By Scott Huff
Fort Washington – Upper Dublin (9-7, 2-5) missed a three-point shot at the buzzer as the Flying Cardinals lost a 40-37 Suburban One League American Conference game to Cheltenham (10-4, 4-3).That was the exciting part of the game for both Cheltenham head coach Brian Johnson and Upper Dublin head coach Josh Adelman.
Both Johnson and Adelman could have been fitted for straight jackets after a fourth quarter that had both mentors perplexed at best.
“If we can shoot free throws in the final quarter, we win by at least ten,” said Johnson as his Panthers shot a dismal 2-for-13 from the charity stripe in the last period. “Shooting free throws hasn’t really been an issue with us all season. We have been able to protect leads by making foul shots in most of our games.”
“Every time they would miss a free throw, my eyes would light up, and then we would give the ball right back to them with either a turnover or them getting an offensive rebound,” said Adelman as his Flying Cardinals turned the ball over seven times in the last two-and-one-half minutes.
“Our goal right now is to get into the district playoffs,” added Adelman. “And to play a tight game like this is a good experience for the players.”
Johnson also found that silver lining in the final period.
“The kids stayed positive, we executed our offense, and we continued to defend,” said Johnson. “The players stayed together through some adversity.”
Cheltenham opened a 16-12 first period lead and never trailed after the initial quarter. Panther guard Jarrell Haywood fueled the first period run with seven of his game-high 14 points.
“We approach every game like we’re playing either Plymouth Whitemarsh or Norristown,” said Haywood in reference to the SOL American Conference elite. “At the end of the game I asked the coach to give me the basketball, and I was able to make one of those two free throws at the very end of the game.”
Nafis Walker also scored in twin digits for Cheltenham with 11 points, but the talented guard/forward was held scoreless in the final period.
“Matt Morgan did a great job of playing Walker in our box-and-one,” said Adelman. “We didn’t lose this game because of a lack of effort.”
Darrell Harrison led the Cardinals in scoring with 14 points, while both Tyreek Magruder and Khalil Owens scored eight points each.
“The fourth quarter was very frustrating, but we have to put it behind us,” added Adelman. “We have Pennridge (12-2) here at our place (Saturday). And if we could beat a quality team like them, it would go a long way in helping us get into districts.”
“We get to play Abington (6-9) at their place (Saturday),” said Johnson. “The kids always enjoy playing against them. It should be fun.”
And that fourth period will be a more distant memory for both head coaches.
Cheltenham 16 11 6 8 - 40
Upper Dublin 12 7 12 6 - 37
Cheltenham: Jarrell Haywood 14; Kareek Best 2; Travis Bennett 2; Toyon Wynder 9; Lamont McGlawn 2; Nafis Walker 11. – Total – 40.
Upper Dublin: John Decamara 5; Darrell Harrison 14; Tyreek Magruder 8; Khalil Owens 8; Briyon Turner 2. - Total – 37.
Tigers Tame Golden Hawks
Truman (5-8, 3-5) rallied from an 11-point first period deficit to defeat host Council Rock South (6-8, 3-5) in a Suburban One League National Conference game – 50-41.
“Council Rock South plays a great match-up zone defense,” said Harry S Truman head coach Allen Mumford. “After the first quarter, we made some adjustments and began to pressure them a lot more.
“Merdic Green is really becoming an outstanding basketball player,” added Mumford in reference to his 6-foot, 2-inch sophomore who scored a game-high 20 points. “He is a very high energy player, and he was always good on the defensive end of the floor.
“But as the season goes along, he has become a much stronger offensive player,” added Mumford. “He has taken control of his body.”
The Tigers also had a nice scoring night from Dequan Ashley who scored in double digits with 11 points.
“We also had a nice game from our ‘bigs’,” said Mumford. “(Mike) Mintah, (Mike) McGuire, and (Dan) Harris all came up with key rebounds late in the game.”
On the other side of the court, Justin Thomas led the Golden Hawks with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Truman has a two o’clock date with Quakertown (1-13) at Souderton in the Suburban One Challenge on Saturday. Rock South will host CB East at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday as part of the SOL Challenge.
Harry S Truman 4 13 17 16 - 50
Council Rock South 15 9 11 6 - 41
Harry S Truman: Lamont Waters 6; Mike Mintah 2; Shaun Miller 3; Dan Harris 4; Merdic Green 20; Dequan Ashley 11; Mike McGuire 2; Scott Osborne 2. – Total - 50.
Council Rock South: Justin Thomas 14; Jim Ivers 4; Kevin Cocco 3; Christian Crane 9; Pat Silverthorn 4; Zach Fitzgerald 4; Mike Dipaolo 5. - Total - 41.
Around the Suburban One League
National Conference
Bensalem (11-3, 7-1) got off to a big early lead and collected a 60-46 victory over visiting Pennsbury (4-9, 2-6).
The Owls had a wonderful game turned in by 6-foot, 8-inch senior center Calvin Brown who had a double/double with 10 blocked shots and 10 rebounds. He also scored eight points for the winners.
Chris McMullin also had a terrific game for the Owls with game-high 20 points and nine rebounds. Leo Vincent scored in twin digits for Bensalem with 10 points.
Shawn Pepper was the lone scorer in double figures for Pennsbury. Pepper scored a team-high 13 points for the Falcons.
Pennsbury 9 9 16 12 - 46
Bensalem 22 12 7 19 - 60
**
Neshaminy (12-2, 6-2) took a 28-13 first half lead and defeated visiting Abington (6-9, 2-6) – 61-50.
Junior guard Ryan Arcidiacono led the Skins with 18 points. Tyler Katz added 13 points for Neshaminy, while Michael McGarry scored in double figures with 12 points.
Abington featured the game-high scorer in DJ McFadden with 23 points. Jordan Simmons also scored in twin digits for the Ghosts with 15 points.
Abington 6 7 14 23 - 50
Neshaminy 15 13 20 13 - 61
**
Council Rock North (13-1, 8-0) defeated William Tennent (3-10, 0-8) – 50-30.
See game story on Suburban One Sports.com
Suburban One League American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (10-2, 7-0) remained unbeaten in conference play as the Colonials rolled to a 70-40 victory over visiting Wissahickon (7-7, 3-4).
PW was led in scoring by 6-foot, 7-inch Jaylen Bond who scored a game-high 29 points. Sam Pygatt and Stephon Baker each scored 10 points for the Colonials.
Wissahickon had a pair of players score in twin digits. Anthony McKie scored a team-high 12 points, while Jordan Reed added 10 points for the Trojans.
Wissahickon 3 14 7 16 - 40
Plymouth Whitemarsh 17 16 17 20 - 70
**
Norristown (12-2, 6-1) rebounded from its loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh as the Eagles soared to a 51-36 victory over Upper Merion (6-8, 2-5).
Norristown had three players score in double digits in the win. Aaron Webb scored a team-high 12 points, while Jahquan Hargrove and Rasheed Johnson each scored 11 points.
Upper Merion – which led 22-20 at the half – was led in scoring by James Mobley. Mobley scored a game-high 15 points for the Vikings.
Upper Merion 9 13 8 6 - 36
Norristown 12 8 11 20 - 51
**
Upper Moreland had a bye on Friday.
Suburban One League Continental Conference
Hatboro-Horsham (6-7, 3-5) needed to work overtime to defeat scrappy Quakertown (1-13, 0-8) – 41-39.
Senior Matt Kane (eight points) scored the only points in the overtime to secure the win for the Hatters. Hatboro-Horsham freshman Chris Hobbs (five points) forced the OT with a three-point field goal in the fourth period.
Hard-luck Quakertown – which has now lost 12 straight games – was led in scoring by Corey Jorgensen with a game-high 17 points.
Quakertown 5 17 13 4 0 - 39
Hatboro-Horsham 2 18 12 7 2 - 41
**
The Central Bucks School District did not have school. Therefore, the games involving those teams were not played on Friday.
Pennridge (12-2) @ Central Bucks South (2-12) will be played on Monday, Jan. 24. Souderton (7-6) @ Central Bucks West (9-4) will also be played on Monday, Jan. 24. Central Bucks East (7-5) @ North Penn (11-1) will be played Thursday, Feb. 3.
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