Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Thursday. CR South/Bensalem photos provided courtesy of Greg Lindsay. Check back for a gallery of photos. (UD & Cheltenham photo provided courtesy of UD & Cheltenham BB)
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 40, BENSALEM 33
The Golden Hawks – on the bubble of the District 1 6A power rankings – bounced back from a disappointing loss to archrival Council Rock North 24 hours earlier to earn a big road win.
“Last night was tough,” Rock South coach Steve Polinsky said. “I think they outworked us. Credit to (Rock) North – they out-hustled us, and (Jack Kelly) out-coached me.”
The Rock South coach could not have been more pleased with his team’s response to that loss, turning in a gutsy performance to defeat a Bensalem squad that is 12th in the latest district rankings while the Golden Hawks are 24th in what will be a 24-team field.
“We tried to stay somewhat close to Bensalem,” Polinsky said. “They’re such a great team. I thought we might have a chance and we did. We pulled it out.”
Bensalem – behind the hot hand of Grace McShane – led 23-15 at halftime, but the Golden Hawks turned in an inspired defensive effort in the second half, outscoring their hosts 25-10 to earn the important win. Emerson Gunther’s 11 points led the Hawks’ second-half charge.
Key players: Emerson Gunther’s 19 points included five 3-pointers and led the Hawks. Ruby Bross added seven. Bella Hettler owned the backboards with 15 rebounds.
For the Owls, Grace McShane’s 18 points led the way.
Counci Rock South coach Steve Polinsky:
–The bounce-back win: “This was huge. We’re a bubble team right now, so I thought we would have to win at least one or two of these games. We still have to play Perk Valley and Pennsbury, so that’s not easy. Neither was Bensalem, but the girls stuck with it.
“I give them credit. They had a lot of intestinal fortitude and a lot of positiveness, and they basically flushed what happened last night a lot easier than I did.
“Bensalem has improved so much. They’re playing good, but our team was really focused.”
–Props: “Kudos to the girls, especially the seniors. Emerson (Gunther) hit some huge 3s at the end of the game. She had a great game.
“Gillian (Martin) covered Grace – she basically gave up her offense to play defense, which was great.
“Ruby Bross once again – not many turnovers, handled their pressure. When they double teamed her, she found the open people. Her ball handling was excellent at the end of the game.
“Carly Conetta ended up playing significant minutes for us because we went smaller and went with four guards. She’s a sophomore, and she hit some big shots as well.
“Bella (Hettler) had 15 rebounds, so it was a great team effort.”
Up next: Council Rock South will host Perkiomen Valley in a non-league game Monday, and Bensalem will close out its regular season on Tuesday at Neshaminy.
Council Rock South 8-7-12-13 40
Bensalem 11-12-8-2 33
Council Rock South (40) – Ruby Bross 2 1-4 7; Gillian Martin 0 2-2 2; Emerson Gunther 7 0-0 19; Bella Hettler 3 0-2 6; Carly Conetta 3 0-2 6; TOTALS 15 3-10 40.
Bensalem (33) – Mary Beck 1 0-0 3; Mischa Ellzy 2 2-2 6; Grace McShane 8 0-0 18; Sydney Dut 2 2-2 6; TOTALS 13 4-4 33.
3-point goals: CRS – Emerson Gunther 5, Ruby Bross 2; B – Grace McShane 2, Mary Beck.
SOL Colonial Division
NORTH PENN 55, PENNRIDGE 41
The Knights – sparked by seven points from Paityn Debro – raced out of the gate to a 13-3 lead after one quarter and never looked back to earn the Senior Night win.
They took a commanding 40-19 lead into the final quarter when the Lady Rams – behind 13 points from Madison Lapp – erupted for 22 points.
Key players: Paityn Debro led the Knights with a 24-point effort that included a pair of 3s and a perfect 8-for-8 effort at the foul line. Lily Brown added 13 points, and Saniah Hammond had eight.
For the Rams, Madison Lapp led the way with 20 points, which included four 3-pointers. Sam Murphy added nine on three 3-pointers.
North Penn coach Bri Cullen
“This was the start to a six-game stretch in eight short days, so we really wanted to come out motivated and playing hard. We have been slower to start the second half all season, and it is something we have been working on, so it was nice to see them execute that so well.
“We knew Pennridge would be well prepared and can shoot the three really well, so I am proud of them for finishing the game out strong. It was our Senior Night which can sometimes throw off typical rotations, but they did a really great job all around.”
–Props: “Lily and Paityn worked together so well tonight. The ball movement was really unselfish, and we made smart decisions on shooting.”
Pennridge coach Jason Rapp:
–The game: “We got off to a slow start tonight. I thought the girls really competed the rest of the game. Madison Lapp was really good tonight for us.
“North Penn is well coached and presents some matchup problems for us. We had no answer for Debro tonight. They are a dangerous team.”
Up next: North Penn will be back on the court Friday at Souderton, and Pennridge will host Central Bucks South Friday.
Pennridge 3-11-5-22 41
North Penn 13-10-17-15 55
Pennridge (41) – Ari Lauf 1 0-0 2; Julia Lenox 2 1-4 5; Sam Murphy 3 0-0 9; Madison Lapp 7 2-3 20; Megan Moylan 1 3-5 5; TOTALS 14 6-12 41.
North Penn (55) – Saniah Hammond 3 0-0 8; Paityn Debro 7 8-8 24; Lily Brown 6 0-0 13; Cailin Halfpenny 1 0-0 3; Mehya Godhania 1 0-0 2; Tallie Smink 1 2-2 5; TOTALS 19 10-10 55.
3-point goals: P – Madison Lapp 4, Sam Murphy 3; NP – Saniah Hammond 2, Paityn Debro 2, Lily Brown, Cailin Halfpenny, Tallie Smink.
SOL Liberty Division
UPPER DUBLIN 71, HATBORO-HORSHAM 16
Talk about celebrating Senior Night in style – UD’s Megan Ngo certainly did.
In a season of milestones for the Cardinals, Ngo added a pair to the ever-growing list. The senior point guard – who already held the program record – surpassed the 600-assist mark, and if that wasn’t enough of a reason to celebrate, she also surpassed the 1,000-point mark of a brilliant career that’s not finished yet.
For good measure, she also was a defensive catalyst, finishing with 13 steals for the unorthodox double-double.
“Megan has been a four-year starter and has had to do so much for us over the years, but the thing she does best is find ways to win,” UD coach Morgan Funsten said. “She needed 18 points tonight to get to 1000 points and four assists to get to 600 assists.
“On back-to-back possessions, she hit Maeve Hogan for a three at the top of the key and then stole the ball, went in and got fouled. She made the first free throw and then was mobbed by her teammates. I’m very proud and amazed at her accomplishments, but I’m most proud of her dedication to being the leader that she has become this year.”
Ngo wasn’t the only senior to excel. Emilia Coleman scored a game-high 23 points – which included five 3-pointers – in just three quarters. She also had a team-high eight rebounds to go along with five steals.
“Emilia Coleman is such a high IQ basketball player who is like having another coach on the floor,” Funsten said. “She was really affected by not being able to play in the postseason (last year), and the focus, drive, and leadership she has brought to the team has been great.
“Emilia was very active on the glass tonight and had one of her best shooting games of the season with five 3s.”
All five UD seniors contributed with Molly O’Neal, Julia Scullen and Maeve Hogan also finding their way into the scoring column.
“I was hoping that these seniors would have a special night like tonight because each of them are great people and have their own story,” Funsten said. “Molly O’Neal is a three-year member of the program and made the first 3 of the game tonight, and they were her first varsity points.
“Julia Scullen tore her ACL in soccer last year and unfortunately missed all of last season but has not missed any practices or games this season as she continues to make her way back from injury. She is one of the best teammates I’ve ever coached.
“Maeve Hogan is another girl who fits in the same category of one of the best teammates I’ve ever coached. She’s going to play lacrosse at Marquette next year, and although basketball is not her primary sport, she contributes so much to our team on and off the court.”
Extra shots: The night belonged to the seniors, but several underclassmen had contributions of note. Lexi Ngo had five assists and four steals in limited action. Tamia Clark had five steals also in limited action.
Up next: Upper Dublin will travel to Quakertown Tuesday, and Hatboro-Horsham will host Wissahickon Tuesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 1-12-2-1 16
Upper Dublin 18-21-24-8 71
Hatboro-Horsham (16) – Izzie Allen 0 0-2 0; Madison Duggan 1 3-4 6; Mia Fisher 0 1-2 1; Madison Siegfried 4 0-0 8; Ciara Lacey 0 1-2 1; TOTALS 5 5-10 16.
Upper Dublin (71) – Molly O’Neal 1 0-0 3; Shannon Connaughton 1 0-0 2; Bridget DiMartile 2 0-0 5; Tamia Clark 1 2-2 4; Maeve hogan 2 0-0 5; Megan Ngo 6 5-7 19; Lexi Ngo 1 0-0 2; Emilia Coleman 9 0-0 23; Caroline Stoffel 1 0-0 3; Ella Morris 1 0-0 2; Julia Scullen 0 3-3 3; TOTALS 25 10-12 71.
3-point goals: HH – Madison Duggan; UD – Emilia Coleman 5, Megan Ngo 2, Molly O’Neal, Bridget DiMartile, Maeve Hogan, Caroline Stoffel.
SOL Freedom Division
CHELTENHAM 59, UPPER MORELAND 46
(Paige Powell’s 1,000-point milestone will be featured with Saturday’s Senior Night game against West Philadelphia)
Paige Powell entered Thursday’s game at Upper Moreland needing 12 points to reach the 1,000-point milestone. She didn’t waste a whole lot of time, scoring the historic basket in the second quarter on a layup.
Powell – who averages 17 points a game – finished another glittering offensive performance with 22 points.
The visiting Lady Panthers, who led 19-8 after one quarter, took a 28-21 lead into halftime on their way to the win.
By the numbers: Paige Powell led the lady Panthers with 22 points to go along with five rebounds and six steals. Maya Simmons had 18 points and 12 rebounds in a double-double. She also had six steals and five assists. Isabella Brown had eight points while Kaylyn Washington had seven points, five rebounds and four steals.
For the Golden Bears, Hailey Kramer’s 15 points led the way. Hailey Milks also finished in double figures with 13 while Brogan Neely had eight.
Up next: Cheltenham will host West Philadelphia in a non-league game Saturday (1:30pm), and Upper Moreland will travel to Lower Moreland on Tuesday.
Cheltenham 19-9-18-13 59
Upper Moreland 8-13-15-10 46
Cheltenham (59) – Autumn Kimble 2, Isabella Brown 8, Paige Powell 22, Kaylyn Washington 7, Maya Simmons 18, Kennedy Tolbert 2.
Upper Moreland (46) – Brogan Neely 8, Brooklyn Kavanagh 2, Mia Taliaferro 6, Hailey Kramer 15, Sheila Mangin 2, Hailey Milks 13.
3-point goals: C – Maya Simmons 2, Paige Powell 2, Isabella Brown, Kaylyn Washington; UM – Brogan Neely 2.
Non-league
VILLA JOSEPH MARIE 45, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 42
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