Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Saturday. Pennsbury/CB East photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 46, PENNSBURY 32
The Patriots received double-digit scoring efforts from three of their players, and the short-handed Falcons had no answer for that kind of balance.
“What we’ve talked about a lot – we have to be more than just Emily (Chmiel),” East coach Liz Potash said. “If teams are going to take away Emily we need other people to step up and score, and we know we have the capability to do that.”
Chmiel, a Chestnut Hill University commit, is averaging close to 20 points a game and routinely attracts a crowd of defenders. If Saturday’s game is any indication, that strategy doesn’t phase the Patriots.
Chmiel finished with 13 points, but senior Emily Barry earned team scoring honors with 14 and senior point guard Mia Salvati, who stuffed a stat sheet, had 11 points to go along with 11 assists and eight rebounds in a stellar outing.
“That was great to see other people step up,” Potash said. “I thought we were really patient on offense and waited until we got what we wanted, which we have been working on.”
Both teams got off to a slow start offensively. The Patriots didn’t get on the scoreboard until a Chmiel bucket midway through the first quarter. Ava Sciolla’s 3-pointer gave the Falcons a 3-2 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the frame. Things picked up after that, and the two teams were deadlocked 8-8 after one.
A bucket by freshman Dani Sherman gave the Falcons a 16-14 lead that was erased when freshman Anna Berry connected on a three on the Patriots’ ensuing possession. It marked the beginning of an 8-0 East run to close out the half. Capping the run to close out the half was another Anna Barry three that sent the Patriots into halftime with a 22-16 lead.
East picked up where it left off to open the third quarter, reeling off seven straight points to go on top 29-16 after senior Emily Barry buried her first of several short baseline jumpers.
“A lot of teams now are going to be stuck on Emily and our point guard Mia (Salvati), but we’re a really good team, we play as a team, and everyone can score, so you can’t really focus on one girl because everyone else will come out and hit shots,” Emily Barry said. “We’re a senior team, so it’s our last run. We’re composed. We know how to play together because we’ve been playing together for a long time, even before East. We know what works, we know Emily is going to be a big focus because a lot of teams don’t have height but we work as a team, we work to get her the ball and everyone else is open.”
Emily is the older sibling of Anna and insists there is no rivalry.
“It’s actually fun playing with my sister this year,” she said. “She’s a key coming off the bench – she hits a few threes, and they know they have to guard her. She’s a freshman, so it’s not like they could have gotten her from the scout last year.
“When she comes off the bench, it spreads out the floor, and everyone has to guard every player.”
Potash lauded the play of her team’s defense in the win.
“We are playing such good defense right now – we’re keeping teams in the 30s, and we have enough weapons that we should be able to score more than that on most nights,” the Patriots’ coach said. “Devon Burns, Emily Barry and Elise Duffy – their defense is really good and then you’ve got really good help defense coming from Emily Chmiel and Mia (Salvati).
“Anna (Barry) keeps contributing off the bench, hitting some big threes when we need it. Everyone is doing their part right now.”
While the Patriots improved to a perfect 7-0, the Falcons – thanks to a barrage of injuries – are putting the pieces together with so many new faces in their lineup.
Coach Frank Sciolla was pleased with his team’s effort on Saturday.
“We needed that, considering everything,” the Falcons’ coach said. “First of all, we almost didn’t play the game, and then we’re like ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ I understand that at times we’re going to look ragged and I know some of our ninth graders were really down today, but they’re going to be really good.
“You’re playing a really good team that’s well coached. At times, we don’t recognize where the ball needed to be. I am fighting the temptation to play hero ball with (Ava). We don’t want to do it. She’s getting the ball to people. If we can start adding people back, if we can get two or three of these varsity girls back, then I could see – if the season keeps going, we could be a factor.”
Ava Sciolla led all scorers with 18 points.
“It was hard losing Bella (Arcuri),” Ava said of the Kutztown University-bound senior point guard. “This is her fourth year of varsity starting experience. It’s difficult when we’re playing a team, and they’re denying everything. I see three freshmen, but with that being said, our freshmen have stepped up incredible. They’re doing everything they can. I personally trust them with the ball, and I’m proud of what they’re doing. Right now we’re doing what we can to win.”
“Ava is giving us everything she has,” coach Sciolla said. “I’m sure there are times when she is really frustrated, but she is just rolling with the punches and working with each new person who steps in.
“I’ve learned more about her this year than any of the previous years. As we get healthy, we could be a handful.”
Central Bucks East (7-0, 6-0 SOL) will host Souderton on Tuesday, and Pennsbury (5-4, 5-1) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.).
Central Bucks East 8-14-16-8 46
Pennsbury 8-8-12-4 32
Central Bucks East (46) – Anna Barry 2 0-0 6; Mia Salvati 4 1-2 11; Elise Duffy 1 0-0 2; Emily Chmiel 6 1-6 13; Emily Barry 5 4-5 14; TOTALS 18 6-12 46.
Pennsbury (32) – Sofia Vitucci 2 0-0 4; Ava Sciolla 6 5-5 18; Abbi Nassivera 1 0-0 3; Kylie Haws 1 0-0 3; Mia Spinelli 0 0-2 0; Danielle Sherman 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 12 5-7 32.
3-point goals: CBE – Anna Barry 2, Mia Salvati 2, Pennsbury – Ava Sciolla, Abbi Nassivera, Kiley Haws.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 51, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 40
The Colonials – after back-to-back lopsided wins – found themselves in an unfamiliar position Saturday, trailing the host Titans 29-22 at halftime.
Propelled by an 18-2 third quarter, the Colonials rallied for their fourth win of the season without a loss.
“In the first half, CB South’s role players – I think every one of them hit a three,” PW coach Dan Dougherty said. “Obviously, (Taylor) Hinkle is their best player, but I think the other four kids on the floor each hit one three at least.
“Against our full-court pressure, they were able to get some transition threes to go in. Hinkle got in a little foul trouble in the first half, and Kate Flanagan got in foul trouble for us in the first half. In the second quarter, we had to sit her for the last five minutes, and CB South went on a big run and took a lead at halftime.
The tide turned in the third quarter when the Colonials went on their 18-2 tear.
“I thought when our kids kind of settled in a little bit and got into the groove of the game, their defense picked up,” Dougherty said. “Gabby Cooper was really the story of the game. Gabby Cooper is guarding Hinkle, and in a one-on-one, Cooper outscored her. She hit a couple of big threes in the second half and really limited Hinkle in the second half. That was really the difference in the game.”
Cooper wasn’t the only player to come up big for the Colonials.
“Erin Daley had a big and-one in the fourth quarter that took it from a five-point game to an eight-point game,” Dougherty said. “That was a big play.”
Cooper’s 13 points led the Colonials while Daley added 12 points. Anna McTamney and Jordyn Thomas each had seven points.
Hinkle led South with 10 points, and Mackenzie Erb had eight. Freshman Yoyo Samayoa added seven points for the Titans, who buried seven 3-pointers – two from both Hinkle and Erb and one each from Maddie White, Alyssa D’Orazio, Yoyo Samayoa and Caroline McSorley.
“Credit CB South – their role players really stepped up,” Dougherty said. “It was interesting. (South coach) Beth (Mattern) and I talked before the game – South lost to Souderton Friday night and they couldn’t make a shot against Souderton, and Souderton couldn’t make a shot against us Thursday. It truly is a make or miss game sometimes.
“Today CB South came out, and their kids made some shots. It gave them energy, it gave them enthusiasm. This was great for our kids. After the shutdown to get this level of competition – almost kind of punched in the mouth in the first half. It was really great. It was an exciting game. CB South always plays with a lot of passion and fire.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon on Monday, and Central Bucks South (3-4, 3-3) will host Central Bucks West on Tuesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 18-4-18-11 51
Central Bucks South 17-12-2-9 40
Plymouth Whitemarsh (51) – Kaitlyn Flanagan 2 0-0 4; Erin Daley 4 3-3 12; Abby Sharpe 1 2-2 4; Gabby Cooper 4 3-4 13; Anna McTamney 2 2-2 7; Lainey Allen 2 0-2 4; Jordyn Thomas 3 1-3 7; TOTALS 18 11-16 51.
Central Bucks South (40) – Maddie White 1 0-0 3; Taylor Hinkle 3 2-2 10; Alyssa D’Orazio 1 0-0 3; Mackenzie Erb 3 0-0 8; Allison Sauers 2 0-0 4; Yoyo Samayoa 2 2-2 7; Caroline McSorely 1 2-3 5; TOTALS 13 6-7 40.
3-point goals: PW – Gabby Cooper 2, Erin Daley, Anna McTamney, CBS – Taylor Hinkle 2, Mackenzie Erb 2, Maddy White, Alyssa D’Orazio, Yoyo Samayoa, Caroline McSorely.
UPPER DUBLIN 37, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 31
The Flying Cardinals appeared to have Saturday’s game well in hand when they took a 28-20 lead into the final quarter, but the Bucks made things interesting. Bliss Brenner’s line in the box score might not catch anyone’s eye, but her play in the fourth quarter to help thwart any West comeback certainly did.
“They made three threes and got it to 30-29,” Funsten said of the Bucks. “Bliss Brenner made her first basket of the game to make it 32-29. A little later, Bliss got fouled in the backcourt when they had six fouls, and she knocked down both ends of a one-and-one. Those were her four points – the four biggest points of the game.
“She’s been great. We don’t need her to score to be successful, but she’s been coming up with huge plays. She had three assists tonight, and all three were on 3-pointers that she created for someone else.”
Early on, there was nothing to suggest the game would turn into a defensive struggle. The Cardinals buried four 3-pointers – two by freshman Amy Ngo off the bench – to go on top 15-13 after one quarter.
“We got another spark from Amy Ngo off the bench in the first quarter,” Funsten said. “The first quarter was like a shootout, especially for two teams like us and CB West that pride ourselves on defense and just grinding games out. It was a surprising first quarter score. After that, it turned into what everyone thought it would.”
The Cardinals scored just nine points in the second quarter and only four in the third, but the Bucks managed just seven points over the next two frames, setting the stage for an interesting finish.
“I thought both teams played great defense,” Funsten said. “I was really proud of how Sarah Eskew played on Emily Spratt. She did a good job of preventing penetration.
“Jess Polin made a couple of big threes, and just her calming influence on the offensive end when a team is trying to play catch-up is so important. Dayna Balasa – when we were up three with about a minute to go – she had a big steal. After a 30-45-second defensive possession, she ended it with a steal. We got fouled and made our foul shots. We made the front end of all three of our one-and-ones and finished the game on a strong note.”
Ngo’s 13 points led the Flying Cardinals. She also had four steals and one assist. Polin added 11 points, six assists, two rebounds, two deflections and one block.
Rachel Bilger and Geena Sarnoski both had four rebounds to lead the Cardinals.
“Geena Sarnoski is coming off an injury and she came off the bench and had two huge baskets in the first half. She also had four rebounds. Against a team like CB West that prides itself on energy and second chance points and offensive rebounds, we only gave up six offensive rebounds to them and we only turned the ball over four times. Their court is so small, everything is so congested, and the girls did a great job taking care of the ball. It starts with Polin, but it’s also contagious with the other girls.”
For the Bucks, Spratt’s 10 points led the way. Paige Gilbert added seven points while Maggie McCusker had six on a pair of 3-pointers.
Saturday’s win was the eighth without a loss for the streaking Cardinals, who are looking to play as many games as possible in the COVID-19 shortened season.
“We trying to play a full schedule, and with the way the playoffs are set up, it’s one and done, there’s no playback games, and you only make states if you win the district,” Funsten said. “I feel like as a coach I owe it to my seniors who have given so much in four years to try and play as many potential playoff games as possible. We’re treating every one of our games like a playoff game because you never know unfortunately when something is going to end. We’re trying to make this experience as good as possible this year.
“I remind my players and I always use it as a reminder to myself – ‘Hey, girls, let’s think about how lucky we are, how appreciative we are to play this game.’”
Upper Dublin (8-0, 4-0 SOL) will host Quakertown on Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (4-3, 3-2) will be on the road at Central Bucks South Tuesday.
Upper Dublin 15-9-4-9 37
Central Bucks West 13-5-2-11 31
Upper Dublin (37) – Bliss Brenner 1 2-2 4; Geena Sarnoski 2 0-0 4; Jess Polin 3 3-4 11; Amy Ngo 5 1-2 13; Sarah Eskew 0 2-2 2; Dayna Balasa 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 12 8-10 37.
Central Bucks West (31) – Tai Henkels 1 0-0 2; Katie Finnan 1 0-0 3; Anna Blue 1 0-0 3; Emily Spratt 4 2-4 10; Maggie McCusker 2 0-0 6; Paige Gilbert 3 1-1 7; TOTALS 12 3-5 31.
3-point goals: UD – Jess Polin 2, Amy Ngo 2, CBW – Maggie McCusker 2, Anna Blue, Katie Finnan.
UPPER MORELAND 44, BENSALEM 39
The Golden Bears opened up a seemingly comfortable 28-14 halftime lead only to watch the Owls battle their way back into the game in the second half.
“This game was the tale of two halves, and thankfully, we had a good enough first half that we survived the second,” UM coach Matt Carroll said. “Our defense was exceptional in the first half, especially the second quarter. We were great positionally and helped each other really well.
“The second half we stopped doing the little things, but a lot of that credit goes to Bensalem. They attacked us well off their handoffs and picks and destroyed us on the offensive boards. Amber Howard is going to be an issue. She’s so active and physical and gave us problems. We started to get frustrated, and it affected our offense. We missed a lot of easy baskets and could never really put them away. They’re playing well and are not their record.”
UM took a 12-10 lead in the first quarter and appeared to be in command after a 16-4 second quarter burst that sent the Golden Bears into halftime with a 28-14 advantage. In the second quarter, UM was sparked by a pair of 3-pointers from Kaitie Opferman. All told, the Bears had four threes in the frame.
The Owls – sparked by their press – outscored the Golden Bears 25-16 in the second half. They could have had a bigger advantage, but they connected on just 9-of-19 from the foul line.
“They will be a tough game the second time through their schedule as they’re only getting better,” Carroll said. “Coach (Steve) Johnson and his staff have them going in the right direction. They’re so energetic and get their girls to play hard. They have a really bright future.
“Kaiya (Herb) really saved us today. She was really calm and made some big baskets down the stretch. Her senior leadership and experience has been key to our 6-1 start because overall we lack a lot of varsity experience. She put us on her back both offensively and defensively in the fourth to help us squeak one out. We desperately needed adversity like today so this game was a blessing.”
Freshman Holly Gohl’s 15 points led the Golden Bears. Herb added 10 points and EmmyFaith Wood, nine points.
For the Owls, Maddie MacDougall had eight points, including a pair of threes in the opening quarter. Amber Howard, Sam Daut and Mackenzie Kramer each added six points.
Upper Moreland (6-1, 4-0 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham Tuesday, and Bensalem (1-7, 0-5) will be on the road at Harry S Truman on Tuesday (6 p.m.).
Bensalem 10-4-12-13 39
Upper Moreland 12-16-7-9 44
Bensalem (39) Delaney Bell 1 2-2 4; Amber Howard 2 2-6 6; Kylie Smith 2 1-2 5; Maddie MacDougall 3 0-0 8; Erin Devlin 1 2-3 4; Sam Daut 3 0-0 6; Mackenzie Kramer 2 2-6 6; TOTALS 14 9-19 39.
Upper Moreland (44) – Kat Morrow 0 0-1 0; Kaiya Herb 4 2-4 10; Kaitie Opferman 2 0-0 6; EmmyFaith Wood 3 2-6 9; Kiera Coyle 1 0-0 3; Holly Gohl 5 4-4 15; Emma Hurley 0 1-2 1; TOTALS 14 9-17 44.
3-point goals: Bensalem – Erin Devlin 2, Upper Moreland – Kaitie Opferman 2, Kiera Coyle, Holly Gohl.
ABINGTON 79, PENN WOOD 62
Less than 24 hours after scoring just 39 points in a loss to Upper Dublin, the Ghosts travelled to Penn Wood for a non-league game with the goal of doubling that point total while dictating the tempo.
“We can’t let Upper Dublin dictate the pace like we did last night,” Abington coach Dan Marsh said. “We had 17 more shots than them. The reason they won, I felt, is they were able to stop our transition and stop our penetration. “
All 14 players on the roster saw game action – 11 put their names in the scoring column.
“Everybody played today,” Marsh said. “We were basically playing five in and five out. Our goal was to score 80 points and we got 79.
“It has to take a concerted effort, you have to play really hard all the time without taking a break. With our freshman class being so strong, we’re able to do that now whereas in the past we might not have been able to sub five in and five out.”
Scoring 80 points seemed as though it might be within the Ghosts’ grasp when they opened up a 25-15 lead after one quarter. Jaida Helm’s eight point sparked the Ghosts in the frame. They took a 39-31 lead into halftime and added 40 points in the second half.
Helm led the Ghosts with 17 points and 14 rebounds in a dazzling double-double while Cire Worley added 16 points. Abril Browser also finished in double figures with 10 points, and she also had four steals. Freshman Jordyn Reynolds added nine points on three 3-pointers, and Amanda Jackson had eight points, including a pair of threes. Krysten Brown added six points and led the defense with six steals.
“Khalis (Whiting) was in foul trouble, but the other kids stepped up,” Marsh said of his junior point guard. “That’s another thing we have going on this year. If Whiting gets in foul trouble, we have some kids that can play. We started Jordyn Reynolds because we were going to go five in and five out so we split the team. I don’t know if we’re going to do that in the future, but we want to dictate pace.”
Abington (5-1, 3-1 SOL) will be on the road at Wissahickon on Tuesday.
Abington 25-14-23-17 79
Penn Wood 15-16-6-25 62
Abington (79) – Cire Worley 5 5-6 16; Jordyn Reynolds 8 1-4 17; Maura Day 2 0-0 4; Khalis Whiting 1 0-0 2; Amanda Jackson 3 0-0 8; Krysten Brown 3 0-0 6; Abril Browser 4 0-0 10; Allison Holden 1 0-0 3; Piper McGinley 1 0-0 2; Sarah Oleary 0 2-2 2; TOTALS 31 8-12 79.
Penn Wood (62) – Jordan Johnson 1 1-2 4; Ashley Cyns 4 0-0 9; Lashonda Smith 9 6-11 25; E’Nya Hughes 1 0-0 2; Raquel Curry 6 10-13 22
3-point goals: Abington – Jordyn Reynolds 3, Amanda Jackson 2, Abril Browser, Cire Worley, Allison Holden, Penn Wood – Jordan Johnson, Ashley Cyns, Lashonda Smith.
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