsh into Friday’s playoff opener. For the better part of the night, it looked as though they would add to that impressive record, but the Wildcats would not be denied.
“We were winning most of the game,” Marsh said. “I knew going in that Owen J was our kryptonite. They do well what we haven’t done well all year – they crash the boards, they’re very tough, they’re very physical, and we’re not.
“We’re young and inexperienced. They’re seniors, and they’re like the polar opposite of us. I knew going in it was going to be tough, and unfortunately, that came to fruition, and down the stretch – they just willed themselves to win. They got offensive rebounds, they got second chances, they turned us over in key spots. It really, really hurt to have inexperience in this game going against a senior team. It’s hard lessons learned all year, and this is another for these kids. Our kids were very upset. I told them to remember this – you don’t just get to be Abington and teams roll over. You’ve got to earn that.
“I thought we had a really great week of practice. I really thought we were ready and we were going to make a run at districts, but the atmosphere, their experience just paid off. They were hungry, they came close last year, and they had four kids that are seniors who had played all four years, and it paid off. It was just one of those games where we got out-toughed.”
The Ghost, who trailed by two after one quarter, found themselves deadlocked 20-20 at the intermission. They opened up a 27-23 lead and still led by one heading into the final quarter.
“We didn’t execute down the stretch,” Marsh said. “We were up 30-29 going into the fourth quarter, and we only scored seven points in the fourth quarter. We couldn’t get a bucket.
“Again, you have to give credit to Owen J. They really dug in and defended. We were one and done, and they weren’t. We were down three with 1:12 to go, and they had five straight missed free throws where they got the rebound or we turned it over. That’s our season in a nutshell where we just can’t finish a team off. It happened to a lot this year.
“Twice against Upper Dublin we couldn’t finish them off, Upper Moreland we couldn’t finish off. I thought they had learned their lessons, but I guess one more hard lesson – that’s how I looked at it.”
Sophomore point guard Khalis Whiting led the Ghosts with 13 points – eight in the first half. Freshman Cire Worley added 12.
“It’s been a long time since we were done in February,” said Marsh, whose team saw a streak of six straight state tournament appearances come to an end. “We’re learning. We have the talent. We talked as a coaching staff and said – this team could either win a district championship or lose in the first round. Unfortunately, the latter was the truth.”
Abington (9-5 SOL) closed out its season with a 12-11 record.
Abington 11-9-10-7 37
Owen J Roberts 13-7-9-14 43
Abington (37) – Khalis Whiting 13, Cire Worley 12, Krysten Brown 2, Jaida Helm 5, Allison Holden 3, Amanda Jackson 2.
#13 WEST CHESTER RUSTIN 50, #20 HATBORO-HORSHAM 47
The Hatters went on a 17-0 run and led by 11 in the third quarter, but they could not stop the Golden Knights, who scored 25 points in the fourth quarter.
“They played hard,” HH coach Dennis Steinly said of his squad. “I could never question that. They competed throughout. I just wish I had answers for them to pull out the win.
“We had the ball with three-and-a-half seconds left at half court, had an inbounds. I wish I could have drawn up a better play, but we didn’t get a shot off, and that was it.”
Sophomores Emily Thomas and Alice Hall kept the Hatters in it. Thomas led the Hatters with 20 points while Hall had 16.
“Alice had a monster game inside – really played with a lot of confidence, and Emily is like the Energizer bunny,” Steinly said. “She just goes and goes and goes. She made some shots tonight.”
Freshman Caroline Shegogue drew high praise from her coach.
“She played a great game,” Steinly said. “She came up with some huge rebounds. She took a shot with a tie game, and it rolled on the rim and just fell off.
“Just for her to be willing and able to take that shot at that time I thought was huge. I’m really looking forward to seeing her in the next couple of years. She’s a freshman, and for her to step up like that was really good for her.”
Hatboro-Horsham (7-7 SOL) closed out its season with an 11-12 record.
Hatboro-Horsham 12-6-18-11 47
West Chester Rustin 9-12-4-25 50
Hatboro-Horsham (47) – Emily Thomas 8 3-9 20; Cam Ryan 0 3-4 3; Caroline Shegogue 1 2-4 4; Jess Howard 1 1-5 4; Alice Hall 7 2-7 16; Totals 17 11-29 47.
West Chester Rustin (50) – Flynn 2 1-2 5; Shivers 3 2-2 10; Plona 3 0-2 6; Greer 3 1-1 7; McGurk 6 0-1 12; DiCampli 0 0-1 0; Costin 2 6-8 10; Totals 19 10-17 50.
3-point goals: HH – Jess Howard, Emily Thomas, WCR – Shivers 2.
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