Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Saturday. Cheltenham/Abington photos provided courtesy of Greg Lindsay. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to the Suburban One Sports’ GIRLS’ BASKETBALL GALLERIES.
Non-league
CHELTENHAM 57, ABINGTON 49*
The Lady Panthers did something no Cheltenham team had done in over a decade, defeating their neighboring rival for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
Cheltenham won 19 straight against Abington between the 81-82 season and 2005-06 season before losing to Abington in the District 1 championship game in 2010. The Panthers won two more games in the 2010-11
and 2011-12 seasons before dropping nine straight from 2013-2024.
In Saturday’s contest, the Lady Panthers took a 30-22 lead over their visitors into halftime. Maya Simmons had eight points in the half while Jiah Price and Paige Powell both had seven. They added to their lead in the third quarter on their way to the win.
In a contest that saw the two teams combine for 46 trips to the foul line, the Lady Panthers were 21-for-28 from the charity stripe.
“We cannot put the team on the line (28) times and expect to win,” Abington coach Allison Lawson said.
Key players: Zoe Thompson’s double-double – 15 points (9-for-12 FT) and 25 rebounds – led the Lady Panthers. She also had four blocks, two assists and two steals. Jiah Price added 14 points (7-for-8 FT) and six rebounds while Maya Simmons added 14 points and four rebounds. Paige Powell added 11 points and four assists. Cassie Bugg also had double-digit rebounds with 11.
For the Ghosts, Mikiaya Durham led the way with 25 points, and Aniyah Williams had 13 points.
Up next: Cheltenham (15-2, 7-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland Tuesday, and Abington (10-7, 4-2) will host Wissahickon Tuesday.
Abington 12-10-12-15 49
Cheltenham 17-13-16-11 57
Abington (49) – Maya Johnson 3 0-0 7; Mikiaya Durham 7 6-11 25; Shya Crafton 1 1-2 3; Hailey Hernandez 0 1-2 1; Aniyah Williams 5 2-3 13; TOTALS 16 10-18 49.
Cheltenham (57) – Jiah Price 5 2-2 14; Paige Powell 2 7-8 11; Maya Simmons 6 2-4 14; Cassie Bugg 1 1-2 3; Zoe Thompson 3 9-12 15; TOTALS 17 21-28 57.
3-point goals: A – Mikiaya Durham 5, Maya Johnson, Aniyah Williams; C – Jiah Price 2.
(History of Cheltenham/Abington rivalry provided by Cheltenham BB)
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 44, GWYNEDD MERCY 42
The Patriots took a 25-19 lead into halftime and appeared to be well on their way to a comfortable win when they limited GMA to just six points in the third quarter and took a 36-25 advantage into the fourth quarter.
It turns out they needed every one of those points as the Monarchs erupted for 17 points in the fourth quarter to make it very interesting.
Key stretch: With GMA staging a furious fourth-quarter comeback, Sydney Ralph buried a clutch 3-pointer. The Patriots buried 4 of 5 from the foul line in the final minute. Both Jess Lockwood and Haley Moran were 2-for-2 from the line with the outcome in the balance.
Key players: Point guard Haley Moran led the Patriots with 14 points – nine in the second half, seven rebounds and six assists. Jess Lockwood added 11 points, and Sydney Ralph had 10 points – four in the fourth quarter.
For GMA, Bailey Balkir led the way with 14 points, including seven points in the fourth quarter. Megan McDonnell added nine points – seven in the fourth quarter.
Central Bucks East coach Liz Potash: “We were fortunate to scrap out a win this afternoon against a tough opponent. We struggled to extend an 11-point lead heading into the fourth, and credit to Gwynedd for making timely shots to make it a one-possession game.”
–Props: “Haley Moran had multiple defenders on her for the entire game and still managed to lead us in scoring, rebounds and assists. Syd Ralph had a big 3 in the fourth that gave us just enough breathing room to close the game out. We shot 4-for-5 from the line with under a minute to go to seal it too. We have had a tough stretch of games including one more tomorrow so we’re really proud of the girls for grinding out today’s win.”
Up next: Central Bucks East (14-3, 7-0 SOL) will face West Philadelphia Sunday (6 pm) in the Maggie Lucas Classic at Philadelphia University.
Gwynedd Mercy 9-10-6-17 42
Central Bucks East 12-13-11-8 44
Gwynedd Mercy (42) – Chloe McCarthy 2 0-0 4; Cara Lapp 2 4-4 8; Bailey Balkir 5 3-4 14; Megan McDonnell 4 1-1 9; Kayleigh Rose 3 0-0 7; TOTALS 16 8-9 42.
Central Bucks East (44) – Sydney Ralph 3 1-2 10; Haley Moran 4 4-4 14; Natalie Berndt 3 0-0 7; Savannah Hayes 1 0-2 2; Jess Lockwood 4 3-3 11; TOTALS 15 8-11 44.
3-point goals: GMA.- Bailey Balkir, Kayleigh Rose ; CBE – Sydney Ralph 3, Haley Moran 2, Natalie Berndt.
PENNRIDGE 52, LOWER MERION 51
The Rams trailed by four after one quarter and found themselves on the short end of a 29-24 score at halftime. They evened the score heading into a fourth quarter that included more than a little drama.
In the game’s final minute with the Rams trailing by four, Ella Brown connected on a clutch 3-pointer and also came up with a loose ball on the defensive end that set the stage for Layla Verbit – who also had a big 3 in the fourth quarter – sinking a pair at the foul line in the closing seconds to win it.
“They tried to ice her, and she came out and hit the second one,” Pennridge coach Jason Rapp said. “It was great. It’s something she’ll never forget. It was awesome.”
Key stretch: The Lady Rams won it with a big fourth quarter that included eight points from Layla Verbit and five from Ella Brown.
Key players: Ella Brown led the Rams with 22 points – 13 in the first half to keep her team close. Madison Lapp added 11 points, and Layla Verbit had nine – seven in the fourth quarter.
Pennridge coach Jason Rapp on the game: “Our girls did a really good job. We were a little shaky in the first half. Defensively, we weren’t very good, but we battled. They never gave up. In the fourth quarter, we played hard, we made smart plays, we shared the ball, and we executed. We rebounded when we had to. It was a constant struggle to do that. We haven’t faced a team with two bigs like that, they were just big and solid. It was great at the end to be able to get the win. They were 16 to start, and we were 19. It puts us in a spot where we could get a home game.”
—The wild ending: “We were down five at the half, they got the lead up to eight in the third, and by the end of the third quarter, we were able to get it to 37 all. We did a nice job of battling back. The fourth quarter was pretty crazy. Layla Verbit hit a monster 3, and it was essentially a one-possession game.
“They were up one with two minutes to go. We come out of a timeout – we turned it over, and then we fouled a couple of times to get in position in case we needed it late in the game since we only had one foul.
“We fouled with a minute to go, their girl hits one of two, and they’re up two. We called a timeout, turned it over again, and we had to foul. Their girl hits both foul shots, and they’re up four, 51-47. We come down after a timeout, we run a couple of things. We don’t have anything, so we called a timeout. We run a play, and Ella (Brown) buries a 3, and we get it to one with 33 seconds.
“They come down – we’re trapping, and with about 20 seconds left, there’s a loose ball. Ella dives on the floor. Fortunately, she was able to make a super heady play and called timeout. We come out and run a play. Madison Lapp makes an unbelievable drive, passes it to Layla Verbit, she gets hacked with 10 seconds to go. She buries two free throws.
“We pressed them a little bit, so they took some time off the clock. They got a loose ball, they took a shot, the ball goes out of bounds with 1.5 seconds to go. They run a play for their big, we doubled her, and she still got a shot off. It didn’t go in, and we survived.”
Tip of the hat to the Aces: “Lower Merion is good now – they have some young players, and their bigs killed us. We didn’t have an answer for them. They have a freshman point guard who was fantastic and had 13 points. That was the most prepared team I think we played. They knew every call, and we have a lot of calls for a high school team. They knew every call. Credit to them – they didn’t quit. I think they were missing one of their players, but for us on a Saturday afternoon, it was a great win.”
Up next: Pennridge (11-5, 3-4 SOL) will host North Penn Tuesday.
Lower Merion 19-10-8-14 51
Pennridge 15-9-13-15 52
Lower Merion (51) – Allison Pham 4 0-0 8; Natalia Kasmer 5 0-0 13; Ella Liberatoscioli 4 1-3 9; Alexa Brasiow 2 1-2 5; Megan Walters 5 6-9 16; TOTALS 20 8-14 51.
Pennridge (52) – Ella Brown 10 1-2 22; Emily DeHaven 1 0-0 3; Samantha Murphy 3 0-0 7; Madison Lapp 4 1-2 11; Layla Verbit 2 4-6 9; TOTALS 20 6-10 52.
3-point goals: LM – Natalia Kasmer 3; P – Ella Brown, Emily DeHaven, Samantha Murphy, Madison Lapp 2, Layla Verbit.
BENSALEM 58, UNIONVILLE 45
The Owls needed a bounce-back win after a disappointing loss to Pennsbury.
And bounce back they did, exploding for 25 points in the first quarter after managing just 21 in the entire game less than 24 hours earlier.
While the Owls – who led 25-9 after one quarter – couldn’t maintain that offensive pace, they had a lead they would not lose.
Key stretch: An inspired opening quarter by the Owls included three 3-pointers by Devon Bell, two 3s and eight points from Talia DiMichele and one 3 and eight points from Grace McShane.
Key players: Talia DiMichele shared the team lead with 17 points and led the Owls with eight assists. Grace McShane also had 17 points. Devon Bell finished with 14 points – 12 in the first half on four 3-pointers.
Bensalem coach Steve Johnson: “This was a huge win for us, especially coming off a loss last night. Exceptional team performance today by our girls, assisting on 16 of 21 made field goals. Our strength this entire season has been that each and every one of our girls plays unselfishly and is willing to pass up a good shot for a great shot. There hasn’t been a loss this season that was for a lack of effort.
“When we are playing fast, hitting shots, and swinging the ball effectively, we can compete with the best of them. We have to continue to work in these last few days of practice on how to win games when we aren’t shooting the ball effectively. We had a beautiful balance of scoring today with three Owls in double figures.”
Up next: Bensalem (11-8, 3-4 SOL) will travel to Harry S Truman Tuesday.
Unionville 9-11-18-7 45
Bensalem 25-8-11-14 58
Unionville (45) – Jenna Bowman 1 0-0 2; Allie D’Angelo 4 4-8 12; Elise Kucharczuk 1 0-0 2; Izzy Della Barba 4 0-0 10; Shannon Megill 8 2-2 19; TOTALS 18 6-10 45.
Bensalem (58) – Talia DiMichele 6 2-2 17; Mary Beck 2 0-0 6; Grace McShane 6 4-7 17; Devon Bell 5 0-0 14; Sydney Daut 1 0-0 2; Ariana Jenkins 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 21 6-9 58.
3-point goals: U – Izzy Della Barbra 2, Shannon Megill; B – Devon Bell 4, Talia DiMichele 3, Mary Beck 2, Grace McShane.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 41, BOYERTOWN 30
The Titans needed a win.
With three losses in their last four games, including a heartbreaker to North Penn less than 24 hours earlier, the Titans went into Saturday’s non-league game on the bubble for a spot in the 24-team District 1 6A Tournament.
They survived a slow start to take care of business, outscoring the Bears 36-20 over the final three quarters after falling behind 10-5 in the opening quarter.
Key stretch: The Titans outscored the Bears 15-9 in the second quarter, taking the lead and setting a tone for the remainder of the game. Ella Wheeler’s three 3-pointers ignited the Titans.
Key players: Jules Tropea led the Titans with 16 points – 10 in the second half when the Titans put some distance between themselves and their hosts. Ella Wheeler added 13 points, which included four 3s.
Central Bucks South coach Beth Mattern: “Today we started a little slow, and it took us a little bit to find our rhythm. However, when we did, I thought our team did a great job controlling the game.
“It was great having Mia Klein back in the lineup and Megan Schmidt and Morgan McKeever gave us great minutes. Ella Wheeler was an offensive spark in the second quarter, connecting on three 3s while Juliana Tropea scored in every quarter.”
Up next: Central Bucks South (9-10, 3-4 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks West Tuesday.
Central Bucks South 5-15-11-10 41
Boyertown 10-9-6-5 30
Central Bucks South (41) – Ella Wheeler 4 1-2 13; Jules Tropea 7 2-3 16; Mia Klein 2 0-0 5; Gabby Tropea 2 0-0 4; Morgan McKeever 1 0-0 2; Megan Schmidt 0 1-2 1; TOTALS 16 4-7 41.
Boyertown (30) – Madelyn Weaver 5 2-2 14; Rhian Harper 2 0-0 4; Chloe Engler 5 0-0 12; Callie Wieber 0 0-2 0; TOTALS 12 2-2 30.
3-point goals: CBS – Ella Wheeler 4, Mia Klein; B – Madelyn Weaver 2, Chloe Engler 2.
METHACTON 63, SPRINGFIELD TWP 38
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