Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Friday. Pennsbury/CR North photos courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. (CB East/CB West photos courtesy of Diane Barry/CBEast basketball)
SOL Patriot
PENNSBURY 53, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 21
The Falcons – behind seven points from Sammie Haws – led 15-5 after one quarter. A low-scoring second quarter for both sides sent Pennsbury into the locker room at halftime with a 21-10 lead.
A 19-4 third quarter was sparked by six points from both Haws and Alyssa Thomas as the Falcons rolled to the big win.
Key players: Sammie Haws scored 21 points, which included four 3-pointers. Alyssa Thomas added 11 points and four assists while Joley Hohman, the Falcons’ floor general, added seven points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Lauren Smith’s eight points led the Indians.
Pennsbury coach Frank Sciolla:
–The game: “CR North is always well prepared. It’s a hallmark of Jack’s teams. They came out in the first half, and they had a good idea of what we did well and what our weaknesses are, and they played to our weakness, and we played into it as we have at times this year.
“It was good to see (Julia) Koval back out there. They were without her last week, and she’s tough and physical and understands how to make winning plays
“In the second half, as we started the third quarter, we did a really good job getting to balance and stepping into shots and keeping the ball off the floor right away, and that enabled us to get a number of wide open looks. We also avoided going too deep into their zone. Sammie, Alyssa and Joley were able to knock down some shots, and much
of that was triggered by some outstanding screening action from Emily Panero.
“Joley played a really good floor game in the second half by controlling the defensive backboard and then pushing the ball and finding open people. She had a fantastic stretch where she was able to really show all the different things that she can do. As we did a good job of keeping the ball off the floor and moving it, we were able to find Sammie, and good things happen when we are able to find Sammie with her feet set on the perimeter.”
–The 7-0 start: “This is heady stuff for our girls. Processing success and repeating its path often fights against our natural instincts. The third quarter was a good example of what we can be. But so was the second quarter. Soon, we will have to decide which road to travel. For now, we just get ready for a long ride down 95 and a matchup tomorrow afternoon with Penn Wood in what will be a different type of game.”
Up next: Pennsbury will travel to Penn Wood for a non-league game Saturday (2pm), and Council Rock North will host its own holiday tournament Dec. 29 and 30.
Pennsbury 15-6-19-13 53
Council Rock North 5-5-4-7 21
Pennsbury (53) – Adrianna Oberto 1 2-2 4; Sammie Haws 8 1-1 21; Alyssa Thomas 4 1-2 11; Shea Quenzer 2 0-0 4; Joley Hohman 3 0-0 7; Keira Socha 2 0-0 4; Milan Reeves 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 21 4-5 53.
Council Rock North (21) – Lauren Smith 3 0-0 8; Brynn Rodgers 0 2-2 2; Julia Koval 1 2-2 4; Ella Carroll 3 0-0 7; TOTALS 7 4-4 21.
3-point goals: P – Haws 4, Thomas 2, Hohman; CRN – Smith 2, Carroll.
NESHAMINY 51, HARRY S TRUMAN 18
Ten players contributed scoring in the Redskins’ decisive win over Truman. Neshaminy opened up a 16-2 lead after one quarter and extended that to 34-5 by halftime.
“Five freshman combined for 28 points this evening, including Bella Gautier who scored her first varsity points,” Neshaminy coach John Gallagher said. “Alex Cannon had a career high of seven points.”
Key players: Hayley Kolk led the Redskins with 11 points – all in the first quarter. Alex Cannon and Nicole Trespalacios both had seven
Up next: Neshaminy will compete in the Boardwalk Classic on Dec. 28, and Harry S Truman is off until Tuesday, Jan. 6, when the Tigers will host Council Rock North.
Harry S Truman 2-3-6-7 18
Neshaminy 16-18-10-7 51
Harry S Truman (18) – Julianna Romer 6, Brynn Kukososki 6, Brie Philemond 4, Natane Smith 6, Alivia-Grace Bailey 2.
Neshaminy (51) – Grace Weyler 5, Kate Cieri 2, Angelina Tiberio 3, Isabella Gautier 6, Alex Cannon 7, Nicole Trespolocios 7, Brynn Kukososki 6, Hayley Kolk 11, Camryn Rodriguez 2, Ella Hoyas 2.
3-point goals: HST – Romer; N – Kukososki, Gautier, Cannon, Trespalacios, Gautier, Tiberio.
SOL Colonial
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 54, PENNRIDGE 32
The Titans were on fire out of the gate, the Lady Rams were not.
While the Titans – sparked by the hot hands of Jules Tropea and Rylie DiCesare – put 28 points on the board in the opening quarter, the Rams managed just two. Tropea scored 12 points in the first quarter while DiCesare had nine on three 3-pointers.
In the quarter, the Titans buried six 3s, and the tone for the game had been set.
Key players: Jules Tropea led all scorers with 19 points – 18 in the first half. Rylie DiCesare added 13 points, and Gabby Tropea had 11 – nine in the first half.
For the Lady Rams, Sam Murphy scored 17 points, which included five 3-pointers.
Central Bucks South coach Beth Mattern: “I was really happy with how confident we came out to start the game. We shot the ball extremely well in the first quarter and played tough both defensively and offensively.
“Jules hit the first 3, and that seemed to create a pep in our steps. Others followed suit, shooting the ball well and playing strong defense.”
Up next: Central Bucks South will travel to Downingtown East for a non-league game Saturday, and Pennridge will be on the road at Lower Merion for a non-league game Saturday.
Pennridge 2-8-11-11 32
Central Bucks South 28-11-4-11 54
Pennridge (32) – Pliszka 1 0-0 2; Arianne Lauf 0 1-2 1; Julia Lenox 0 1-2 1; Sam Murphy 6 0-0 17; Madison Lapp 4 0-0 8; Megan Moylan 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 12 2-4 32.
Central Bucks South (54) – Eriin Ruddell 2 0-0 4; Jules Tropea 6 6-8 19; Rylie DiCesare 5 0-0 13; Alex Tropea 1 0-0 2; Riley Campbell 1 0-0 3; Gabby Tropea 4 1-2 11; Anna Granito 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 20 7-10 54.
3-point goals: P – Murphy 5, Moylan; CBS – DiCesare 3, G.Tropea 2, J.Tropea, Campbell.
NORTH PENN 57, SOUDERTON 47
The Knights, who led by two after one quarter, found themselves on the short end of a 28-25 score at halftime. The Indians – sparked by Maddie Nenstiel’s nine points – outscored the Knights 20-15 in the second quarter to go into the locker room with a three-point lead.
Mehya Godhania buried a pair of 3s and scored eight points in a third quarter that saw the Knights outscore the Indians 16-10, and they all but duplicated that in the fourth quarter on their way to the big win.
Key players: Lily Brown’s 20 points – 11 in the first half and nine in the second – led the Knights while Paityn Debro added 14, and Lacie Haddock had 11.
For the Indians, Kiera Fadden led the way with 15 points while Alaina Picard and Maddie Nenstiel both had 12 points and combined for five 3-pointers.
North Penn coach Bri Cullen:
“A really hard fought win against a hardworking and talented team. We played really great team basketball tonight. We have been working on a ‘next play’ mentality when we make mistakes, and the girls did a great job of showing their composure when things were not going their way!”
Up next: North Penn will travel to Caravel Academy for a non-league game Saturday (1pm). Souderton will host Upper Moreland in a non-league game Monday.
Souderton 8-20-10-9 47
North Penn 10-15-16-16 57
Souderton (47) – Maddie Nenstiel 4 2-2 12; Olivia Herron 1 0-0 3; Madison Bealer 2 1-1 5; Kiera Fadden 5 5-9 15; Alaina Picard 3 3-4 12; TOTALS 15 11-16 47.
North Penn (57) – Paityn Debro 5 4-6 14; Ava Wood 1 0-0 2; Lily Brown 8 2-2 20; Meyha Godhania 4 0-0 11; Lacie Haddock 2 0-0 5; Tallie Smink 1 2-2 5; TOTALS 21 8-10 57.
3-point goals: NP – Godhania 3, Brown 2, Haddock, Smink; S – Picard 3, Nenstiel 2, Herron.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 65, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 37
The Patriots head into the holiday break with a perfect 8-0 record after Friday’s decisive win over neighboring CB West, but it has been a difficult week. The Patriots were not only battling illness that left them minus a key player in both games this week but also were dealing with the untimely passing of an East student earlier in the week.
In Friday’s win, the Patriots trailed 11-10 after one quarter but seized complete control of the game with a 26-5 second quarter to go into halftime with a 36-16 lead. Haley Moran’s 14 points led East in the half while Payton Williams added 10, and Natalie Berndt had eight points in the second quarter.
For the game, the Patriots forced 23 turnovers with an inspired defensive effort.
Key players: Freshman Payton William led the Patriots with 19 points and 10 rebounds – five offensive and five defensive. Haley Moran added 18 points, five rebounds and three steals. Natalie Berndt also finished in double figures with 10 points. Jess Lockwood contributed eight points, five rebounds and four steals while Delaney Long had six points and four assists.
CB West was led by Erinn McCusker’s 11-point effort while Audra Lawson had nine and Evelyn Moore had eight.
Central Bucks East coach Liz Potash: “I’m proud of the girls for battling through a difficult week and finding ways to support each other on and off the court. We’re looking forward to some down time before our holiday tournament where we’ll be tested. Tonight was another team win, Haley Moran filled up a stat sheet and Payton Williams recorded her first double-double.”
Up next: Central Bucks East will return to action Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Cardinal O’Hara Holiday Tournament. Central Bucks West will participate in the Marple Newtown Holiday Tournament next Saturday.
Central Bucks East 10-26-17-12 65
Central Bucks West 11-5-5-16 37
Central Bucks East (65) – Delaney Long 2 1-2 6; Haley Moran 7 2-2 18; Natalie Berndt 3 2-2 10; Payton Williams 8 3-4 19; Jess Lockwood 3 2-2 8; Hailey Helmstetter 2 0-1 4; TOTALS 25 10-13 65.
Central Bucks West (37) – Erinn McCusker 4 0-0 11; Addy Stromberg 2 0-0 4; Evelyn Moore 3 0-0 8; Marleigh Mallon 1 0-0 3; Audra Lawson 3 1-2 9; Scarlett Baumgardner 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 14 1-2 37.
3-point goals: CBE – Moran 2, Berndt 2, Long; CBW – McCusker 3, Moore 2, Lawson 2, Mallon.
SOL Liberty
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 38, ABINGTON 29
Points were not easy to come by for either side in this one.
The Colonials led 16-14 after one half and upped their lead to five heading into the final quarter when Eliza Meersman went to work, scoring 10 of her game-high 18 in the final quarter.
With the win, the Colonials will head into the New Year with a perfect 7-0 record.
“Before the season started, no way I thought we’d be 7-0,” PW coach Dan Dougherty said. “The girls have really ‘gelled’ as a team. Kids are playing their roles and playing with confidence. I’m very proud of them.”
Key players: Eliza Meersman led all scorers with 18 points. Olivia Patete stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, eight rebounds and five steals.
For the Ghosts, Aniyah Williams led the way with 14 points, which included a perfect 6-for-6 effort at the foul line.
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Dan Dougherty:
–The game: “Tonight, we could not buy a bucket in the first half, trailing 14-13, time winding down in second quarter when Kenna Winland drives, finishes through contact as time expires, and makes the free throw. Puts us up two and feeling much better about ourselves going into the half.
“In the second half, Eliza Meersman got going, Olivia Patete makes buzzer beater at end of third to get lead up to five. Grinded out the fourth quarter to hold on for the win.”
–Props: “Olivia Patete stat line tonight was outstanding 9 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. Grace Harvey and Kenna Winland (along with Patete) really handled Abington’s pressure well. We only committed 11 turnovers but forced 21.”
Up next: Plymouth Whitemarsh is off until Sunday, Jan. 4, when the Colonials will face the George School in a non-league game at Jefferson University. Abington will face Abraham Lincoln in a non-league game at Northeast High on Saturday.
Abington 4-10-6-9 29
Plymouth Whitemarsh 7-9-9-13 38
Abington (29) – Rhyane Rogers 1 1-3 3; Asaleya Ortiz 1 0-0 3; Nora Luskin 2 0-0 4; Shya Crafton 1 0-0 2; Aniyah Williams 4 6-6 14; TOTALS 10 6-8 29.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (38) – Olivia Patete 4 1-2 9; Kenna Winland 3 1-3 7; Eliza Meersman 7 4-6 18; L Brodzinski 0 1-2 1; Grace Harvey 0 3-6 3; TOTALS 14 10-19 38.
3-point goals: A – Rogers, Ortiz, Fitzgerald.
SOL Freedom
WILLIAM TENNENT 41, LOWER MORELAND 36
The Panthers have established themselves as the team to beat after four games in Freedom Division play. Friday’s road win at Lower Moreland was a big one for the Panthers, who own sole possession of the division’s top spot with a 4-0 record.
The two teams were deadlocked at halftime and then again heading into the final quarter when the Panthers – sparked by six points from Avery Kocur – outscored their hosts 15-10 to earn the win.
“Gutsy win tonight,” Tennent coach Laura Whitney said. “There were stretches when we struggled to find our rhythm or make shots, but we came up with some big stops down the stretch and found a way to win.”
Key players: Avery Kocur’s 17 points led the Panthers, who also received eight points from Carissa Malpezzi.
For the Lions, Emma DiJoseph had 17 points, and Sydney Santora had eight.
William Tennent coach Laura Whitney: “Really proud of the way our girls picked each other up and made plays when we needed too. Staub was in foul trouble throughout the game, and Hannah had a hard time getting herself going, but I thought we got huge contributions from so many other girls.
“It’s still early in the season, but it’s been impressive to see how we continue to get better and have been able to win in different way with so many girls contributing. We will enjoy this one for a few hours since we have a quick turnaround tomorrow against a talented and physical Downingtown West team.”
–Props: “Carissa was tasked with slowing down Santora and did an incredible job of holding her to eight points and making her have to work for everything. Offensively, Carissa, did such a nice job of moving without the ball and finishing strong around the basket. Aubrey gave us great energy off the bench, putting pressure on the ball and came up with a huge offensive rebound and putback late in the game to help seal the game. Giada knocked down two big shots to keep the momentum going and played tough defensively. Avery was steady all game, whether it was finding her teammates or being assertive and finding her shots.”
Up next: William Tennent will host Downingtown West in a non-league game Saturday (12:30pm), and Lower Moreland will compete in the Boardwalk Classic in Wildwood next Friday.
William Tennent 11-7-8-15 41
Lower Moreland 10-8-8-10 36
William Tennent (41) – Aubrey Lynch 5, Avery Kocur 17, Carissa Malpezzi 8, Halie Staub 2, Giada Cosenza 5, Megan Volz 4.
Lower Moreland (36) – Mady Rossiter 4, Maddie Broderick 5, Emma DiJoseph 17, Sydney Santora 8, Sofia Fey 2.
3-point goals: LM – DiJoseph 2, Santora, Broderick; WT – Kocur 2, Cosenza.
SPRINGFIELD TWP 48, UPPER MORELAND 38
The Spartans were without their leading scorer Ava Culler, who is a force under the basket at both ends of the court, and instead of one player trying to fill Culler’s sizable shoes, the Spartans used a balanced attack and tenacious defense to defeat the visiting Golden Bears.
They broke an 8-8 tie with a 16-point second quarter to go into halftime with a 29-21 lead. Leading the offensive charge was Karly Hartman with eight points in the quarter. The Spartans also capitalized on their opportunities at the foul line, burying 8 of 9 shots in the quarter.
Key players: Karly Hartman led a balanced attack with 11 points while Mary Kate Garry and Keira Brandon added seven each.
The Golden Bears were led by the 14-point effort of Mia Taliaferro.
Springfield Twp coach Dave Giordano:
–The game: “This was a really solid win tonight against Upper Moreland. We were without Ava Culler. The entire team stepped up to fill in. We had a really good defensive outing tonight with holding Upper Moreland to under 10 three of the four quarters.
“We had some solid contributions from all five starters and some timely offense from Karly Hartman and Olivia Beck.
“It was good for the team to see that they were not just a one player team. They’ve all contributed so far this season. I’m extremely happy with their defense and their unselfish offense. They’re playing well and they’re playing with confidence.”
Up next: Springfield Twp is off until Jan. 6 when the Spartans will travel to Cheltenham, and Upper Moreland will be on the road at Souderton for a non-league game Monday.
Upper Moreland 13-8-9-8 38
Springfield Twp 13-16-12-7 48
Upper Moreland (38) – Brooklyn Kavanaugh 0 3-4 3; Sheila Mangin 1 4-6 6; Mia Taliaferro 5 4-6 14; Emma Kramer 2 0-0 4; Hailey Milks 1 0-0 2; Maggie Brophy 1 0-0 3; Tierney Hogan 2 2-4 6; TOTALS 12 13-20 38.
Springfield Twp (48) – Maddie Decker 0 2-2 2; Caitlin Lewis 2 2-2 6; Chloe Kaczor 2 0-0 5; Mary Kate Garry 2 3-4 7; Keira Brandon 3 1-3 7; Julia Guicheteau 1 3-6 6; Karly Hartman 3 5-6 11; Olivia Beck 1 2-3 4; TOTALS 14 18-26 48.
3-point goals: UM – Brophy; S – Kaczor, Guicheteau.
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