Check out the preview capsules for the eight SOL girls’ basketball teams in action in the District One AAAA Tournament on Saturday. Check back for recaps of all the games.
Eight SOL teams will be in action in the District One AAAA Tournament on Saturday. Four have already guaranteed themselves a spot in the state tournament and will be vying to earn a spot in the final four. Top-seeded North Penn will host eighth-seeded Central Bucks South. The Lady Knights won both regular season meetings between the two squads. Sixth-seeded Upper Dublin will be on the road at third-seeded Garnet Valley, and 10th-seeded Neshaminy will travel to 12th-seeded Downingtown East.
The stakes are higher for the four remaining SOL teams – all of whom find themselves in must-win situations. In an All-SOL battle, 10th-seeded Central Bucks West will host 18th-seeded Abington. One of the two will go home. Central Bucks East, the 24th-seeded squad, will travel to 17th-seeded Penn Wood, which will be facing its third straight SOL opponent. Council Rock North, the 28th seed, will be on the road at fourth-seeded Mount St. Joseph Academy for a rematch of a Dec. 12 contest that saw the Indians fall in overtime.
#8 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH at #1 NORTH PENN (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.)
North Penn
- 24-2 overall
- 14-0 SOL National Conference champions
- Defeated Central Bucks West 48-47 in overtime to capture the SOL Tournament title
- Balanced lineup includes six players who average between five and 12 points.
- Lady Knights are led by senior forward Mikaela Giuliani (11.92 ppg) and junior point guard Sam Carangi (10.63 ppg).
- Irisa Ye (9.33 ppg), Jess Huber (8.33 ppg), Bri Hewlett (7.5 ppg) and Mia Melchior (5.4 ppg) also are consistent offensive contributors.
- Regular season wins over #3 Garnet Valley (75-41), #6 Upper Dublin (42-35), #13 Neshaminy (44-39). Swept season series with #8 CB South (47-36 & 58-46), #10 CB West (63-51 & 49-46), #24 CB East (47-34 & 55-25) and #31 Pennridge (#50-40 & 59-43).
- Only losses came at the hands of #2 Perk Valley (69-50) in the opening game of the season and St. John’s College High School (66-44)
- 18-game winning streak to close out the regular season
How they got here:
- In Wednesday’s second round, the Lady Knights used a 22-6 second quarter tear to turn a two-point lead into a 34-16 halftime lead on their way to a 64-36 rout of 17th-seeded Penn Wood. Mikaela Giuliani (24 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots), Sam Carangi (18 points, six assists, four steals) and Jess Huber (12 points, five assists, three blocked shots) all turned in huge performances for the Lady Knights.
- In opening round action, the top-seeded Lady Knights made easy business of 32nd-seeded Penncrest, opening up a 41-7 halftime lead on their way to a 63-18 mercy rule win. Mikaela Giuliani scored a game-high 23 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau midway through the second quarter. Irisa Ye (11 points), Jess Huber (10 points) and Bri Hewlett (seven points) also contributed offensively
Central Bucks South
- 19-5 overall
- 11-3 SOL Continental Conference, tied with CB West for second place
- Regular season wins over #6 Upper Dublin (42-39), #13 Neshaminy (52-40), #18 Abington (49-38), #24 CB East (50-44 & 41-22), #31 Pennridge (58-53 & 67-32) and split season series with #10 CB West (36-38, 51-32)
- Led by seniors Jordan Vitelli (14.8 ppg) and Taylor Dunn (7.4)
How they got here:
- In second round action, Central Bucks South trailed 9-2 early but – thanks to Jordan Vitelli’s buzzer beater from well beyond the arc – took a 22-16 lead into halftime on its way to a 41-37 win over 24th-seeded Central Bucks East. Vitelli led a balanced attack with eight points while Meghan Kuypers added seven – all in a fourth quarter that saw the Titans open up a 12-point lead.
- In an opening round game, Central Bucks South received scoring from 11 players on the way to a 68-35 win over 25th-seeded Haverford. The Titans were led by Jordan Vitelli’s 17 points. Taylor Dunn (10 points), Mackenzie Ehresman (nine points) and Tricia DeCesare (eight points) also contributed.
#6 UPPER DUBLIN at #3 GARNET VALLEY (Saturday, 7 p.m.)
Upper Dublin
- 20-5 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champions
- Fourth conference title in as many years
- Point guard Allison Chernow averages 10.3 points and 5.3 assists to lead the Cardinals. Josie Barrett also averages in double figures.
- Regular season wins over #14 Spring-Ford (41-35), #16 Cheltenham (42-39 & 41-22), #19 Plymouth Whitemarsh (41-26 & 42-22), #22 Norristown (61-42 & 50-36) and #27 West Chester Rustin (56-28)
How they got here:
- In Wednesday’s second round game, Upper Dublin turned in a dazzling defensive effort, limiting Ches-Mont League champion Bishop Shanahan – the tournament’s 11th-seeded team – to just 23 points in a 37-23 win. Shanahan scored seven of those points in the final minute of the game when the starters for both teams were on the bench. Shanahan’s trio of Ciara Forde, Devon Adams and Courtney Warley average 35 points a game combined but managed just 13 combined in the loss. Ashley Barber and Demi Balasa limited Adams to just a three-pointer.
- In an opening round game, Upper Dublin sophomores Nicole Kaiser and Maggie Weglos provided a big lift in the Flying Cardinals’ 44-27 win over 27th-seeeded West Chester Rustin. Kaiser scored 12 points off the bench and Weglos added 10 for the Cardinals, who led 24-13 at halftime.
Garnet Valley
- 23-3 overall
- 17-1 Central League regular season champions
- Defeated Springfield-Delco 53-36 to capture Central League championship
- Led by senior Maddie Ireland, who surpassed the 1,000-point milestone in December.
- Lineup also includes a pair of talented freshmen in Emily McAteer, who averages 12.5 points a game, and Brianne Borcky, who averages around 10.
How they got here:
- In second round action, Garnet Valley defeated 14th-seeded Spring-Ford 66-57. Maddie Ireland was one of three players in double figures, finishing with 21 points, nine steals and four assists. Emily McAteer added 20 points, which included a 7-for-7 effort at the foul line. Nicole Barnes had 14 points. Sam Tomasetti had a big game on the board, finishing with 12 rebounds. The Jaguars buried 18-of-20 shots from the foul line.
- In Garnet Valley’s 60-45 opening round win over 30th-seeded Oxford, freshman Emily McAteer scored a career high 28 points to go along with 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. Maddie Ireland added 15 points, and freshman Brianne Borckey added nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.
#10 NESHAMINY at #12 DOWNINGTOWN EAST (Saturday, 7 p.m.)
Neshaminy
- 20-5 overall
- 14-0 SOL National Conference champions
- Regular season wins over #18 Abington (57-49 & 54-42) and #28 Council Rock North (49-45 & 37-36)
- Led by senior point guard Morgan Goldenbaum and junior Devon Storms
- Freshmen Allison Harvey, the team’s top scorer, and Brooke Mullin are also major contributors.
- Redskins are 20-2 after starting season 0-3.
How they got here:
- Neshaminy upset fourth-seeded Mount St. Joseph Academy 48-40 in a second round game, opening up a 26-19 halftime lead and never looking back. Devon Storms led the Redskins with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Freshman Brooke Mullin had 13 points and eight rebounds, and senior point guard Morgan Goldenbaum added seven points, nine rebounds and four assists.
- In an opening round game Friday, Neshaminy rode the big performance of freshman Brooke Mullin (16 points, seven rebounds, eight steals, four blocked shots and three assists) to a 48-31 win over #20 West Chester Henderson. The ‘Skins – who trailed 7-6 after one quarter – took an 18-15 lead into halftime and then outscored Henderson 30-16 in the second half. Freshman Allison Harvey added nine points.
Downingtown East
- 19-7 overall
- 9-2 Ches-Mont National Division
- Lost to Bishop Shanahan in Ches-Mont title game (42-39)
- Led by Paige Warfel, who has committed to play basketball at Quinnipiac University where she also will play softball. Warfel averages 15.1 points and 10 rebounds.
- Coach Tom Schurtz uses nine players. Laura Ochsner averages just 8.8 points a game while Aryah Aungst and Kate Krum have combined for 45 three-pointers. Lindsay Kent is the team’s top defender.
- Regular season wins over #7 Conestoga (43-40), #15 Great Valley (46-27 & 41-40), #21 Harriton (43-37), and split with #11 Bishop Shanahan (42-46 & 55-47) and #20 West Chester Henderson (55-57 & 41-35)
How they got here:
- In second round action, Downingtown East broke a 31-31 tie to earn a 43-37 win over 28th-seeded Council Rock North. Paige Warfel led the Cougars with 20 points, which included a 14-for-17 effort at the foul line.
- In opening round action, Downingtown East opened up a 25-11 halftime lead on its way to a 56-39 win over 21st-seeded Harriton. Paige Warfel (19 points), Laura Ochsner (14 points) and Aryah Aungst (11 points) all scored in double figures.
PLAYBACK GAMES
#18 ABINGTON at #10 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (Saturday, 6 p.m.)
Central Bucks West
- 18-8 overall
- 11-3 SOL Continental Conference, tied with CB South for second place
- Fell to #1 North Penn 48-47 in overtime in the SOL Tournament title game
- Senior Makenzie Mason is averaging close to 13 points a game and junior Maggie Rakowsky is averaging 9.5 points a game while freshman Tori Abelson averages 8.5 points.
- Regular season wins over #6 Upper Dublin (28-25), #13 Neshaminy (58-44), #24 CB East (46-33 & 41-33), #31 Pennridge (56-41 & 51-37) and split season series with #8 CB South (38-36 & 51-32).
How they got here:
- In Wednesday’s second round, Central Bucks West opened up a 28-23 halftime lead but was outscored 28-15 in the second half in a 51-43 loss to seventh-seeded Conestoga. Freshman Tori Abelson led the Bucks with 12 points while Makenzie Mason added 10 and Maggie Rakowsky had nine.
- In an opening round contest, Central Bucks West defeated 23rd-seeded Kennett 53-38. The Bucks led 32-24 at halftime and took a 45-30 lead into the final quarter. Senior Makenzie Mason (16 points, six rebounds, four steals) and junior Maggie Rakowsky (11 points, six rebounds, four steals) led the way. Freshman Tori Abelson added eight points and 11 rebounds.
Abington
- 17-7 overall
- 12-2 SOL National Conference second place
- Led by junior Lizzie O’Leary (11.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg), senior Sammy Lochner (10.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.1 spg), sophomore Sam Brusha (8.1 ppg) and senior Leah Simmons (7.7 ppg).
- Swept regular season series with #28 Council Rock North (53-34 & 56-45)
- Played a tough December schedule that included competing in the She Got Game Classic in Washington, D.C., and the Cardinal O’Hara Holiday tournament.
How they got here:
- Abington scored just 13 points in the second and third quarters combined in Wednesday’s second round 52-39 loss to second-seeded Perkiomen Valley. Senior Sammy Lochner led the Ghosts with 12 points while Lizzie O’Leary and Sam Brusha each added nine.
- In an opening round contest, Abington raced to an 18-2 lead on its way to a 51-25 rout of #15 Great Valley. The Ghosts received monster performances from their bigs – Leah Simmons (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Lizzie O’Leary (12 points, 15 rebounds). Sammy Lochner added seven points.
#24 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST at PENN WOOD (Saturday, 6 p.m.)
Central Bucks East
- 13-11 overall
- 7-7 SOL Continental Conference fourth place
- Regular season wins over #6 Upper Dublin (36-32), #13 Neshaminy (44-34) and #31 Pennridge (56-47 & 43-26)
- Led by junior Bri Talbot (9.2 ppg), junior Bridget Birkhead (7.6 ppg) and senior captain Kyra Scaliti (6.4)
How they got here:
- In Wednesday’s second round, Central Bucks East opened up an early seven-point lead but saw eighth-seeded Central Bucks South rally to go on top 22-16 at halftime on its way to a 41-37 win. Kyra Scaliti and Bri Talbot both had nine points, and Grace Stewart added eight.
- Central Bucks East pulled off the upset of ninth-seeded Springfield-Delco, earning a 45-33 win in an opening round game. Senior Kyra Scaliti led the Patriots with a double-double that included 15 points and 11 rebounds. Bri Talbot and Bridget Birkhead both added nine points and Grace Stewart had eight.
Penn Wood
- 17-7 overall
- 8-0 Delaware Valley champion
- Led by senior forward Dahnye Redd, who averages over 20 points a game
- Regular season wins over #12 Downingtown East (62-61) and #29 Radnor (55-45)
How they got here:
- In second round action, Penn Wood trailed by just two after one quarter but was outscored 37-14 in the second and third quarters in a 64-36 loss to top-seeded North Penn. Dahnye Redd led the way with 18 points while Carle Andrews added seven.
- In an opening round game, Penn Wood, the 17th seed, defeated 16th-seeded Cheltenham 68-27. The win avenged a regular season 67-60 loss to the Lady Panthers as well as last year’s first round exit from districts at the hands of Cheltenham. Senior Dahnye Redd led all scorers with 25 points while Joy Morton and Carle Andrews both added 18 points.
#28 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at #4 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY (Saturday, 3 p.m.)
Council Rock North
- 13-10 overall
- 10-4 SOL National Conference third place
- Balanced scoring attack led by Becca Margolis (8.6 ppg) and Mackenzie Tinner (7.5 ppg)
- Regular season 50-47 loss to #4 Mount St. Joseph in overtime in a contest that saw senior Libby Tacka lead all scorers with 19 points.
How they got here:
- In second round action, Council Rock North hung tough against 12th-seeded Downingtown East but fell 43-37. Becca Margolis (nine points) and Dana Bandurick (eight points) led the Indians.
- Council Rock North pulled off the upset of the opening round, sending fifth-seeded Boyertown home for the season with a 40-27 win. The Indians trailed 12-9 at halftime but used a 15-6 third quarter to seize control of the game. Sophomore point guard Becca Margolis led the Indians with 18 points while Megan Haggerty added nine.
Mount St. Joseph Academy
- 20-6 overall
- Finished second in Catholic Academies to Gwynedd Mercy in regular season
- Lost to Gwynedd Mercy 35-28 in the Catholic Academies title game
- Led by 1,000-point scorer Libby Tacka, who has committed to Army, and Philadelphia University-bound Caitlyn Cunningham
- Regular season wins over #27 West Chester Rustin (55-19), #28 Council Rock North (50-47 OT) and split regular season series with District One AAA top seed Gwynedd Mercy (50-43 & 27-36)
How they got here:
- In a second round game, the Mount was upset by 10th-seeded Neshaminy 48-40. Libby Tacka (13 points) and Caitlyn Cunningham (11 points) led the Magic.
- The Mount defeated #29 Radnor 52-40 in an opening round game. Libby Tacka led the way with 18 points, and Caitlyn Cunningham added 11.
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