By Scott Huff
Holiday tournaments are everywhere – and Suburban One League teams are everywhere playing in them.
Perhaps the most prestigious local competition is the Jameer Nelson/Pete Nelson Scholastic Play by Play Classic played over a four-day period that began last Saturday and ends this Wednesday. The tournament – named after the Chester HS/St. Joe U/Orlando Magic guard in honor of his father – showcased some of the finest teams in the area.
There were a total of 30 quality teams – including Plymouth Whitemarsh, Norristown, Wissahickon, Neshaminy, and Cheltenham – from 15 different leagues and three states – Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York - in the Classic.
Actually, the Nelson Classic is not a tournament at all – just a series of 19 magnificent games played in three different venues – Widener University, Gwynedd Mercy College, and North Catholic High School.
“We had a chance to play in a tournament in Florida, but we chose to stay local and play both Chester and Academy of the New Church,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio. “You look at your team at the beginning of the season, and you want to find games that will challenge them. This is a great way to challenge our players.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-0) was more than up for the challenge with a convincing 65-46 victory over Chester in the featured game Saturday night at Widener. The Colonials led 15-4 at the close of the first period and won going away.
“We matched their energy at the beginning of the game,” said Donofrio. “Chester wants to play an up-tempo game and we wanted to make sure that we didn’t play out of control fast – but controlled fast.
“It was great to play in front of a packed house,” added Donofrio. “It was like playing an early playoff game.”
PW was led to the win by the play of 6-foot, 9-inch senior C.J. Aiken. Aiken – who has committed to St. Joseph’s University – led the Colonials with 19 points. Senior sharpshooter Whis Grant added 17 points, while junior power forward Jaylen Bond added 15 markers.
Plymouth Whitemarsh will face Academy of the New Church on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. in a game to be played at Gywnedd Mercy College.
Norristown (5-0) continued to surprise the preseason prognosticators who felt that the inexperienced Eagles were too small to compete with the some of the better teams in the area.
“We have played very well – with a lot of chemistry,” said Norristown head coach Michael Evans. “We really don’t have a lot of size – or a lot of varsity experience – but we have played well together. We have done what we have needed to do to win basketball games.”
And the Eagles need something in the Nelson Classic against West Chester Rustin (3-2) that they haven’t needed all season – to come from behind to win.
Norristown flew out to a 22-11 first period lead – and led 35-27 at the half – in a game played at GMC. But Rustin captured a 48-47 lead to start the fourth quarter – and the game was tied at 56-56 at the end of regulation.
The Eagles – behind the leadership and ability of Sheldon Mayer – outscored Rustin 11-6 in the overtime to keep Norristown unbeaten.
“Sheldon has been great for us all season, but so has Jahquil (Hargrove),” said Evans. “Plus we have gotten good performances from Rasheed (McCray), Chris (Davis), and Allen (Yates).
“We were looking to see how we would do against some good competition,” added Evans. “It was good to win a game against a good team.”
Wissahickon (4-2) lost a 57-44 contest to St. Joe Prep. (5-1) in the Nelson Classic at GMC – and the end of the game gathered some unwanted attention.
With 23 seconds left in the game, 6-foot, 8-inch Trojan senior center Tom Sweeney was called for a flagrant foul that also calls for a game ejection and a one game suspension.
“There was no question that it was a hard foul,” said Wissahickon head coach Kyle Wilson. “But I do question whether it deserved a flagrant foul and an ejection.”
The St. Joe Prep bench – but not legendary head coach Speedy Morris – said some things that we not to the liking of Wilson.
“He (an assistant coach) wanted to know if we taught our kids to play that way,” said Wilson. “And I thought that was very inappropriate. And I let him know that on the way off the court – it had to be addressed.
“Kids make emotional plays, and that was one,” said Wilson. “Other than that, I thought we played well. They made more plays down the stretch than we did.”
Jack O’Neill led Wissy in scoring with 12 points, while Sweeney added nine. Michael Bundy and Gio Atkins each scored eight points for the Trojans.
Neshaminy (5-1) won its fourth straight game of the season with a 63-58 win over Lower Merion in the Nelson Classic in a contest played at Widener University.
Ryan Arcidiacono led the Skins with 21 points, while Dwight Williams (16) and Mike McGarry (14) also scored in double figures for the winners.
Cheltenham (3-3) had a pair of nice individual performances in its 69-56 loss to La Salle (5-1) in a Nelson Classic game played at GMC.
Senior point/shooting guard Rob Mansel scored 25 points to lead the Panthers in scoring. The other double-digit scorer for Cheltenham was Malcom Weston who scored 18 points.
Coach 'O' Classic
The annual Coach 'O' Classic in memory of long-time basketball coach Walt Ostrowski will be held Saturday, Jan. 2, at Hatboro-Horsham High School. Cheltenham will face Hazleton in the 6 p.m. game, and the Hatters will take on Germantown Academy at 8 p.m. All proceeds will go to a scholarship fund in Ostrowski's memory. Ostrowski passed away on July 9, 2007, of complications from a malignant brain tumor.
Other Suburban One League Action
Harry S Truman (5-2) won its fourth straight game as the Tigers roared past Central Bucks East (3-1) in the opening round of the Wissahickon Holiday Tournament.
Truman trailed at the half by a 38-28 margin, but the Tigers received a spectacular 39-point scoring effort by Eddie Valentine to make up the deficit. Shawn Miller also scored in double digits for Truman with 14 points.
CB East had a fine outing turned in by David Kiersnowski (28 points), Skylar Scrivano (19) and DJ Beausejour (13).
Truman will meet Wissahickon in the tournament final, while East will play Lansdale Catholic.
Wissahickon (5-2) advanced to its tournament final with a 58-43 win over Lansdale Catholic.
The Trojans were led in scoring by Jack O’Neill with a game-high 20 points. Jordan Reed also scored in twin digits for Wissy with 14 points – 10 in the third period.
Pennsbury (5-0) went out of state to defeat Deep Run of Virginia – 52-39. The Falcons were led in scoring by Jesse Kransa with 17 points, while Kiernan Bolger added nine points and Zak Kumor tallied eight markers.
Upper Dublin (3-2) won its opening round of the Emmaus Holiday Tournament with an 87-75 win over Bethlehem Catholic.
Jamil Brown led the Flying Cardinals in scoring with a 24-point performance, while James Newman added 20 points for the winners. John DeCarmaia posted 16 points for UD.
Council Rock South (3-3) advanced to the finals of the Hazelton Holiday Tournament with a 53-50 victory over Bangor.
The Golden Hawks – who trailed at the half 29-18 – received double figure scoring from Cody Nowlin (15), Jake Clompton (12), and Pat Silverhorn (11).
William Tennent (3-2) advanced to the finals of the New-Hope Solebury Holiday Tournament with a 67-62 win over South Hunterdon.
The Panthers placed three players in twin digits – Dan Eckhart (17), Shakat Kofa (11), and Tyrone Whiteside (10).
Bensalem (3-1) advanced to the finals of its own tournament with a 59-56 victory over New Media Charter. Nick Christian scored 24 points for the Owls while Ivan Flores added 11 points.
Springfield (3-4) advanced to the finals of its own tournament with a 55-30 win over Friends Select. Kyron Greene and Chris Crudele each scored 15 points for the Spartans. Springfield will meet Devon Prep in the finals.
Central Bucks West (3-2) won a 59-44 non-league contest to Upper Room Christian. The Bucks were led by Patrick Furst (21 points) and Derrick Dyer (12).
Upper Merion (2-5) lost in the opening round of the Coatesville Tournament to Vaux, 57-33. Francis Rafferty led the Vikings with a 17-point performance.
Quakertown (4-2) dropped a 61-48 verdict to Allentown Allen. The Panthers were outscored 21-6 in the final period and were led by Kenny Gula (28 points) and Dalton Nice (16).
Souderton (6-0) kept its perfect record intact with an impressive 69-48 win over Totenville (N.Y.). Senior A.J. Picard scored a career-high 36 points for the Indians, who led 25-23 at halftime but broke the game wide open with a 23-12 third quarter scoring burst.
SuburbanOneSports.Com Super Seven
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-0)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (5-0)
3. Norristown Eagles (5-0)
4. Souderton Indians (6-0)
5. Neshaminy Redskins (5-1)
6. Wissahickon Trojans (5-2)
7. Bensalem Owls (3-1)
+ 1 Truman Tigers (5-2)
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