Scott Huff’s notebook highlights Quakertown, Upper Dublin and Council Rock South and recaps last week’s games.
By Scott Huff
The midweek holidays and the recent bout with Winter Storm Hercules on Friday have put the Suburban One League basketball schedule into a bit of a tail spin.
This week – weather permitting – SOL teams will resume the Tuesday-Friday conference match-ups. Of course, a variety of makeup games will take place this week and next week – and some teams may have non-conference games to be played.
Check your local stations for updates – or simply see below.
And the beat goes on…
Suburban One League Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Quakertown Panthers
Quakertown began the 2014 calendar year the same way that the Panthers concluded the 2013 calendar year – with a victory.
Q-town closed the 2013 season with an impressive 55-54 non-conference victory over Perkiomen Valley (PAC-10) on a last second buzzer beater by sophomore Griffin Schmidt and opened the 2014 season with a 57-34 win over Upper Perkiomen (PAC-10).
“The win over Perkiomen Valley was great for our confidence – Perk Valley beat Plymouth Whitemarsh (52-47), and we all know how good PW has been over the years,” said Quakertown head coach Kevin Keeler. “And to be able to come back and beat Upper Perkiomen will be a great way to get back into our league play.”
Schmidt – who played sparingly as a freshman last year for the Panthers – has been the leading scorer this season for the Black Cats, averaging slightly over 16 points per game.
“Griffin scored 22 points in the win over Perk Valley, and he has the ability to attack the rim and pull up for the jumper,” said Keeler. “And the fact that he is a lefty makes him a little more difficult to defend. If he continues to work on his game as hard as he has to this point – he is going to be a college level player by the time he is a senior.”
Quakertown starts an entire underclass team at this point of the season. In addition to Schmidt, the Panthers start juniors Brian Rejniak, Jack Perrine, Lucas Schan, and Kevin Nordarisas.
“The two wins are something to build on, but we want to win league games,” said Keeler as Q-town is currently winless in the conference. “We have North Penn, Central Bucks East, and Hatboro-Horsham this week. We have a young team, but we want to compete in those games.”
Quakertown may be a year away with its underclass starting lineup – but Keeler will gladly take some conference wins this season.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks East worked three overtimes to defeat host Souderton by a 71-64 margin. Brendan McLaughlin was sensational with a 27-point scoring performance for the Patriots while Ben Kardane (17) and Tommy Strasburger (10) also scored in twin digits for the winners. Carter Knight was equally sensational for the Indians with a 27-point effort, while Tim Markow (13) and Jared Bernhart (10) also scored in double figures for the Big Red.
Central Bucks West captured a thrilling 52-51 non-conference victory over Methacton. Evan Dunn – who scored 13 points – scored the game winner at the buzzer for the Bucks. Cal Reichwein hit on six 3-point field goals to score a game-high 18 points for the winners.
North Penn came up with a 54-47 non-conference victory over Lansdale Catholic in a neighborhood bragging rights contest. Brian Coleman led the Knights with 14 points, while Noah Melchoir also scored in double digits for NPHS with an 11-point effort.
Quakertown collected a 57-34 non-conference victory over Upper Perkiomen. Griffin Schmidt led the Panthers with 13 points, while Mike Repsher and Liam Buckley each scored 10 points for the Black Cats.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Tuesday (1/7/14)
Quakertown Panthers @ Central Bucks East Patriots
North Penn Knights @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Pennridge Rams @ Souderton Indians
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Central Bucks South Titans
Wednesday (1/8/14)
Central Bucks South Titans @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Friday (1/10/14)
Pennridge Rams @ Central Bucks East Patriots
North Penn Knights @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Souderton Indians @ Central Bucks South Titans
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Quakertown Panthers
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Upper Dublin has every right to expect to be in the hunt for a conference championship.
“This is going to be a very interesting year in our conference,” said Upper Dublin head coach Josh Adelman. “There is a lot of parity among the good teams in the league, and we feel that we can be right there.
“We played a tough schedule on our non-league games to get ready for the league,” added Adelman. “When you play teams like Plymouth Whitemarsh, Norristown, and Wissahickon, you better be able to compete with them.”
One of the reasons that Adelman is optimistic about competing with the conference elite teams is the play of Simeon Fryer, Kevin Woods, and Zach Greenburg.
“Simeon missed the first two games with a concussion, but he has played great since he has come back,” said Adelman. “He has scored some points, but he has rebounded – blocked shots – and has played great defense.
“Kevin Woods has been a strong # 2 guard for us and has beaten defenders off the dribble,” continued Adelman. “And Zach Greenburg has been terrific on the boards and has scored points in the paint.
“We are hoping we can come up with a couple of wins and get on a roll,” added Adelman. “Like I told the kids, we can beat anyone in this league – and anyone can beat us.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh remained unbeaten in conference play as the Colonials marched to an easy 65-38 victory over Upper Merion. Jimmy Murray scored a game-high 18 points to pace PW, while Andre Mitchell (15), Cameron Johnson (10), and Brett Paul (10) also scored in twin digits for the winners. Samik Patel scored a team-high 9 points for the Vikings.
Upper Dublin collected a convincing 54-30 conference victory over Upper Moreland. The Flying Cardinals were led in scoring by Simeon Fryer with a game-high 10 points, while Kevin McFall scored a team-high 9 points for the Golden Bears.
Cheltenham played tough in a 51-45 non-conference loss to Glen Mills. Arron Burton scored a team-high 14 points for the Panthers and also collected 13 rebounds.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Tuesday (1/7/14)
Upper Merion Vikings @ Wissahickon Trojans
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Cheltenham Panthers
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Norristown Eagles
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Springfield Spartans
Wednesday (1/8/14)
Norristown Eagles @ Springfield Spartans
Friday (1/10/14)
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
Wissahickon Trojans @ Norristown Eagles
Cheltenham Panthers @ Upper Merion Vikings
Springfield Spartans @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Council Rock South collected a much needed conference win over Bensalem to move to 2-2 in the conference.
“We needed that win,” said Council Rock South head coach John Easterly. “We have lost a lot of close games this year, and to be able to come up with a win was a nice boost to our confidence.”
Sophomore Mike Stock has become a force for the Hawks since his promotion to the starting lineup.
“Mike is 6-foot, 2-inches and is a player that didn’t begin starting for us until we got into the holiday tournament,” said Easterly. “It usually takes an underclassman some time to adjust to the varsity level, and Mike is at that point right now.
“He is a player that can go both inside and outside,” added Easterly, “He can shoot the jumper and still post someone up. He is becoming a very complete player.”
Going into the season Easterly knew all about seniors Tom Townsend and Will Faccenda.
“Tom has been battling an injury and is finally starting to get healthy – and right now he is our leading rebounder,” said Easterly. “And Will leads us in assists and is a great team leader.
“Our goal right now is to go out and win some games,” said Easterly. “We would like to get back into the league season with a fresh start.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Council Rock South captured a conference victory as the Golden Hawks soared to a 61-42 victory over Bensalem. The Hawks were led in scoring by Tom Townsend with 16 points, while Will Faccenda (12) and Mike Stock (11) also scored in double figures for the winners. Avery Nyekan scored a team-high 11 points for the Owls, while Chris Kilcoyne (10) also scored in double digits for Bensalem.
Pennsbury routed Spring-Ford 75-60 in a non-conference game last week. The Falcons were led in scoring by Cameron Jones with 18 points, while Mekhi Bryant (14), Steve Ciotti (14), and Derrick Woods (12) also scored in double figures for the winners.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Tuesday (1/7/14)
Neshaminy Redskins @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Council Rock North Indians @ Bensalem Owls
William Tennent Panthers @ Abington Ghosts
Pennsbury Falcons @ Truman Tigers
Friday (1/10/14)
Truman Tigers @ Bensalem Owls
Council Rock South Hawks @ William Tennent Panthers
Abington Ghosts @ Pennsbury Falcons
Council Rock North Indians @ Neshaminy Redskins
Suburban One Sports.com
‘Fab Five’
1. Pennsbury Falcons
2. Abington Ghosts
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
4. Norristown Eagles
5. Pennridge Rams
- Log in to post comments
