This week’s notebook highlights CR North, Wissahickon & CB East and recaps last week’s SOL action.
By Scott Huff
The Suburban One League is charging down the backstretch with conference races to be determined.
The SOL American Conference has already been decided as Plymouth Whitemarsh is a perfect 12-0 and should complete the conference season unbeaten. Cheltenham (9-3), Norristown (8-4), andWissahickon (8-4) remain in a battle for second place.
The SOL National Conference race has been a two-way race almost from the outset with Abington (12-0) andPennsbury (10-1) the front runners. The Ghosts and the Falcons will meet on Tuesday at Abington to decide whether or not the conference will have an outright champion in Abington or if the Ghosts will have to share the title with Pennsbury.
The SOL Continental Conference race is going neck-and-neck with no less than four teams galloping to the finish line. Central Bucks South (9-3), Pennridge (8-3), North Penn (8-4), andCentral Bucks East (7-5) all have a mathematical chance of crossing the finish line with at least a share of the conference trophy.
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks East Patriots
Central Bucks East is in playoff mode right now.
“We are still very much in a position to control of our own destiny,” said Central Bucks East head coach Eric Henrysen as the Pats own a 10-9 overall record. “At one point of the year we were 0-3, but we responded and found ways to win games.”
CB East played five games in six days last week – four conference games – and climbed back into the conference title chase with three wins. Prior to back-to-back losses to Quakertown and Frankford (non-league), the Patriots had won six straight games.
“We really started to click on the defensive end of the court,” said Henrysen. “And then Blake Petersen got hurt, and we are going to have to learn to do some things without him.”
Petersen – a 6-foot, 6-inch sophomore – suffered a stress fracture in his foot. He may or may not be ready to play the final week of the season when CB East plays huge games against Pennridge (14-5 overall), Upper Dublin (8-11), and Central Bucks South (13-7).
“Blake was blocking six, seven, eight shots a game,” said Henrysen. “When he went down, we went from pretty big to pretty small – pretty fast.
Our seniors - Brendan McLaughlin, Brendan O’Neil, and Matt Gentry are going to have to step up,” continued Henrysen. “If we don’t win some games this week, our season could be over.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
North Penn had a huge week as the Knights swept all three conference games to remain in contention. NP opened the week with a 56-55 win over Central Bucks South as Suleyman Hakim (16) and Brian Coleman (11) each scored in twin digits. The Knights followed with a 54-48 win over Quakertown as Coleman led NPHS with 14 points. Coleman exploded for 27 points to lead North Penn to a 62-55 win over Hatboro-Horsham to close out the week.
Central Bucks East had a brutal four game conference schedule and the Patriots were able to claim three victories. East opened the week with a 47-39 victory over Quakertown as Ben Kardane (12) and Tommy Strasburger (11) each scored double digits. The Patriots marched to a 49-45 victory over Souderton as Kardane and Strasburger each scored 15 points to lead the scoring. CBE won its third game of the week as the Patriots defeated Central Bucks West 45-42. Brendan McLaughlin (16) and Strasburger led the Pats in scoring. CB East finally ran out of gas in the fourth game of the week as the Patriots dropped a 63-53 contest to Quakertown as Strasburger led East with 20 points.
Central Bucks South collected two wins in three conference games to remain at the top of the standings. The Titans opened the week with a tough 56-55 loss to North Penn as Bryce Dobisch and Ryan Tagliamonti each scored 13 points. CB South followed with a 46-44 overtime victory over Hatboro-Horsham as Dobisch (17) and Paul Weeks (14) each scored in twin digits for the winners. The Titans closed the week with a 43-41 victory over Central Bucks West as Dobisch scored a game-high 15 points.
Pennridge remained in championship contention with a pair of victories. The Rams opened the week with a key 65-53 victory over Central Bucks West as Joe Molettiere scored a game-high 27 points while Zach Muredda (20) and Dan Long (11) also scored in double digits. Pennridge closed the week with a 49-45 victory over Souderton as Muredda (20) and Long (19) led the Rams in scoring.
Quakertown played spoiler as the Panthers won one of three conference games this week. Q-town stunned CB East 63-53 behind a 20-point performance by Griffin Schmidt and also received twin digit scoring from Kevin Norvasis (13), Liam Buckley (11), and Brian Rejniak. The Panthers opened the week with the same CBE team and lost 47-39 with Schmidt scoring a game-high 19 points. Quakertown lost a 15-point lead to North Penn and lost to the Knights 54-48 as Schmidt scored a game-high 18 points.
Hatboro-Horsham lost a pair of tough conference games last week. The Hatters lost to CB South in overtime 46-44 and were led in scoring by Brian McEachem (12) and Zach Quattro (11). Quattro scored 20 points and Walt Kimble scored 14 points, but it wasn’t enough as Hatboro-Horsham closed the week with a 62-55 loss to North Penn.
Souderton lost a pair of conference games – by the same score as the Indians dropped identical 49-45 contests to Central Bucks East and Pennridge. The Indians were led in scoring in the loss to CBE by Evan Slone with 15 points – and were led in scoring in the loss to Pennridge by Carter Knight with 11 points.
Central Bucks West fell out of contention with a trio of conference losses last week. The Bucks opened the week with a 65-53 setback to Pennridge as Pat Kelley (13) and Kyle Salvitti (12) scored in double figures. CBW followed with a 45-42 loss to Central Bucks East as Evan Dunn (15) and Jared Kelly (11) scored in twin digits for the Bucks. West closed the week winless as the Bucks were stopped by Central Bucks South 43-41 as Kelly led CBW with a modest 9 points.
SOL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks South Titans 9 3
Pennridge Rams 8 3
North Penn Knights 8 4
Central Bucks East Patriots 7 5
Central Bucks West Bucks 6 6
Souderton Indians 4 8
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 3 9
Quakertown Panthers 2 10
SOL Continental Conference Schedule
Monday (2/3/14)
Quakertown Panthers @ Pennridge Rams
Tuesday (2/4/14)
Pennridge Rams @ Central Bucks East Patriots
Central Bucks West Bucks @ North Penn Knights
Central Bucks South Titans @ Souderton Indians
Quakertown Panthers @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Thursday (2/6/14)
North Penn Knights @ Pennridge Rams
Friday (2/7/14)
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Central Bucks South Titans
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Souderton Indians @ Quakertown Panthers
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Wissahickon Trojans
Wissahickon is in playoff mode right now.
The Trojans (11-8 overall) should have an invite to the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs, but head coach Kyle Wilson is taking nothing for granted. Wissahickon closes the week with SOL American Conference games with Norristown and Upper Moreland, and a non-conference game with Perkiomen Valley.
“If we win two of those games, we should be in good shape with 13 wins, or even better, win them all and have 14 wins,” said Wilson. “Once we knew that we weren’t going to win the conference (Plymouth Whitemarsh is unbeaten), our goal was to get into the playoffs.
“This could be the last week of basketball for our seniors if we don’t get into the playoffs,” added Wilson. “The seniors on this team don’t want the season to end.”
Wissahickon has gotten tremendous leadership from its senior captains – Chase Wilson, Chris Vila, and Jared Reed.
“The experience that those three players bring to the team is huge,” said Wilson. “There are a lot of things that can happen the final week of the season – a lot of teams in the mix. We can only control the games we play – when it is all over – we will see where we are.”
And that – hopefully - will be in the District One playoffs.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh won three conference games last week and in doing so claimed the outright American Conference championship. The Colonials opened the week with a 66-36 rout over second place Cheltenham as TJ Minetola (17), Andre Mitchell (12), Jimmy Murray (11) and Cameron Johnson (11) all scored twin digits. Murray scored a game-high 23 points and Mitchell added 12 points as PW defeated Upper Merion 81-37. The Colonials marched to a 56-44 victory over Norristown to claim the title as Mitchell and Murray each scored 19 points to pace the winners.
Wissahickon also ran to a trio of conference wins as the Trojans joined Norristown in third place in the conference standings. Wissahickon opened the week with an 87-55 victory over Springfield led by the double digit scoring of Chris Vila (16), Todd Bentley (16), Chase Wilson (15), and Brandon Pace (10). Vila scored a game-high 22 points while Yondell Dudley (16) and Wilson (10) scored in twin digits as the Trojans marched to a 67-52 win over Upper Merion. Wissahickon completed the week on a winning note as the Trojans – behind the double digit scoring of Wilson (15), Jared Reed (11) and Vila (11) – defeated Cheltenham 57-48.
Cheltenham was able to collect a conference win as the Panthers defeated Upper Moreland 60-53. Khalil White scored 15 points in the win, while Aaron Burton scored in double digits with11 points. The Black Cats lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 66-36 as Burton scored team-high 9 points. Cheltenham also lost to Wissahickon 57-48, as Burton was again the leading scorer with a modest 9 points.
Upper Dublin spilt its pair of conference games last week. The Cardinals soared to a 73-41 win over Springfield as both John Barrett (19) and Simeon Fryer (18) scored in double digits. Upper Dublin lost to Upper Moreland 69-51 as Fryer scored a team-high 22 points to pace the Cardinals.
Norristown split its pair of games last week as the Eagles soared to a 67-31 win over Springfield and was beaten by first place Plymouth Whitemarsh 56-44. Roy Green (13), Darryl Carr (10), Chris Evans (10), and Omar Jackson (10) scored in twin digits in the win over the Spartans, while Green scored a team-high 11 points in the loss to PW.
Upper Moreland split its pair of games last week as the Bears clawed Upper Dublin 69-51 and suffered a 60-53 loss to Cheltenham. Kevin McFall scored a game-high 27 points and Chris Corr added 18 points in the win over UD, while McFall scored 19 points and James Martin added 16 points in the loss to Cheltenham.
Upper Merion lost both of its conference games last week as the Vikings were sunk by Plymouth Whitemarsh (81-37) and Wissahickon (67-52). Ethan Miller scored a team-high 11 points in the loss to PW, while Dan Kubler (11) and Ryan Brennan (10) scored in twin digits in the setback against Wissahickon.
Springfield lost all three of its conference games last week as the Spartans fell to Wissahickon (87-55), Norristown (67-31), and Upper Dublin (73-41). Larry Clark (16) and Justin Hill (10) scored in double figures in the loss to Wissahickon; Clark scored a team-high 12 points against Norristown; and Malik Ball scored a team-high 8 points against Upper Dublin.
SOL American Conference Standings
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 12 0
Cheltenham Panthers 9 3
Norristown Eagles 8 4
Wissahickon Trojans 8 4
Upper Dublin Cardinals 5 7
Upper Moreland Bears 4 8
Upper Merion Vikings 3 9
Springfield Spartans 0 12
SOL American Conference Schedule
Tuesday (2/4/14)
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
Norristown Eagles @ Wissahickon Trojans
Upper Merion Vikings @ Cheltenham Panthers
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Springfield Spartans
Friday (2/7/14)
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Upper Merion Vikings
Wissahickon Trojans @ Upper Moreland Bears
Cheltenham Panthers @ Norristown Eagles
Springfield Spartans @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock North is in playoff mode right now.
The Indians (10-9 overall) are secure in third place in the conference, but Rock North is far from secure as a member of the 32-team PIAA Quad-A District One playoff field. CR North will close out the season with three conference games against Neshaminy, Pennsbury, and Council Rock South.
“This is a big week for our team if we want to keep playing after the regular season,” said Council Rock North head coach Derek Wright. “Our playoffs have really started right now, and the players are very aware of what we have to do this week.”
Rock North has received fine leadership from its trio of captains – Josh McWilliams, Chris Rowland, and Tyler Madison.
“I told the players that real competitors embrace the situation they we are in,” said Wright. “They have to learn to continue to trust their teammates, trust the coaching, and trust what we are doing as a team. They have to play the game with confidence.”
And that confidence could result in an invitation to the playoffs.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Abington secured its grip as the team to beat in the conference with a pair of conference wins this week. Matt Penecale (15), Laz Mackrides (11), and Amir Hinton (11) all scored in double digits as the Ghosts defeated Truman 67-32. Hinton (18), Penecale (15), Anthony Lee (14), and Mackrides (11) all scored in twin digits as Abington routed William Tennent 77-49.
Pennsbury soared to trio of victories to remain on the heels of Abington in the conference standings. Steve Ciotti (17), Mekhi Bryant (14), Cameron Jones (13) and Derrick Woods (11) scored in double figures as the Falcons routed William Tennent 76-35. Bryant (17), Woods (16), and Ciotti (11) led PHS in scoring as the Falcons toppled Council Rock North 55-38. Pennsbury closed the week with am 81-50 victory over Truman as Ciotti (16), Bryant (16), and Jones (13) all scored in twin digits.
Council Rock North split a pair of games last week to hold on to third place in the standings. Rock North bested Bensalem 62-43 behind the scoring of Chris Rowland (15), Matt Margolis (13), and Will Desautelle (10). Josh McWilliams (16) and Rowland (11) scored in double digits as the Indians fell to Pennsbury 55-38.
Neshaminy split its pair of conference games last week. The Redskins opened the week with a 57-33 loss to William Tennent as Jaylen Pickett scored a team-high 8 points. Neshaminy won a 44-41 contest against Council Rock South to close out the week.
Truman was able to win one of its three conference games this week. Tyquan Law (17), Pat Stone (12), and Maurice Towner (10) all scored in double figures as the Tigers clawed Council Rock South 52-51. HST lost to first place Abington 67-32 as Law scored a team-high 8 points. The Tigers closed the week with an 81-50 loss to Pennsbury as Law (12) and Zaire Brown (10) scored in double figures.
William Tennent was able to secure one of its three conference games this week. Matt Alden scored a game-high 27 points as the Panthers defeated Neshaminy 57-33. Alden scored a team-high 11 points as William Tennent dropped a 76-35 contest to Pennsbury, and the Black Cats closed out the week with a 77-49 loss to Abington.
Council Rock South was able to win one of its three conference games last week. Mike Stock and Dean Blank each scored 12 points as the Hawks soared to a 51-50 win over Bensalem. Rock South lost to Truman 52-51 as Tom Townsend (16), Stock (14), and Blank (14) all scored in double figures. The Hawks also lost to Neshaminy 44-41.
Bensalem lost both of its conference games last week. Avery Nyekan (12), AJ Brody (10), and Brian Kilcoyne (10) each scored in double figures as the Owls lost to Council Rock South 51-50, while Brian Kilcyone (13) and Chris Kilcoyne (11) each scored in double digits as the Owls were beaten by Council Rock North 62-43.
SOL National Conference Standings
Abington Ghosts 12 0
Pennsbury Falcons 10 1
Council Rock North Indians 6 5
William Tennent Panthers 6 6
Council Rock South Hawks 4 8
Bensalem Owls 3 9
Truman Tigers 3 9
Neshaminy Redskins 2 10
SOL National Conference Schedule
Tuesday (2/3/14)
Bensalem Owls @ Truman Tigers
Pennsbury Falcons @ Abington Ghosts
Council Rock North Indians @ Neshaminy Redskins
William Tennent Panthers @ Council Rock South Hawks
Thursday (2/6/14)
Council Rock North Indians @ Pennsbury Falcons
Friday (2/7/14)
Abington Ghosts @ Bensalem Owls
Neshaminy Redskins @ Pennsbury Falcons
Council Rock South Hawks @ Council Rock North Indians
Truman Tigers @ William Tennent Panthers
Suburban One Sports.com
‘Super Six’
1. Abington Ghosts
2. Pennsbury Falcons
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
4. Central Bucks South Titans
5. Pennridge Rams
6. North Penn Knights
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