CR South edged Bensalem in a Friday morning SOL contest. Check out the game recaps. Photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ GIRLS’ BASKETBALL GALLERIES.
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 47, BENSALEM 45 (OT)
Not a whole lot separated these two teams in a rare Friday morning contest.
In the end, it came down to foul shots. The Golden Hawks connected on 8 of 10 from the foul line in overtime, and no one did more damage than Ruby Bross, who was 5-for-6 in OT.
“She was huge,” Rock South coach Steve Polinsky said. “She’s growing up in front of me as a point guard.
“She had a huge rebound (in OT). They almost had a layup, and it rolled out. Ruby got the rebound, and she got fouled. She had a really good game at the foul line, and I’m proud of her.”
Also in OT, Belle Hettler had a basket and connected on a pair from the line, and the Hawks held a10-8 edge in the period and eked out the win.
“We got fouled, and the foul shots helped,” Polinsky said. “But I think it was one of those things that either team could have won this game. It was well played.”
Rock South took an early 10-7 lead at the end of one quarter, thanks to 3-point baskets from Bross, Gillian Martin and Emerson Gunther, but the Hawks did not score a point in the second quarter and trialed 17-10 at the intermission.
“Playing at 11:30, at times, I felt like both teams were a little off,” Polinsky said.
One player who was not off was Grace McShane, who torched the Hawks for 15 of her team’s 17 points in the opening half – she had all 10 of her team’s points in the second quarter.
“She killed it – she shot the ball really well,” Polinsky said. “She’s a fantastic player, and she did really well. Her shot looked good every time she shot it.”
Rock South found its offense in the third quarter. Anabelle Kushch scored eight points, and Emerson Gunther added seven points in the frame. The Owls trailed 26-25 heading into the third quarter, but behind five points from both McShane and Jordyn Bell, they evened the score, setting the stage for overtime.
Key players: Rock South’s five starters accounted for all of their team’s points. Belle Hettler scored 12 – all in the second had. Emerson Gunther had 10, and Anabelle Kushch had nine – all in the second half. Ruby Bross and Gillian Martin both had eight points.
Bensalem’s Grace McShane led all scorers with 32 points.
Council Rock South Steve Polinsky:
–Tip of the hat to the Owls: “It was a hard-fought game, and it was pretty physical today. I have a ton of respect for Coach Johnson and the program he has built at Bensalem. Grace McShane had a fantastic game today. Mary Beck and Jordyn Bell play the game the right way and are great kids. Bensalem’s team is only going to get better as the season goes on.”
–The game: “I loved how we stuck with it today and pushed through a hard-fought game. We got the ball inside today, and I thought that was a key on why we were successful today, Bella Hettler scored 12 points and Annabelle Kushch added nine points today.
“Our forwards really stepped up in the second half and provided a spark for our team. Emerson Gunther scored 12 points, and Gillian Martin added eight points.”
–Props: “Foul Shooting was the key in overtime today. Ruby Bross was excellent at the line in overtime. Bella and Gillian hit big foul shots as well. We work on foul shooting every day and it paid off today.”
Up next: Council Rock South will travel to Pennsbury on Tuesday, and Bensalem will be on the road at Upper Moreland on Saturday (12:30 pm) for a non-league game.
Bensalem 7-10-8-12-8 45
Council Rock South 10-0-16-11-10 47
Bensalem (45) – Mary Beck 1 0-0 2; Mischa Ellzy 0 0-2 0; Grace McShane 11 5-6 32; Jordyn Bell 3 0-0 7; Sydney Daut 1 0-0 2; Falyn Savage 1 0-2 2; TOTALS 17 5-10 45.
Council Rock South (47) – Ruby Bross 1 5-6 8; Gillian Martin 2 2-4 8; Emerson Gunther 3 2-4 10; Bella Hettler 4 4-7 12; Anabelle Kushch 4 1-2 9; TOTALS 14 14-23 47.
3-point goals: B – Grace McShane 5, Jordyn Bell; CRS – Gillian Martin 2, Emerson Gunther 2, Ruby Bross.
About the Author
