By Scott Huff
Perkasie – Pennridge (5-0 overall, 1-0 SOL Continental) has become the feel-good story early in season as the host Rams remained unbeaten with an 80-70 victory over Central Bucks South (1-3, 0-1).“The atmosphere around here has been incredible,” smiled Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens. “This gym can be a tough place to play, and our fans have given us great support this season.”
Pennridge basketball has not often been the same sentence as a Plymouth Whitemarsh or a Neshaminy, but the pesky Rams have begun to make a name for themselves.
“It is a great group of guys, and we have a lot of fun on the court,” said Pennridge junior sharpshooter Tim Abruzzo who scored a team-high 24 points. “And this year we have been playing the game with a lot of confidence.
“We knew coming into the season that this could be a special year,” added the 6-foot, 2-inch Abruzzo. “We have worked hard during the off season, and so far it has paid off.”
Coach Behrens agreed.
“We played very well in both our spring and summer leagues,” said Behrens. “We have worked hard in the weight room, and with seven seniors we have good leadership.
“Our goal at the beginning of the game was to hold South to 44 points, or less,” added Behrens. “So much for that.”
Both Pennridge and CB South shot very well during the course of the game, and both seemed very comfortable in the up-tempo affair.
Titan senior Steve Schneider led all scorers with a brilliant 29-point scoring performance, while Dave Knox (14) and James Delgato (12) also scored in double figures for CBS.
Senior Ram guard Mike Guldin was the perfect compliment to Abruzzo with 21 points, while senior Jared Schaffer was fantastic off the bench and scored 17 important points.
“I asked Jared during a timeout on the bench what he had for breakfast this morning,” said Behrens. “Whatever it was, I was going to have everyone eat it for the next game.”
That next game will be the North Penn Knights on Tuesday – at North Penn. And on the line – first place in the SOL Continental Conference.
“We will continue to do what we have done all season,” said Behrens. “Our total focus will be on North Penn.”
And now – for a nice change - the rest of the SOL will also take a close look at that Pennridge basketball result.
Central Bucks South 11 19 18 22 - 70
Pennridge 15 19 24 22 - 80
CBS: James Delgato 12; Matt Johns 5; Dave Knox 14; Steve Schneider 29; John Staman 6; Chris Veal 4 – 70.
PR: Kyle Peters 2; Andrew Lyons 10; Mike Guldin 21; Rocky Ferrier 4; Drew DeCew 2; Tim Abruzzo 24; Jared Schaffer 17. – 80.
Around the SOL Continental Conference
North Penn (3-0, 1-0) needed overtime to defeat conference opponent Central Bucks East (0-2, 0-1) – 47-44.
Knight senior Matt Possanza drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to secure the win. Possanza scored 15 points for NP, while Sean Brooks scored a team-high 16 points.
Central Bucks East – who was led in scoring by DJ Beausejour with a game-high 19 points – outscored North Penn 22-3 in the third period to make a game of it.
Hatboro-Horsham (3-1, 1-0) opened its conference season with a win as the Hatters won a 64-41 road contest against Quakertown (1-2, 0-1).
The Hatters had three players in twin digits to pace the scoring with Travis Brown (15), Matt Kane (14), and Mike Brown (10).
Quakertown held an 8-6 lead at the close of the first period and trailed by just five at the half. The Panthers were led in scoring by Steffon Spieker with 11 points.
Souderton (2-2, 1-0) opened its conference season with a victory as the host Indians defeated Central Bucks West (2-1, 0-1) – 59-55.
The Big Red had four players score in double figures – Anthony Sergio, Ryan Connolly, Mark Wonderling, and Luke Moyer.
Tigers tame Golden Hawks
Harry S Truman (2-2, 1-0) showcased a balanced offensive and defensive effort as the Tigers won its conference opener with a 64-56 win over Council Rock South (3-2, 0-1).
“I preach to them all the time about getting everyone involved,” said Truman head coach Alan Munford. “We need to have everyone make a contribution whether it is on offense or defense.”
The Tigers had four players reach double figures in scoring. Mike McGuire scored a game-high 15 points, while Merdic Green (13), Daveed Ransome, and Lamont Waters (10) scored in twin digits.
McGuire also had 10 rebounds for Truman, while Mike Mintah had 11 rebounds and three blocked shots for the winners.
Council Rock South was led in scoring by Pat Silverthorn and Zach Fitzgerald with 12 points each.
“I thought we did a great job off the boards, played well in transition, and did a nice job in our halfcourt offense,” said Munford. “All games are important, but it was nice to come up with a win in our first league game.”
Rock South 8 9 11 28 - 56
Truman 13 9 16 26 - 64
CRS: Andrew Cohen 5; Pat Silverthorn 12; Jim Ivers 3; PJ Gallo 9; Zach Fitzgerald 12; Mike Depalo 7; Christian Crane 8. – 56.
HST: Lamont Waters 10; Daveed Ransome 11; Mike Mintah 5; Mike McGuire 15; Dan Harris 2; Merdic Green 13; DeQuan Ashley 6; Anthony Griffin. – 64.
Around the SOL National Conference
Council Rock North (2-0, 1-0) remained unbeaten as the Indians cruised to a 56-39 conference win over William Tennent (2-2, 0-1).
Aaron Goodman led Rock North to the win with a 26-point, 13-rebound effort. Matt McCloskey also scored in double figures for the winners with 10 points.
The Panthers were led in scoring by Cole Weber with 12 points. Shakat Kofa also scored in double figures for Tennent with 10 points.
Bensalem (2-2, 1-0) trailed at the half, but the Owls rallied for a 65-53 conference win over Pennsbury (1-3, 0-1).
Bensalem was led in scoring by Calvin Brown who scored 18 points. Both Davante Newkirk (14) and Alex Agyedu (11) scored in twin digits for the winners.
Pennsbury was led in scoring by Kieran Bolger with a game-high 22 points. Jay Jabat added 13 points for the Falcons.
Abington (2-2) took a long road trip to Altoona to play Altoona High School.
The trip began on a positive note as the Ghosts captured a 52-40 victory over Altoona.
Abington will now play Norristown in the tournament final. The Eagles defeated Gilman School – 58-41 – to advance to the final.
Panthers ‘Walk’er to victory
Cheltenham (4-0, 1-0) kept its record spotless with a 52-44 SOL American Conference victory over Upper Dublin (2-2, 0-1).
Nafis Walker saw limited time in the first three periods due to foul trouble, but Walker scored nine of the 18 Panther points in the final period to seal the deal.
“I think Nafis really only had two or three minutes of playing time the first three quarters,” said Cheltenham head coach Brian Johnson. “He came up very big in the fourth quarter when we needed him the most.”
The Panthers entered the final period losing to Upper Dublin 36-34, but they controlled both the backboard and the scoreboard over the final eight minutes.
“We blocked out well, and our rebounding won us the game,” said Johnson. “Upper Dublin played well tonight, but we made plays at the end.”
Walker finished with a team-high 11 points, while Jarrell Haywood and Lamont McLaurin each scored 10 points for the Panthers.
The twin digit scorers for Upper Dublin were Khalil Owens (11) and Andrew Derr (10)
Upper Dublin 11 10 15 8 - 44
Cheltenham 10 14 10 18 - 52
UD: Khalil Owens 11; Tyreek Magruder 4; David Lerman 2; Darrell Harrison 3; Andrew Derr 10; John DeCamara 5; Andrew Carber 6; Jared Zarwin 3. - 44.
CHS: Avery Young 2; Travis Bennett 4; Kareek Best 6; Jarrell Haywood 10; Aaron McGlawn 6; Lamont McLaurin 10; Nafis Walker 11; Tonyon Wynder 3. - 52
Around the Suburban One American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-1, 1-0) opened its title defense with a convincing 63-31 victory over Wissahickon (1-3, 0-1).
Pittsburgh University-bound Jaylen Bond led the Colonials with 24 points, while Stephon Baker added 19 points for the winners. Sam Pygatt played his first game of the season and added 12 points for the winners.
Wissahickon had a single player in double figures as Anthony McKie led the Trojans with 13 points. Jordan Reed scored nine points for Wissy.
Norristown (4-0) also made the long trip to Altoona, and the Eagles also came away with a victory defeating Gilman School – 58-41.
Maleek Williams led the Eagles in scoring with 21 points. Aaron Webb (14) and Rasheed Johnson (10) also scored in twin digits for NAHS.
The Eagles will match up with Abington in the tournament final. The Ghosts bested host Altoona – 52-40 – to advance to the championship final.
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