Neshaminy/CB East photos courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f913170668
SOL Patriot/Colonial crossover
NESHAMINY 40, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 25
The Redskins – held scoreless in the second quarter – trailed by four at halftime but rallied to outscore the visiting Patriots 29-10 in the second half.
Wednesday’s win clinched at least a share of the SOL Patriot Division crown. It was win number 101 of coach John Gallagher’s career at Neshaminy. One day earlier, he won his 100th, but that day belonged to Lola Ibarrondo, who reached the 1,000-point mark.
“It is not often you get shut out for a quarter like we were in the second and win a game against a well-coached and talented District 1 team, but we did,” Gallagher said. “Due to the weather problems earlier this month, we needed to play at 3:15, which is not the ideal game time for fans, players and parents. The significance of the game did not match the fan enthusiasm and attendance.”
The Redskins opened up an 11-3 lead late in the first quarter, but East trimmed that lead to 11-6 at the end of the quarter.
“In the second quarter, we got numerous offensive rebounds but were unable to finish around the rim,” Gallagher said. “In the meantime, CB East was gaining confidence after their slow start and took a 15-11 halftime lead.
“The halftime break afforded our players to receive verbal ‘encouragement’ from the coaches. We discussed our inability to finish around the basket and questioned our own intensity on the defensive end, even though we only gave up 15 points. CB East had only been called for one foul in the first half, and that was because we did not challenge them to defend us. The combination of missing several putbacks and us fading from the basket was the reason for only one foul called.”
A pair of Ava Irizarry 3-pointers highlighted a 12-7 third quarter for the ‘Skins, who took a 23-22 lead in the final frame they owned, outscoring the Patriots 17-3.
“In the second half, senior Ava Irizarry led us with nine points, hitting three shots from behind the arc,” Gallagher said. “This was a huge lift, especially when we started the fourth quarter leading by one. The first possession of the fourth we ran a set to Reese in the post thinking they would double the
ball, as they should. Reese gathered the entry pass and found Grave Weyler in the opposite corner for a three to put us up 26-22. On the next possession, Lola (Ibarrondo) jumped the passing lane for a steal and drew a foul while sinking both foul shots for a 28-22 lead.”
East’s Jess Lockwood was 1-for-2 at the foul line to trim the Redskins’ lead to 28-23.
“The next possession was the biggest play of the game,” Gallagher said. “We ran a play for Ava, who missed a three-point shot, Mia Raivich gathered a huge offensive rebound and kicked it right back to Ava Irizarry who wasted no time shooting her second shot within five seconds, but this time hit nothing but net giving us a 31-22 lead. Perfect foul shooting by Lola and Reese in the last three minutes gave us the breathing room we needed.
“Our intensity and determination escalated in the second half, holding East to only ten points and just two field goals. This was accomplished mainly due to the initial defense of Alena Cofield, setting the tone on each possession. Today was the best game Alena had played for us all year. A player who never tires had to ask to be subbed out because she was working so hard on both ends of the floor. Her four steals came at crucial times and led to several points.”
In addition to four steals, Cofield scored seven points and added seven rebounds.
Zemitis had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She also had two assists and two blocks.
“Reese Zemitis has made the double/double look easily attainable in recent games,” Gallagher said. “I do not take her points and rebounds for granted, but need to tell her more how huge her contributions are each game.
“Reese Zemitis now sits only eight points away from setting the school record for most points in a career. When you think of the number of years and players at Neshaminy, this is truly one of the greatest accomplishments in
school history. We are hoping that Reese is able to eclipse this record in our last two games of the regular season.”
Ibarrondo added six points, a team-high 13 rebounds and six assists.
“I was impressed by our team defense, even after trailing at halftime,” Gallagher said. “I have been on Lola to contribute more on the rebounding end. Lola holds herself very accountable and does not want to let teammates or coaches down. Her season high of 13 boards for the game is just another example of her wanting to meet expectations. I’m looking at the stats and see that Ava had one offensive rebound, but geez the one she had was huge at a big time in the game. It made me believe she had at least five offensive boards.”
For the Patriots, Lockwood had nine points.
Neshaminy (16-4, 12-2 SOL) will celebrate Senior Night Friday when the Redskins host Council Rock North, and Central Bucks East (16-3, 10-3) will travel to Souderton Friday.
Central Bucks East 6-9-7-3 25
Neshaminy 11-0-12-17 40
Central Bucks East (25) – Sydney Ralph 1 2-2 5; Haley Moran 1 0-0 2; Natalie Berndt 1 0-0 3; Savannah Hayes 1 0-0 2; Anna Barry 0 2-2 2; Jess Longwood 2 3-4 9; Chantal Van Dongeren 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 7 7-8 25
Neshaminy (40) – Grace Weyler 1 0-0 3; Alena Cofield 3 1-4 7; Lola Ibarrondo 1 4-4 6; Ava Irizarry 3 0-0 9; Reese Zemitis 5 4-4 15; TOTALS 13 9-12 40.
3-point goals: CBE – Jess Lockwood 2, Sydney Ralph, Natalie Berndt; Neshaminy – Ava Irizarry 3, Grace Weyler, Reese Zemitis.
NORTH PENN 46, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 17
With two league games remaining, the Knights moved one step closer to capturing sole possession of the SOL Colonial Division title, earning at least a share of the crown as a result of their win and Central Bucks East’s loss to Neshaminy.
The Knights, who led 12-5 after one quarter, exploded for 28 points in the second quarter on their way to a 40-11 halftime lead and to the no-doubt-about-it win.
Caleigh Sperling’s 20-point effort led the Knights. She had 13 points in the 28-point second quarter and had 18 by halftime. Olivia Stone added 12 points – 10 in the first half. Both players connected on a pair of 3s. Tallie Smink added seven points – all in the first half.
For the Indians, Amara Arroyo had eight points while Skyler Wright had six. Both had a pair of 3-pointers.
North Penn (18-2, 13-1 SOL) will host Central Buck South Friday, and Council Rock North (9-10, 5-8) will host Neshaminy on Friday.
North Penn 12-28-4-2 46
Council Rock North 5-6-5-1 17
North Penn (46) – Cameron Crowley 1 0-0 3; Lailini Williams 1 0-0 2 Caleigh Sperling 7 4-5 20; Lily Brown 0 2-4 2; Olivia Stone 5 0-0 12; Tallies Smink 3 0-0 7; TOTALS 17 6-9 46.
Council Rock North (46) – Skyler Wright 2 0-0 6; Julia Koval 0 2-2 2; Amara Arroyo 3 0-0 8; Megan Reichenbach 0 1-4 1; TOTALS 5 3-6 17.
3-point goals: NP Caleigh Sperling 2, Olivia Stone 2, Cameron Crowley, Tallie Smink. CRN – Skyler Wright 2, Amara Arroyo 2.
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