Upper Dublin & Wissahickon were winners on Wednesday.
Non-league
UPPER DUBLIN 52, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 42
She’s back.
Megan Ngo made a welcome return to the court at Upper Dublin after suffering a devastating season-ending knee injury in the district quarterfinals, and the junior point guard – a third team all-state selection last year – was a difference maker.
“The story of the night was Megan Ngo,” UD coach Morgan Funston said. “She’s back. She was on a minutes restriction, but just her experience, her tenacity.
“Every time she was on the floor, we made a run, and when she stepped off the floor, we weren’t the same team. She was a +17, and by far, that was our highest plus-minus on the team.”
Making her debut for Upper Dublin was junior transfer Emilia Coleman, who had her first of what undoubtedly will be many double-doubles with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Also for the Cardinals, freshman Ella Morris had seven points, six rebounds and three steals in an impressive varsity debut. Bridget DiMartile added six points, 10 rebounds and three assists, and Tamia Clark had seven points.
The Golden Hawks were dangerous from long range, burying 10 3-pointers. Sara Freeman (9 points) and Lil Metrick (11 points) both had three 3s. Kathryn O’Kane (12 points) and Emerson Gunther (6 points) each had a pair of 3-pointers.
Key stretch: The Cards took an early lead and led wire to wire.
Players of the game: Junior Emilia Coleman stuffed a stat sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals & junior Megan Ngo added 13 points, seven assists, two steals and one block.
Upper Dublin coach Morgan Funsten: “It was a typical first game, especially on our end. It was choppy.
“I have to make sure as a coach I’m patient with these girls because I can see what this team can accomplish, and we’ve got to make sure we’re taking care of the little things. If we do the little things, this team can accomplish some really nice things.”
–Ngo’s still got game: “Megan scored 13 points on five shots, and she had seven assists. She’s not quite back to where she was when the injury happened, but her focus, her leadership and just her basketball IQ – that didn’t go away, and if it’s possible to make somebody hungrier, that’s what the injury did to her. She was ready to play tonight, and we needed her.”
–A welcome addition: “Emilia Coleman is a special player, and we’re very fortunate she’s here. She filled up a stat sheet tonight. She played with high energy, and it was great to see her out there.”
–Props to Rock South: “I thought CR South played really well. They made 10 3s. A lot of credit to them for making the shots, but we have to get better defensively as well to not give opportunities for teams to make those shots.”
Council Rock South coach Steve Polinsky: “We played really well tonight against a talented, well-coached team. The outcome is not what we wanted, but it’s the best team game we played to date.”
Up next: Upper Dublin (1-0) will travel to Scranton Prep for a non-league game Saturday (2:30 pm). Council Rock South (1-2) will host Pennridge Tuesday in a non-league game.
Council Rock South 11-9-11-11 42
Upper Dublin 15-14-7-16 52
Council Rock South (42) – Bella Hettler 1 0-0 2; Sara Freeman 3 0-0 9; Lil Metrick 4 0-0 11; Kathryn O’Kane 4 2-4 12; Fiona Reckner 1 0-0 2; Emerson Gunther 2 0-0 6; TOTALS 15 2-2 42.
Upper Dublin (52) – Bridget DiMartile 2 0-2 6; Tamia Clark 3 1-1 7; Megan Ngo 4 4-4 13; Lexi Ngo 0 2-4 2; Emilia Coleman 6 3-6 17; Ella Morris 2 1-2 7; TOTALS 17 11-19 52.
3-point goals: CRS – Sara Freeman 3, Lil Metrick 3, Kathryn O’Kane 2, Emerson Gunther 2; UD – Bridget DiMartile 2, Emilia Coleman 2, Ella Morris 2, Megan Ngo.
UNIONVILLE 47, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 38
The Bucks – behind 10 points from Scarlett Baumgardner – took a tenuous 21-20 lead into halftime but then did not score a point in the third quarter.
The Longhorns took advantage, scoring 10 unanswered points to go on top 30-21 heading into the final frame that saw the two teams exchange baskets. Both teams scored 17 points in the frame with Baumgardner scoring eight of those, which included a pair of 3s.
Baumgardner’s 18 points included four 3-pointers and led all scorers.
Central Bucks coach Zach Sibel on the game: “It was a tough loss. We got down in the third quarter and were able to get the deficit down to three at one point in the fourth.
“The girls played with great effort. We are banged up at the moment, and other girls really stepped up. Scarlett Baumgardner was stellar again and really playing consistent basketball for us. She had a game high 18 points.
“We were really active on the defensive end and that really kept us going through the night. This group is right there, we just need to continue to battle and learn from each night. The start of our season is no joke when it comes to toughness and physicality, and the girls have responded well. We just need to find a way to limit the droughts and close out in crunch time. I have all the faith in the world that this group will do that behind some great player leadership.”
Up next: Central Bucks West (1-2) will travel to Neshaminy for a non-league game Friday.
Unionville 12-8-10-17 47
Central Bucks West 9-12-0-17 38
Unionville (47) – E.Johnson 2 0-0 4; S Magill 3 5-5 11; I. Dellabarba 4 0-2 10; A.D’Angelo 7 1-3 16; J.Bowman 0 2-4 2; E.Kucharczuk 1 0-0 2; A.Puleo 0 2-2 2; TOTALS 17 10-16 47.
Central Bucks West (38) – Erica Madden 0 2-2 2; Peyton Cramer 1 0-0 2; Miya McDaniel 2 0-3 5; Audra Lawson 0 1-2 1; Emily Ladley 2 0-0 6; Scarlett Baumgardner 7 0-0 18; Fallon Darrows 1 2-2 4; TOTALS 13 5-7 38.
3-point goals: U – DellaBarba 2, D’Angelo; CBW – Scarlett Baumgardner 4, Emily Ladley 2, Miya McDaniel.
WISSAHICKON 59, CHICHESTER 20
The Lady Trojans opened the season with a win against Chichester High School.
“The team played together and for each other, showcasing strong teamwork and determination,” Wissahickon coach Kathie Sims said. “The victory was a great start to what promises to be an exciting season.”
Notable performances included Kaitlyn Thompson, who finished the game with 13 points and eight rebounds, and Julia Lettieri, who added 10 points and two steals. Maura Jacob, Casey Burden, and Ava Stout contributed to the team’s defensive efforts with three steals and seven points each.
Up Next: Wissahickon (1-0) will face Pennridge Friday in the Pennridge Tournament (5 pm).
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