Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action on Thursday. Pennsbury/Neshaminy photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. CB West/CB South photos courtesy of Jon Sklut. Check back for galleries of both games.
SOL Patriot Division
PENNSBURY 45, NESHAMINY 30
When Mimi Smith connected on a basket in the paint on the Redskins’ opening possession, it was not an omen of things to come. Smith’s basket not only represented Neshaminy’s only lead of the night, it also was the Redskins’ lone field goal until the second quarter – a costly nine-minute span that allowed the Falcons to take an 18-3 lead on their way to the important division win.
Sofia Vitucci’s nothing-but-net 3-pointer 25 seconds after Smith scored marked the beginning of a marvelous night for the sophomore guard, who scored a game high 17 points on the heels of a 22-point effort Tuesday in the Falcons’ win over Bensalem.
“I learned a lot coming from middle school to high school,” Vitucci said. “I was able to build off a lot of stuff from last year, and I’ve been working a lot on my game and doing my best out there.”
With Ava Sciolla sidelined with an injury for Tuesday’s game and playing at less than full strength on Thursday night, Vitucci found herself with the ball in her hands a lot, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Falcons – armed with a comfortable lead – were looking to take time off the clock. Vitucci buried 5-of-6 from the foul line in the fourth quarter and 7-of-8 for the game.
“It’s a rush – I like it,” the sophomore guard said of stepping to the line late in games.
Vitucci also was a catalyst in The Falcons’ strong start, scoring eight points in the first quarter, including a short pullup in the paint to give Pennsbury a 16-3 lead after one quarter.
“Sof is very solid in the backcourt, has the ability to get to spots,” coach Frank Sciolla said. “I thought she got a lot of good looks tonight.”
The Falcons dominated the backboards. Sophomore Daniella MacDonald converted a three-point play after pulling down an offensive board to give Pennsbury a 10-3 lead, and then a telling sequence saw sophomore Layla Matthias cap a four-shot Falcon possession with a putback.
“That sets the tone, and you make the defense continue to play defense, and we end up getting a basket out of it,” Vitucci said.
The putback was one of 10 rebounds for the relentless Matthias, who received high praise from her coach for her effort on the boards.
“I do a lot of foot fakes, and I just have a mentality that I want to get the rebounds,” Matthias said. “I know that’s my role, and that’s what I need to do. Once I do it – it gets us another possession.”
Matthias is one of several sophomores making important contributions.
“It’s really competitive, and that’s what makes it fun because you have so many people your own age, and it’s always a battle,” said Matthias. “It’s fun seeing everyone else succeed with you.”
The Falcons led 18-3 after Ava Sciolla turned a Vitucci steal near midcourt into an easy bucket. The Redskins trimmed the Falcons’ lead to 21-11 after back-to-back baskets – a Reese Zemitis three and a drive by Skylar Lall, but Sciolla answered with a bucket at the other end. Smith scored for the Redskins, but back-to-back 3’s to close out the quarter sent the Falcons into halftime with a 29-13 lead. Vitucci had 11 points, Sciolla seven, and MacDonald, six.
The Falcons took a 33-22 lead into the final quarter and stretched that to 38-22 after Naveah Dash buried a three and – after a Redskins turnover – sank a pair at the foul line. The Redskins never threatened.
In addition to Vitucci, Dash and Sciolla both had seven points while Nicole Pompili and MacDonald each had six. Sciolla also had seven assists and six rebounds.
“Tonight we knew we couldn’t get a lot from Ava in terms of scoring, but she was tremendous at getting us into stuff,” coach Sciolla said. “She created open shots for people. She got us a lot of good looks, and she got Sof going right away on the first possession. Sof builds on that momentum, she’s really athletic and only in 10th grade but plays with a kind of ‘I don’t care’ in terms of leaving mistakes behind her.”
Lola Ibarrondo’s eight points – all in the second half – led the Redskins. Maya Lewis had six points on a pair of 3-pointers.
Pennsbury (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Council Rock South on Monday, and Neshaminy (3-1, 1-1) will host Harry S Truman on Monday.
Neshaminy 3-10-9-8 30
Pennsbury 16-13-4-12 45
Neshaminy (30) – Taylor Gurysh 1 1-2 3; Skylar Lall 1 0-0 2; Maya Lewis 2 0-0 6; Jess Purdy 1 1-1 3; Mimi Smith 2 0-0 4; Lola Ibarrondo 3 1-1 8; Reese Zemitis 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 11 3-4 30.
Pennsbury (45) – Ava Sciolla 3 0-0 7; Layla Matthias 1 0-2 2; Daniella MacDonald 2 1-1 6; Sofia Vitucci 4 7-8 17; Nicole Pompili 2 1-2 6; Neveah Dash 1 4-4 7; TOTALS 13 13-17 45.
3-point goals: Neshaminy – Maya Lewis 2, Taylor Gurysh, Lola Ibarrondo, Reese Zemitis, Pennsbury – Sofia Vitucci 2, Ava Sciolla Daniella MacDonald, Nicole Pompili, Neveah Dash.
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 38, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 36
The Bucks apparently enjoy living on the edge.
Two days after holding on for a one-point win over North Penn, they eked out a win over the Titans by two points.
“These games are definitely going to help us down the stretch, but I wouldn’t mind maybe easing up on the stress a little bit,” West coach Zach Sibel said. “It was an insane finish, but it was a fun game – it was an instant classic.
“I love-hate coaching against Beth (Mattern). I’ve got a tone of respect for her and what her program does. The games are always fun. The CB games have a little extra to them, and to have it at a Coaches vs. Cancer is awesome.”
The Bucks – who led 37-33 with 30 seconds remaining – were clinging to a one-point lead (37-36) with time winding down when senior Emily Spratt came up with a steal at midcourt, was fouled and buried one-of-two at the line with 1.4 seconds left. Only a desperation heave by the Titans separated the Bucks from the win.
Early on, the Bucks – behind five points from Katie Finnan – led 8-6 after one quarter and took a 19-10 lead into halftime. Finnan’s eight points led the way.
“South is a good team, they run good stuff. Beth always has them ready to play,” Sibel said. “They came out with a great environment, and I was really proud of our girls for the way that we raised the energy and answered that.
“We’ve had some slow starts in the past, so it was good to come out and get on top.”
Sparked by seven points from Taylor Hinkle, the Titans outscored their visitors 13-7 in the third quarter to make it a 26-23 game heading into the final quarter, setting the stage for the frenetic finish.
“When it came down to the end, they fought back into the game and made play after play and made the right plays, so you have to give them credit,” Sibel said. “Our whole team was cramping, so we have to look at our hydration levels.
“Spratt had the worst calf cramp I think I’ve ever seen to the point where she was on her back and our trainer stretched her out for about 15 minutes after the game.”
Spratt’s 11 points – five in the final quarter and nine in the second half – led the Bucks. Finnan added 10 points, which included a pair of 3-pointers. Ava Longo contributed seven points.
“Spratt is leading by example,” Sibel said. “She brought it to practice yesterday, and I think that got everybody locked in.
“Tai Henkels has been awesome. She’s playing so well at both ends of the floor. It’s been awesome to watch her take those steps. Katie Finnan got better tonight and has been really battling. I thought she played really well and made some great reads.
“I have to give Ava Longo and Gabi Senior a shoutout because Longo is playing a completely different role this year, and she had seven points and made some great adjustments. Gabi Senior – I said it after the first game – the coolest thing is she plays like an upperclassman She’s got a poise to her and a grace to her as she plays. She’s going to be a player that’s awesome to watch the next three years.”
Spratt also had six rebounds while Longo led the defense with five steals and Senior had three steals.
“It’s such a fun team to coach because they take feedback so well,” Sibel said. “I think we saw more of a total game.
“We definitely have room to improve, and I think that’s part of the excitement. We haven’t reached our ceiling. We’re getting better every game, but we’re definitely learning, and I think it’s been great for our group.”
Hinkle’s 11 points led the Titans. Alyssa D’Orazio added eight points, and Yoyo Samayoa had six.
Central Bucks West (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Pennridge on Tuesday, and Central Bucks South (2-2, 0-2) will travel to Central Bucks East on Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 8-11-7-12 38
Central Bucks South 6-4-13-13 36
Central Bucks West (38) – Tai Henkels 1 2-2 5; Katie Finnan 4 0-1 10; Emily Spratt 3 5-7 11; Ava Longo 2 3-4 7; Gabi Senior 2 0-1 5; TOTALS 12 10-15 38.
Central Bucks South (36) – Taylor Hinkle 4 3-4 11; Alyssa D’Orazio 4 0-0 8; Mackenzie Erb 1 0-0 3; Maddie Tantum 2 1-2 5; Allison Sauers 1 0-0 3; Yoyo Samayoa 3 0-0 6; TOTALS 19 4-6 36.
3-point goals: CBW – Katie Finnan 2, Gabi Senior, Tai Henkels; CBS – Mackenzie Erb, Allison Sauers.
Non-league
BENSALEM 54, WILLIAM TENNENT 36
Delaney Bell scored 19 points and Maddie MacDougall added 12 to lead the Owls to the non-league win.
“I’m proud of our girls bounce-back win tonight,” said Bensalem coach Steve Johnson, whose team was coming off a loss to Pennsbury two days earlier. “It’s not easy playing after a loss.
“We started out slow, getting good looks but our shots were just not falling. We went into the second half tied 19-19.”
Bell led the Owls with seven first-half points, and for the Panthers, Morgan Volz – who had eight first-quarter points – scored 10 points in the opening half.
“The first half was literally back and forth, both teams exchanging blows,” Tennent coach Laura Whitney said. “They’d make a big play, we’d respond. It went back and forth the whole first half.
“We were down one, and Chase (Dubzak) hit a big three with 20 seconds left in the half, and they ended up coming down and hit a tough baseline jumper with six seconds left, and it was tied 19-19 at the half.”
The Owls won the game with an 18-2 third quarter tear out of the halftime locker room. Bell was the catalyst, scoring eight points while MacDougall had five.
“Unfortunately, in the second half, the wheels fell off a little bit,” Whitney said. “They had the ball to start the second half. Two straight possessions we gave up a little runner in the lane. We had a turnover, they scored in transition.
“We started getting in our heads and maybe doubting ourselves a little bit. The third quarter really killed us. We only scored two points from the free throw line, and we let them go off for 18 points. We dug ourselves too big a hole, but our girls still fought to the end. We’re making strides. I was just really proud of our effort. The way that we played tonight – if we can continue that play from the first half on a consistent basis, I like our opportunities this year to compete and do well.”
Also for the Owls, Averi McCoy had seven points, and Amber Howard had six.
“Senior Erin Devlin made huge defensive plays for us, taking two charges and forcing a travel,” Johnson said. “Delaney Bell did a very nice job and made very smart decisions with the ball. Maddie MacDougall stepped up and hit some nice shots for us.”
Volz’s 14 points led the Panthers while Dubzak added 11.
“We ended up with a loss, but I’m just really proud of our girls,” Tennent coach Laura Whitney said. “The last two games we’re really making strides in the right direction.
“Bensalem is a great team, they’re coached well, they play hard, they have a lot of talent, so I knew they were going to come out with intensity, and I thought our girls did a great job from the start of matching Bensalem’s intensity.”
Bensalem (2-1, 0-1 SOL) will travel to Harry S Truman on Friday, and William Tennent (1-2, 1-0) will be on the road at Springfield Township on Friday.
Bensalem 9-10-18-17 54
William Tennent 10-9-2-15 36
Bensalem (54) – Sam Daut 2 0-0 4; Averi McCoy 2 3-4 7; Maddie MacDougall 4 2-4 12; Mackenzie Kramer 1 0-0 2; Kylie Smith 2 0-0 4; Delaney Bell 7 5-8 19; Amber Howard 3 0-0 6; TOTALS 21 10-16 54.
William Tennent (36) – Ella Mednick 1 0-0 2; Savannah Zeaman 1 0-0 2; Chase Dubzak 3 2-2 11; Courtney Bragen 2 1-5 2; Alyssa Lewicki 0 2-2 2; Morgan Volz 6 2-2 14; TOTALS 13 7-11 36.
3-point goals: Bensalem – Maddie MacDougall 2, WT – Chase Dubzak 3.
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