Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Wednesday. Upper Dublin/Neshaminy photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. CR North/CR South photos courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for galleries of both games. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ GIRLS’ BASKETBALL GALLERIES.
Check out the latest SOL rankings: https://suburbanonesports.com/standings/16
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 42, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 32
Sparked by the inspired play of Alexa Bondra, the visiting Indians opened up a 23-15 halftime lead on the way to their biggest win of the season. Bondra scored a career high 21 points, and her eight first-quarter points propelled the Indians to a 12-7 lead. They never looked back.
Key players: Alexa Bondra’s 21 points included 12 points in the first half. She was 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Brynn Rodgers added eight points and Julia Koval had seven.
Ruby Bross led the Golden Hawks with 10 points.
Council Rock North coach Jack Kelly:
–The game: “We are so proud of our girls for a phenomenal effort from start to finish tonight. We did a much better job defending South’s fastbreak – Gillian Martin and Emerson Gunther are both great shooters, and we knew they posed a huge threat in the open floor. Credit to our girls who did a really good job of taking that part of South’s game away. For the most part, we also did a much better job of rebounding the basketball which allowed us to establish our own transition game, especially in the first half.
“Overall, we are very excited to walk away with a win – we have tremendous respect for Coach Polinsky and the South team. They are a very well coached and fundamental team, and we were fortunate to come out on top tonight.”
–Props: “Alexa Bondra had an incredible night – to have a career high and a double-double in the North/South rivalry game is truly a special moment in her career. She continues to get better and better, and tonight her play really helped 
elevate our team.
“Julia Koval and Ella Carroll made some big plays at both ends, but their defense on Martin and Gunther and to hold players of that caliber to just seven points was especially crucial to our success. Brynn Rodgers came up with some huge plays, but I think her relentlessness rebounding the basketball really stood out.
“Lauren Smith continues to grow as a point guard. She is just a freshman, but she showed tremendous poise throughout; she did a really great job of handling South’s pressure and getting us into our offenses, and she also was very good defensively. Tori Smith has been and was again tonight a sparkplug off the bench; she is fearless when she steps on the court, and she came up with some huge plays defensively.”
Up next: Council Rock North will travel to Pennsbury Friday, and Council Rock South will be on the road at Bensalem Thursday.
Council Rock North 12-11-10-9 42
Council Rock South 7-8-6-11 32
Council Rock North (42) – Brynn Rodgers 3 2-6 8; Alexa Bondra 8 5-7 21; Julia Koval 2 1-2 7; Ella Carroll 3 0-0 6; TOTALS 16 8-15 42.
Council Rock South (32) – Ruby Bross 4 0-0 10; Gillian Martin 1 0-0 3; Carly Conetta 1 1-1 3; Emerson Gunther 1 1-2 3; Bella Hettler 2 0-0 4; Noelle Lamb 2 0-0 5; Anabelle Kushch 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 13 2-3 32
3-point goals: CRN – Julia Koval 2; CRS – Ruby Bross 2, Gillian Martin, Noelle Lamb.
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 61, SOUDERTON 28
The visiting Patriots opened up a 14-6 lead after one quarter and took a 27-20 lead into halftime.
The second half was another story.
In the third quarter, the Patriots – behind nine points from Haley Moran – outscored the Indians 21-2 to seize control of the game.
With the win and just two division games remaining, the Patriots clinched at least a share of the title they own. A win in either of their last two games will give them sole possession of the crown.
Key players: Haley Moran led all scorers with 20 points. She also dished out five assists. Payton Williams added an impressive double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Emma Penecale added nine points. The Patriots had 15 assists on 25 baskets
Central Bucks East coach Liz Potash:
“The team used a big second half to pull away from a Souderton team that is competing at a high level. The defense held them to a two-point third quarter and a six-point fourth quarter to seal the win. We had 15 team assists and saw the floor well to find their teammates for the best shot. Payton Williams had her fourth double-double of the season, playing tough on the glass.”
Up next: Central Bucks East will celebrate Senior Night when it hosts Central Bucks West Friday, and Souderton will host North Penn Friday (5pm).
Central Bucks East 14-13-21-13 61
Souderton 6-14-2-6 28
Central Bucks East (61) – Delaney Long 1 0-0 2; Maddie Thompson 1 0-0 2; Haley Moran 8 3-4 20; Emma Penecale 4 0-0 9; Natalie Berndt 1 0-0 3; Payton Williams 6 4-4 16; Jess Lockwood 3 0-0 7; Hailey Helmstetter 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 25 7-8 61.
Souderton (28) – Maddie Nenstiel 2 0-0 5; Olivia Herron 2 0-2 4; Madison Bealer 2 0-0 6; Kiera Fadden 1 0-0 2; Alaina Picard 2 0-0 5; Rae Wallace 2 2-2 6; TOTALS 11 2-4 28.
3-point goals: CBE – Haley Moran, Emma Penecale, Natalie Berndt, Jess Lockwood; S – Madison Bealer 2, Maddie Nenstiel, Alaina Picard.
SOL Liberty Division
ABINGTON 55, WISSAHICKON 44
Katelyn Thomson came out of the gate on fire, scoring nine points and spotting the Trojans a 14-10 lead after one quarter. The Ghosts answered with a 15-6 second quarter to go into halftime with a 25-20 advantage. Rhyane Rogers ignited the Ghosts with eight points in the second quarter.
The Ghosts went on to outscore the Trojans 30-24 in the second half on their way to the win. Aniyah Williams led the Ghosts in the second half with 12 points.
By the numbers: Aniyah Williams led the Ghosts with 19 points and also had three rebounds and three assists. Rhyane Rogers added 12 points, which included a 5-for-6 effort at the foul line. Caleigh Fitzgerald had eight points, which included two 3s, Nora Luskin had six points and was 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Asaliya Ortiz added five points.
Abington coach Allison Lawson:
–The game: “It was a tough first quarter, and we ended it down four, but we took the lead in the second quarter and kept it the rest of the game.”
Up next: Abington will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday, and Wissahickon will be on the road at Quakertown Friday.
Wissahickon 14-6-14-10 44
Abington 10-15-14-16 55
Wissahickon (44) – Maura Jacob 2 5-8 9; Katelyn Thomson 9 6-7 28; Kai Potter 1 0-2 2; Naomi Malaska 1 0-0 2; Julia Lee 1 0-2 3; TOTALS 14 11-19 44
Abington (55) – Rhyane Rogers 3 5-6 12; Asaliya Ortiz 2 0-0 5; Nora Luskin 1 4-4 6; Shya Crafton 1 1-2 3; Caleigh Fitzgerald 3 0-2 8; Emma Felix 1 0-0 2; Aniyah Williams 6 5-7 19; TOTALS 17 15-19 55
3-point goals: W – Katelyn Thomson 4, Julia Lee; A – Caleigh Fitzgerald 2, Aniyah Williams 2, Rhyane Rogers, Asaliya Ortiz.
SOL Freedom Division
WILLIAM TENNENT 50, SPRINGFIELD TWP 45
The Panthers put their names in the program record books Wednesday, clinching the program’s first title in 38 years with their win over Springfield Twp in a spirited contest.
“So happy and proud of our girls for accomplishing this,” Tennent coach Laura Whitney said. “It’s been our goal since last season ended, and everyone has bought in and put in the work.”
The Spartans led 15-10 after one quarter, but the visiting Panthers – sparked by a pair of Avery Kocur 3s – used a 14-4 second quarter to go into halftime with a 24-19 lead. Kocur had 11 points, which included three 3-pointers. The Spartans rallied to pull to within one heading into the fourth quarter, 35-34, but the Panthers would not be denied. Propelled by the eight-point effort of Kocur, the Panthers outscored their hosts 15-11 in the final quarter to earn the win that ensured the team a spot in history.
Kocur had seven 3-pointers in a dazzling display of shooting from beyond the arc.
Key players: Avery Kocur led all scorers with 27 points – 16 in the second half. Halie Staub added 15 points
For the Spartans, Ava Culler had another huge performance, scoring 23 points – 13 in the second half. Caitlin Lewis added 11 points – nine in the second half.
–The game: “Unbelievable game and win tonight. Super proud of our girls for the toughness and grit they showed. The last two weeks we haven’t played our best, but our girls continue to show up with a positive attitude and just go to work. Every time we challenge them, they rise to the occasion, and it was a total team effort tonight from the girls on the court to the energy from the bench or our student section that traveled to come cheer us on.
“We knew going into the game what was at stake (winning the division with a win and it being the first time in 38 years that a Tennent Girls Basketball team has done that). We knew Springfield was going to be ready and give us everything we could handle. Dave (Giordano) has done an incredible job with their team and they play hard. The transformation of Ava Culler since her freshman year to now is incredible. She poses a matchup challenge and nightmare for us. She’s so athletic and tough to keep off the glass and makes you pay. The gym was electric from the tip, and it felt like a playoff atmosphere. You knew early on that whoever won the game was going to have to earn it.
“We had a great start, but credit to Springfield for making a run the end of the first quarter to take the early lead. I thought our girls responded in a big way the second quarter, and it was due to our defensive effort. We held them to four points and were able to get a bunch of steals and deflections and turn it into easy offense. Avery also hit some big time 3s, which helped us take the lead into halftime.
“Second half we again had a strong start and extended the lead to 27-19 before Springfield came storming back to cut it to two. For the rest of the game, it was pretty much back and forth. I knew it was going to come down to the final few possessions, and we’d have to get some timely stops but also execute on the other end. Fortunately, we were able to take a five-point lead with about a minute left, and we held on for the win even though it was excitement all the way down to the final buzzer.”
–Props: “Everyone that played contributed. Our two leaders, Avery and Staub, refused to let us lose and came up with big time plays at both ends of the floor. Avery was unconscious from 3, and every time it left her hand, you knew it was going in. But her defense was just as impressive with how she anticipates and gets her hands on so many balls. Staub struggled to find her outside shot but had some really strong drives to the basket and had at least two down the stretch that were huge in the moment. Defensively, she came up with some big rebounds and blocks to close the game.
“Big V didn’t have her usual offensive performance but came up with one of the biggest layups of the game after Springfield cut the score to three. Defensively, she played with such toughness securing several big rebounds down the stretch and diving on the floor for loose balls.
“Aubrey brings instant energy off the bench and was disruptive defensively. She came up with a couple big steals late in the game to help seal the game.
“Devon gave us quality minutes off the bench in the first half as we battled some foul trouble. As soon as she came in, she got a steal and tie up to keep the momentum going.”
–The sixth man: “Our student section that has been supporting us all season. Traveling to away games or being there at home. They have been our sixth man all season and have so awesome.
“It’s been a long time coming. Not many students have come out to our girls’ games over the years, but they have supported us all season. It’s meant a lot to our girls.”
Up next: William Tennent will host Lower Moreland Friday, and Springfield Twp will be on the road at Upper Moreland Friday.
William Tennent 10-14-11-15 50
Springfield Twp 15-4-15-11 45
William Tennent (50) – Aubrey Lynch 1 0-2 2; Avery Kocur 9 2-2 27; Carissa Malpizzi 0 1-2 1; Halie Staub 5 5-8 15; Hannah Wong 1 0-1 2; Megan Volz 1 1-2 3; TOTALS 17 9-17 50
Springfield Twp (45) – Caitlin Lewis 4 1-2 11; Mary Kate Garry 2 0-0 4; Keira Brandon 1 0-0 2; Julia Guicheteau 2 1-2 5; Ava Culler 8 7-10 23; TOTALS 17 9-14 45
3-point goals: WT – Avery Kocur 7; S – Caitlin Lewis 2.
Non-league SOL crossover
UPPER DUBLIN 54, NESHAMINY 32
The Cardinals – sparked by 11 points from Megan Ngo – led 12-9 after one quarter, and they took a 21-15 lead into halftime. Seven points from Hayley Kolk kept the Redskins within striking distance at halftime.
The second half, however, belonged to the Cardinals.
Tamia Clark and Emilia Coleman both had seven points in a third quarter that saw the Cards go on a 17-6 tear on their way to their 17th win of the season.
By the numbers: Megan Ngo led the Cards with 18 points to go along with four assists and three steals. Tamia Clark added 16 points, four assists and four steals. Emilia Coleman also finished in double figures with 10 points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds to go along with three steals and one block. Ella Morris added seven points while Bridget DiMartile had seven rebounds.
For the Redskins, Hayley Kolk’s 11 points led the way.
Upper Dublin coach Morgan Funsten:
–The game: “Like most teams, we haven’t been able to practice since Saturday. We had been in a great routine, and I was afraid of how we would respond today. We got off to a sluggish start, but Meg carried our scoring with 11 in the first quarter. It was a grind it out first half.
“Our defense sparked us in the third quarter with Tamia Clark getting several steals, and we were able to dictate the pace of the game much better in the second half. Emilia and Tamia both got hot offensively in the third quarter, and Ella Morris made a few timely shots and defended well all night. Good overall team win, and an especially good second half.”
Up next: Upper Dublin will celebrate Senior Night at its game Thursday against Hatboro-Horsham, and Neshaminy will be on the road at Harry S Truman Friday.
Upper Dublin 12-9-17-16 54
Neshaminy 9-6-6-11 32
Upper Dublin (54) – Bridget DiMartile 1 1-2 3; Tamia Clark 6 4-6 16; Megan Ngo 7 2-2 18; Emilia Coleman 4 1-1 10; Ella Morris 3 0-0 7; TOTALS 21 8-11 54.
Neshaminy (32) – Grace Weyler 2 2-2 6; Ashlyn Duffy 1 0-0 3; Mia Raivitch 1 1-2 3; Nicole Trespalacios 1 0-0 2; Hayley Kolk 4 1-2 11; Camryn Rodriguez 2 0-0 4; Ella Hoyas 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 12 4-6 32.
3-point goals: UD – Megan Ngo 2, Emelia Coleman, Ella Morris; N – Hayley Kolk 2, Ella Hoyas, Ashlyn Duffy.
LOWER MORELAND 44, PENNRIDGE 33
The Lions jumped out to a 16-2 lead after one quarter, but the visiting Lady Rams did not go down quietly, battling back to make it a 24-17 game by halftime. The Rams could not make up for the ground they lost in the first quarter as the Lions prevailed to earn the big win.
Key players: Emma DiJoseph led the Lions with 14 points – 10 in the second half. Sydney Santora added 11, which included a 5-for-6 effort at the foul line in the fourth quarter. Mollie Martin added eight points and was 4-for-4 at the foul line.
For the Lady Rams, Madison Lapp (13 points) and Megan Moylan (12 points) brought their team back in the game.
Lower Moreland coach Andy Krasna:
–The game: “It was a nice atmosphere tonight in front of our community girls’ basketball HVAA program. Our team was ready to compete, and the players played hard and with good chemistry. They followed the scouting report which helped them to defend a prolific scoring team who just put up 70 points in their recent game with Springfield.
“Our shot selection was more deliberate than it has been in some other games.
“Pennridge would not go away and their ability to score in bunches was evident tonight. They are hard to guard, and their core players are all capable of making deep 3-point shots. We were able to chase Sam Murphy (fantastic perimeter shooter) off the 3-point line and hold her to two made free throws. Credit to Pennridge and their coaching staff for keeping the game within reach most of the way.”
–Props: “Mollie Martin is an elite defender and again tonight she had the assignment of slowing down Sam Murphy and did a tremendous job. Mollie made some key free-throws going 4-for-4 from the line.
“Mady Rossiter was key for us tonight doing a good job handling pressure and drawing defenders. She is continuing to improve and feel more comfortable with some of my approaches to our offense.
“Sydney Santora is just all over the backboards and tonight was no exception. She has quite a few double-doubles this season and she had another one tonight. Sydney closed out the game for us, going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.
“Maddie Broderick does all those little things that make her a big-time contributor, and I find it hard to take her out of games. Her effort is always exceptional and tonight she helped us break pressure, defend, and rebound.
“Tonight, Emma DiJoseph was outstanding in so many ways. Her decision making was near perfect, her shot selection was perfect and her ability to score helped us maintain the lead for most of the game.
“What makes me excited about our team is how we are getting quality contributions from players coming off the bench. Ella Fey has been so big for us in the past few games. Her cousins Sophia and Olivia came into the game and really helped us in key stretches tonight. It takes a village.”
Pennridge coach Jason Rapp:
“We got down early 16-2 in the first and just couldn’t get close enough.
“Credit to Lower Moreland – Coach Krasna has them playing hard and smart. Emma DiJoesph did a real nice job for them in the second half, and they made free throws.
“Hopefully tomorrow night we can come out with some better energy.”
Up next: Lower Moreland will travel to William Tennent Friday, and Pennridge will host Central Bucks South Friday,
Pennridge 2-15-10-6 33
Lower Moreland 16-8-10-10 44
Pennridge (33) – Ari Lauf 0 0-2 0; Julia Lenox 2 2-2 6; Sam Murphy 0 2-2 2; Madison Lapp 5 0-0 13; Megan Moylan 4 2-4 12; TOTALS 11 6-10 33.
Lower Moreland (44) – Mady Rossiter 2 0-2 4; Maddie Broderick 1 2-2 4; Mollie Martin 2 4-4 8; Emma DiJoseph 6 2-2 14; Sydney Santora 3 5-6 11; Sofia Fey 0 1-2 1; Ella Fey 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 15 14-18 44:
3-point goals: P -Madison Lapp 3, Megan Moylan 2.
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