Check out the results for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Thursday.
Penncrest Holiday Tournament
HARRY S TRUMAN 55, PENNCREST 50
The Tigers capped a December to remember with an impressive come-from-behind win over the Lions, earning the tournament title and closing out the month with a glittering 6-1 record.
“They were excited,” coach Collette Munford said. “Some of the parents who have been along this road from the beginning – one dad said, ‘I was ready to cry. This has been a long time coming, and it feels good.’
“We’re 6-1. I have never said that about the Truman Lady Tigers. It’s a great feeling.”
Thursday’s win not only solidified the Tigers’ status as a team to be reckoned with but also underscored the squad’s remarkable resiliency.
Truman found itself on the short end of a 32-27 score after a foul-plagued first half. Midway through the first quarter, the Tigers were already whistled for their seventh foul, and the Lions were shooting one-and-one’s.
“We came out lazy in the beginning,” Munford said. “We had fouls called on us early, and they were making their foul shots.”
An inspired Tiger squad came out of the halftime locker room, and whatever Munford told her team, she may want to bottle it as the Tigers turned up the defensive pressure and outscored the Lions 20-6.
“It was that pep talk I gave them at halftime,” Munford said with a laugh. “We didn’t go according to the game plan in the beginning. I said, ‘You’re not playing like this is a championship game.’
“When we came out in the third quarter, we jumped right back into a press, a solid press. We created back-to-back turnovers. We were down five at halftime, and in a matter of a few minutes, we were up by nine, and we just kept going from there.”
Penncrest – which trailed 47-38 heading into the final quarter – closed out the game with a 12-8 frame, but it wasn’t enough to derail the suddenly streaking Tigers.
Senior Sabria Lytes – who was named tournament MVP – led the Tigers with 19 points, 12 rebounds and three steals. Senior Jayda Campbell, who added 10 points, also earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Campbell and senior Daeja Moore, who had four assists and five steals, have been with the Munford since the beginning.
“I have had them since they were in elementary school,” the Tigers’ coach said. “They were part of the feeder program that I started when I became coach.
“I told them – ‘By the time you’re seniors, you girls are going to be the turning point of this program,’ and it’s come to light. It’s here, and they’re making it happen. I’m proud of them. We are here.”
Junior Briana Cliney contributed 11 rebounds, five steals and four points. Sophomores Alexis McCoy (five points, eight rebounds, four steals) and Roneisha James (five rebounds, three points) also contributed. Freshman Daisha Campbell had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Tigers had 17 steals.
“It’s not the same people every game,” Munford said. “The stats are changing every game.
“Just think, if I could get them all on the same page every game, you would see the difference. I’m proud of them. They’re showing how hard they’ve been working. They just have to keep fighting. We just have to keep working hard. It’s not over. It’s just the beginning.”
The Tigers are starting to turn heads in the basketball world as well as in their own school.
“Our principal and our AD came out today, and they’re behind us,” Munford said. “They’re ecstatic with how we’re playing, and they’re supporting us.
“We always had the parents, but to look up and see your principal and AD in the stands on a holiday – they could be doing something else, but they were there.”
Harry S Truman (6-1, 1-1 SOL) will host Abington on Tuesday.
“They are so happy. I said – ‘Celebrate, but come Monday, we’re back in here, forget all about it,’’’ Munford said. “We have Abington on (Tuesday) and Neshaminy on Friday, two tough games.”
Harry S Truman 12-15-20-8 55
Penncrest 11-21-6-12 50
Harry S Truman (55) – Roneisha James 3, Briana Cliney 4, Alexis McCoy 5, Sabria Lytes 19, Daeja Moore 3, Daisha Campbell 11, Jayda Campbell 10.
SOUDERTON 56, AUDENRIED 19
The Indians opened up a 20-6 lead after one quarter and stretched that lead to 40-12 by halftime of Thursday’s consolation game. Megan Bealer led the Indians with nine points while Sam Falencki and Alana Cardona each had seven. Megan Wabrandt and Tori Dowd both added six points in the half.
Bealer led all scorers with 12 points, which included a pair of three-pointers. Cardona added 10 and Walbrandt, eight. Falencki and Curran O’Donnell both finished with seven points – both had a three-pointer. Dowd added six points, all in the first half.
Souderton (6-1, 2-0 SOL) will host North Penn on Tuesday.
Souderton 20-20-8-8 56
Audenried 6-6-3-4 19
Souderton (56) – Tori Dowd 6, Megan Bealer 12, Alana Cardona 10, Megan Walbrandt 8, Liz O’Hara 4, Curran O’Donnell 7, Sami Falencki 7, Kate Connolly 2.
Audenried (19) – D.Wilson 11, Stumps 8.
Upper Dublin Holiday Classic
ABINGTON 36, UPPER DUBLIN 24
Dan Marsh might want to consider giving his halftime speech before games. If the Ghosts could translate their defensive effort in the second half of the past two games over an entire game, they would be a formidable opponent indeed.
One day after limiting Villa Joseph Marie to just seven points in the second half of Wednesday’s opening round win, the Ghosts did even better in Thursday’s title game, limiting the Flying Cardinals to just five points in the second half – and one field goal.
“Those last three games we lost – all three games we were winning in the fourth quarter,” Marsh said. “I just didn’t think that our defense was stepping up, and so we put the onus on them – ‘You guys have got to start taking pride in your defense, you have to take pride in getting stops.’
“It’s December, and the offense will come, but we have to start being able to lean on our defense, and they’re starting to do it.”
Sparked by nine points from Nicole Kaiser, the Flying Cardinals took a 19-15 lead into halftime.
“We have a problem with coming out slow and not playing to our full potential in the very beginning,” Abington senior Lizzie O’Leary said. “I don’t know what it is about halftime that gets us riled up and we come out with a fierceness.
“I think we all just come together. Marsh gets fired up, so we get fired up. We just come out and play.”
The Ghosts needed less than a minute to erase the Cards’ four-point lead. Kassondra Brown came up with a steal on the Cardinals’ opening possession, and a three-pointer by Britney James pulled the Ghosts to within one. A James steal on the defensive end set up a short baseline jumper by Jordyn Allen, and the Ghosts had a lead they would not lose.
“I just think we all come together and say we have to step up and lock in,” James said of her team’s renewed energy in the second half. “I think that’s what helped us win the last two games – our defense.
“Losing three games last week was very hard on a lot of us. Even just losing the first game (against Episcopal Academy) was hard. I think this was a big turnaround for us, and we just have to go from here.”
Despite their inspired defensive effort, the Ghosts led by just a 24-19 score until Brown scored on a drive at the buzzer to send Abington into the final quarter with a 26-19 lead.
A bucket by O’Leary on the low post extended that lead to nine, but the Cardinals trailed by just a 30-24 score with 3:14 remaining after Kaiser scored on a putback. On the Ghosts’ ensuing trip down the floor, James converted a three-point play on a nifty drive to the hoop, putting the Ghosts on top 33-24 and all but sealing the Cardinals’ fate.
“I think Abington came out with a little more intensity in the second half,” UD coach Morgan Funsten said. “I also think it was kind of the perfect storm for us offensively – whether it was a dropped pass that was going to lead to a layup or a couple of missed open shots, but credit to Abington. They played some good defense in the second half and took us out of our comfort zone.
“We’re disappointed but proud of the girls’ effort. They didn’t give up, and that’s something they can build on. The message we’re trying to get across is that we have to stay positive, and if we do, we’re going to continue to improve. I’m confident with the experience we have they’re going to pull the younger girls through it, and we’re going to be fine.”
James, who earned MVP honors, provided leadership at point guard for the Ghosts.
“It’s been a big absence when you get a new point guard,” Marsh said. “Sammy (Lochner) was our point guard for four years, and I think Britney did a really good job of controlling their press, of controlling the team and getting the people the ball where they wanted it, and really basically finishing the game. That drive at the end – that’s the kind of control we want to see from Britney.”
O’Leary – who added nine points and was a presence in the paint on both ends of he court – acknowledged that the Ghosts needed a strong tournament showing.
“If we want to keep winning and make it to postseason, these past two wins were really important,” the Ghosts’ senior center said. “We just had an off week last week. We weren’t expecting to go out and play the way we did.
“After those three games, the next couple of games we took the time to reset what we knew we had to do and what we wanted to do. It was a learning lesson for everyone that we’re not guaranteed anything and we have to work hard every single game.”
Brown and Sam Brusha both added eight points for the Ghosts. UD’s Kaiser led all scorers with 14 points to go along with three rebounds.
Upper Dublin (4-3, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Springfield on Wednesday, and Abington (5-3, 1-2) will be on the road Tuesday at Harry S Truman.
“We have a tough game Tuesday, and Friday and Saturday are tough with CB East and Boyertown,” Marsh said. “It doesn’t get any easier.
“We have to keep working hard, but I am very proud of the way they’re responding defensively.”
Abington 6-9-11-10 36
Upper Dubliln 9-10-0-5 24
Abington (36) – Britney James 6, Lizzie O’Leary 9, Kassondra Brown 8, Jordyn Allen 5, Sam Brusha 8.
Upper Dublin (24) – Nicole Kaiser 14, Kara Grebe 2, Demi Balasa 2, Maggie Weglos 3, Jackie Vargas 3.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Holiday Tournament
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 64, BODINE 29
The Colonials cruised into Friday’s title game against West Chester East with their rout of Bodine. PW led 24-9 after one quarter and took a 40-11 lead into halftime.
Taylor O’Brien was one of four Colonials in double figures, finishing with 18 points that included a pair of three’s. Ali Diamond added 13 points, including three three-pointers. Laurel Suchsland had 12 points and Lauren Coscia, 10 points. Lauren Fortescue contributed nine points.
The Colonials were effective from long range, burying seven three-pointers.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-0, 3-0 SOL) will face West Chester East in Friday’s title game at 7 p.m.
Bodine 5-6-8-10 29
Plymouth Whitemarsh 24-16-13-11 64
Plymouth Whitemarsh (64) – Taylor O’Brien 18, Lauren Fortescue 9, Ali Diamond 13, Haley Zygmunt 4, Laurel Suchsland 12, Lauren Coscia 10.
Boardwalk Classic (Bill Osborn Memorial Bracket)
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 49, FRIENDS CENTRAL 31
The Patriots controlled play from start to finish in Thursday’s opening round game, taking a 10-4 lead after one quarter and upping that to 22-13 by halftime. They outscored Friends Central in all four quarters.
Leading the Patriots were Bri Talbot (14 points) and Megan Browne (10 points). Browne was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-5 from the foul line. Talbot also had a team high six rebounds to go along with eight steals.
Bridget Birkhead added nine points, and Gina Russo had five points and four rebounds.
The Patriots’ defense was the story of the game, forcing 32 turnovers.
Central Bucks East (2-4, 0-2 SOL) will face New Foundations Charter in the championship game on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Friends Central 4-9-6-12 31
Central Bucks East 10-12-17-10 49
Friends Central (31) – Nia Jordan 17, Zoe Ginsberg 1, Briana Cypress 2, Raanee Smith 2, Gabby Carruth 9.
Central Bucks East (49) – Bridget Birkhead 9, Megan Browne 10, Bailey McManus 2, Bri Talbot 14, Sophia Mancuse 2, Gina Russo 5, Audrey LaBouliere 2, Melanie Wetzel 2, Abby Charlton 4.
Boardwalk Classic (GWTIDA Bracket)
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 69, WEST CHESTER RUSTIN 44
The Indians rebounded from their loss to Red Back Catholic, the seventh-ranked team in New Jersey, to dominate Thursday’s game against the Golden Knights.
Sparked by their tenacious pressure defense, the Indians opened up a 25-8 lead after one quarter. Megan Haggerty had a hot hand from long range, burying three three’s in the quarter. Dana Bandurick and Becca Margolis each added six points in the opening stanza.
Margolis continued her torrid offensive production with seven points in the second quarter while Emily Mackin added six, allowing the Indians to stretch their lead to 43-12 by halftime. Rock North forced Rustin into 18 first-half turnovers to go with its 12 steals.
Sparked by seven points from Maggie O’Hare and seven from Erin Gallagher, the Golden Knights outscored the Indians 23-16 in the third quarter, but they never could close the gap.
Margolis led a balanced scoring attack with 16 points to go along with nine steals and seven rebounds. Bandurick finished with 11 points and also had 10 rebounds to complete her double-double. Mackin scored a season high 12 points while Camryn Polinsky and Haggerty both scored nine.
Council Rock North (6-2, 3-0 SOL) will host Neshaminy in a key SOL National Conference game on Tuesday.
Council Rock North 25-18-16-10 69
West Chester Rustin 8-4-23-9 44
Council Rock North (69) – Becca Margolis 16, Juliana Shields 2, Camryn Polinsky 9, Megan Haggerty 9, Sydney Bum 2, Emily Mackin 12 points, Dana Bandurick 11, Kaelin Mealy 2, Hannah Weiler 6.
West Chester Rustin (44) – Morgan Polidore 4, Erin Gallagher 11, Becca Magrone 2, Dakiya Daniels 3, Maggie O’Hare 12, Symone Costin 6, Holly Kelleghan 2, Lexi Zavitsky 4.
Boo Williams Christmas Classic (Hampton, Va.)
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 54, I.C. NORCOM 50 (OT)
Maggie Rakowsky and her West teammates saved their best for last in Thursday’s contest, rallying from a 13-point halftime deficit to win in overtime. The senior point guard, who finished with a team high 13 points, played a major role in the come-from-behind win, draining a pair of three-pointers in a fourth quarter that saw West outscore Norcom 16-5. In overtime, Rakowsky was a perfect 4-for-4 at the foul line.
“Maggie was just awesome in overtime, making foul shots, steals, rebounding,” coach Terry Rakowsky said. “Actually, the last two games she’s been exceptional.”
Overtime is becoming the norm for the Bucks, who found themselves playing an extra period for the third time in as many games.
Making their most recent win even more impressive is the fact that the team’s top scorer – freshman Maddie Burke – was battling foul trouble the entire night before fouling out early in the fourth quarter.
“She had three fouls probably three minutes into the game, so half the first quarter and the whole second quarter, we scrambled,” coach Rakowsky said. “The third quarter we were organized again, but she fouled out early in the fourth, and again, we just literally scrambled in the fourth. Our rotations were different, they were in different spots. It was a good game, but you’ll have games like that .It wasn’t as organized as you’d like it to be.”
Creating problems for the Bucks was the fact that, according to Rakowsky, Norcom had a 6-4 player and another that was 6-2.
“Their guard play wasn’t as good (as Deep Creek), but they were making every shot in the first half,” the Bucks’ coach said. “It was almost ridiculous.”
The Bucks trailed 20-10 after one quarter and saw that deficit grow to 34-21 at halftime.
“At halftime, I said, to the kids, ‘Just forget the score. I think they’re going to come back to the pack and not make those shots, but if they continue to make the shots, we lose. Just focus on how we play the game, what we do best. Forget the scoreboard and see how it rolls,’” Rakowsky said. “They started missing shots, and we started getting the rebounds.”
Sparked by seven points from Burke, the Bucks outscored Norcom 10-8 in the third quarter and then dominated play in the fourth.
“Coming down the stretch, we had probably eight great shots in the last eight minutes to put it away, and the ball just wouldn’t go in for us,” Rakowsky said. “We should have had them in regulation.
“They were playing great defense, but if we finish a couple of those shots, we’re not in overtime.”
Tori Abelson added 11 points for the Bucks, six in the pivotal fourth quarter.
“Tori had a great game yesterday, and she had a good game today,” Rakowsky said.
Sophomore Diane Nicholson added nine points.
“She played very well for us today,” Rakowsky said.
Burke finished with seven and Alex Burkauskas had six on a pair of three-pointers.
Central Bucks West (5-2, 2-1 SOL) will play its final game of the tournament Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Central Bucks West 10-11-10-16-7 54
I.C. Norcom 20-14-8-5-3 50
Central Bucks West (54) – Alex Burkauskas 6, Abbey Spratt 3, Diane Nicholson 9, Bailey Tracy 1, Maddie Burke 7, Tori Abelson 11, Izzy Treon 4, Maggie Rakowsky 13.
I.C. Norcom (50) – Davis 9, Rodgers 6, Everett 2, Hardy 8, T.Chambers 15, McCoy 2, Jones 8.
DEEP CREEK (Va.) 70, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 66 (OT)
The Bucks battled a tough Deep Creek team to the wire before falling in overtime.
“(Deep Creek) was definitely the best team we played all year,” coach Terry Rakowsky said. “They were huge, they were shooters, they were drivers.
“They were really, really good, and they were making everything. For us to even take the game to overtime, our kids probably played as well last night as we played all year.”
West led 20-17 after one quarter, but Deep Creek went into halftime with a 37-33 lead. The Bucks won the second half 27-23, setting the stage for overtime.
“That team had everything,” Rakowsky said. “They had a kid that played the middle that was 6-3 and just backed us down.
“When we doubled down, they were kicking it out and making threes. They were really good.”
Maggie Rakowsky, Tori Abelson and Maddie Burke led the Bucks.
Central Bucks West 20-13-14-13-6 66
Deep Creek 17-20-11-12-10 70
Boardwalk Classic (George Betz Memorial Bracket)
NESHAMINY 41, METHACTON 35
The Redskins opened up an 11-5 lead after one quarter and took a 22-18 lead into halftime. They extended that with a 15-9 third quarter to go on top 37-27, all but putting the game out of reach.
“They’re a nice team – this was a really good win for us,” coach Joe Lally said. “They played really well.”
Allison Harvey led a balanced attack with 15 points to go along with four rebounds. Kristin Curley added 10 points and four boards. The freshman guard was 5-for-6 at the free throw line.
“Kristin Curley just really handles the pressure, and she gets four rebounds as a guard – I think that’s key for us,” Lally said. “She’s playing giant minutes for us as a freshman, and she’s getting better every game.
“Allie Harvey was 3-for-6 from three-point land, and she shot the ball real well. She was 4-for-5 at the free throw line when it really counted.”
Devon Storms added eight points and four rebounds, and freshman Olivia Scotti contributed five points and two rebounds.
“She gave us great minutes off the bench,” Lally said of Scotti. “She knocked down a couple of shots, grabbed a couple of rebounds, so it was really good energy to get that from our youth on the bench.
“That enabled other girls to get a breather. The bench is coming along. The team is getting deeper, and kids are stepping up.”
Brooke Mullin didn’t score but was a force under the backboards with 10 rebounds.
“She also defended really well,” Lally said. “I just think we found rhythm – the way we’re running our offense, we’re finding rhythm in other people.
“We’re not one-dimensional. We were able to get Allie Harvey and Kristin Curley going today. We got Devon going to the bucket a couple of times off good screens. I think it was good for us as a team overall.”
Neshaminy (5-1, 3-0 SOL) will face Winslow Township in Friday’s championship game at 4 p.m.
Neshaminy 11-11-15-4 41
Methacton 5-13-9-8 35
Neshaminy (41) – Emily Alexis 3, Kristin Curley 10, Devon Storms 8, Allison Harvey 15, Olivia Scotti 5.
Methacton (35) – Ryan DeOrio 7, Sydney Tornetta 8, Jackie Cerchio 8, Sydney Thompson 3, Jenna Cooper 1, Olivia Pennypacker 4, Jillian Zerbe 2, Abby Penjuke 1.
Boyertown Holiday Tournament
BOYERTOWN 46, PENNRIDGE 23
The Rams struggled to get untracked in Thursday’s opening round game. The Bears led 10-0 after one quarter and took a 19-7 lead into halftime on their way to the win.
Emilee Cramer led the Rams with seven points while Gillian Anderson had six.
Pennridge (3-5, 0-3 SOL) will play in Friday’s consolation at 3 p.m.
Pennridge 0-7-5-11 23
Boyertown 10-9-15-12 46
Pennridge (23) – Samantha Muredda 3, Brooke Bachtle 5, Gillian Anderson 6, Madison Stolarski 2, Emilee Cramer 7.
Non-League
CHELTENHAM 52, NORTHEAST 24
The Lady Panthers exploded out of the gate to an 18-4 lead after one quarter and took a commanding 29-12 lead into halftime en route to the no-doubt-about-it non-league win.
Mia Leonard led the Lady Panthers with another impressive double-double, scoring a game-high 16 points while pulling down 15 rebounds. Kelia Holmes added 15 points, which included a pair of three-pointers. Nashira Brown also had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Cheltenham (5-3, 3-0 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon on Tuesday.
Northeast 4-8-4-8 24
Cheltenham 18-11-15-8 52
Northeast (24) – Tanya Alexander 2, Cyanie Hil-Smith 13, Nicole Lin 7, Dinetzy Rosado 2.
Cheltenham (52) – Madison Rorer 2, Mia Leonard 16, Caitlin Wallace 5, Danielle Brown 2, Kelia Holmes 15 Kai Williams 2, Nashira Brown 10.
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