Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ basketball teams in action Monday.
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 47, MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 42
The Patriots raced out of the gate to an 18-4 lead after one quarter and led the wire to wire on their way to the non-league win.
“We got out to a big lead in the first quarter,” East coach Liz Potash said. “I’ve seen Mount play three times, and I knew it was going to be a closer battle.
“We were up 10 at the half, and then it was a two-possession game basically the entire second half. We were proud of the girls for just pulling the game out – not letting it get to a one-possession game and finding a way to win at the end because that is something we’ve struggled with the last couple games.”
In the 18-point first quarter, five players contributed scoring, and the Patriots were a perfect 5-5 from the foul line in the frame. They took a 28-18 lead into halftime, again benefitting from trips to the foul line.
The Mount didn’t go down quietly, outscoring its hosts 16-10 in the third quarter to make it a 38-34 game heading into a final quarter that saw the Patriots edge the Magic 9-8.
Anna Barry’s 12 points – which included a 5-for-6 effort at the foul line – led a balanced Patriot attack. Kendall Gregor added eight points, which included a 6-for-7 showing at the charity stripe. Natalie Berndt and Chantal Van Dongeren both had eight points.
For the game, the Patriots were 17-for-24 from the foul line.
“We had contributions all around,” Potash said. “We hit foul shots, Natalie Berndt hit a 3 with about two-and-a-half minutes to go to make it a two-possession game.
“Just really good play to beat a tough team. Their record is very deceiving because they played without two starters for six or seven games in the middle of their season. They were down their leading scorer (Lauren) Hoffman and they were down their points guard. We watched them play Gwynedd and beat Gwynedd by 20, so we knew it was a tough game.
“Honestly, just to be able to bring an end to that skid we had the last couple of games – it’s a really nice way to come back and beat a good team. We have to be ready tomorrow for another good team. We have North Penn to finish it out.”
Central Bucks East (15-6, 10-5 SOL) – 15th in the latest District 1 6A power rankings – will travel to North Penn for Tuesday’s SOL finale.
Mount St. Joseph 4-14-16-8 42
Central Bucks East 18-10-10-9 47
Mount St. Joseph (42) – Kiersten Pumilia 1 1-2 3; Lauren Hollman 4 0-1 10; Chloe McGrorty 1 0-0 3; Carlie Shouldis 2 0-0 4; Emily Birmingham 1 0-0 2; Georgia Pickett 6 4-7 16; Bridget Horgan 0 2-2 2; Addison Smith 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 16 7-12 42.
Central Bucks East (47) – Erin LeRay 2 1-2 5; Natalie Berndt 2 2-3 8; Shayne LeRay 1 0-1 3; Anna Barry 3 5-6 12; Chantal Van Dongeren 1 6-7 8; Kendall Gregor 4 2-3 10; Jess Lockwood 0 1-2 1; TOTALS 13 17-24 47.
3-point goals: MSJ – Lauren Hollman 2, Chloe McGrorty. CB East – Natalie Berndt 2, Shayne LeRay, Anna Barry.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 65, VILLA JOSEPH MARIE 44
Sparked by the 16-point effort of senior Karissa Smedley, the visiting Golden Hawks rolled to a decisive non-league win in a battle of neighboring schools. The win was significant for reasons that go well beyond the fact that it’s a rivalry game.
“This was a game we had to win to keep alive one of the goals we had coming into the season (playing in SOL Tournament), and it started off a little slow offensively,” coach Blair Klumpp said. “Our defensive effort was really good, but we didn’t score for the first three-and-a-half minutes or so. We were getting some good opportunities. Thankfully, our defensive effort was good from beginning. Two years ago, we went to Villa in a game that if we had won, we would’ve made playoffs (when the Covid season cut down the field to 20 teams), and we lost a close game. To our girls’ credit, they made sure we didn’t have a game that took us out of contention for one our goals since last season ended.”
The Golden Hawks led 11-6 after one quarter and then outscored their hosts 23-12 in the second to go into halftime with a 34-18 lead. A 22-11 third quarter extended their lead even further.
“I thought from the tip Smed, KP (Katie Purpura) and Fiona (Reckner) had energy and effort plays that jumped off the page,” Klumpp said. “Smed has been so good in the effort and energy plays for her whole career here. This year we have challenged the girls to find ways to impact the game when not scoring and have used her early as an example.
“KP has done a really great job of consistently bringing that every game. She’s talking thru defensive rotations and been really solid in all areas of the game. And Fiona has embraced doing those things daily in practice, and it’s translated to games for her over the last couple weeks too. Today was a game that shows when you are doing those things (deflections/50-50 balls, tipping balls out for extra possessions, diving on the floor) it can give you a chance to still win a game until the offense starts clicking. The offense got going a bit in the middle quarters.”
In addition to scoring 16 points, Smedley led the Hawks with seven rebounds. She also had two assists and was one of six players with two steals.
“Smed was once again very aggressive, and since the second half of Wissahickon, she was elevated her game to a different level,” Klumpp said. “I’m glad she’s staying in an aggressive mindset offensively because it makes us better and creates better opportunities for her teammates.”
Kat O’Kane added 13 points and two steals while Reckner was the third player in double figures with 12 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals. Purpura’s five assists led the Hawks. She also had six rebounds and two steals. Liliana Metrick added nine points on three 3-pointers. Jess Mangoni had five rebounds and two steals while Darcy Leight had four rebounds. Also contributing two steals was Cam Gregory.
“Fi has been scoring in a variety of ways and playing to her strengths depending on her matchups,” Klumpp said. “When we got going in the middle quarters, KP had some really high IQ plays (making extra pass) and great passes directly setting up teammates. Kat put some pressure on them by getting downhill which we have been emphasizing for her and Lil Metrick did a good job of getting her feet set and stepping into her shot.
“Once we gained that separation offensively, we did a really good job controlling the backboard. Jess did a good job off the bench rebounding for us, and as a group we did a good job limiting them to one shot and done once we had a sizable lead. Looking forward to recognizing our seniors versus Truman Tuesday night.”
Council Rock South (15-6, 9-6 SOL) will host Harry S Truman in Tuesday’s SOL finale.
Council Rock South 11-23-22-9 65
Villa Joseph Marie 6-12-11-15 44
Council Rock South (65) – Kathryn O’Kane 5 2-2 13; Sarah Freeman 1 0-0 2; Liliana Metrick 3 0-0 9; Maria Freeman 1 0-0 2; Miranda Cantor 1 1-2 3; Katie Purpura 1 0-0 2; Cam Gregory 0 4-4 4; Fiona Reckner 4 2-4 12; Karissa Smedley 7 1-1 16; Jess Mangoni 1 0-0 2; TOTALS 24 10-13 65.
Villa Joseph Marie (44) – Ott 2 0-0 5; Hess 1 0-0 3; Deal 2 0-0 6; Pizzica 3 0-0 6; Guston 1 0-3 2; Mack 1 2-6 4; Hourtman 1 0-0 2; Vizza 2 0-0 4; Guirizany 4 1-2 12; TOTALS 17 3-13 44.
3-point goals: CRS: Liliana Metrick 3, Fiona Reckner 2, Karissa Smedley, Kathryn O’Kane; VJM – Guirizany 3, Deal 2, Ott, Hess.
NESHAMINY 55, NAZARETH ACADEMY 31
The Redskins opened up a 19-7 lead after one quarter and stretched that to 33-14 by halftime. They never looked back on their way to the no-doubt-about-it non-league win.
“I was very happy with the focus the players had during the game,” Neshaminy coach John Gallagher said. “Each of them knows how important the game is tomorrow with Bensalem, but they did not allow themselves to look ahead and instead took care of business tonight.
“Our rotations out of our man defense were very good in the first half and even improved in the second half.”
In the 19-point first quarter, Lola Ibarrondo’s seven points led the way while Jess Purdy added six.
“The game started off quickly for Neshaminy with Jess Purdy continuing her hot streak from the 3-point line,” Gallagher said. “Jess connected on two 3’s in the first minute of the game.”
Ibarrondo’s 13 points – all in the first half – led a balanced attack. She also had three steals. Alena Cofield added 10 points and team-high five rebounds, and Taylor Gurysh celebrated her 18th birthday with nine points, two rebounds, two assists and three steals. Reese Zemitis added seven points, four rebounds, four blocked shots and two assists. Ava Irizarry and Purdy both had six points. Irizarry also had four rebounds. Lindsay Little had three rebounds and a team-high three assists.
“Alena Cofield went for a season high 10 points while grabbing four offensive rebounds in the first quarter,” Gallagher said. “The Lady Skins welcomed back senior Mimi Smith from a season long injury. Mimi played over four minutes, and her teammates and fans were happy to see her back on the court and contributing.
“Sophomores Reese Powers and Abby Rock played very well for Nazareth on both ends of the floor. Reese Powers was their tallest starter and did a great handling the ball against us. Abby Rock was able to play off of Powers and score ten points in three quarters of play.”
Neshaminy (16-5, 12-3 SOL) will host Bensalem in Tuesday’s SOL finale. A win will give the Redskins sole possession of first place in the SOL Patriot Division.
Nazareth Academy 7-7-9-8 31
Neshaminy 19-14-16-6 55
Nazareth Academy (31) – Power 2 0-0 4; Rock 4 0-0 10; Donohue 3 0-2 6; D’Alfonso 1 0-0 2; Garzone 1 0-0 2; Waller 2 1-2 5; Moher 0 2-2 2; TOTALS 13 3-6 31.
Neshaminy (55) – Jasmin Davis 1 0-0 2; Alena Cofield 5 0-0 10; Lola Ibarrondo 6 1-1 13; Taylor Gurysh 4 1-1 9; Ava Irizarry 2 1-2 6; Reese Zemitis 3 0-0 7; Jess Purdy 2 0-1 6; Lindsay Little 1 0-0 2; Anna Soska 0 0-2 0; TOTALS 24 3-7 55.
3-point goals: Nazareth – Rock 2; Neshaminy – Jess Purdy 2, Reese Zemitis, Ava Irizarry.
About the Author
