Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Saturday.
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 57, WILLIAM TENNENT 48
The Titans found themselves on the short end of a 25-19 score at halftime but rallied with a big second half, outscoring the Panthers 38-23 after the intermission in a half that included 28 trips to the foul line.
“I was proud of our effort to put together the second half we did after a tough loss last night,” said South coach Beth Mattern, whose teams was coming off a loss to Central Bucks East.
The Titans erased their six-point half deficit with a 24-15 third quarter. Jules Tropea was a catalyst in the quarter with 10 points, which included a 4-for-6 effort at the foul line. Casey Balkir added five points.
In the fourth quarter, the Titans had just one field goal but outscored the Panthers 14-8, thanks to a 12-for-16 showing at the charity stripe.
“This was a tough loss, but I’m really proud of our effort and how hard we competed for 40 minutes,” Tennent coach Laura Whitney said. “The game was closer than the score indicates. CB South made a few more plays late in the game, but really it came down to free throws. Twelve of their 14 fourth quarter points came from the line, and 28 of their game high 34 free throws came in the second half.
“It was the second straight game that we had a really good start and our defense is starting to trend in the right direction. We’re beginning to see signs of what we can be as a team. Our defensive intensity is getting better, and everyone is engaged and active. Unfortunately, our crutch has been slow third quarters and either giving up the lead or allowing teams to get back in the game. We had some sloppy turnovers and offensive possessions where we didn’t execute as well. A lot of that is credit to CB South. Beth does a great job of preparing her team and they play with a toughness and make things difficult.”
Julies Tropea led the Titans with a game-high 17 points, and Mia Klein added 13. Yoyo Samayoa had 11 points while Balkir and Ella Wheeler both had eight.
For the Panthers, Avery Kocur had another big game, connecting on four 3-pointers and leading Tennent with 16 points. Halie Staub added 13 points, and Morgan Volz also was in double figures with 10.
“Our girls battled and answered their runs, but we came up just a bit short,” Whitney said. “We had great scoring balance and everyone contributed. It was the second straight game where I thought Katherine Balibar gave us some quality minutes off the bench, especially since we were dealing with foul trouble.
“Obviously, you want to win every game, but I love that we are competing and in close games. The more we can be in those situations the more we can grow and get better at closing out games.”
Central Bucks South (2-2, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks West on Tuesday, and William Tennent (1-4, 1-1) will be on the road at Cheltenham on Tuesday.
William Tennent 11-14-15-8 48
Central Bucks South 12-7-24-14 57
William Tennent (48) – Katherine Balibar 2 0-0 4; Ella Mednick 1 0-0 3; Avery Kocur 5 2-2 16; Halie Staub 4 5-9 13; Jess Whisler 1 0-2 2; Morgan Volz 5 0-0 10; TOTALS 18 7-13 48.
Central Bucks South (57) – Ella Wheeler 1 6-10 8; Casey Balkir 2 3-4 8; Jules Tropea 5 7-10 17; Yoyo Samayoa 3 5-6 11; Mia Klein 5 3-4 13; TOTALS 16 24-34 57.
3-point goals: WT – Avery Kocur 4, Ella Mednick; CBS – Casey Balkir.
UPPER DUBLIN 31, SCRANTON PREP 30
After winning their first two games by an average of 40 points, the Flying Cardinals knew Saturday’s game against a strong Scranton Prep squad would be a different story.
They were right.
This one came down to the wire, and it took a huge Amy Ngo steal and foul shot with 4.8 seconds to break a 30-30 tie and propel the Cardinals to the dramatic win.
“It was a really exciting win,” UD coach Morgan Funsten said. “Megan Ngo hit a three with 1:15 to go when we were down by three to tie it up. They basically held for the last shot, and with 12 seconds to go, they called a timeout in a tie game.
“We had two team fouls, and with the new foul rule, we knew we had two fouls to give, so we knew we could be aggressive. They threw a pass right around half court. The girl caught it – we weren’t in deny, and Amy went for a steal, and she got it clean. She went in for a layup and got fouled with 4.8 seconds to go.”
The drama didn’t end there as the usually reliable Ngo missed the first shot.
“You’re talking about a 90 percent foul shooter, and after she missed that shot, she was 0-for-3 from the line,” Funsten said. “I reversed iced her – I called a timeout as her own coach. I’m like – everything is backwards right now. Let me call a timeout and let’s see how this works out. She made the second shot. The last four seconds were very dramatic.
“I thought Scranton Prep’s end-of-game management was great. They called timeout and set up a play to throw it to halfcourt to call another timeout to advance it. They also knew we were going to take fouls. They ended up getting an underneath out of bounds play with two seconds to go. A lot of credit to them for the way they executed at the end of the game. Fortunately, we did a nice job of defending it, forced a tough shot. The game had a combination of a playoff feel and first-game feel – playoff intensity and first game mistakes, but we’re definitely excited to come out with a win.”
The game was the third of the season for both squads.
“It had big first-game-of-the-year type of feel to it,” Funsten said. “Scranton Prep had come off two lopsided wins themselves, so for both teams, it definitely felt like a first game.
“Fortunately, we were able to scrimmage O’Hara before the season, and especially our inexperienced players got a nice little taste of what big time basketball is. Also, we have four girls returning who played really important roles on the team last year who experienced a lot of success, especially towards the end of the year.”
The Cardinals took an early 7-3 lead, but Scranton Prep rallied to go on top 9-7. UD evened the score when Tamia Clark scored on a putback at the buzzer to end the opening quarter.
“It was back and forth – it was basically a one-possession game the whole time,” Funsten said. “We got up a little early in the first quarter. We’re trying to play at a different pace this year, and unfortunately, we committed eight fouls in the first quarter, and everybody was in foul trouble, and we could no longer try to play at that pace.
“Scranton Prep scored nine points in the first quarter – 9-for-10 from the foul line. We didn’t give up a field goal, but we were fouling them over and over again. That’s something – if we want to play at a faster pace, we can’t do that. Unfortunately, that restricted the amount we could press the rest of the game because we were in so much foul trouble.”
Scranton Prep opened up a 14-9 lead, but an Amy Ngo three – the only points of the second quarter for UD – made it a 14-12 game at halftime. It was still a two-point game heading into the final quarter when the Cardinals battled back.
“Scranton Prep has a lot of girls returning from the team that lost in the state semis last year in 4A,” Funsten said. “Their best player and leading scorer, Maya Jenkins, scored 43 points combined in her first two games. Megan Ngo played her, and she did an awesome job and held her to four points. Both of her field goals were in the fourth quarter. Meg did a great job just making her feel uncomfortable all day.
“It was an absolute team effort, especially on the defensive end. I thought both teams played great defense. The Brady sisters (Brighid and Nora) and the Ngo sisters (Amy and Megan) – their experience from last year really, really showed up today and helped bring along Tamia (Clark) and (Bridget) DiMartile. They’re going to be special players – they’re special athletes, and a game like today – although it was uncomfortable for both of them coming in as freshmen – is only going to make them better as long as they use it as a learning tool. I told them afterwards, ‘You guys are going to pull us through some other games, but today your teammates pulled you through.’”
Megan’s Ngo’s 13 points led the Cardinals. She also shared the team lead with seven rebounds. Amy Ngo added seven points and seven rebounds as well as two assists and three steals.
Upper Dublin (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Abington on Tuesday.
Scranton Prep 9-5-8-8 30
Upper Dublin 9-3-8-11 31
Scranton Prep (30) – Ashlyn Moore 3 2-3 10; Maya Jenkins 2 0-0 4; Claire McGrath 1 3-4 5; Jenna Hildebrand 1 2-2 5; Bella Dennebaum 2 2-2 6; TOTALS 9 9-11 30.
Upper Dublin (31) – Brighid Brady 2 0-0 5; Bridget DiMartile 1 0-0 2; Megan Ngo 5 1-4 13; Tamia Clark 2 0-0 4; Amy Ngo 2 1-4 7; TOTALS 12 2-8 31.
3-point goals: Scranton Prep – Ashlyn Moore 2, Jenna Hildebrand; UD – Megan Ngo 2, Amy Ngo 2, Brighid Brady.
PENNRIDGE 47, BOYERTOWN 23
It’s been quite a weekend for Layla Verbit.
Less than 24 hours after igniting the Lady Rams with 21 points in their win over Souderton, the junior was back at it again. This time, Verbit torched the Bears for 20 points. In both games, she connected on five 3-pointers. That’s 10 3s in two games if you’re keeping track for a player whose name many might not have heard of before Friday night.
“She was a swing player last season – great kid, plays hard,” Pennridge coach Jason Rapp said. “I don’t think anyone saw back-to-back 20-point games from her. I’m really happy for her.”
In the first quarter, Ella Brown got the ball rolling with a pair of 3s. Verbit added a three and had four points for the Rams, who led 10-8.
Verbit went to work in the second quarter, connecting on a pair of 3s and scoring eight points as the Rams outscored their visitors 13-3 to go into halftime with a 23-11 advantage. The Rams added to their lead in the second half, outscoring the Bears 24-12.
In addition to Verbit, Brown added 16 points, which included four 3-pointers in a contest that saw the Rams bury 11 3s and connect on just five 2-point buckets.
“It was a solid effort from our girls today on a quick turnaround,” Rapp said. “The game was a little choppy, but the girls really defended well and made Boyertown work on offense.”
Pennridge (4-1, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks East on Tuesday.
Boyertown 8-3-8-4 23
Pennridge 10-13-13-11 47
Boyertown (23) – Isla Greaves 3 0-0 7; Madelyn Weaver 4 0-2 11; Samantha Sobeck 1 0-0 2; Callie Wieber 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 9 0-2 23.
Pennridge (47) – Ella Brown 6 0-0 16; Ava Fantaskey 2 0-0 5; Emily DeHaven 1 0-0 3; N Rindone 0 1-1 1; A Smith 0 2-4 2; Layla Verbit 7 1-2 20; TOTALS 16 4-8 47
3-point goals: Boyertown – Madelyn Weaver 3, Isla Greaves, Callie Wieber; Pennridge – Layla Verbit 5, Ella Brown 4, Ava Fantaskey, Emily DeHaven.
PENNSBURY 54, NAZARETH ACADEMY 39
The visiting Falcons took a 25-20 lead into halftime and added to that in the second half on their way to the non-league win. Daniella MacDonald and Sofia Vitucci combined for 30 points to lead the Falcons.
“Nazareth came out very aggressive from the jump and never let up until the final buzzer,” Pennsbury assistant coach Kaitlin Kelly said. “This initially caused us some issues, and it was a close game going into the half.
“Reese Power is a tough player and led all scorers at the first half with 11 points. Our defense was better in the second half, only allowing Power to get two points for the remainder of the game. We then stepped up our offense by connecting passes, finding shooters, and crashing the offensive boards to get second chance opportunities.”
MacDonald’s 16 points – 10 in the first half – led the Falcons and included four 3-pointers. Vitucci added 14 points – 10 in the second half. Layla Matthias stuffed the stat sheet with six points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five deflections. Ava Jordan also had six points on a pair of 3s.
“Mac was 100 percent from the arc, knocking down four 3s,” Kelly said. “Layla Matthias found her on a lot of those and finished the game with five assists.
“Now we just have to remain focused and keep up the intensity for our tough week ahead in the SOL.”
Pennsbury (3-1, 1-1 SOL) will host Bensalem on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 11-14-10-19 54
Nazareth Academy 9-11-5-14 39
Pennsbury (54) – Emily Panaro 0 2-2 2; Layla Mathias 3 0-3 6; Danielle Sherman 1 2-4 5; Maggie Burns 0 2-2 2; Sofia Vitucci 6 2-3 14; Daniella MacDonald 6 0-0 16; Joley Hohman 1 1-2 3; Ava Jordan 2 0-0 6; TOTALS 19 9-24 54.
Nazareth Academy (39) – Reese Power 5 3-4 13; Abby Rock 4 1-2 11; Rileigh Donohoe 1 1-2 4; Natalie D’Alfonso 2 0-2 5; Grace Sullivan 3 0-1 6; TOTALS 15 5-11 39.
3-point goals: Pennsbury – Daniella MacDonald 4, Ava Jordan 2, Danielle Sherman; Nazareth – Abby Rock 2, Rileigh Donohoe, Natalie D’Alfonso.
WEST CHESTER RUSTIN 38, UPPER MORELAND 32 (OT)
The Golden Bears found themselves on the short end of a 22-17 score heading into the fourth quarter when they rallied to knot the score. Rustin – which upped its record to 4-0 – outscored the Golden Bears 11-5 in the extra time.
“It was a hard-fought game between two good teams,” UM coach Josh Adelman said. “It was a real defensive battle with some clutch shooting from both teams. Down in regulation 27-24, Lianna Adames, who scored a team high 13 points, nailed a three-pointer at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime.
“A few costly turnovers hurt us in overtime, and West Chester Rustin hit some crucial shots and made enough free throws to win the game. This game will help us in the future, as we continue to grow as a team.”
In addition to Adames – who buried a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, Mikel Lancit had eight points while Holly Gohl and Lilly Hansen each scored five points.
Upper Moreland (2-3, 1-1 SOL) will host Pottsgrove in a non-league game on Monday.
West Chester Rustin 4-9-9-5-11 38
Upper Moreland 6-5-6-10-5 32
West Chester Rustin (38) – Jenna Kraft 0 4-4 4; Gia DiMichele 6 2-2 17; Ella Battersby 0 1-2 1; Kailey Barry 1 3-4 5; Sara Betchyk 1 1-6 3; Riley Stackhouse 3 1-2 8; TOTALS 11 12-20 38.
Upper Moreland (32) – Mikel Lancit 2 4-6 8; Lianna Adames 5 0-0 13; Marie Meyers 0 1-2 1; Lilly Hansen 2 1-2 5; Holly Gohl 2 0-0 5; 11 6-10 32.
3-point goals: Rustin – Gia DiMichele 3, Riley Stackhouse; UM – Lianna Adames 3, Holly Gohl.
SOUTHERN LEHIGH 40, QUAKERTOWN 33
Ava Pistone turned in a glittering 25-point effort to keep the Panthers in Saturday’s game at Southern Lehigh. Included in that standout effort were two 3-pointers and a perfect 7-for-7 effort at the foul line.
“Ava Pistone had a fantastic game,” Quakertown coach Brittany Bamford said. “She literally played her guts out today. She not only dominated bringing the ball up and had the composure to beat the press, she was also our main offensive threat, attacking the basket and knocking down shots.
“On the other end, she was pressuring on defense and had five steals. She was our consistent scorer, scoring at least six points or more each quarter. Her leadership on the court is also something to commend.”
Truly Heft accounted for eight points as the duo combined for all of Quakertown’s points.
“Another senior that stepped up for us was Truly Heft,” Bamford said. “She set some beautiful screens for Ava and then also was able to finish when Ava dished it to her. Truly also finished with seven rebounds.
“They were fouling Truly a lot today, and they didn’t quite make the calls that we are used to down our way so she would have gone to the line more which would have changed the momentum of the game.”
The Panthers led 9-5 after one quarter but trailed 19-15 at halftime. Southern Lehigh outscored its visitors 15-6 in the third quarter and then held off the Panthers – who closed out the game with a 12-6 fourth quarter surge – the rest of the way.
“Addyson Davis also had seven rebounds,” Bamford said. “I only rotated in seven girls today, so our girls were gassed. Playing three games a week is certainly going to get our girls in shape and hopefully ready to go once we play teams that are more comparable to us.
“We needed this win against Southern Lehigh today as it has been a rough start. I’m hopeful we can keep learning from our mistakes as we have little by little to get the success these girls deserve in the future.”
Quakertown (0-5, 0-2 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon on Tuesday.
Quakertown 9-6-6-12 33
Southern Lehigh 5-14-15-6 40
Quakertown (33) – Ava Pistone 7 7-7 25; Truly Heft 4 0-2 8; TOTALS 11 7-9 33.
Southern Lehigh (40) – Cassidy Clausniter 6 0-0 12; Allison Bodner 5 1-2 12; Piper Gluck 1 0-0 2; Reese MacIntosh 1 0-0 2; Taylor McDonald 0 0-2 0; Lila Padden 0 0-4 0; Tessa Seagreaves 5 0-0 12; TOTAL 18 1-8 40.
3-point goals: Quakertown – Ava Pistone 4; Southern Lehigh – Allison Bodner 3.
NORWIN 58, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 24
The Bucks ran into a strong Norwin squad on day two of the State College Tournament. Norwin opened up a 20-9 lead after one quarter on its way to the win.
Scarlett Baumgardner’s 10 points – which included a pair of 3s – led the Bucks.
Central Bucks West (1-5, 0-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks South on Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 9-5-3-7 24
Norwin 20-18-11-9 58
Central Bucks West (24) – Gabi Senior 2 0-0 4; Peyton Cramer 0 3-4 3; Addy Fay 0 1-2 1; Emily Ladley 1 0-0 3; Gabby Reichner 1 1-2 3; Scarlett Baumgardner 3 2-4 10; 7 7-12 24.
Norwin (58) – Averi Brozeski 1 0-0 2; Bailey Snowberger 3 0-0 8; Kendall Berger 1 0-0 2; Elizabeth Yarosik 1 0-0 2; Ava Kobus 4 0-0 11; Alexa Kobus 1 0-0 3; Bella Furno 3 0-0 8; Ava Christopher 1 0-0 2; Lauren Palangio 6 1-2 14; Alexi Heller 2 2-5 6; TOTALS 23 3-7 58.
3-point goals: CBW – Scarlett Baumgardner 2, Emily Ladley; Norwin – Bailey Snowberger 2, Ava Kobus 3, Bella Furno 2, Lauren Palangio, Alexa Kobus.
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 45, LEHIGH VALLEY ACADEMY 24
Twelve players contributed scoring for the Lions, who opened up an early lead and never looked back.
Izzy Elizondo’s nine points led the Lions. Naava Richlin added seven while Elena Shire had six points.
New Hope-Solebury (3-2, 0-2 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Tuesday.
Lehigh Valley Academy 0-11-6-7 24
New Hope-Solebury 26-2-13-4 45
Lehigh Valley Academy (24) – Prestol 3 0-0 9; Gilmore 1 0-0 2; Smith 5 1-1 11; Rivera 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 10 1-1 24.
New Hope-Solebury (45) – Kayla Fennel 2 0-0 4; Ella Dudick 1 0-0 2; Izzy Elizondo 3 2-2 9; Nina Meixler 1 0-0 2; Emily Wilson 1 0-0 2; Sami McAndrew 1 0-0 3; Elena Shire 3 0-1 6; Naava Richlin 3 0-0 7; Isha Mukkherjee 1 0-0 2; Devon Maguire 1 0-0 2; Bianca Elizondo 1 0-0 2; Julia Formela 2 0-0 4; TOTALS 20 2-3 45.
3-point goals: LVA – Prestol 3; NH-S – Izzy Elizondo, Sami McAndrew Naava Richlin.
HARRITON 50, HATBORO-HORSHAM 17
The young Hatters fell in a road game to the Rams.
“We had a tough time getting things going this afternoon against Harriton, starting three freshmen,” assistant coach Nicole Miletto said. “We struggled in more areas than we’d like. This is tough two-week stretch for us and being down a couple of girls who we count on for leadership hurt us today.”
Hatboro-Horsham (1-2, 1-1) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday.
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