Scott Huff highlights Springfield, Pennridge and Bensalem and recaps all of the holiday tournament action.
By Scott Huff
Springfield is back in the Suburban One League and the Class AA Spartans are not intimidated by the fact that they must compete in a conference that features five Quad-A schools and a couple of Class AAA schools. Springfield was a member of the Bicentennial Athletic League last season.
Norristown, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Upper Dublin, Cheltenham, and Wissahickon are Quad-A schools in the SOL American Conference, while both Upper Moreland and Upper Merion are Class AAA schools.
“We knew coming into the season that it was going to be a big challenge,” said third year Spartan head coach Dave Turetzky. “But we don’t look at it as something that we can’t handle. Our goal is to go out on the floor each game to compete and win some basketball games. We are excited to be able to compete in the Suburban One League.
“We also know that we have to be prepared to play each league game,” added Turetzky. “We have no room to have either a mental or physical letdown. We have to be able to go on the court and play our ‘A’ game every game.”
Springfield did just that and collected a first place trophy in the Dock Holiday Tournament last week. The Spartans – who had lost five in a row after winning their first game of the season – claimed victories over both Plumstead Christian (49-29) and host Christopher Dock (47-37). Plumstead Christian is a Class A school, while Christopher Dock is a Class AA school
“We look at winning the tournament as giving us a fresh start to the season,” said Turetzky. “We hope that it acts as a springboard for the rest of the season.”
In the championship final victory over Dock, senior point guard Matt Krewson scored a game-high 15 points for the Spartans. Senior Billy Dahm – who led Springfield with 12 points in the win over Plumstead Christian – also scored 12 points in the victory over Dock.
“Matt has become a real leader for us on the court,” said Turetzky. “He controlled the tempo and kept moving players where they had to be on the floor. He played the role of field general that way that we need him to.
“And Billy simply does everything we need him to do on the floor,” added Turetzky. “When the game is on the line – he wants the ball in his hand.”
Springfield steps back into the deep SOL American Conference waters on Friday when the Spartans meet powerful Norristown on the road.
“That is going to be tough,” said Turetzky. “We have to go into that game with a David and Goliath attitude. That level of competition brings out the best in you.”
American Conference Notes
Norristown won the Triangle Club Tournament with a pair of improbable victories. In the tournament opener, the Eagles held a 2-0 first period lead over Pope John Paul and struggled to collect a 34-31 win. And in the title game Norristown rallied from a 17-point second half deficit to defeat a good Central Dauphin team in overtime – 74-64. Josh Johnson led the Birds in the PJP win with 11 points, while Luke Kelley scored 20 to pace the winners in the title game. Norristown lost a 54-46 contest to undefeated Math, Civics, and Sciences in a game played Saturday. Curt Lever led the Eagles with a 13-point scoring effort.
Upper Merion won the Lower Moreland Holiday Tournament with a 66-40 win over Morrisville in the championship final. The Vikings sailed to the title game with a 64-48 win over Calvary Christian in the tournament opener. Justin Lewis continues to be the leading Upper Merion scorer with a 21-point effort in the win over CC and followed with a game-high 18-point effort against Morrisville.
Cheltenham lost in the championship game of the Coatesville Holiday Tournament as the Panthers were defeated by St. Vincent – 56-47. Cheltenham won the tourney opener with a 64-52 win over host Coatesville. Aaron McGlawn led Cheltenham in scoring in both games with an impressive 29-point scoring performance against Coatesville and a 14-point effort in the St. Vincent setback. The Panthers lost a 60-47 contest to Pennsbury on Saturday as McGlawn scored a team-high 10 points.
Upper Dublin lost in its Cardinal Classic title game as the Flying Cardinals were defeated by Conestoga – 56-51. Upper Dublin won the tourney opener against Phil-Mont Christian by a 70-47 margin. Andrew Carber scored 21 points in the PMC win and 15 points to pace the Cardinals in the loss to Conestoga.
Upper Moreland lost in the finals of the Great Valley Classic as the Golden Bears dropped a 53-37 contest to host Great Valley. In the tourney opener, Upper Moreland collected a 64-44 win over Avon Grove. Matt Kohn was the leading scorer for the Golden Bears with 20 points in each of the two wins.
Wissahickon captured a win in the consolation game of its Trojan Classic as the Trojans defeated Frankford – 64-59. Wissahickon lost the tourney opener to Lansdale Catholic in overtime – 64-61. Chris Vila paced Wissahickon in the opener with a 25-point performance, while Chris Carradorni and Todd Bentley led the Trojans in the win with 14 points each. The Trojans lost a 56-40 contest to La Salle on Saturday as Chase Wilson scored a game-high 20 points.
Plymouth Whitemarsh continued its brutal non-league schedule and the Colonials once again paid a price in a 91-68 loss to powerful St. Joseph Prep in a featured game in the Kobe Bryant Classic. Anthony McKie led the Plymouth Whitemarsh attack with a terrific 25-point effort.
SOL Continental Conference
Pennridge will begin the New Year with a winning record as the Rams improved to 5-4 overall after capturing the Boyertown Bear Classic with a pair of wins. Pennridge overcame a nine-point deficit to defeat Governor Mifflin in the opening game by a 50-47 score, and the Rams overcame an 11-point deficit to defeat host Boyertown in the championship final by a score of 64-58.
“I’m happy with being 5-4 going into the New Year,” said Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens – now in his 15th season as head coach of the Rams. “Winning the tournament was huge for this basketball team – especially after how we played against Hatboro-Horsham. We ran into a real buzz saw in that game.”
That stunning 77-45 blowout conference loss to the Hatters sent the Rams reeling to a record of 3-4, but Pennridge more than regrouped with the wins in the Boyertown tournament.
“We really haven’t been shooting the ball the way I thought we could,” said Behrens. “But that changed in the second half of the Boyertown game.”
Pennridge drained nine 3-pointers in the win over the Bears – four by sophomore guard Zach Muredda, three by senior guard Jeff Garner, and two by junior swingman Pat McClatchy.
“Zach has great range and always seems to get the other team’s best defender,” said Behrens of his talented underclassman. “And going into the season, I thought that Jeff was going to be a real threat from the outside.
“Pat has been a real wild card for us, he has played well both inside and outside,” added Behrens. “And we have decent size inside in (senior) Alex Krivda (6-5) and (senior) Drew Dietrich (6-8). Krivda gained a lot of experience last year, and Drew has proven to be a decent shot blocker.”
Pennridge may be over .500 overall, but the Rams are 1-2 in the conference. And Behrens knows that the Green and White will have their hands full at Central Bucks West this Friday when conference play resumes.
“I can’t remember the last time we beat West there,” said Behrens. “That gym provides a great atmosphere for them, and they always have a good basketball team.”
Continental Conference Notes
Central Bucks West lost in the championship final of the Boardwalk Classic in Wildwood New Jersey as the Bucks fell to Middle Township in the closing moments – 51-49. CB West opened the tournament with a thrilling 44-42 double overtime win on a Jared Kelly jumper at the buzzer. Cal Reichwein led the Bucks with a 13-point effort in the loss to Middle Township.
Hatboro-Horsham lost in the championship final of the Hazelton Cougar Holiday Classic as the Hatters were topped by host Hazelton 72-57. Hatboro-Horsham won its seventh game of the season in the tournament opener with a 60-34 victory over Pleasant Valley. Zach Quattro led the Hatters in the win over PV with a 21-point scoring performance, and joined teammate Michael Brown on the all-tournament team.
Central Bucks South lost in the championship finals of the Athletes Helping Athletes Classic as the Titans were edged by host Council Rock North – 51-45. CB South opened the tourney with a 49-47 victory over St. Paul’s. In the win over SP, the Titans were led in scoring by Brennan Rudnick with 12 points. In the loss to CRN, CB South was led in scoring by Adam Tamny and Kevin Raymond who scored eight points each.
Souderton lost in the consolation contest of the Triangle Club Tournament as the Indians lost to Pope John Paul – 51-49. John Kanas scored a game-high 26 points in the setback against PJP. Souderton also lost a heartbreaker in the tourney opener in a 61-60 loss to Central Dauphin. Two losses by a total of three points – ouch!
Central Bucks East took a little trip to South Jersey as the Patriots split a pair of games playing at the Wildwood Convention Center. CB East defeated Mainland 44-24 behind an 11-point scoring effort by Brendan McLaughlin. The Patriots dropped a 39-37 contest to host Wildwood Catholic and were led is scoring by Matt Stauffer who scored a game-high 22 points.
North Penn played in the Jack Schott Memorial Tournament and the Knights suffered a tough 53-52 overtime loss to Conwell-Egan. North Penn was led in scoring by Brian Coleman who scored a game-high 21 points.
Quakertown took a trip north to play powerful Parkland and the Panthers came home with a 72-31 spanking against the talented Trojans. Parkland has lost only once this season in eight games, while the loss dropped Quakertown to 2-5 for the season.
SOL National Conference
Look out for Bensalem once the Owls find their wings.
“This team really is finding its way,” said Bensalem head coach John Mullin after the Owls won the Steve Juenger Christmas Tournament held at Haverford High School. “We have a team with really good guards but not too much size. We are still figuring out how we want to best play the game.”
Bensalem lost its first two games of the season with a 71-64 loss to Archbishop Ryan and a 53-45 setback to Archbishop Wood. The Owls – with the holiday tournament championship – have now won six in a row.
“A really huge win for us came against Pennsbury,” said Mullin in reference to Bensalem’s 74-58 conference victory in the Owls third game of the season. “We really needed to beat a good basketball team, and Pennsbury is a good basketball team.”
Bensalem was that good basketball team in the Juenger Tournament with a 63-58 victory over Academy Park in the tourney opener and a 64-42 victory over host Haverford in the championship final. And senior guard Leo Vincent was that good basketball player, taking MVP honors with back-to-back 23-point performances.
“Leo can be a very tough player to guard,” said Mullin of his senior who will attend Sacred Heart University on a basketball scholarship. “Plus he came up big in both games on the free throw line.”
Vincent was a perfect 8-for-8 in the fourth quarter in the win over Academy Park and followed with a perfect 6-for-6 in the fourth period in the win over Haverford.
Bensalem has also received excellent contributions from a pair of seniors – point guard Deion Jones and center Donnie Reed.
“Deion has created a lot of good scoring opportunities for other players,” said Mullin. “And Donnie has taken advantage of that with some points around the hoop. They have developed some good chemistry.”
National Conference Notes
Council Rock North won the Athletes Helping Athletes Tournament as the Indians collected a 51-45 victory in the championship final against Central Bucks South. Rock North opened the tournament it hosted with a 59-50 victory over St. Anthony’s. In the win over CB South, Rip Engel paced the Indian scoring with a game-high 20 points. In the victory over St. Anthony’s, Rock North was led in scoring by Chris Rowland with 23 points that included five 3-pointers.
Pennsbury came up with a nice victory in the Pete & Jameer Nelson Classic as the Falcons soared to a 65-55 victory over Academy of the New Church. Pennsbury was led in scoring by Cameron Jones with a 20-point effort, while Steve Ciotti (16), Shawn Pepper (12), and Mekhi Bryant (10) also scored in double figures for the winners. The Falcons completed a perfect week with a 60-47 victory on Saturday against Cheltenham. Shawn Pepper led Pennsbury with a 19-point scoring effort.
Harry S Truman lost in the championship final of the Trojan Classic as the Tigers were caged by Lansdale Catholic – 55-49. Truman won the tournament opener over Frankford – 58-50. Merdic Green led the Tigers in scoring in both games with impressive 28-point performances in each of the games. The Tigers also appeared in the Jameer/Pete Nelson Classic and collected an impressive 65-52 victory over the Academy of the New Church. Green once again paced Truman with a terrific 33-point scoring performance.
Abington received a prestigious invitation to the Pete & Jameer Nelson Classic and the Ghosts struggled against some superlative competition. The Ghosts entered the week unbeaten, but after losses to both powerful Chester and equally powerful Atlantic City, the Maroon and White are 7-2. Abington lost to Chester 74-38 and followed with a 65-51 setback against Atlantic City. The Ghosts – who were led in scoring in both games by Jordan Simmons and Anthony Durham – actually led AC 24-13 at the close of the first period.
William Tennent also received a prestigious invitation to the Pete & Jameer Nelson Classic, and the Panthers struggled in the tournament against outstanding competition and failed to win either of their two games. William Tennent lost to both by a 54-45 margin Constitution and a 51-33 margin to TC Williams (Virginia).
Council Rock South lost in the consolation finals of the Penncrest Holiday Tournament as the Golden Hawks were clipped by Sun Valley – 53-41. CR South lost in the tournament opener to West Chester Henderson – 50-34. Christian Crane was the leading scorer for the Golden Hawks in both games with a 15-point effort against Henderson and an 18-point performance against Sun Valley.
Neshaminy is still in search of its first win of the season after competing in the Allentown Allen Holiday Tournament. The Redskins lost in the tournament opener to host Allentown Allen (48-36) and followed with a 48-37 setback in the consolation final against Springfield Delco. Jaylen Picket scored a team-high 17 points in the loss to Delco.
SuburbanOneSports.com
Super Seven
1. Abington Ghosts
2. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
3. Norristown Eagles
4. Council Rock North Indians
5. Bensalem Owls
6. Pennsbury Falcons
7. Central Bucks South Titans
Suburban One League ‘On Deck’
Friday – January 4, 2013
American Conference
Upper Merion Vikings (1-2) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (1-2)
Springfield Spartans (0-3) @ Norristown Eagles (3-0)
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (0-3) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (1-2)
Wissahickon Trojans (3-0) @ Cheltenham Panthers (3-0)
Continental Conference
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (3-0) @ Central Bucks South Titans (3-0)
Pennridge Rams (1-2) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (1-2)
Souderton Indians (2-1) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (1-2)
Quakertown Panthers (0-3) @ North Penn Knights (1-2)
National Conference
Council Rock South Golden Hawks (0-2) @ Bensalem Owls (3-0)
Neshaminy Redskins (0-3) @ William Tennent Panthers (0-3)
Pennsbury Falcons (1-1) @ Council Rock North Indians (2-1)
Truman Tigers (2-1) @ Abington Ghosts (3-0)
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