Check out the results of SOL girls’ basketball teams in action. Photos of the Abington/CR North game are courtesy of Kathy Leister Photography. Check back for action photos of the Abington/CR North game.
ABINGTON 56, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 45
On a night that saw coach Dan Marsh reach a personal milestone – the Abington coach notched win number 300 of his career, Sam Brusha stole the spotlight. The 5-10 guard connected on five three-pointers and scored a career high 25 points.
After misfiring on her first several shots from the floor, Brusha could not miss.
“I was working really hard the past two days – I was shooting late at night,” she said. “When I missed those shots, I was concentrating on what I was doing wrong – if I wasn’t getting my legs into it or if I wasn’t holding my follow-through.
“When I made my first shot, it was like everything was just coming natural. I never shot that good in my life.”
Brusha, who was on the receiving end of a group hug from her teammates when the final buzzer sounded, credited her teammates.
“Because of Lizzie (O’Leary) and Leah (Simmons), our guards – me, Sammy (Lochner) and Jordyn (Allen) – we get open a lot because they play zones because they want to (stay) in there because we have two 6-2 girls,” Brusha said. “We have really good passing on our team, and Lizzie and Leah always find us when we’re open on the outside.”
Brusha – in a preview of things to come – buried her first three-pointer late in the opening period to put the Indians on top 12-9. She scored on a drive in traffic to make it a 14-9 game after one quarter.
“With our inside presence, we know people are going to pack it in, and we want to knock them down,” Marsh said. “She stepped up and said, ‘I want to assume that role. I want to be a starter,’ and she’s assumed that role.”
The Indians came roaring back. Baskets by Kaelin Mealey, Becca Margolis and Dana Bandurick gave the Indians a 15-14 lead, but Brusha turned a steal into a bucket to put the Ghosts back on top.
Late in the quarter, the Indians opened up a 23-19 lead 
after baskets by Bandurick and Hannah Weiler, but the Ghosts – sparked by four points from Simmons and a pair from Brusha – scored six unanswered points in the final 55 seconds to go into halftime with a 25-23 lead.
“We need to shoot the ball better from the foul line,” said Rock North coach Lou Palkovics, whose team was 2-for-7 in the opening half and 7-for-16 in the game. “And we need to get a little bit more efficient at the end of quarters, which I’m trying to stress to the kids – you have the ball in a tie game with 20 seconds left, you should go in tie or up. Instead we go down two because we take a crazy shot in the corner.”
A three-point bucket by Megan Haggerty to open the third period erased the Ghosts’ one-point lead, but five straight points from Brusha set the stage for a 10-point quarter by the sophomore.
“It felt good,” Brusha admitted. “I couldn’t stop myself from smiling – I’d never done that before.”
Lochner broke Brusha’s personal 10-point run with a steal and bucket that sent the Ghosts into the final frame with a 37-32 lead. A basket by O’Leary upped that advantage to seven.
The Indians made it a four-point game (41-37) with 5:09 
remaining after Bandurick completed a three point play, but that’s as close as they would get.
“They play hard,” Marsh said of the Indians. “Lou’s a great coach, and I knew they were going to come in here prepared for us, and they were very prepared for us.
“We told them at the beginning of the game that this was going to be a battle, and it was the whole way. They’re a good basketball team. If they play liked they did tonight, they’re going to do well.”
The Ghosts survived the loss of senior point guard Sammy Lochner to fouls late in the fourth quarter.
“When Lochner fouled out, I was scared, but our kids handled it great,” Marsh said. “We had one possession where we killed 30 seconds and got a layup (O’Leary to Simmons), so composure was big.
“We knew we had a really tough December schedule, and we struggled here and there. We thought we turned the corner against William Tennent. We played really well, and they’re having a down year, but I wanted to see tonight – knowing it would be a big test – if we had turned the corner, and I think we have.”
O’Leary added nine points for the Ghosts while Lochner and Simmons both had eight. For the Indians, Bandurick led the way with 13 points while Margolis – who buried three treys – added 12. Weiler and Kaelin Mealey both had six.
When it was over, the Ghosts celebrated Marsh’s milestone with balloons and a commemorative basketball. The veteran coach is 300-116 with 200 of those wins coming at Abington where he is 200-85.
“It makes me feel really good that I could put myself out there and play as hard as I could for coach Marsh because he earns it,” Brusha said. “That was a big game for us. We had to win, so I’m happy I could step up and help the team.”
Abington (7-4, 5-1 SOL) will travel to Methacton on Saturday for a non-league contest. Council Rock North (5-5, 4-2) will face Central Bucks West on Sunday at Philadelphia University in the Maggie Lucas Play-by-Play Classic (1 p.m.).
Council Rock North 9-14-9-13 45
Abington 14-11-12-19 56
Council Rock North: Becca Margolis 12, Megan Haggerty 3, Mackenzie Tinner 2, Hannah Weiler 6, Dana Bandurick 13, Kaelin Mealey 6, Camryn Polinsky 3.
NESHAMINY 53, HARRY S TRUMAN 24
Freshman Allison Harvey led all scorers with 17 points – which included five three-pointers. Fellow freshman Brooke Mullin finished with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals, and senior Morgan Golden added 11 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Nicole Herb chipped in six points.
The Redskins opened up a 16-3 lead after one quarter and took a 40-6 lead into halftime on their way to the big win.
“Our fullcourt pressure was really good, and Ali Harvey shot the ball from the perimeter really well, which forced them out of their zone,” coach Joe Lally.
Sabria Lytes led the Tigers with seven points.
Neshaminy (9-3, 6-0 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South on Tuesday. Truman (3-8, 1-5) will host Abington on Tuesday.
Truman 3-3-6-12 24
Neshaminy 16-24-5-8 53
Truman: Darnella McMillan 2, Daeja Moore 3, Jayda Campbell 4, Maylissa Clarke 2, Alexis McCoy 4, Sabria Lytes 7, Tykira Rogers 2.
Neshaminy: Morgan Goldenbaum 11, Devon Storms 2, Thyra Tuttle 3, Nichole Herb 6, Megan Ansel 2, Allison Harvey 17, Brooke Mullin 12.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 44, PENNSBURY 32
Caroline McGovern had herself a day from beyond the arc, connecting on five three pointers and leading all scorers with 17 points.
It was McGovern – in a preview of things to come – burying three treys in the opening quarter to propel the visiting Golden Hawks to a 17-8 lead after one frame. By halftime, McGovern had 11 points, and the Hawks led 24-14. A 13-6 third quarter put the Hawks on top 37-20 on their way to the big win.
Payton Spadaccino added nine points while Rachel Millstein had six.
The Falcons were led by the seven-point efforts of Niasia Boone, Kate Mix and Sydney Buell.
Council Rock South (6-6, 4-2 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday, and Pennsbury (0-10, 0-6) will travel to Emmaus for a non-league contest on Saturday.
Council Rock South 17-7-13-7 44
Pennsbury 8-6-6-12 32
Council Rock South: Caroline McGovern 17, Payton Spadaccino 9, Carly Rizzo 2, Kasey Schlupp 2, Rachel Millstein 6, Faith Turner 4, Christiana Deo 2, Allison McGowan 2.
Pennsbury: Abby Wick 5, Niasia Boone 7, Mackenzie McGill 4, Kate Mix 7, Sydney Buell 7, Chante Jackson 2.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 47, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 30
The Hatters sprinted to a 13-6 lead after one quarter and took a 19-13 lead into the intermission. They added to their advantage in each of the last two quarters, opening up a 32-22 lead after three quarters and then outscoring their visitors 15-8 in the fourth quarter.
“The girls came out hungry,” Hatters coach Kathie Sims said of her team’s strong start. “We executed well, and we protected the ball.
“Our strong second half was because everyone contributed.”
Haley Seifert led the Hatters with a double-double – 14 points and 13 rebounds. Bergen Sims had seven points and five steals. Cassidy Quattro added eight points and eight rebounds while Julia Thornton had seven points and five assists.
“Julia Thornton played a smart game and kept our team under control,” coach Sims said.
For the Spartans, Molly Dugan led the way with 13 points, Maura Ryan added nine and Grace Barraclough, six points.
“It was a tough loss after a great game against PW,” Springfield assistant coach Laurie Kristiniak said of the Spartans’ one-point loss to PW Tuesday. “We were really hoping to carry some of that intensity and momentum.
“The girls worked hard and got shots that just weren’t dropping. We need to be consistent, work hard and work smart. That game-time intensity needs to be displayed at every practice and become the way we play.”
Hatboro-Horsham (4-7, 0-5 SOL) will be on the road at Pennridge Friday, and Springfield (4-8, 2-3) will travel to Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
Springfield 5-8-9-8 30
Hatboro-Horsham 13-6-13-15 47
Springfield: Grace Barraclough 6, Molly Dugan 13, Emily Giampietro 2, Maura Ryan 9.
Hatboro-Horsham: Kylie Halko 4, Bergen Sims 7, Erin Wingen 5, Cassidy Quattro 8, Haley Seifert 14, Julia Thornton 7, Nikala Williams 2
POTTSTOWN 49, UPPER MERION 48
The Vikings found themselves staring at an 18-10 deficit after one quarter and a 27-18 margin at halftime. It was still a nine-point game heading into the final quarter (37-28) when the Vikings staged a late rally that came up just short.
Sophomore Jordan Wilson had a big game for the Vikings, leading all scorers with 17 points. Tatiana Pleasant also finished in double figures with 14 points. Freshman Maddie Harvey (eight points) and junior Jessica Michael (six points) also contributed.
Upper Merion (3-8, 1-4 SOL) will host Pottsgrove in a non-league game Saturday.
Pottstown 18-9-10-12 49
Upper Merion10-8-10-20 48
Pottstown: Byas 2, Brant 4, Reddick 13, Ford-Bey 7, Epps 14, Lopez 9.
Upper Merion: Tatiana Pleasant 14, Jordan Wilson 17, Megan Gebhart 3, Jessica Michael 6, Maddie Harvey 8.
Wednesday, Jan. 6
PERK VALLEY 45, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 32
The Patriots trailed by just three heading into the final quarter of Wednesday’s non-league game at Perk Valley (28-25), but the Vikings exploded for 17 fourth-quarter points to win by double digits.
Bailey McManus led the Patriots with nine points while Bridget Birkhead added seven and Bri Talbot, six points. Senior Kyra Scaliti had a big game under the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds.
Central Bucks East (7-4, 3-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks West on Friday.
Central Bucks East 7-9-9-7 32
Perk Valley 9-11-8-17 45
Central Bucks East: Bridget Birkhead 7, Megan Browne 4, Bailey McManus 9, Melanie Wetzel 2, Bri Talbot 6, Abby Charlton 2, Grace Stewart 2.
Perk Valley: Armstrong 14, Richmond 10, Walter 7, Jonassen 11, Hamm 3.
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