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.
