By Scott Huff
Council Rock South had never beaten Pennsbury in the seven-year history of the school.Never say Never.
Council Rock South bolted to a 21-6 first period lead over the Falcons and defeated Pennsbury by a 45-40 margin in an SOL National Conference game.
“Pennsbury has always had a very talented team that was extremely well coached by Frank Sciolla,” said Council Rock South head coach John Easterly. “It wasn’t like we weren’t trying, they have an excellent basketball program.
“I remember six years ago, we were in a playoff game with them and down 17 points. We came back to within two points with time to play in the fourth quarter,” added Easterly who was then an assistant coach for the Golden Hawks. “That’s when Lavoy Allen (Temple) was a senior and Dalton Pepper (West Virginia) was a freshman. That was one talented team.”
The big man in campus for the Hawks in the streak-snapping victory over Pennsbury was senior Justin Thomas who scored 18 points and matched that total with 18 rebounds.
“Justin is a three-year starter and as a captain has been a great leader this season,” said Easterly. “He has been very consistent throughout the year. He had 12 points and 18 rebounds against Council Rock North, and right now they are the best team in our league.”
Pat Silverthorn – the second leading scorer for the Hawks – played his role in the win. Silverthorn fueled the CR South offense in the first period with eight of his ten points – which included a pair of three-point field goals.
The Golden Hawks also received a superlative defensive performance turned in by Mike Dipaolo. Dipaolo scored just five points, but his defensive effort against high-scoring Falcon guard Kieran Bolger was a key to the win.
“We played a lot of man, and some match-up zone, but Mike really gave a great effort on him,” said Easterly as Dipaolo held Bolger to five points. “He made a lot of key defensive stops on him during the game.
“Our defense has been very good all season,” added Easterly as Rock South had limited opponents to just a 46 point per game average. “In the second half of the league schedule, we want to control tempo better on offense and limit turnovers.”
And Rock South would also like to beat Pennsbury in that second half of the schedule – again.
Panthers seek elite status
Cheltenham (9-3) had played some of the elite teams in all of Pennsylvania in Council Rock North (11-1), Norristown (11-1), and Plymouth Whitemarsh (8-2). This terrific trio has a combined record of 30-4.
And the Panthers have lost all three of those games – the only three losses for CHS this season.
“We lost to some of the best teams in the state, and we know what it is going to take for us to get to that level,” said Cheltenham head coach Brian Johnson. “You can’t ever just show up for game, you are always going to have to bring it.
“It all begins in practice,” added Johnson. “We began this season with a lot of unproven varsity basketball players, but we are beginning to become more consistent.”
The starting lineup for the Panthers – at this moment – includes leading scorer Nafis Walker, point guard Kareek Best, Avery Young, Lamont McLaurin, and Jarrell Haywood.
“That group is really beginning to come together,” said Johnson. “But we play quite a few players off the bench, as well.”
Included in that group are Aaron McGlawn, Anthony Johnson, Travis Bennett, and Toyon Wynder.
“Right now the biggest challenge for our basketball team in the second half of the season is to be consistent,” said Johnson. “We know what we have to do, now we have to do it.”
Is Pennridge ‘Ram Tough’?
Pennridge (11-2) lost its first SOL Continental Conference game when the Rams lost to host Central Bucks West (8-4) – 47-39.
“West did a good job defensively – played a tough man-to-man,” said Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens. “It was a real struggle for us offensively, and they slowed the game down quite a bit.
“The pace of the game wasn’t what we were used to playing,” added Behrens. “There was no question that we were a little frustrated.”
The high scoring PHS guards – Mike Guldin and Tim Abruzzo – were ‘held’ to seven and two points respectively. Andrew Lyons led the Rams with 11 points, while Rocky Ferrier added 10 points.
Pennridge actually led 34-33 going into the fourth period. But the Bucks made critical free throws over the final eight minutes and sealed the win.
“One of our goals at the beginning of the season was to get into the (District One) playoffs,” said Behrens. “But now that we are 11-2 and 5-1 in the league, our focus has changed. We want to win the division.
“The kids were really down after the game, they expect to win every game,” added Behrens. “We play Quakertown (1-11) on Tuesday, and we will see how well we bounce back.”
“On Tap” in the Suburban One League
Tuesday – January 18, 2011
SOL National Conference
Harry S Truman @ Abington
Council Rock South@ Bensalem
William Tennent @ Pennsbury
Council Rock North @ Neshaminy
SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks West @ Central Bucks South
Hatboro-Horsham @ North Penn
Quakertown @ Pennridge
Souderton @ Central Bucks East
SOL American Conference
Wissahickon @ Cheltenham
Upper Moreland @ Upper Merion
Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Norristown
Friday – January 20, 2011
SOL National Conference
Abington @ Neshaminy
William Tennent @ Council Rock North
Truman @ Council Rock South
Pennsbury @ Bensalem
SOL Continental Conference
Pennridge @ Central Bucks South
Souderton @ Central Bucks West
Quakertown @ Hatboro-Horsham
Central Bucks East @ North Penn
SOL American Conference
Upper Merion @ Norristown
Wissahickon @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Cheltenham @ Upper Dublin
Saturday – January 21, 2011
Non-League Games
Quakertown @ Truman
Wissahickon @ Hatboro-Horsham
Upper Merion @ Springfield (M)
Pennridge @ Upper Dublin
Pennsbury @ Souderton
Cheltenham @ Abington
Norristown vs. CB South @ CR North
Central Bucks West @ Council Rock North
William Tennent vs. Upper Moreland @ CR South
Central Bucks East @ Council Rock South
Neshaminy @ Malvern Prep
**Suburban One Sports.com** Great Eight
1. Council Rock North Indians
2. Neshaminy Redskins
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
4. Norristown Eagles
5. North Penn Knights
6. Pennridge Rams
7. Cheltenham Panthers
8. Bensalem Owls
- Log in to post comments
0
