By Scott Huff
Chester.
The Clippers are the defending PIAA state champion and are also the #1 seed in the District One Tournament. And when the #32nd seeded North Penn Knights made the trek to Chester County, it was assumed to be a walkover for the powerful Clippers.
That assumption would be incorrect.
Chester (20-3) needed every bit of its athleticism to hold off North Penn, 40-34. The season ends for the Knights (11-12), but not until after pushing the state champs to the brink of elimination.
“We were down by only two points with 5:40 left in the game,” said North Penn coach Ron Hassler. “It was game that really either team could win. We had our shot.”
The North Penn game plan really didn’t deviate all that much from how the Knights played everyone else this season. Patience on the offensive end – hard work on the defensive end.
“We had an intense week of practice,” said Hassler. “We wanted to slow down the tempo of the game, and we were able to do that.
“They got to the point where they stood around a lot,” added Hassler. “We took them out of their game early, and that took their fans out of the game.”
North Penn closed to within a field goal of the Clippers, but could never make that huge playthat would have created a huge upset.
Derek Brooks led the Knights in scoring with 13 points, while Adam Jones scored eight markers.
Hassler – who is the proud owner of 500 career victories – was very proud of the final performance of his first North Penn Knight team.
“We didn’t win the game,” said Hassler. “But is without question our best game of the year.”
Against Chester.
Souderton will get its shot against the highly touted Clippers this week. The Indians (15-8) advanced with a first round PIAA District One playoff victory over host Upper Darby (14-7) – 65-51.
“The big thing is that you can’t show fear when you walk through the door of their gym,” said Souderton coach Perry Engard. “We beat a good Upper Darby team, but playing Chester at their place is exponentially tougher.”
But Engard and the Big Red believe it can be done. Last year Souderton pulled off a miracleous victory over host Reading before a huge and hostile crowd.
“The coaches and the players all realize that Chester is the state champ, and we’re playing in their house,” said Engard. “But anything is possible.”
Souderton [#17 seed] advanced to the Chester game due to a terrific performance against Upper Darby [#16 seed]. A.J. Picard led the Big Red with 26 points, while Jake Metz added 12. The Connolly boys – Jimmy and Kyle – scored 11 and nine points respectively.
“It really took a team effort,” said Engard. “Jimmy wasn’t feeling too well, and both A.J. and Jake stepped up their games and got us to the next round.”
Against Chester.
And the Winners are …
Neshaminy (15-8) pulled the seeding upset with a 58-50 win over host Penncrest (18-5). The Redskins were the #23 seed, while Penncrest was seeded #10.
“A big part of this win was that we were very well prepared to play them,” said Neshaminy coach Jerry Devine. “Our scouts got us ready for whatever they were going to throw at us. And we were able to execute the game plan.”
Neshaminy earned a second round playoff date with Plymouth Whitemarsh. The Skins opened the season against PW – and lost 74-54.
“We are a totally different team than the one that played them the first time,” said Devine. “Paul Carrezola was still on the football team, Justin Deeter was playing his first game back from an injury, and we really didn’t know what we had in Ryan (Arcidiacano).”
That trio played a huge part in the Neshaminy victory over Penncrest. Arcidiacano – the freshman guard – led the Skins with a 20 point outing. Deeter added 14 points, while Carrezola led the team in rebounding and had nine points.
“I think that is was a great experience for us in that first game because we got a chance to play in that charged atmosphere,” said Devine. “Plymouth Whitemarsh is a good team – but so are we.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (20-3) was less than impressive in its opening round win over visiting Methacton (12-9), 69-55.
The Colonials entered the game as the #7 seed, while the Warriors were the #26 seed.
“Higher seeds get beat – every week,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Jim Donofrio. “This team is going to have to remember that.
“We have a lot of talent on this team,” added Donofrio. “Sometimes I get a little impatient with how we play – but I have to remember that the game is long, and we have some time on our side.”
The Colonials were led in scoring by sophomore Jaylen Bond who scored a game-high 18 points. Whis Grant hit some big treys and finished with 12 points, while Joe Hughes finished in double figures with 10 points.
Bensalem (18-5) survived a late game rally by Great Valley (17-6) to defeat the Patriots by a 38-36 score.
“We have played a lot of close games this year, and we won all but one of them,” said Bensalem coach John Mullin. “They did a great job of spreading us out and slowing us down. Plus we didn’t shoot the ball all that well, either.”
Bensalem [#14 seed] was led in scoring by Corey Canestrare with 11 points. Rob Schreiber added seven points for the winners. Great Valley was seeded #19.
Next is a date with powerful Penn Wood (20-3). Penn Wood [#3 seed] clocked Chichester by a 70-30 score in a first round game.
“Penn Wood is very talented, and we’re going to have to play them like Great Valley played us,” said Mullin. “Limit their possessions and slow the game down. That really hasn’t been our style, but with the guards we have, I’m sure we can do it.”
Central Bucks South (20-3) received a spectacular 33-point scoring performance from Will Barrett as the Titans defeated visiting Avon Grove (14-9) by a 68-52 score.
“Will really stepped it up in the offseason and dedicated himself to being a better post player,” said CB South coach Jason Campbell. “Now he is tough to guard everywhere on the floor.”
Ryan Clark also scored in double digits for the Titans [#5 seed]. Avon Grove was seeded # 28.
Next on the agenda for CB South is Glen Mills (16-6). The Battlin’ Bulls gouged Rock North, 62-54.
“They are much better than a #12 seed,” said Campbell. “But if we do the little things right, and come prepared, we can beat them.”
Central Bucks West (18-5) had very little difficulty in beating visiting Radnor (14-9) – 60-31 – in its first round contest.
“When you get to this point, all you worry about is winning,” said CB West coach Adam Sherman. “It would have been a long off season if we hadn’t been able to beat Radnor.”
The Bucks [#11 seed] led Radnor [#22 seed] by a 33-11 margin at halftime. Rellis Reichwein finished the game with six treys and a game-high 20 points.
West will now have to play the #6 seed – Lower Merion.
“Our game plan is really simple,” said Sherman. “Either score more points than them, or have them score less points that us.”
Norristown (18-5) received another stellar scoring effort by Khalif Wyatt as the host Eagles defeated Spring-Ford (12-10) by a 65-55 margin.
Wyatt – who is headed for Temple University in the fall – scored a game-high 18 points.
“To be honest, we expected more from our players,” said Norristown coach Mike Evans. “We need to play hard for all four quarters. We can’t play like this against the higher echelon teams and win.
“We went through the motions, at times,” added Evans. “When we play our style of basketball, we can be dangerous.”
Norristown [#9 seed] will now face West Chester Rustin [#8 seed] in the next round.
Pennsbury (20-3) came up with an expected win over visiting Council Rock South (11-12), 76-45.
Also expected was a 23-point outing by senior Dalton Pepper and a 13-point performance by Eddie DiRugeris. Unexpected was a trio of treys by freshman Kieran Bolger.
“If we had a spot for Kieran on the floor, he would be as well known as the other freshman in the area,” said Pennsbury coach Frank Sciola. “He can shoot the basketball.”
Pennsbury [#4 seed] will now host Owen J Roberts [#13 seed]. The Wildcats advanced with a 65-53 first round victory over Downingtown West.
Exit Door
In addition to North Penn, there were five other Suburban One League teams that were ushered out of the PIAA District One playoffs in the first round.
Council Rock North (13-10) had its season come to a close in a 62-54 loss to Glen Mills (16-6).
The Indians [#21 seed] trailed by 11 at the half, but outscored the Bulls [#12 seed] 34-31 in the second half. Andrew Stress and Dan Costello led Rock North with 16 points each.
Central Bucks East (14-9) was tied 17-17 after the first period, but trailed by seven at the half and lost to West Chester Rustin (21-2), 62-50.
The Patriots [#25 seed] were led in scoring by Brandon Boekel with 18 points and Chris Harmon with 17 markers. Rustin [#8 seed] meets Norristown in the next round.
Cheltenham (12-11) actually led Conestoga (22-1) at the half, 19-17, but was outscored 24-8 in the third period of its 53-35 loss.
Rob Mansell led the Panthers [#31 seed] with 16 points, while Christian Santos added 14 points. The Pioneers [#2 seed] were led by Jake Cohen with 19 points.
Council Rock South (11-12) was destined to have its 2008-2009 record fall below .500 as the Golden Hawks were shot down by Pennsbury (20-3), 76-45.
Rock South [#29 seed] failed to have a single player reach double figures against the talented Falcons [#4 seed]. Tim Boyd and Cody Nowlin led the Hawks with nine points each.
Quakertown (10-13) played Lower Merion (19-4) tough in the first period and trailed the Aces 13-10. However, Lower Merion [#6 seed] outscored the Panthers [#27 seed] 21-1 in the second period and coasted to a 48-28 win.
Q-town’s Brett Roseboro – headed to Marquette University in the fall – finished the game, the season, and his career with the Panthers by scoring team-high nine points.
SuburbanOneSports.com’s Great Eight
1. Pennsbury Falcons (20-3)
2. Central Bucks South Titans (20-3)
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (20-3)
4. Norristown Eagles (18-5)
5. Bensalem Owls (18-5)
6. Central Bucks West Bucks (18-5)
7. Souderton Indians (15-8)
8. Neshaminy Redskins (15-8)
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