Saturday, December 27, 2008

Penn Charter 53, Conwell-Egan 38

Conwell-Egan (38)
Carmen Tyson-Thomas 6 2-2 15; Rachel Moore 1 1-2 3; Trish Watson 0 0-0 0; Jenny Rongione 2 0-0 4; Kim Breslin 1 0-0 2; Kaitlyn Mourer 4 0-0 8; Sam Lubey 2 0-1 4; Kaleigh Ewing 0 0-0 0; Kaity Moonan 0 0-0 0; Kristen Ralph 0 2-2 2. Totals: 16 5-7 38.

Penn Charter (53)
Nikki Gwynn 2 0-0 4; Dianna Thomas 5 2-3 12; Aleesha Powell 3 5-6 12; Kendall Stokes 5 0-2 10; Brianna Butler 2 3-3 7; Mary Kate O'Brien 2 0-2 4; Erin Martin 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 10-16 53.

CEC: 13-8-11-6--38
PC: 15-13-12-13--53

Three-point goals: Tyson-Thomas (CEC); Powell (PC).


EIGHT THINGS

1. Conwell-Egan (6-3) shot poorly after hitting about 48 percent of its shots in a 66-33 first round win over Immaculata in the Eastern States Christmas Invitational Tournament at Trenton Catholic Academy. But despite a very low percentage from the floor, the Eagles were in this game into the third quarter. CEC's Kim Breslin had a steal and a layup with 5:06 to go in the third quarter to make it a three-point game, 32-29. Forty seconds later CEC senior Carmen Tyson-Thomas scored on an offensive rebound put-back to make it 34-31. After that, Penn Charter (8-2) went on a game-breaking 17-1 run over about nine minutes.

2. Tyson-Thomas finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals. She had some trouble getting shots, took a bunch of three-pointer and only hit one. Against Immaculata, Tyson-Thomas had 17 points.

3. CEC forward Kaitlyn Mourer scored eight points. The other three Eagles starters combined for five points. Guard Trish Watson, who scored 16 points vs. Immaculata, was scoreless vs. Penn Charter.

4. Penn Charter sophomore guard Aleesha Powell scored 12 points, but didn't shot particularly well. The 5-7 Powell, who is one of the top sophomores in the Philadelphia area, scored 29 points in Penn Charter's 60-51 tournament-opening victory over Trenton Catholic Academy. Penn Charter didn't shoot particularly well as a team vs. Conwell-Egan.

5. Tyson-Thomas: "All of us didn't come out as tough as we should have."

6. Mourer: “I think we lost some of the intensity and momentum we needed to keep us in this game.”

7. Conwell-Egan coach Norman O'Rourke: “We shot atrocious. We got five points (combined) out of three of our starters. You can’t win games that way.”

8. Conwell-Egan has scored fewer than 40 point three times in nine games and lost all three games.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Villa Joseph Marie 50, Pennsbury 44

Villa Joseph Marie (50)
Lauren Waterson 0 0-0 0; Meghan Ledwith 1 0-0 2; Kate Abel 4 0-0 8; Suzanne Bierly 4 2-2 10; Carolyne Heston 1 2-4 4; Jennie Quattrocchi 3 0-2 8; Melissa Van Wert 5 2-2 16; Jenny Sandora 0 0-0 0; Christine Gorrell 1 0-0 2; Melissa Poderis 0 0-1 0. Totals: 19 6-11 50.

Pennsbury (44)
Lacey Balascsak 2 2-2 7; Kelsey Balascsak 4 2-3 13; Molly Phillips 3 0-2 6; Lauren Gerity 0 0-0 0; Kelsey Moulton 1 1-4 3; Lauren Pisauro 1 0-0 2; Kelsey Alvino 0 0-0 0; Kelly Rebert 4 3-4 11; Kersten Formento 1 0-1 2. Totals: 16 8-16 44.

VJM: 13-12-12-13--50
P: 12-9-15-8--44

Three-point goals: Van Wert 4, Quattrocchi 2 (VJM); K. Balascsak 3, L. Balascsak (P).

Link to Courier Times article

NINE THINGS


1. Villa Joseph Marie (3-5) led by as many as eight points in the first half. But Pennsbury (1-6) came back in the third quarter and trailed by a point, 37-36, at the end of three. The Falcons led by three points, 40-37, after a drive by sophomore Molly Phillips about 1:20 into the fourth quarter, and had a two-point lead, 44-42, with 3:10 left. VJM's Kate Able scored to tie it at 44-44, and Suzanne Bierly hit two free throws to put the Jems ahead for good with 2:37 left.

2. Guard Melissa Van Wert led the Jems with 16 points. Van Wert hit four 3-pointers, including three 3-pointers in a span of about 2 1/2 minutes in the second quarter. Van Wert also made two foul shots with 1:45 left in the game. “When Melissa’s on, she really has ice in her veins,” VJM coach Becky Flynn said.

3. Bierly scored 10 points for VJM. Forward Kate Abel scored eight points and had two blocked shots, while guard Jennie Quattrocchi scored eight points and added five assists.

4. VJM has struggled with chemistry in the season's first month, but has won three of its last five games after an 0-3 start. “It makes my job challenging, more so than in the past,” Flynn said. “I have to find the right combinations. On paper we look great, but that doesn’t always translate to the court. We played with more intensity tonight. When we play with that kind of intensity, we’re a different team. Everybody who played tonight, played with intensity.”

5. Pennsbury has talent, but is very young. The Falcons nine-player rotation included two freshman and three sophomores. Sophomore guard Lacey Balascsak scored seven points for Pennsbury, and sophomore Molly Phillips added six points. Sophomore Kersten Formento (two points) and freshmen Kelsey Moulton (three points) and Lauren Pisauro (two points) logged significant minutes. “We’re battling, and they’re learning,” Falcons coach Donna Nicholson said. “We just keep getting better every game. They’re getting used to each other. You can’t fault their effort. I’m looking forward to them coming together in the second half of the season. Our future looks bright.”

6. Senior guard Kelsey Balascsak led the Falcons with 13 points and hit three 3-pointers. Junior forward Kelly Rebert added 11 points.

7. Pennsbury has played a tough schedule over the first three weeks. The Falcons have already played Council Rock-North, Bensalem, CB East and William Tennent. Pennsbury doesn't play in a holiday tournament, but hosts North Penn on Dec. 30. The Falcons open January with CR-South, Truman, Conwell-Egan and rival Neshaminy.

8. VJM plays in the Boyertown tournament and begins January with Sacred Heart and Gwynedd-Mercy.

9. VJM junior forward Carolyne Heston is playing with a broken finger and had four points.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Council Rock-North 60, Oakland Catholic 38

CR-North (60)
Juliann Fricke 2 0-0 4; Devin Gold 3 2-2 9; Kelly Scull 3 0-0 8; Kate Logan 2 0-0 6; Sarah Kiely 8 1-1 17; Lauren Gold 4 5-5 14; Chloe Pinto 1 0-0 2; Rebecca Houser 0 0-1 0; Jody Marrazzo 0 0-0 0; Emily Grundman 0 0-0 0; Steph Brennan 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 8-9 60

Oakland Catholic (38)
Claire Bernato 2 1-1 5; Colleen Kiss 3 0-0 7; Kayla Walczak 0 0-0 0; Gina Tudi 0 0-0 0; Caitlyn Rudge 1 0-0 3; Robbie Cain 2 0-0 4; Allie Schmidt 5 2-4 12; Caroline King 2 0-2 4; Maria Tassari 0 0-0 0; Jones 1 0-0 2; Kumar 0 1-2 1. Totals: 16 4-9 38.

CRN: 20-14-11-15--60
OC: 5-11-9-13--38

Three-point goals: Logan 2, Scull 2, L. Gold, D. Gold (CRN); Kiss, Rudge (OC).

Link to Courier Times article


EIGHT THINGS


1. CR-North (7-1) dominated this game from beginning to end. The Indians scored the game's first 12 points over 4:02 and led by 15 points at the end of the first quarter, 20-5. The lead was never less than 15 points after the first quarter.

2. North junior forward Sarah Kiely scored the game's first nine points in about three minutes and finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Kiely is averaging about 15 points and 10 rebounds in eight games.

3. The Indians hit six 3-pointers and shot 56.1 percent (23 for 41) from the floor. They shot at least 50 percent in every quarter. “We always play one or two good quarters,” Kiely said. “In this game, we focused on playing four good quarters.”

4. Indians sophomore guard Devin Gold had eight points and six assists, while freshman guard Lauren Gold finished with 14 points and five steals. They are the third and fourth Gold sisters to play for the Indians. Devin had a very good freshman season and appears to be a more mature player. Lauren averaged 7.3 points and 2.7 rebounds with 17 assists and 18 steals in North's first six games.

5. North senior point guard Juliann Fricke looks more comfortable this season than she was as a junior, when she was one of the few experienced veterans on a really young team. Fricke is a quick defender and frustrated Oakland Catholic's guards. “Other coaches see what Julie brings for us,” North coach Lou Palkovics said. “She’s such a good defensive player that nobody wants to play against her. And she’s going to college on a cross-country scholarship, so she never stops running.”

6. Oakland Catholic, which began the season as the No. 3 Class AAAA team in the state according to the Harrisburg Patriot-News, left Pittsburgh at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning for a 1:30 p.m. varsity game. The Indians visited Oakland Catholic two years ago and lost.

7. Kiely: "We haven’t played them in two years,” Kiely said. “Last time, we had to drive all the way back after a disappointment. We felt that if we could send them packing (today), that would be the best revenge.”

8. North is getting balanced scoring. Five players scored six points or more vs. Oakland Catholic. Through North's first six games, five players averaged 7.2 points or more. Senior Kate Logan is averaging 8.0 points had has 11 3-pointers in eight games.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Rained Out

Rain washed out the Pennsbury-Tennent game tonight. But here is the link to my article from Friday's Courier Times article.

The girls basketball notebook featured Morrisville, Bristol and CR-South.
In a bit of an unusual move, Morrisville girls basketball coach Dave Howell chose freshman forward Kievanna Lacey as one of his team captains.

The decision to put that much responsibility on a young player is working out well.

The Bulldogs (4-2 overall, 1-2 Bicentennial Athletic League) won their first four games, and Lacey has been a leader in practice and during games ...
Link to full Courier Times article

My Lower Bucks County Top 5 is:

1. Council Rock North (5-1)

2. Archbishop Wood (3-2)

3. Conwell-Egan (4-2)

4. Bensalem (3-1)

5. Neshaminy (3-1)

Coming tomorrow: Council Rock-North vs. Oakland Catholic.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Arch. Wood 54, Lansdale Catholic 26

Archbishop Wood (54)
Christine Verrelle 2 2-3 6; Ashley Robinson 3 7-8 13; Steph Keyes 2 3-6 9; Tori Arnao 3 1-2 7; Sam Greenfield 2 0-0 6; Caitlin McCartney 1 0-0 2; Ashley B'Oris 0 1-2 1; Kelly Young 1 0-0 2; Grace Gallagher 0 0-2 0; Grace Mirack 1 0-2 2; Jenelle Hudson 0 0-0 0; Rachel Friend 1 0-0 2; Jenna Swope 1 0-0 2; Aubrey Howland 1 0-0 2; Lauren Nealon 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 14-25 54.

Lansdale Catholic (26)
Angie Palmerio 2 2-3 7; Amanda Curry 1 0-0 2; Nora Walsh 1 0-0 3; Shea Wassel 0 1-3 1; Colleen King 1 1-2 3; Kate Greenhalgh 0 0-0 0; Colleen Rafferty 1 1-4 3; Kelsey Logan 0 0-0 0; Jackie McCarron 3 1-2 7; Kaitlyn Rafferty 0 0-0 0; Jenna Logan 0 0-0 0. Totals; 9 6-14 26.

AW: 11-12-16-15--54
LC: 0-5-14-7--26

Three-point goals: Keyes 2, Greenfield 2 (AW); Palmerio, Walsh (LC).

EIGHT THINGS
1. Wood (3-2 overall, 3-1 Philadelphia Catholic League) dominated the first half. The Vikings led 11-0 after the first quarter and 23-5 at halftime. Wood held Lansdale Catholic (2-4, 0-3) scoreless for 12 1/2 minutes to start the game.

2. Wood's three Catholic League wins have been by 28 points, 36 points and 52 points. Its losses were to Archbishop Carroll by 14 and Notre Dame Academy by three points in overtime.

3. Vikings senior center Ashley Robinson had 13 points, four rebounds, three blocks, three steals and three assists. Junior guard Sam Greenfield had six points and five assists.

4. Wood senior Ashley B'Oris played much of the fourth quarter on an injured knee and played well. B'Oris suffered the injury in an October fall league game. She is trying to put off the surgery so that she can play this season. B'Oris hit one of two free throws in the last two minutes for her only point.

5. Wood's eight sophomores combined for 32 points. Center Tori Arnao had seven points and five rebounds in her second varsity start. Guard Christine Verrelle had six points and four steals, while guard Steph Keyes scored nine points and hit two 3-pointers. The Vikings 10th graders have size and athleticism and are quickly gaining experience. The other sophomores are guard Caitlin McCartney, forward Aubrey Howland, guard Rachel Friend, guard Grace Mirack and forward Jenna Swope.

6. The Vikings don't play locally again until Jan. 6 against Kennedy-Kenrick. They are traveling to the Kroger Holiday Classic in Pickerington, Ohio, for the second straight year. Wood visits Cardinal O'Hara on Jan. 9.

7. Christine Verrelle on becoming a varsity regular as a sophomore: "I was a little nervous at first, but I have confidence."

8. Verrelle on last week's 55-41 loss to Archbishop Carroll: "I'm glad we played Carroll early. Now we know that we can stay with them."

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Standings, Dec. 13

Through Dec. 13, 2008

SOL National


LeagueOverall
CR-North
2-0
4-1
Abington
2-0
4-1
Bensalem
2-0
2-1
Neshaminy
1-1
2-1
CR-South
1-1
2-2
W. Tennent
0-2
2-2
Pennsbury
0-2
1-2
HS Truman
0-2
0-3


SOL Continental


LeagueOverall
Pennridge
2-0
4-0
Souderton
2-0
4-0
CB East
2-03-0
Quakertown
1-1
1-2
North Penn
1-1
1-4
CB South
0-2
1-3
Hat.-Horsham
0-2
1-4
CB West
0-2
0-5


SOL American


LeagueOverall
Norristown
2-0
4-0
Cheltenham
2-0
3-1
Wissahickon
2-0
3-2
Upper Merion
1-1
2-2
Upper Dublin
1-12-3
Springfield
0-2
1-3
U. Moreland
0-2
0-3
P-W
0-2
0-4


AACA


LeagueOverall
Nazareth
2-0
4-0
Mount St. Joseph
1-0
4-0
Villa Maria
1-02-0
St. Basil
1-1
4-1
Merion Mercy
1-1
3-1
Villa Joseph Marie
0-1
1-3
Gwynedd-Mercy
0-1
0-2
Sacred Heart
0-2
2-3


PCL


LeagueOverall
Arch. Ryan
3-0
5-0
Card. O'Hara
3-0
4-0
Arch. Carroll
2-0
2-0
Conwell-Egan
2-1
3-1
Arch. Wood
2-1
2-2
Card. Dougherty
1-1
2-1
Little Flower
1-1
2-1
Arch. Prend.
1-1
2-2
W. Catholic
1-1
1-1
Neu.-Goretti
1-1
2-3
Lans. Catholic
0-1
2-2
Bishop McDevitt
0-2
1-3
Kennedy-Kenrick
0-2
0-4
Hallahan
0-2
0-4
St. Hubert
0-3
0-5


Friends League


LeagueOverall
Fr. Central0-0
8-0
Shipley
0-0
6-0
ANC
0-0
2-1
George Sch.
0-0
2-2
Fr. Select
0-0
2-2
Moorestown Fr.
0-0
0-0
Germ. Friends
0-0
1-2
Abington Fr.
0-0
1-3
Westtown
0-0
0-4

Friday, December 12, 2008

Abington 57, William Tennent 35

Abington (57)
Kelly Gregorio 1 0-0 2; Jen Kelly 4 1-3 12; Ajanae Boone 3 0-0 7; Emily Leer 8 0-1 16; Aiyannah Peal 4 1-4 9; Felicia Strother 0 0-0 0; Chynna West 0 0-0 0; Liz Layton 3 0-0 6; Tess Johns 1 0-0 3; Sam Stutz 0 0-0 0; Jess Schmidt 0 0-0 0; Sarah Listenbee 0 0-0 0; Jaime Shectman 1 0-0 2. Totals: 25 2-8 57.

William Tennent (35)
Alison Malatesta 0 2-2 2; Ashley Alden 1 0-0 2; Deanna Schneiderreit 1 0-0 3; Liz Koval 2 4-8 8; Hanna Sellers 2 0-2 4; Taylor Morgan 2 0-2 4; Becky Allen 2 0-0 5; Emily O’Donnell 0 0-0 0; Melissa Wasserleben 2 0-0 5; Melissa Horn 0 0-0 0; Gina Tyson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 13 6-14 35.

A: 20-14-18-5—57
WT: 6-13-7-9—35

Three-pointers: Kelly 3, Boone, Johns (A); Schneiderreit, Allen, Wasserleben (WT).

SEVEN THINGS

1. Abington (4-1 overall, 2-0 SOL National) is a very talented team. Versatile senior 5-foot-11 guard Ajanae Brown has already signed with the University of Rhode Island, and junior 6-foot-2 forward Emily Leer is going to be a Division I college player. Guard Jen Kelly is an excellent shooter and had three 3-pointers in the first quarter against William Tennent. Freshman foward Aiyannah Peal had nine points vs. Tennent. The Ghosts have so much talent that Liz Layton, who started for a 23-win team last season, is coming off of the bench.

2. Abington led Tennent by 20 points, 26-6, early in the second quarter. The Panthers (2-2, 0-2) were at a distinct disadvantage without three of their top players: forward Sarah Godfrey (illness), guard Megan Zimmerman (illness) and guard Laura Kosma (sprained knee).

3. Leer had 16 points for Abington. Kelly scored 12 points, Peal had nine points, and Boone finished with seven points. “Abington is a very well rounded team,” Tennent coach Paul Veltre said. “They were able to score at will from all over.”

4. Abington has won by 52 points, 24 points, 21 points and 22 points.

5. Abington coach Dan Marsh on his team's talent level: “It’s funny. I said to the Neshaminy coach that this is the most talent I’ve ever had. But it will be my most difficult coaching job. But it’s nice. I’m not going to complain.”

6. Boone on the team's talent level: "We have every weapon. We have everything. Nothing is missing. We have everything we need to win a championship."

7. Abington and Council Rock-North (3-1, 2-0) are the clear favorites in the SOL National, but they don't meet until Jan. 9.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Archbishop Carroll 55, Archbishop Wood 41

Archbishop Carroll (55)
Jen Carney 1 2-4 5; MaryKate McCann 0 0-0 0; Hollie Mershon 5 0-0 10; Kerri Shields 5 4-4 17; Kaitlin Cole 5 1-2 11; Erin Shields 4 0-0 10; Emily Fazzini 1 0-0 2; Rachel Pearson 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 7-10 55.

Archbishop Wood (41)
Sam Greenfield 3 0-0 7; Steph Keyes 1 1-2 3; Ashley Robinson 1 9-12 11; Christine Verrelle 0 0-2 0; Cait McCartney 3 2-2 8; Jenelle Hudson 0 0-0 0; Tori Arnao 3 6-7 12. Totals: 11 18-25 41.

AC: 14-17-15-9--55
AW: 3-15-11-12--41

Three-point goals: Kerri Shields 3, Erin Shields 2, Carney (AC); Greenfield (AW).


SEVEN THINGS


1. Carroll (2-0 Philadelphia Catholic League) took a big lead early and led by 15 points, 18-3, early in the second quarter. Wood (2-1, 2-1 PCL) went on a 14-5 run in the second quarter and closed the deficit to six points, 23-17, with 1:46 to go in the first half. Carroll was up by 20 for most of the third quarter, but Wood got within 11, 48-37, in the fourth quarter.

2. Carroll was able to slow down Wood senior center Ashley Robinson for most of the game. Robinson finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. "I was triple-teamed and quadruple-teamed," Robinson said. Wood wasn't able to get the ball to Robinson a lot until the fourth quarter.

3. Four sophomores played quite a bit for Wood, which returned only one starter (Robinson) from last year. Sophomore forward Tori Arnao had 12 points and three steals, and sophomore forward Cati McCartney had eight points. Sophomore guards Christine Verrelle and Steph Keyes were also on the floor a lot.

4. Senior guard Kerri Shields scored 17 points for Carroll, senior forward Kaitlin Cole had 11 points and Erin Shields had 10 points. Carroll had six 3-pointers--five in the first half.

5. Carroll is probably the best Class AAA team in Pennsylvania. If it doesn't win the state championship, it will be a surprise. But Wood can play with most of the top Class AAA teams in the state.

6. This was a rematch of last year's PCL semifinal. Carroll jumped out to an early lead in that one, too, and won by eight.

7. Wood junior guard Sam Greenfield: "We've adjusted (after losing four starters). We brought some girls up from junior varsity. We are a young team, but we'll be fine."

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Bensalem 58, William Tennent 46 OT

William Tennent (46)
Alison Malatesta 0 2-4 2; Megan Zimmerman 3 1-3 7; Sarah Godfrey 3 0-0 7; Liz Koval 2 2-6 6; Deanna Schneiderreit 2 0-0 6; Taylor Morgan 4 0-4 8; Ashley Alden 3 1-4 8; Hanna Sellers 1 0-2 2; Gina Tyson 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 6-23 46.

Bensalem (58)
Paige Ormont 1 0-3 2; Kate Clarkson 1 1-6 4; Jackie Deegler 6 3-8 15; Sharmane Hall 6 4-13 16; Kristen Gilroy 4 9-12 17; Jody Sokal 2 0-2 4; Ashlee Spence 0 0-0 0; Jess Williams 0 0-0 0; Alexia Ewing 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 17-44 58.

WT: 4-9-20-12-1--46
B: 10-8-13-14-13--58

Three-point goals: Schneiderreit 2, Godfrey, Alden (WT); Clarkson (B).

TEN THINGS

1. In the Suburban One National opener, Bensalem (1-1 overall, 1-0 SOL) outscored visiting William Tennent (1-1, 0-1) in overtime, 13-1.

2. Tennent tied the game, 45-45, on a drive by Liz Koval as time expired in regulation. Sarah Godfrey started the play with a defensive rebound on a foul shot with about five seconds left. Godfrey passed ahead to Alison Malatesta, and Malatesta passed to Koval.

3. Senior forward Sharmane Hall, senior forward Jackie Deegler and senior guard Kristen Gilroy combined for 48 of Bensalem's 58 points. Hall had 16 points, 12 rebounds and three steals. Deegler had 15 points and eight rebounds. Gilroy had 17 points, three steals, three blocks and three assists.

4. Tennent had six players with between six and eight points. Taylor Morgan and Ashley Alden had eight points apiece.

5. The Panthers scored 13 points in the entire first half, but had 20 points in the third quarter. They were down by as many as nine points in the first half. Tennent tied the game, 23-23, with a 14-5 run and had a six-point lead late in the third quarter, 33-27. Bensalem opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run.

6. Free-throw shooting was not good. The teams combined to shoot 34.3 percent (23 for 67) from the foul line. Tennent shot 26.1 percent (6 for 23). Bensalem shot 38.6 percent (17 for 44). Gilroy shot 75 percent (9 for 12), while the rest of the Owls shot 25 percent (8 for 32).

7. In two games, Hall is averaging 12.5 points and 14.0 rebounds. Deegler is averaging 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds.

8. Bensalem junior Jody Sokal had no varsity experience, but scored four points and gave the Owls valuable minutes off the bench in the first half.

9. "It's a good win for us," Owls coach Don Bogan said. "Tonight, the girls stayed together. When (Tennent) scored at the end (of regulation), we kept our composure."

10. Tennent hosts Hatboro-Horsham on Dec. 10 and SOL National favorite Abington on Dec. 12. Bensalem visits Pennsbury on Friday.

Photo by Christopher Cornell

Friday, December 5, 2008

Neshaminy 48, Villa Joseph Marie 37

Villa Joseph Marie (37)
Jennie Quattrocchi 2 2-2 8; Carolyne Heston 2 0-0 6; Melissa Van Wert 5 4-6 17; Meghan Ledwith 0 4-4 4; Kate Abel 0 0-0 0; Suzanne Bierly 1 0-0 2; Lauren Waterson 0 0-1 0; Christine Gorrell 0 0-1 0. Totals: 10 10-14 37.

Neshaminy (48)
Kelsey Ryan 6 3-4 15; Avery Wunder 2 4-5 8; Chelsea Rota 2 1-8 5; Jenn Slivka 1 0-1 2; Brianna Weiler 1 2-2 4; Victoria Mazzeo 3 3-6 9; Amanda Lally 1 2-2 4; Demi Tierney 0 0-0 0; Brianna Hires 0 1-2 1. Totals: 16 16-30 48.

VJM: 8-7-9-13--37
N: 8-16-7-17--48

Three-point goals: Van Wert 3, Quattrocchi 2, Heston 2 (VJM).


Link to Neshaminy-VJM game story from Courier Times

Link to Courier Times article about Bensalem's Sharmane Hall


SIX THINGS

1. Junior forward Kelsey Ryan scored Neshaminy's first 12 points and finished with 15. “(Ryan) worked extremely hard in the off-season,” Neshaminy coach Joanne McVey said. “We’re looking for her to have a big year in a number of ways, including leadership.”

2. The Redskins trailed by four, 8-4, in the first quarter. But they scored 18 unanswered points in about 6 1/2 minutes to take over the game. VJM never got closer than three points the rest of the way.

3. Neshaminy senior forward Chelsea Rota really disrupted the game with her aggressiveness, speed and athleticism. “(Rota) doesn’t put up a lot of numbers, but she creates havoc,” McVey said. Ryan added, "(Rota) is one of the quickest players I've ever seen. She will blow people away."

4. Redskins junior Victoria Mazzeo and sophomore guard Jenn Slivka were also very effective on defense.

5. Seven of Villa Joseph Marie's 10 field goals were 3-pointers. Midway through the fourth quarter, VJM had seven 3-pointers and one two-point field goal.

6. Neshaminy is smaller than VJM, but beat the Jems on the boards with quickness and aggressiveness. VJM had 16 total rebounds. Neshaminy's Brianna Weiler (seven rebounds) and Mazzeo (five rebounds) got close to that on their own.

Archbishop Wood 2008-2009

Coach: Jim Ricci (3rd season)
2007-2008 record: 23-3 overall (12-0 PCL North)

Roster
1 Jenna Swope F, 5-9, So.
3 Jenelle Hudson G, 5-5, Sr.
4 Samantha Greenfield G, 5-7, Jr.
5 Grace Mirack G, 5-7, So.
10 Rachel Friend G, 5-5, So.
11 Ashley B'Oris G, 5-6, Sr.
13 Ashley Robinson C, 6-3, Sr.
20 Aubrey Howland F, 5-10, So.
21 Kelly Young G-F 5-10, Sr.
22 Christine Verrelle G, 5-8, So.
24 Jen Maxwell F, 5-8, Sr.
30 Victoria Arnao C, 6-0, So.
31 Stephanie Keyes G, 5-9, So.
34 Caitlin McCartney G, 5-7, So.
40 Grace Gallagher C-F, 5-9, Sr.

Schedule
Dec. 6 at John W Hallahan W, 81-29 (1-0, 1-0)
Dec. 9 at St. Hubert W, 48-12 (2-0, 2-0)
Dec. 11 Archbishop Carroll L, 41-55 (2-1, 2-1)
Dec. 13 at Notre Dame L, 50-53 OT (2-2)
Dec. 16 at Lansdale Catholic W, 54-26 (3-2, 3-1)
Dec. 27 Mount Notre Dame L, 33-55 (3-3)
Dec. 28 Webb W, 64-47 (4-3)
Dec. 29 Peters Twp. W, 45-37 (5-3)
Jan. 3 Fenwick Catholic
Jan. 6 Kennedy-Kenrick
Jan. 9 at Cardinal O’Hara
Jan. 13 Little Flower
Jan. 15 Bishop McDevitt
Jan. 17 at Eastern
Jan. 18 at Trenton Central
Jan. 20 at Cardinal Dougherty
Jan. 23 at Archbishop Prendergast
Jan. 25 at Ursuline Academy
Jan. 27 Archbishop Ryan
Jan. 29 at West Catholic
Feb. 3 Neumann-Goretti
Feb. 6 Conwell-Egan

Abington 2008-2009

Coach: Dan Marsh
Last year: 23-7 (11-3 SOL National)

Schedule
Dec. 5 Abington Friends W, 77-25 (1-0)
Dec. 6 St. Basil L, 38-42 (1-1)
Dec. 9 Neshaminy W, 49-25 (2-1, 1-0)
Dec. 10 Plymouth-Whitemarsh W, 47-26 (3-1)
Dec. 12 at William Tennent W, 57-35 (4-1, 2-0)
Dec. 16 Pennsbury, ppd.
Dec. 19 at CR-South W, 57-42 (5-1, 3-0)
Dec. 23 at CB South L, 44-49 (5-2)
Dec. 29 at Owings Mills W, 65-15 (6-2)
Dec. 30 at Eastern Tech W, 55-33 (7-2)
Jan. 5 Wissahickon
Jan. 6 at Truman
Jan. 9 CR-North
Jan. 13 at Bensalem
Jan. 16 at Neshaminy
Jan. 20 William Tennent
Jan. 23 at Pennsbury
Jan. 27 CR-South
Jan. 28 at Methacton
Jan. 30 Truman
Feb. 3 at CR-North
Feb. 6 Bensalem

Bensalem 2008-2009

Coach: Don Bogan (20th season)
Last year: 15-10 (9-5 SOL National)

Roster
22 Kate Clarkson, Sr., G
24 Kristen Gilroy, Sr., G
5 Paige Ormont, Sr., G
Jen Nolan, Jr., F
20 Jody Sokal, Jr., G
Shannon Werth, Jr., G
4 Jackie Deegler, Sr., F
Sharmane Hall, Sr., F
Alexis Nyekan, Jr., G-F
Jere St. Louis, Fr., G
10 Jess Williams, Sr., G
50 Ashlee Spence, Fr., F
Ebony Welch, Jr., G
12 Alexia Ewing, So., G
Allison Ormont, So., G

Schedule
Dec. 6 at Norristown L, 50-57 (0-1)
Dec. 9 William Tennent W, 58-46 OT (1-1, 1-0)
Dec. 12 at Pennsbury W, 54-41 (2-1, 2-0)
Dec. 16 at CR-South, ppd.
Dec. 17 Academy Park W (3-1)
Dec. 19 Harry S Truman W, 44-18 (4-1, 3-0)
Dec. 22 New Hope-Solebury W, 58-34 (5-1)
Dec. 23 Chester W, 68-55 (6-1)
Dec. 30 at Cheltenham L, 33-71 (6-2)
Jan. 6 CR-North
Jan. 9 at Neshaminy
Jan. 10 at Bristol
Jan. 13 Abington
Jan. 16 at William Tennent
Jan. 20 Pennsbury
Jan. 23 CR-South
Jan. 27 at Harry S Truman
Jan. 30 at CR-North
Jan. 31 at Penn Wood
Feb. 3 Neshaminy
Feb. 6 at Abington

Bristol 2008-2009

Coach: Marty Moyers (2nd season)
Last year: 8-15 (2-12 BAL)

Schedule
Dec. 5 Comm. Acad. of Phila W, 61-26 (1-0)
Dec. 6 Morrisville L, 41-43 (1-1)
Dec. 11 Christopher Dock L, 23-51 (1-2, 0-1)
Dec. 16 MaST W, 35-25 (2-2, 1-1)
Dec. 18 Lower Moreland L, 19-57 (2-3, 1-2)
Dec. 19 at Friends Select W, 45-39 (3-3)
Dec. 29 Calvary Baptist L, 45-50 (3-4)
Dec. 30 Renaissance W, 47-41 (4-4)
Jan. 6 at New Hope-Solebury
Jan. 8 at Girard College
Jan. 10 Bensalem
Jan. 13 Phil-Mont Christian
Jan. 14 at Jenkintown
Jan. 20 Morrisville
Jan. 22 at Calvary Christian
Jan. 27 Delaware County Christian
Jan. 29 at Plumstead Christian
Feb. 3 at Christopher Dock
Feb. 5 at MaST
Feb. 7 Girard College
Feb. 10 at Lower Moreland
Feb. 11 New Hope-Solebury

Conwell-Egan 2008-2009

Coach: Norman O'Rourke (5th season)
Last year: 20-6 (10-2 PCL North)

Schedule
Dec. 6 Kennedy-Kenrick W, 67-44 (1-0, 1-0)
Dec. 8 at VJM W, 49-42 (2-0)
Dec. 9 Lansdale Catholic W, 52-40 (3-0, 2-0)
Dec. 12 at Cardinal O'Hara L, 24-62 (3-1, 2-1)
Dec. 15 Lower Moreland W, 48-47 (4-1)
Dec. 16 Little Flower L, 39-43 (4-2, 2-2)
Dec. 19 at Cardinal Dougherty W, 61-38 (5-2, 3-2)
Dec. 26 Immaculata W, 66-33 (6-2)
Dec. 27 Penn Charter L, 38-53 (6-3)
Dec. 29 Bridgewater-Raritan W, 44-22 (7-3)
Jan. 5 Rancocas Valley
Jan. 6 Germantown Academy
Jan. 9 at Archbishop Prendergast
Jan. 10 Pennsbury
Jan. 13 Archbishop Ryan
Jan. 16 Neumann-Goretti
Jan. 20 at West Catholic
Jan. 22 at Neshaminy
Jan. 23 at St. Hubert
Jan. 24 Bishop McDevitt
Jan. 29 John W Hallahan
Feb. 3 at Archbishop Carroll
Feb. 6 at Archbishop Wood

Council Rock-North 2008-2009

Coach: Lou Palkovics (12th season)
Last year: 17-9 (11-3 SOL Continental)

Roster
1 Steph Brennan G, 5-7, Jr.
3 Devin Gold G, 5-7, So.
4 Juliann Fricke G, 5-7, Sr.
10 Chloe Pinto G, 5-6, Jr.
12 Lauren Gold G, 5-6, Fr.
15 Kelly Scull F, 5-10, Jr.
21 Jodi Marrazzo G-F, 5-7, Jr.
22 Brittany Garvey G, 5-4, Jr.
23 Sarah Kiely F-C, 6-0, Jr.
30 Ally Mangogna F, 5-10, So.
34 Rebecca Houser F, 5-10, Jr.
35 Kate Logan F, 5-10, Sr.
51 Emily Grundman F-C, 6-2, Fr.

Schedule
Dec.5 Central Dauphin L, 34-58 (0-1)
Dec.6 at State College W, 56-49 (1-1)
Dec.9 Pennsbury W, 63-39 (2-1, 1-0)
Dec.11 at Truman W, 67-16 (3-1, 2-0)
Dec.13 Methacton W, 50-34 (4-1)
Dec.16 Tennent W, 57-39 (5-1, 3-0)
Dec.19 Neshaminy W, 50-39 (6-1, 4-0)
Dec.20 Oakland Catholic W, 60-38 (7-1)
Dec.28 Ocean City W, 59-51 OT (8-1)
Dec.29 Camden Catholic W, 45-39 (9-1)
Jan.6 at Bensalem
Jan.9 at Abington
Jan.13 CR South
Jan.16 at Pennsbury
Jan.17 Cheltenham at Scholastic Play-By-Play@Archbishop Carroll HS
Jan.18 Timber Creek(NJ) at Cougar Classic @ Cherry Hill East HS(NJ)
Jan.20 Truman
Jan.22 at Tennent
Jan.27 at Neshaminy
Jan.30 Bensalem
Feb.3 Abington
Feb.6 at CR South

Council Rock-South 2008-2009

Coach: Monica Young (1st season)
Last year: 5-19 (3-11 SOL Continental)

Roster
1 Chelsea Allen F, 5-10, Jr.
2 Alexia Crosier 5-7, Fr.
4 Ann Silverthorn G, 5-7, Sr.
5 Lea Britton G, 5-5, Jr.
10 Jackie Weber 5-6, Jr.
11 Emily Nowicke F, 5-8, Jr.
13 Lindsay Kirlin 5-5, Sr.
14 Steph Gillio 5-5, Sr.
15 Brianna Schlupp 5-9, Jr.
21 Alex Wheatley C, 6-2, Fr.

Schedule
Dec. 5 at Methacton L, 39-42 (0-1)
Dec. 6 at North Penn W, 50-46 (1-1)
Dec. 9 Harry S Truman W, 51-16 (2-1, 1-0)
Dec. 12 at Neshaminy L, 44-53 (2-2, 1-1)
Dec. 16 Bensalem, ppd.
Dec. 19 Abington L, 42-57 (2-3, 1-2)
Dec. 22 Pennridge W, 51-49 (3-3)
Dec. 29 Lower Cape May W, 43-31 (4-3)
Dec. 30 Egg Harbor Township W, 49-31 (5-3)
Jan. 6 at Pennsbury
Jan. 7 at William Tennent
Jan. 8 Souderton
Jan. 13 at CR-North
Jan. 15 CB East
Jan. 16 at Harry S Truman
Jan. 20 Neshaminy
Jan. 23 at Bensalem
Jan. 24 SOL Challenge
Jan. 27 at Abington
Jan. 29 Pennsbury
Feb. 3 at William Tennent
Feb. 6 CR-North

George School 2008-2009

Coach: Richard Polgar (3rd season)
Last year: 11-9 (5-3 Friends)

Schedule
Dec. 5 Baldwin W, 35-31 (1-0)
Dec. 6 Cougar Classic L, 19-48 (1-1)
Dec. 9 Princeton Day School L, 38-47 (1-2)
Dec. 12 at Solebury School W, 34-14 (2-2)
Dec. 13 ANC Jamboree
Dec. 16 at Villa Victoria
Dec. 18 Shipley School L, 24-55
Jan. 9 at Abington Friends
Jan. 13 Academy of the New Church
Jan. 16 at Germantown Friends
Jan. 17 at Springside School
Jan. 20 at Friends Select
Jan. 23 Friends Central
Jan. 27 at Perkiomen School
Jan. 29 Moorestown Friends
Feb. 4 at Westtown School
Feb. 6 Hill School

Harry S Truman 2008-2009

Coach: Byron Conover (4th season)
Last year: 2-22 (0-14 SOL National)

Schedule
Dec. 5 Norristown L, 27-61 (0-1)
Dec. 9 at CR-South L, 16-51 (0-2, 0-1)
Dec. 11 CR-North L, 16-67 (0-3, 0-2)
Dec. 16 at Neshaminy L, 20-56 (0-4, 0-3)
Dec. 19 at Bensalem L, 18-44 (0-5, 0-4)
Dec. 22 Upper Moreland L, 20-43 (0-6)
Dec. 23 at Christopher Dock tournament
Jan. 6 Abington
Jan. 9 Pennsbury
Jan. 10 Burlington City
Jan. 13 at Tennent
Jan. 15 at Maple Shade
Jan. 16 CR-South
Jan. 20 at CR-North
Jan. 23 Neshaminy
Jan. 24 SOL
Jan. 27 Bensalem
Jan. 30 at Abington
Jan. 31 at Princeton
Feb. 2 at Upper Moreland
Feb. 3 at Pennsbury

Morrisville 2008-2009

Coach: Dave Howell (2nd season)
Last year: 8-18 (5-12 BAL)

Schedule

Dec. 5 Faith Christian W, 47-36 (1-0)
Dec. 6 Bristol W, 43-41 (2-0)
Dec. 11 at Plumstead Christian W, 51-32 (3-0, 1-0)
Dec. 13 at Comm. Academy of Phila. W, 52-14 (4-0)
Dec. 16 at Jenkintown L, 26-51 (4-1, 1-1)
Dec. 18 Calvary Christian L, 47-53 (4-2, 1-2)
Dec. 20 at Lawrence L, 24-55 (4-3)
Dec. 29 Tulpehocken L, 30-51 (4-4)
Dec. 30 Tulpehocken tournament
Jan. 3 at Delaware County Christian
Jan. 6 Phil-Mont Christian Academy
Jan. 8 Delaware County Christian
Jan. 9 Doane Academy
Jan. 13 at New Hope-Solebury
Jan. 15 Christopher Dock
Jan. 20 at Bristol
Jan. 22 Girard College
Jan. 27 at Lower Moreland
Jan. 29 MaST Charter
Feb. 3 Plumstead Christian
Feb. 5 Jenkintown
Feb. 10 at Calvary Christian
Feb. 12 at Phil-Mont Christian

Neshaminy 2008-2009

Coach: Joanne McVey (8th season)
Last year: 11-14 (5-9 SOL National)

Schedule
Dec. 5 Villa Joseph Marie W, 48-37 (1-0)
Dec. 9 at Abington L, 25-49 (1-1, 0-1)
Dec. 12 CR-South W, 53-44 (2-1, 1-1)
Dec. 16 Harry S Truman W, 56-20 (3-1, 2-1)
Dec. 19 at CR-North L, 39-50 (3-2, 2-2)
Dec. 22 CB West W, 38-19 (4-2)
Dec. 28 Seneca L, 40-43 (4-3)
Dec. 29 Winslow Twp. L, 37-40 (4-4)
Jan. 6 at Tennent
Jan. 7 at Notre Dame
Jan. 9 Bensalem
Jan. 13 at Pennsbury
Jan. 15 North Penn
Jan. 16 Abington
Jan. 20 at CR-South
Jan. 22 Conwell-Egan
Jan. 23 at Truman
Jan. 24 SOL Challenge
Jan. 27 CR-North
Jan. 30 Tennent
Feb. 3 at Bensalem
Feb. 6 Pennsbury

Pennsbury 2008-2009

Coach: Donna Nicholson (7th season)
Last year: 11-13 (4-10 SOL National)

Roster
23 Kelsey Alvino Sr., 5-6
35 Emilyrachel Atunrase Sr., 6-0
31 Kelsey Balascsak Sr., 5-7
41 Lauren Gerity Sr., 5-10
5 Cody Wolpert Sr., 5-5
55 Kelly Rebert Jr., 5-9
13 Lacey Balascsak So., 5-5
25 Katie Fields So., 5-7
3 Kersten Formento So., 5-6
4 Stephanie Gray So., 5-8
32 Jaclyn Kelley So., 5-8
42 Brittany Kessler So., 5-10
50 Molly Phillips So., 5-9
12 Becca Radzinski So., 5-5
25 Sarah Urso So., 5-6
33 Kelsey Moulton Fr., 5-8
11 Lauren Pisauro Fr., 5-8
30 Carly Quake Fr., 5-10
10 Victoria Taylor Fr., 5-7
40 Lindsey Weaver Fr., 5-8

Schedule
Dec. 5 Shipley L, 38-50 (0-1)
Dec. 7 Haverford W, 56-47 (1-1)
Dec. 9 at CR-North L, 39-63 (1-2, 0-2)
Dec. 12 Bensalem L, 41-54 (1-3, 0-2)
Dec. 16 at Abington, ppd.
Dec. 18 CB East L, 38-61 (1-4)
Dec. 19 Tennent, L, 48-51 (1-5, 0-3)
Dec. 22 Villa Joseph Marie L, 44-50 (1-6)
Dec. 30 North Penn W, 50-45 (2-6)
Jan. 6 CR-South
Jan. 9 at Truman
Jan. 10 at Conwell-Egan
Jan. 13 Neshaminy
Jan. 16 CR-North
Jan. 17 at Pennridge
Jan. 20 at Bensalem
Jan. 23 Abington
Jan. 27 at Tennent
Jan. 29 at CR-South
Feb. 3 Truman
Feb. 6 at Neshaminy

Villa Joseph Marie 2008-2009

Coach: Becky Flynn (4th season)
Last year: 14-9 (8-6 AACA)

Schedule
Dec. 5 at Neshaminy L, 37-48 (0-1)
Dec. 8 Conwell-Egan L, 42-49 (0-2)
Dec. 11 Nazareth L, 31-54 (0-3, 0-1)
Dec. 12 at Pottsgrove W, 45-37 (1-3)
Dec. 16 at Mount St. Joseph L, 30-58 (1-4, 0-2)
Dec. 18 Merion Mercy W, 49-47 (2-4, 1-2)
Dec. 19 St. Hubert L, 35-49 (2-5)
Dec. 22 at Pennsbury W, 50-44 (3-5)
Dec. 29 Pennridge W, 44-32 (4-5)
Dec. 30 Great Valley L, 28-37 (4-6)
Jan. 6 at Sacred Heart
Jan. 8 Gwynedd-Mercy
Jan. 10 at St. Basil
Jan. 13 Villa Maria
Jan. 15 at Nazareth
Jan. 20 Mount St. Joseph
Jan. 22 at Merion Mercy
Jan. 24 Archbishop Ryan
Jan. 27 Sacred Heart
Jan. 29 at Gwynedd-Mercy
Jan. 31 St. Basil
Feb. 3 at Villa Maria

William Tennent 2008-2009

Coach: Paul Veltre (7th season)
Last year: 17-9 (9-5 SOL Continental)

Roster
15 Ashley Alden G, 6-0, So.
2 Becky Allen G, 5-6, Sr.
13 Sarah Godfrey F, 6-0, Jr.
21 Laura Kosma G, 5-4, Sr.
34 Liz Koval F, 5-11, So.
5 Alison Malatesta G, 5-6, So.
32 Taylor Morgan G, 5-8, Jr.
14 Deanna Schneiderreit F, 5-6, Sr.
54 Hanna Sellers F, 5-9, Jr.
3 Gina Tyson G, 5-3, Sr.
10 Megan Zimmerman G, 5-5, Sr.

Schedule
Dec. 5 at Upper Perkiomen W, 54-44 (1-0)
Dec. 9 at Bensalem L, 46-58 OT (1-1, 0-1)
Dec. 10 Hatboro-Horsham W, 55-15 (2-1)
Dec. 12 Abington L, 35-57 (2-2, 0-2)
Dec. 16 at CR-North L, 39-57 (2-3, 0-3)
Dec. 19 at Pennsbury W, 51-48 (3-3, 1-3)
Dec. 23 Northeast W, 56-19 (4-3)
Dec. 29 Punxsutawney W, 46-28 (5-3)
Dec. 30 Hazleton L, 25-49 (5-4)
Jan. 6 Neshaminy
Jan. 7 at CR-South
Jan. 10 at Perkiomen Valley
Jan. 13 Harry S Truman
Jan. 15 CB West
Jan. 16 Bensalem
Jan. 20 at Abington
Jan. 22 CR-North
Jan. 24 CB East (at CR-North)
Jan. 27 Pennsbury
Jan. 30 at Neshaminy
Feb. 3 CR-South
Feb. 6 at Harry S Truman

2008-2009 Information

2008-2009 Information II

Monday, March 10, 2008

All-Central

First team
Chelsea Shine, Conestoga (MVP)
Diamon Beckford, Upper Darby
Molly Hanlon, Lower Merion
Kristen Johnson, Conestoga
MyNeshia McKenzie, Springfield
Kelyn Freedman, Radnor

Second team
Lil Carney, Lower Merion
Dior Brown, Upper Darby
Steph Lundstrom, Radnor
Ayana Howard, Ridley
Maddy McKnight, Springfield
Pookie Gallagher, Haverford

Thursday, March 6, 2008

All-Friends

First team
Katie Stutz, Jr., Moorestown Friends
Marisol McKee, Sr., Germantown Friends
Shelby Tucker, So., Germantown Friends
Nina Voith, Jr., Germantown Friends
Kristen Mann, So., Friends Central
Talia East, So., Friends Central
Alicia Fairfax, Jr., Shipley
Alex Lennon, Jr., Shipley
Capri Bronaugh-LaRocca, Jr., George School

Honorable mention
Brianna Ross, So., Shipley
Lisa Bernardini, Sr., George School
Erin Pinkett, So., Westtown School
Julya Loder, Fr., Germantown Friends
Angie Adams, Jr., Abington Friends

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

All-Ches-Mont

NATIONAL

First team
Lauren Beyrent, Downingtown East
Kristen Blye, Downingtown East
Shante Evans, West Chester Henderson
Meghan Kerrigan, Downingtown East
Jordan Stevenson, Downingtown West

Second team
Jackie Burg, Bishop Shanahan
Amanda Donia, Downingtown West
Kelli Joran, Downingtown East
Isabel Scott, Downingtown West
Amber Yacenda, Downingtown East

Honorable mention
Katie Armstrong, West Chester Henderston
Emily Carlin, Bishop Shanahan
Kelly Coker, Downingtown West
Jasmine Jones, Avon Grove
Alyssa Stirling, Coatesville
Jessica Rudloff, West Chester East

AMERICAN

First team
Meghan Tait, Oxford
Emily Ellison, Great Valley
Verena Woloson, Kennett
Andrea Pride, Great Valley
Becca Ruggear, Oxford

Second team
Brittany Greaves, Great Valley
Dana Walsh, Great Valley
Keli Anderson, Unionville
Kacie Hershey, Octorara
Rianna Doane, Bayard Rustin
Alyssa Brown, Unionville

Honorable mention
Breanna Whiteside, Kennett
Lauren Biczelewski, Bayard Rustin
Karly Herb, Oxford
Lizzy Carney, Unionville
Erin Donnelly, Octorara

Monday, March 3, 2008

All-InterAc

First team
Maggie Lucas, Germantown Academy
Jesse Carey, Germantown Academy
Katie Kuester, Notre Dame
Brittany Perfetti, Episcopal
Megan Pauley, Agnes Irwin

Second team
Breanna Ockimey, Notre Dame
Aleesha Powell, Penn Charter
Meghan McCullough, Notre Dame
Alexa Gallagher, Germantown Academy
Tory Thierolf, Germantown Academy

Honorable mention
Tori Baggio, Springside
Alex Chambers, Episcopal
Nora McGurkin, Penn Charter
Sloan Warren, Baldwin
Lexi Kelly, Agnes Irwin

Thursday, February 28, 2008

All-AACA

First team
Laura Johnson, Mount St. Joseph
Lindsay Teuber, St. Basil
Sarah McGorry, Mount St. Joseph
Lindsay Corcoran, Villa Maria
Elle Hagedorn, Mount St. Joseph

Second team
Carleigh Brown, Nazareth
Ellen Cannon, Villa Maria
Erin Mann, Villa Maria
Katie McGee, Nazareth
Sarah Kazarnowicz, Villa Joseph Marie

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

All-SOL

NATIONAL

First team
Shakia Robinson, Jr., North Penn (Player of the Year)
Julie Hahn, Sr., CB South
Sharmane Hall, Jr., Bensalem
Sarah Thorn, Sr., Pennsbury
Emily Leer, So., Abington

Second team
Kristen Gilroy, Jr., Bensalem
Marissa Kunkle, Jr., Pennridge
Jenn Prine, Sr., Pennsbury
Casey Pritz, Sr., Abington
Tori Reynolds, Jr., CB South

Third team
Stephanie Barrington, Sr., Harry S Truman
Jennifer Kelly, Jr., Abington
Calla Miller, Jr., CB South
Ashley Rosario, Sr., Harry S Truman
Sam Simononis, So., Pennridge

Honorable mention
Taylour Alston, So., North Penn
Laura Duffy, Jr., CB South
Lindsey Lyons, Jr., Pennridge
Megan Pritchard, Sr., Bensalem
Avery Wunder, Jr., Neshaminy


CONTINENTAL


First team
Lauren Peters, Sr., CB West (Player of the Year)
Alissa O’Donnell, Sr., Norristown
Jen Sroba, Sr., CR-North
Liz Martin, So., CB East
Lissa Tercha, Sr., William Tennent

Second team
Brittany Sandone, So., Souderton
Sarah Kiely, So., CR-North
Sophia Waters, Sr., Norristown
Sarah Godfrey, So., William Tennent
Alli Rosati, Sr., CB East

Third team
Juliann Fricke, Jr., CR-North
Jenna Adams, Sr., CR-South
Averie Brittin, So., Souderton
Sarah Pullar, Jr., CB East
Kate Romano, So., Hatboro-Horsham

Honorable mention
Heather McHugh, Sr., Norristown
Erin Boyer, Sr., William Tennent
Devin Gold, Fr., CR-North
Bryn Cotteta, Sr., Norristown
Ashley Alden, Fr., William Tennent


AMERICAN

First team
Renee Womack, Sr., Methacton (Player of the Year)
Shira Newman, Sr., Upper Dublin
Lauren Ruhl, So., Methacton
Shayla Felder, So., Cheltenham
Jenny Knoebel, Sr., Wissahicon

Second team
Colleen Gavin, Jr., Quakertown
Lisa Ridgeway, Jr., Upper Merion
Daniella Ciccarone, So., Quakertown
Danielle Derr, Jr., Upper Dublin
Rachel Meier, Sr., Methacton

Third team
Monet Constant, So., Cheltenham
Casey Bill, Fr., Wissahickon
Becca Courter, Jr., Upper Dublin
Brittany Roth, Sr., Methacton
Alana Brown, Sr., Cheltenham

Honorable mention
Dayna McCrewell, Jr., Cheltenham
Megan Shivick, Sr., Upper Merion
Katie Vila, Sr., Plymouth-Whitemarsh
Jenn Kopsie, Sr., Plymouth-Whitemarsh
Betsy Thornton, Sr., Wissahickon

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

All-Catholic

NORTHERN DIVISION

First Team
Carmen Tyson-Thomas, Jr., Conwell-Egan (MVP)
Ashley Robinson, Jr., Archbishop Wood
Rosie Tarnowski, Sr., Archbishop Wood
Lisa Strack, Sr., Archbishop Wood
Kim Hollawell, Sr., Archbishop Ryan

Second Team
Taylor Peltzer, Sr., Archbishop Wood
Megan Tole, Jr., Archbishop Ryan
Sarah Delcasale, Sr., Saint Hubert
Towanda Sutton, Jr., Cardinal Dougherty
Mary Grace Lux, Sr., Bishop McDevitt

Third Team
Theresa Griffin, Sr., Conwell-Egan
Alyssa Parsons, Sr., Archbishop Wood
Danielle Foreman, Sr., Archbishop Ryan
Hilary Cloonan, Sr., Conwell-Egan
Najah Prescott, Sr., Cardinal Dougherty
Janelle Delbuono Kennedy-Kenrick Jr.

SOUTHERN DIVISION

First Team
Stephanie Holzer, Jr., Cardinal O’Hara (MVP)
Kerri Shields, Jr., Archbishop Carroll
Meghan Pearson, Sr., Archbishop Carroll
Danielle Smallwood, Sr., West Catholic
Alysha Womack, Jr., Cardinal O’Hara
Ashley White, Jr., Neumann-Goretti

Second Team
Alicia Manning, Jr., Cardinal O’Hara
Alison Nelson, Sr., Neumann-Goretti
Bernadette Moran, Sr., Archbishop Prendergast
Melissa Downey, Sr., Cardinal O’Hara
Natasha Cloud, So., Cardinal O’Hara
Brittany Scanlon, Sr., Archbishop Prendergast

Third Team
Kaitlin Cole, Jr., Archbishop Carroll
Erin Shields, So., Archbishop Carroll
Jackie Thomas, Sr., Little Flower
Kristen Galanti, Sr., John W. Hallahan

Monday, February 25, 2008

All-BAL

Bicentennial Athletic League 2007-2008
Girls Basketball All-League Team

INDEPENDENCE DIVISION

Co-Players of the Year
Lindsay Alexander, Jr., Lower Moreland
Breanna Derstine, Sr., Christopher Dock

Co-Coaches of the Year
Tim Ehst, Christopher Dock
Rich Becker, Lower Moreland

First Team
Alysa Isler, So., New Hope-Solebury
Breanna Derstine, Sr., Christopher Dock
Rakita Thomas, Sr., Bristol
Lindsay Alexander, Jr., Lower Moreland
Nicole Cataline, Jr., Lower Moreland

Second Team
Zena Tracey, Sr., MaST Charter
Keisha Thomas, So., MaST Charter
Tannia Nieto, Jr., Christopher Dock
Taylor Cullen, Fr., Bristol
Nicole Dougherty, So., Lower Moreland
Kristen McKale, Sr., Lower Moreland

Honorable Mention
Nicole Adamson, Jr., Bristol
Brittany Cohen, So., MaST Charter
Kait Seelig, Jr., Christopher Dock
Jenessa Derstine, Fr., Christopher Dock
Dennah Althouse, Fr., Christopher Dock
Harley Miller, Sr., Lower Moreland
Laura Greenfield, Jr., New Hope-Solebury


CONSTITUTION DIVISION

Player of the Year
Hilary Liefson, Jr., Jenkintown

Coach of the Year
Sabrina Allen, Girard College

First Team
Hilary Liefson, Jr., Jenkintown
Carolyn Smith, So., Jenkintown
Veronica Brandon, Sr., Morrisville
Sharae McCottry, Sr., Girard College
Shaniquia Farlow, Sr., Girard College
Madeline Romig, Sr., Philmont Christian

Second Team
Christina Blye-Coleman, Fr., Girard College
Emily Steiger, Sr., Philmont Christian
Maddy Hoffman, So., Calvary Christian
Jody Pour, Sr., Morrisville
Natalie Swartley, Sr., Plumstead Christian

Honorable Mention
Bethany Johnson, Sr., Calvary Christian
Kelli Reichenbach, Fr., Calvary Christian
Ticoia Adams, Jr., Philmont Christian
Tanya Argueta, So., Morrisville
Kaitlyn Hamilton, Jr., Jenkintown
Alexandrea Brill, Jr., Plumstead Christian

Thursday, February 21, 2008

D1 Semifinals

Class AAAA

No. 2 Methacton 60, No. 3 Spring-Ford 45

Link to Times-Herald game story

No. 1 Downingtown East 52, No. 13 Norristown 38

Link to Times-Herald game story

Link to Daily Local game story

Final - Friday at 7 p.m. at Villanova

Notes: Downingtown East (26-1) lost to St. Mark's on Dec. 8. The Cougars have not given up more than 46 points all season. They've given up 124 points in four district tournament games (31.0 points a game). Methacton (28-0) hasn't lost in a full year, since a 39-32 loss to Downingtown East on Feb. 21, 2007, in the second round of last spring's district tournament. Methacton has scored fewer than 46 points twice in 28 games and is averaging 55.8 points in the district tournament.

Class AAA

No. 1 Mount St. Joseph 45, No. 5 Pottstown 32

Link to Evening Bulletin game story

No. 2 Villa Maria 46, No. 3 Oxford 43

Final - Saturday at 6 p.m. at Villanova

Notes: Mount (24-2) has beaten Villa Maria (20-6) three times this season, on Jan. 3 (48-39), Jan. 22 (44-42) and Feb. 8 (45-39).

Class AA

No. 4 St. Pius X 55, No. 1 Lower Moreland 38

No. 2 Delco Christian 40, No. 3 Christopher Dock 37

Final - Saturday at 2 p.m. at Villanova

Class A

No. 4 Sacred Heart 55, No. 1 Faith Christian 36

No. 2 Girard College 41, No. 3 Jenkintown 26

Final - Saturday at Noon at Villanova

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Catholic League Semifinals

Cardinal O'Hara 65, Conwell-Egan 40
Archbishop Carroll 54, Archbishop Wood 46


ARCHBISHOP CARROLL (54)
Erin Shields 1 2-2 4; Kerri Shields 5 4-4 14; Kaitlin Cole 1 2-2 4; Deanna Kelly 2 1-2 6; Megan Pearson 5 2-2 16; Gabby Capuzzi 0 2-2 2; Hollie Mershon 0 0-0 0; Lauren Comly 2 2-2 8; Lauren Wells 0 0-0 0; Marlee Hagan 0 0-0 0; Mary Kate McCann 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 15-16 54.

ARCHBISHOP WOOD (46)
Ashley Robinson 4 7-9 15; Alyssa Parsons 1 0-0 3; Lisa Strack 3 0-0 7; Taylor Peltzer 2 0-0 6; Rosie Tarnowski 4 5-8 13; Jen Maxwell 0 0-0 0; Laura Caron 0 0-0 0; Ashley B'Oris 0 0-0 0; Jenelle Hudson 1 0-0 2; Grace Gallagher 0 0-0 0; Kelly Young 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 12-17 46.

AC 18-13-10-13--54
AW 9-7-16-14--46

Three-point goals: Pearson 4, Comly 2, Kelly (AC); Peltzer 2, Parsons, Strack (AW).

***

CONWELL-EGAN (40)
Mourer 3 0-0 7; Moore 1 0-0 2; Griffin 0 1-2 1; Cloonan 2 0-0 4; Tyson-Thomas 6 2-3 15; Breslin 0 0-0 0; Watson 3 2-2 11; Howell 0 0-0 0; Rongione 0 0-1 0; Chase 0 0-0 0; Moonan 0 0-0 0; Ewing 0 0-0 0; Lubey 0 0-0 0; Ralph 0 0-2 0. Totals: 15 5-9 40.

CARDINAL O'HARA (65)
Cloud 4 0-0 9; Womack 5 1-1 11; Manning 2 2-2 6; Downey 0 2-2 2; Holzer 10 4-6 24; Callahan 3 0-0 7; Johnson 0 2-2 2; Duffin 0 0-0 0; Henson 2 0-0 4; Brown 0 0-0 0; Mattera 0 0-0 0; Kilday 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26 11-13 65.

CEC 8-11-7-14--40
CO 16-15-19-15--65

Three-point goals: Watson 3, Tyson-Thomas, Mourer (CEC); Cloud, Callahan (CO).


EIGHT THINGS

1. O'Hara (24-2) took a 14-0 lead. Carroll (19-7) took a 10-0 lead. Conwell-Egan (20-6) never got closer than five points. Wood (23-3) never got closer than seven points.

2. O'Hara junior center Stephanie Holzer had 24 points and 17 rebounds. Conwell-Egan junior guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas had 15 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots.

3. Senior guard Megan Pearson led Carroll with 16 points and hit four 3-pointers. Junior guard Kerri Shields scored 14 points, while senior guard Lauren Comly scored eight points and hit a pair of 3-pointers.

4. Wood junior 6-foot-3 forward Ashley Robinson scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Senior forward Rosie Tarnowski finished with 13 points and 15 rebounds.

5. Carroll shot 47.1 percent (16 for 34) from the floor. They hit 50 percent (seven for 14) from beyond the 3-point arc. Carroll also shot 93.8 percent (15 for 16) from the free throw line.

6. Wood is 1-9 in the PCL semifinals in the last 10 years. The lone victory was last year against O'Hara.

7. Carroll led by 15 points at halftime, 31-16, but never did really put the game away until the closing minutes. For most of the second half, Carroll's lead fluctuated between eight points and 13 points.

8. O'Hara led by 12 at halftime, 31-19. Holzer scored 12 of her points in the third quarter as the Lions opened up a 49-23 lead and put the game away.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

D1 AAAA Quarterfinals

No. 1 Downingtown East 46, No. 8 Lower Merion 36

Recap: The Cougars (25-1) fell behind early, but came back in the second quarter. Kristen Blye had 13 points and 11 rebounds for DTE.

Link to Daily Local game story

No. 13 Norristown 57, No. 4 Great Valley 52

Recap: Guard Heather McHugh hit three 3-pointers in the last four minutes of the game for the Eagles (21-6).

Link to Times-Herald game story

No. 2 Methacton 46, No. 7 Abington 41

Recap: Methacton senior star Renee Womack scored just one point, but Lauren Ruhl scored 16 points and Rachel Meier added 13 points for the Warriors (27-0).

Link to Times-Herald game story

Link to Mercury game story

No. 3 Spring-Ford 51, No. 22 Downingtown West 48

Recap: Spring-Ford (25-2) was down 10 points early, but outscored the Whippets 42-29 over the last three quarters.

Link to Daily Local game story


League records in the first three rounds:
Ches-Mont Nat.6-2
PAC4-2
SOL American5-3
SOL Continental5-4
Central3-3
Ches-Mont Am.2-3
SOL National3-6
Del-Val0-4
Independent0-1

Friday, February 15, 2008

Conwell-Egan 51, Arch. Ryan 37

ARCHBISHOP RYAN (37)
Laura Grow 2 4-4 6; Missy Milanese 3 0-0 6; Danielle Foreman 0 5-6 5; Jess Kosi 2 0-6 4; Kim Hollawell 2 2-4 6; Kate Keal 1 0-0 3; Sarah Strybuc 2 2-3 7; McArdle 0 0-0 0; Smith 0 0-0 0; Heisse 0 0-0 0; Shaw 0 0-0 0; Jerdan 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 13-23 37.

CONWELL-EGAN (51)
Kaitlyn Maurer 2 0-0 4; Rachel Moore 1 0-0 2; Hilary Cloonan 1 7-8 9; Theresa Griffin 1 4-6 7; Carmen Tyson-Thomas 8 5-5 22; Kate Chase 1 0-0 2; Rebecca Howell 0 0-0 0; Jenny Rongione 1 0-1 2; Trish Watson 0 3-6 3; Kim Breslin 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 19-26 51.

AR 7 9 7 14--37
CEC 12 14 8 17--51

Three-point goals: Keal, Strybuc (AR); Griffin, Tyson-Thomas (CEC).

Link to Courier Times game story

Link to Friday's Courier Times girls basketball notes

SEVEN THINGS

1. Conwell-Egan (20-5) will face Cardinal O'Hara (23-2) in the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night at St. Joseph's University. Conwell-Egan hasn't been to the PCL semifinals since 1998.

2. CEC junior guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas had 22 points for the Eagles. Senior center Hilary Cloonan scored nine points and senior guard Theresa Griffin added seven points.

3. “This is the best,” Griffin said, “to come all this way. The support we got from the school makes it even better. We were hoping to get there. We worked hard for this. Ryan is a great team, but we wanted this real bad.”

4. “It’s not something we usually do, so it’s a big deal for us,” Tyson-Thomas said. “We played hard this year, and this is what we deserve. We’ve been playing like you’re supposed to play. We’re playing as a team. That’s the way to win games.”

5. Archbishop Wood faces Archbishop Carroll in the other PCL semifinal in a rematch of last year's PCL championship game (Carroll won).

6. Conwell-Egan has won 13 of its last 14 games since Dec. 27. The Eagles only loss during that span was to Wood on Jan. 22.

7. Conwell-Egan jumped out to a 12-3 lead and never trailed. Ryan didn't get closer than nine points in the second half. CEC beat Ryan three times this season.

Second Round AAAA Thoughts, Plus ...

A few observations on the District One Class AAAA and Catholic League playoffs ...

1. Really big wins for Great Valley and Methacton. Many people questioned Great Valley's schedule, but the Patriots reached states with consecutive wins against North Penn and Cheltenham. Methacton reached the state tournament for the first time with a tough victory over visiting Council Rock-North.

2. Downingtown East is rolling. The Cougars haven't been in a close game since a 32-31 win over Wilson on Jan. 19. Their last seven wins have been by an average of 26.3 points. All of those victories were by at least 20 points.

3. Norristown's upset of Conestoga isn't really a shock. The Pioneers were vulnerable and the Eagles were underseeded. How did the SOL Continental not have a team seeded in the top 12 again? Norristown won. Tennent lost by only two to Spring-Ford. CR-North led Methacton in the second half and was down by three points late despite leading scorer and rebounder Sarah Kiely missing almost the entire game with foul trouble. The system needs to be reevaluated again. If you want to use the power rankings, fine. Although they are horrifically labor intensive for the people who have to calculate them. But use power rankings as one of several factors. Do I need to remind the district that there was usually only minor grumbling, if that, after the old seeding meetings? I sat in on the final one and found it very fair. The system was not broken for the girls. It is now.

4. The PCL playoffs started on Thursday with Archbishop Carroll's 64-43 win over Neumann-Goretti and Cardinal Dougherty's play-in win over St. Hubert. Tonight, Wood hosts Dougherty, Conwell-Egan hosts Archbishop Ryan, and Cardinal O'Hara hosts Archbishop Prendergast.

5. Some Bucks County PCL facts: Wood won its 12 PCL games by an average margin of 35.1 points. The Vikings scored 741 total points in 12 games and allowed 320. Wood averaged 61.8 points a game in the league and allowed an average of 26.7 points. Conwell-Egan’s 10 PCL wins were by an average of 20.3 points. The Eagles won three Catholic League games by 40 points or more. They averaged 59.2 points a game in 12 PCL games and gave up an average of 43.4 points a game.

6. The PIAA and District One need to do something to improve the quality of officiating in the girls games. I really respect the hard work and effort of the officials. But questionable calls and inconsistent officiating have too much impact on playoff games, I believe. One or two bad calls can completely change a game. It's too much of a factor, and the situation is getting worse.

7. Lower Merion is also rolling. The Aces have won 16 of 17 since Dec. 19.

8. Norristown guard Bryn Cotteta seems to be a real clutch shooter. She beat Conestoga with a last-second 3-pointer on Thursday. A few weeks ago, she hit two big 3-pointers down the stretch to beat CR-North.

9. Abington's defense and size could mean trouble for Methacton. It's going to be a close, low-scoring game. And Renee Womack was able to avoid fouls on Wednesday by jumping over CR-North rebounders when she didn't have position. She won't be able to do that against the Ghosts.

10. At 14-10 against one of the top schedules in the district, Downingtown West obviously deserved better than a No. 22 seed. The Whippets played the third-toughest schedule in the entire district. Tweaks to the power rankings must include much more credit for scheduling--and not necessarily beating--very good opponents.

11. League records in the first two rounds:
Ches-Mont Nat.5-1
Central3-2
PAC3-2
SOL American4-3
SOL Continental4-4
Ches-Mont Am.2-2
SOL National3-5
Del-Val0-4
Independent0-1

Thursday, February 14, 2008

D1 AAAA Second Round Recaps

No. 1 Downingtown East 43, No. 17 Henderson 22

Recap:Downingtown East allowed four points in the first half and led 32-11 after three quarters. Kristen Blye had 16 points for the Cougars.

Disappointingly, no online game story.

***

No. 8 Lower Merion 46, No. 9 Upper Dublin 41

Recap: Lower Merion (21-5) came back from a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat the Cardinals (20-6). Aces junior Molly Hanlon scored 14 of her game-high 17 points in the second half.

Link to Times-Herald game story

***

No. 13 Norristown 45, No. 4 Conestoga 42

Recap: Norristown guard Bryn Cotteta hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to upset the Pioneers (20-6).

Link to Times-Herald game story

***

No. 5 Great Valley 52, No. 21 Cheltenham 42

Recap: Huge win for Great Valley (23-3). Andrea Pride scored 20 points for the Patriots.

Link to Inquirer game story

***

No. 2 Methacton 48, No. 15 CR-North 40

Recap: Senior forward Renee Womack had 26 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists for Methacton (26-0). CR-North (17-9), which was within three points, 38-35, in the fourth quarter, got 14 points from sophomore Kelly Scull.

Link to Courier Times game story

Link to Times-Herald game story

***

No. 7 Abington 55, No. 23 Boyertown 25

Recap: The Ghosts (22-4) held Boyertown to 10 points in the first half. Casey Pritz scored 11 points and Emily Leer had 10 points for Abington.

Link to Pottstown Mercury game story

***

No. 3 Spring-Ford 63, No. 19 William Tennent 61

Recap: The Panthers (17-9) nearly upset Spring-Ford (24-2). Tennent sophomore Sarah Godfrey had 18 points and 13 rebounds. For Spring-Ford, Megan Bedard scored 22 points and Allie Kakareka scored 21 points.

Link to Intelligencer game story

***

No. 22 Downingtown West 49, No. 6 CB South 38

Recap: Kelly Coker scored 16 points for the Whippets (16-10).

Link to Intelligencer game story

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Methacton 48, CR-North 40

CR-NORTH (40)
Juliann Fricke 1 4-5 6; Devin Gold 4 0-0 10; Kelly Scull 5 2-2 14; Sarah Kiely 2 2-4 6; Jen Sroba 0 0-0 0; Kate Logan 2 0-1 4; Jenn Casper 0 0-0 0; Katie Van Aken 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 8-12 40.

METHACTON (48)
Alison Hammond 1 1-2 3; Renee Womack 7 12-13 26; Lauren Ruhl 1 3-6 5; Rachel Meier 2 1-2 5; Brittany Roth 3 1-3 7; Lindsey Allebach 0 0-0 0; Melanie Ordway 1 0-0 2; Leeann Randall 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 18-26 48.

CRN 4-15-12-9—40
M 10-11-11-16—48

3-point goals: Gold 2, Scull 2 (CRN).

Link to Courier Times game story

EIGHT THINGS

1. Methacton 5-foot-11 senior Renee Womack had 26 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists. She was 12 for 13 from the foul line. After CR-North took a two-point lead, 23-21, early in the third quarter, Womack scored eight straight points for the unbeaten and second-seeded Warriors (26-0).

2. No. 15 seed CR-North (17-9) had a three-point lead, 26-23, midway through the third quarter and was still within three points, 38-35, with four minutes to go in the game. Methacton sealed the win with a 7-0 run.

3. “The fourth quarter is our quarter,” Womack said. “Even if the game’s not going well, we have to pull it out. It’s do or die.”

4. “It’s a huge win for us,” Methacton coach Craig Kaminski said. “It’s exciting for the team and for the whole school."

5. In the quarterfinals, Methacton will play the winner of Thursday's game between No. 7 Abington (21-4) and No. 23 Boyertown (15-9). The Warriors have qualified for the state tournament. CR-North failed to win at least two district games for only the second time since 1997.

6. Indians sophomore forward Kelly Scull had 14 points, and freshman guard Devin Gold scored 10 points.

7. Kaminski felt that it was unfortunate that the district seedings matched CR-North and Methacton in the second round. "(CR-North) is better than a 15th seed," he said. "They played a tremendous schedule. It’s a shame that one of us had to go home.”

8. CR-North will return four starters next season. "I am excited for the future," said Scull, who earned a starting spot midway through the season. "We got a chance to play together. We had to get our chemistry down. It was hard, but we did it."

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

D1 AAAA Second Round

No. 17 Henderson (16-8) at No. 1 Downingtown East (23-1)
Henderson is 13-3 since Dec. 15. Downingtown East hasn't lost since Dec. 8. The Cougars beat Henderson twice during the regular season, by 17 and 18 points.

No. 9 Upper Dublin (20-5) at No. 8 Lower Merion (20-5)
Lower Merion is 15-1 since Dec. 19. Upper Dublin's only losses are to Methacton (twice), Downingtown East, Conestoga and Central.

No. 13 Norristown (19-6) at No. 4 Conestoga (20-5)
Pioneers guard Katie Dunn scored 18 points in the first round. Norristown has won eight of its last nine games.

No. 21 Cheltenham (15-10) at No. 5 Great Valley (22-3)
Cheltenham is 7-2 in its last nine games. The Patriots are only 4-3 in their last seven games. A must-win for Great Valley.

No. 15 CR-North (17-8) at No. 2 Methacton (25-0)
The Indians are are 19-1 in the first two rounds of districts since 1998. Methacton hasn't allowed more than 44 points in 25 games and hammered Souderton by 26 points, 69-43, in the first round, but really did not play a great nonleague schedule as strong a nonleague schedule as some of the other top-seeded teams.

No. 23 Boyertown (15-9) at No. 7 Abington (21-4)
Boyertown is 10-2 since Jan. 2. The Ghosts are 12-1 since Dec. 27.

No. 19 William Tennent (17-9) at No. 3 Spring-Ford (23-2)
Tennent is coming off of an emotional 46-44 win over SOL Continental rival CB East. Spring-Ford's only loss since Dec. 15 was to Mount St. Joseph, 62-58, in triple overtime on Jan. 19.

No. 22 Downington West (15-10) at No. 6 CB South (20-5)
CB South beat the Whippets by nine, 45-36, in a nonleague game on Jan. 24. Downington West was 6-7 on Jan. 5.

Plus, a real quick ...

Southeastern Pa. Top 10
1. Cardinal O'Hara
2. Archbishop Wood
3. Germantown Academy
4. Archbishop Carroll
5. Downingtown East
6. Mount St. Joseph
7. Spring-Ford
8. Villa Maria
9. Methacton
10. Conestoga

Monday, February 11, 2008

Dist. 1 AAAA First Round Observations

A few thoughts from the first round ...

1. Nice win for Great Valley (22-3) over North Penn. A lot of people thought the Knights would pull the upset. It wasn’t even close. But the Patriots really need to defeat Cheltenham (15-10) in the second round. Yes, Cheltenham played a tough schedule and has a talented young team. But the Panthers also lost during the regular season to CB East, CR-North, Norristown and Upper Dublin--all seeded much lower than Great Valley.

2. It is tough to score vs. Abington (21-4). The Ghosts have not given up more than 46 points in regulation this season. On Saturday, Abington held Garnet Valley to 11 points in the first three quarters of a 51-26 win. Look for another low-scoring game against Boyertown.

3. William Tennent (17-8) rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat rival CB East. The Panthers had lost the two regular season meetings. Tennent has a lot of talent and can be tough to stop when it is playing well. But the Panthers are going to have to play extremely well to stay in the game with Spring-Ford.

4. Conestoga guard Katie Dunn scored 18 points in a 49-33 win over Chichester. Chelsea Shine and Kristen Johnson are very talented, but the Pioneers (20-5) need to continue to get strong backcourt play to contend for a district title.

5. It’s difficult to understand a system that seeds three teams from the Central League above the first-place team in the SOL Continental.

6. Methacton (69 points), Upper Dublin (66) and Cheltenham (62) scored the most points in the first round.

7. If you want to follow some of the other district basketball tournaments, here are some of the other PIAA Web sites: District 11, District Three and District Seven (WPIAL).

8. I don’t see the sites listed on the District One Web site for the girls Class AAAA semifinals, and the boys just lost their original semifinals site--Villanova--at the last minute. You'd think there would be a contract for something like that. Anyway, I hope they don’t try to put important games at Plymouth-Whitemarsh’s Colonial Elementary School again. There's little seating and even less parking. And there are so many excellent gyms in the area.

9. Click here for the new state rankings from the Harrisburg Patriot-News. They break the rankings into five pages. What a terrible layout. If their intentions are to annoy readers and drive them away from their Web site, they are doing a terrific job. I can never get past the second page.

10. League records in the first round:

Ches-Mont Nat.3-0
SOL American3-1
Central2-1
PAC2-1
SOL Continental3-2
SOL National2-4
Ches-Mont Am.1-2
Del-Val0-4


(Note: I am a little embarrassed to say that I can't figure out what league Garnet Valley is from. Help?)

Bucks County Bonus No. 11: MaxPreps.com has Archbishop Wood ranked No. 1 in the state. That's great for the Vikings, and they could very well be the best team in Pennsylvania. But I don't think too much of these MaxPreps-style sites, which count on coaches to report everything. They usually have humongous gaps in information. The accuracy is highly questionable. The same poll has Archbishop Carroll at No. 8. I think Wood, O'Hara and Carroll are clearly the top teams in Pennsylvania (not necessarily in that order), with Germantown Academy at No. 4. There are years when the best PIAA teams are as good as or better than the top teams in the PCL. Not this year. I also think the PIAA needs to create a separate class for private schools. But that's a huge debate for another year.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Dist. 1 Class AAAA First Round

Coming on Monday, thoughts on the first round. On Tuesday, previews of the second round. -sc

No. 1 Downingtown East 48, No. 32 Neshaminy 28

Recap: Junior Kristen Blye scored a game-high 21 points for the Cougars (23-1). Chelsea Rota scored seven points for Neshaminy (11-14).

Link to Daily Local game story
Link to Courier Times game story

***

No. 17 Henderson 55, No. 16 Bensalem 43

Recap: The game was tied, 41-41, with 3:48 to play. Junior forward Sharmane Hall had 13 points and 16 rebounds for Bensalem (15-9), while junior guard Kristen Gilroy scored 12 points. Henderson's Shante Evans had 19 points and 19 rebounds for Henderson (16-8).

Link to Courier Times game story

***

No. 8 Lower Merion 48, No. 25 Chester 35

Recap: Lower Merion led by 21 points, 40-19, after three quarters. Junior guard Molly Hanlon had 23 points and seven steals, and junior guard Lil Carney scored 19 points for the Aces (20-5). Sophomore Karen Flagg had 12 points and six steals for Chester (13-11).

Link to Inquirer game story

***

No. 9 Upper Dublin 66, No. 24 Penn Wood 60

Recap: Upper Dublin (20-5) was up by 20, 59-39, early in the fourth quarter. Junior forward Rebecca Courter had 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Senior Shira Newman had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Link to Times-Herald game story

***

No. 4 Conestoga 49, No. 29 Chichester 33

Recap: Sophomore point guard Katie Dunn hit five 3-pointers and scored 18 pointers for Conestoga (20-5), and 6-foot-3 forward Chelsea Shine had 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Six-foot forward Kristen Johnsen finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. For Chichester (10-14), Delaney Cohan had 12 points and five rebounds.

Link to Daily Local game story

***

No. 13 Norristown 56, No. 20 Unionville 36

Recap: Alissa O'Donnell scored 12 points and Bryn Cotteta added 10 points for the Eagles (19-6).

Link to Times-Herald game story

***

No. 5 Great Valley 50, No. 28 North Penn 24

Recap: Impressive win for Great Valley (22-3). Dana Walsh had 20 points, and senior center Emily Ellisen added 14 points for the Patriots. For North Penn (10-15), center Shakia Robinson had foul trouble and finished with three points.

Link to Daily Local game story

***

No. 21 Cheltenham 62, No. 12 Perkiomen Valley 55

Recap: Shayla Felder scored 19 points for Cheltenham (14-10). Megan Finn had 20 points for Perkiomen Valley (18-7). Tough seeding for Perkiomen Valley. The Panthers, the defending state champions, had a young lineup and a tough schedule and wound up way down in the district's power rankings.

No online game story.

***

No. 2 Methacton 69, No. 31 Souderton 43

Recap: Senior forward Renee Womack scored 22 points for unbeaten Methacton (25-0). Becca Reach scored eight points for Souderton (11-14).

Link to Intelligencer game story

Link to Pottstown Mercury game story

***

No. 15 Council Rock-North 50, No. 18 Pennridge 43

Recap: Sophomore center Sarah Kiely had 13 points and nine rebounds, and freshman guard Devin Gold scored 13 points for the Indians (17-8). Gold made two free throws with 36.7 seconds left to seal the victory. Sam Simononis scored 11 points for the Rams (15-10).

Link to Courier Times game story

***

No. 7 Abington 51, No. 26 Garnet Valley 26

Recap: Sophomore forward Emily Leer had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Ghosts (21-4), who held Garnet Valley to 11 points in the first three quarters.

Link to Montgomery Newspapers blurb

***

No. 23 Boyertown 47, No. 10 Sun Valley 42

Recap: Alex Brown had 16 points and Kate Murphy had 15 points for the Bears (15-9). Kelly Custer had 13 points for Sun Valley (20-5).

Link to Pottstown Mercury game story

***

No. 3 Spring-Ford 58, No. 30 Kennett 37

Recap: Megan Bedard scored 19 points, and Allie Kakareka added 17 for Spring-Ford (23-2). Verena Woloson scored 18 for Kennett (12-13)

No online game story

***

No. 19 William Tennent 46, No. 14 CB East 44

Recap: Senior Lissa Tercha had four 3-pointers and 14 points for the Panthers (17-8), and sophomore forward Sarah Godfrey added 13 points. Tennent, which won its first district tournament win since 1991, came back from a four-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Tercha scored eight points in the fourth quarter. CB East (16-9) failed to reach the state tournament for the first time in nine seasons.

Link to Intelligencer game story

***

No. 6 CB South 52, No. 27 Wissahickon 46

Recap: Tori Reynolds scored 18 points and Katelyn Schneider added 10 points for CB South (20-5). Jenny Knoebel scored 14 points for Wissahickon (15-10).

Link to Intelligencer game story

***

No. 22 Downingtown West 51, No. 11 Upper Darby 48

Recap: The Whippets (15-10) came from behind to pull the upset. Upper Darby (18-7) led by nine points, 31-22, at halftime.

Link to Delco Times game story