Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Friday.
SOL Patriot Division
PENNSBURY 49, BENSALEM 27
The visiting Falcons – sparked by six points from Alyssa Thomas – opened up a 13-6 lead after one quarter, and behind the hot hand of Thomas, who had nine second-quarter points, the Falcons added to their lead, going into halftime with a 30-13 advantage on their way to the win.
“It’s a nice league win on the road, but it definitely leaves us with a number of things to get better with over the course of the next few days,” Pennsbury coach Frank Sciolla said.
Key players: Sophomore Alyssa Thomas led the Falcons with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Sammie Haws added 13 points, and Joley Hohman had 10.
Grace McShane’s 13 points led the Owls.
Pennsbury coach Frank Sciolla:
–On the game: “It’s always exciting to have a big league game on the road, and that was definitely the case tonight because we knew that Bensalem would come in flying high as they were undefeated and playing really well behind some incredible all-around play from Grace McShane. We’ve been pretty solid over the years defensively and so far this year, and our girls did a really good job of trying to push her out of scoring areas on her catches so that she had to use the dribble to get through the defense, and it’s difficult because she’s so athletic and she’s a volume shooter. She puts pressure on you every possession with that ability, and they surround her with Beck and Bell who could shoot the ball from the perimeter.”
–A team effort: “We had to really navigate some serious foul trouble as we had two of our starters with three fouls in the first half, and that’s likely the first time that that has ever happened in my career, and I’ll take the blame for it. We had to play a little bit differently because of that, but we were still able to get stops because we got great contributions off the bench from Keira Socha, Shea Quenzer and Bella Stewart and especially Grace Schaufler, who was just fantastic on the backboard and on defense. When you are guarding McShane, you’ve got to throw different people at her, and Milan Reeves and Joley Hohman definitely gave her different looks along with Grace, and that was really helpful.”
–Thomas delivers: “Alyssa Thomas steadied the ship in the first half with playmaking and scoring because I felt like we were not passing the ball as well as we normally do, and we were rushing a number of our perimeter shots which led the ball to sail on us, and I think part of that was that we were stepping up in competition for the first time. Handling adversity is one of the most important things that you can learn if you want to be good. It is so important to keep the main thing the main thing, and as long as you do that, all the individual things will fall into place.”
Up next: Pennsbury will host Neshaminy Tuesday in a key division battle, and Bensalem will host Harry S Truman on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 13-17-7-12 49
Bensalem 6-7-6-8 27
Pennsbury (49) – Bella Stewart 0 1-2 1; Sammie Haws 5 3-4 13; Alyssa Thomas 6 4-5 17; Shea Quenzer 1 0-0 2; Joley Hohman 4 2-4 10; Keira Socha 1 0-0 2; Milan Reeves 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 19 10-15 49.
Bensalem (27) – Mischa Ellzy 2 0-0 6; Grace McShane 5 1-4 13; Jordyn Bell 1 0-0 3; Sydney Daut 0 1-2 1; Falyn Savage 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 10 2-6 27.
3-point goals: P – Alyssa Thomas; B – Ellzy 2, McShane 2, Bell.
Non-league
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 40, PENNRIDGE 26
The two teams battled to a 10-10 tie after one quarter, but the Golden Hawks outscored their hosts 13-5 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 23-15 lead. Gillian Martin’s eight second-quarter points ignited the Hawks, who added to their lead with a 14-8 third quarter. Emerson Gunther had nine first-half points on three 3-pointers.
Key players: Emerson Gunther’s 17 points led the Golden Hawks, and Bella Hettler added 11 points. Gillian Martin had eight points.
Council Rock South Steve Polinsky:
–On the game: “Our defense was excellent again tonight. We talked and were connected for four quarters of basketball. Emerson Gunther had an excellent night with 17 points and led the way for our team. Gillian Martin hit some big 3s in the first half and defended well all game.
“Our ball movement was excellent, and a number of players contributed to our win tonight.”
–Props: “Bella Hettler had her best all-around game this season. Bella had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Bella also had six blocked shots as well. She was aggressive going to the basket and had a great game. Ruby Bross had her best floor game of the season, setting up her teammates. She also had a number of key rebounds for us.”
Pennridge coach Jason Rapp:
–On the game: “Credit to CR South – they play very hard and executed their offense. Gunther and Hettler made some big-time plays.
“I thought our girls did a great job defensively. We just couldn’t get some shots to fall. I’m very proud of the effort tonight.”
Up next: Council Rock South will be on the road at Harry S Truman on Friday, and Pennridge will host Faith Christian Academy in a non-league game Friday.
Council Rock South 10-13-14-3 40
Pennridge 10-5-8-3 26
Council Rock South (40) – Ruby Bross 1 0-0 2; Gillian Martin 3 0-0 8; Emerson Gunther 6 2-2 17; Bella Hettler 4-3-6 11; Annabelle Kushch 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 15 5-8 40.
Pennridge (26) – Arianne Lauf 3 1-2 8; Samantha Murphy 2 0-0 5; Madison Lapp 2 2-2 6; Megan Moylan 2 0-0 6; Lenox 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 10 3-4 26.
3-point goals: CRS -Hettler 3, Gunther 2 ; P – Megan Moylan 2, Samantha Murphy, Arianne Lauf.
SPRINGFIELD TWP 50, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 26
Sparked by six points from Julia Guicheteau, the Spartans opened up a 16-5 lead after one quarter. Ava Culler, who had 11 first-half points, had six points in the second quarter as the Spartans took a 29-10 lead into halftime on their way to the win.
Key players: Ava Culler’s 19 points and 16 rebounds led the Spartans, and MaryKate Garry added 11.
Springfield Twp coach David Giordano: “We had a solid defensive game tonight. Our starting five contributed both offensively and defensively. Ava Culler led the way with 19 points and 16 rebounds, but we had contributions from all who played tonight. Our defense in the first two quarters carried us through the rest of the game.”
–Props: “I want to also credit the solid play of Julia Guicheteau and Chloe Kozar running the offense and MaryKate Gary, Keira Brandon and Caitlin Lewis not only supplying a defensive spark but offense that was very impressive in the first half.”
Up next: Springfield Twp will travel to Lower Moreland Friday, and Central Bucks West will be on the road at Souderton Friday.
Central Bucks West 5-5-6-10 26
Springfield Twp 16-13-11-10 50
Central Bucks West (26) – Amber Madden 2 0-0 5; Erinn McCusker 3 0-0 7; Kaitlyn Titus 0 1-2 1; Ariday Cruz 0 0-2 0; Evelyn Moore 1 0-0 2; Marleigh Mallen 4 0-3 8; Katie Casale 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 11 1-4 26.
Springfield Twp (50) – Caitlin Lewis 2 0-0 4; MaryKate Garry 4 1-2 11; Keira Brandon 3 0-2 6; Julia Guicheteau 3 0-0 6; Ava Culler 8 3-8 19; Karly Hartman 1 2-4 4; TOTALS 21 6-16 50.
3-point goals: CBW – Madden, McCusker, Casale; S – Garry 2.
LOWER MORELAND 54, SIMON GRATZ 34
The visiting Lions, who led 15-11 after one quarter, outscored their hosts 18-7 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 33-18 lead. Sydney Santora’s 10 points led the Lions in the first half.
Lower Moreland never lost its lead.
Key players: Sydney Santora’s 21 points included three 3-pointers and led the Lions. Emma DiJoseph added 12 points.
Lower Moreland coach Andy Krasna:
–On the game: “After a rocky first quarter getting sped up by Simon Gratz’s pressure, our team settled in offensively and began to get more intelligent shots. We have been focusing in practice on attacking defenders and penetrating more and not settling for quick perimeter shots. We did a nice job with this today with 20 free throw attempts which helped us to build a lead. Gratz was all over the offensive boards which helped to keep them in the game. Our initial defense on most possessions was solid, but we gave up a bunch of second chance points. Gratz’s tenacity on the backboard was superior to ours and good for us to experience and learn from.
“Our team did some good things, and most would be very happy with a 20-point victory. However, when we talked after the game, the players expressed some disappointment with their overall performance. They care, they want to get to the next level; and that makes the coaching staff smile. “
–Props: “It was good to see juniors Mollie Martin and Emma DiJoseph being aggressive offensively, accounting for 10 free throw attempts between the two of them. Junior Sydney Santora had another double-double leading all scorers with 21 points. She made a few spectacular bounce passes, threading the needle and finding teammates effortlessly. All three guards were more aggressive getting to the basket which is progress. Mady Rossiter and Maddie Broderick did a great job defending in the post and setting ball screens for teammates. Olivia Fey and Sofia Fey scored some timely baskets and helped us to break Gratz’s pressure. It was nice to see freshman Ella Fey score her first varsity points in her primetime debut.”
Up next: Lower Moreland will host Springfield Twp on Friday.
Lower Moreland 15-18-9-12 54
Simon Gratz 11-7-9-7 34
Lower Moreland (54) – Madelyn Rossiter 4, Maddie Broderick 1, Molly Martin 6, Emma DiJoseph 12, Sydney Santora 21, Sofia Fey 4, Olivia Fey 4, Ella Fey 2.
Simon Gratz (34) – Serenity Hamilton 1, Amaya Ruggiano 4, Aniq Vinson 9, Alana Wilkerson 12, Za’Kirah Loftin 5, Cassie Garrett 2.
3-point goals: LM – Santora 3.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 72, CONWELL-EGAN 13
The Patriots opened up a 21-5 lead after one quarter on their way to the mercy rule win over the short-handed Eagles, who were without a pair of players.
Key players: Haley Moran stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 assists. Payton Williams added 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Jess Lockwood added 14 points and 6 rebounds while Natalie Berndt had 9 points and 4 assists.
Up next: Central Bucks East will travel to Germantown Academy for a non-league game Saturday (6:30pm).
Central Bucks East 21-21-14-16 72
Conwell-Egan 5-2-3-3 13
Central Bucks East (72) – Delaney Long 2 0-0 6; Haley Moran 8 4-5 21; Emma Penecale 1 0-0 2; Natalie Berndt 3 1-2 9; Payton Williams 9 0-0 19; Jess Lockwood 5 3-4 14; Hailey Helmstetter 0 1-2 1; TOTALS 28 9-15 72.
Conwell-Egan (13) – Dellavecchio 4 1-1 10; Kinney 0 0-2 0; Dennis 0 1-2 1; Parks 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 5 2-5 13.
3-point goals: CBE -Long 2, Berndt 2, Lockwood, Moran, Williams; CEC – Dellavecchio.
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