By Rick Fortenbaugh
For BucksLocalSports
Warning: Do not attend tonight’s Pennsbury at Abington football game if you have high blood pressure, are prone to anxiety attacks, or can’t control your temper.
Reason: Abington coach “Tiny’’ Tim Sorber is sure to infuriate you with his endless whining, screaming, ranting, moaning, crying and begging for penalties against the Falcons.
Yes, it’s time for top-ranked Pennsbury (8-0) to take it on the road to a town that has about as much class as its coach.
In other words, none.
In Pennsbury’s last game at Abington, the Falcons lost in overtime when a foaming Sorber went absolutely ballistic on the refs.
Also that evening, an Abington fan was hauled away for assaulting a Pennsbury student and several Abington players were later suspended for repeatedly kicking a Pennsbury player as he lay on their sideline.
Heck, just last year the out-of-control Sorber could be seen verbally going at it with a Pennsbury fan during halftime at Falcon field.
Since the PIAA and District 1 have made no attempt to discipline Sorber, he probably has already started to make sure tonight’s refs are on board with the Galloping Ghosts. And if he hasn’t already, look for Sorber to start working the refs right around the coin flip.
It truly is pathetic, but as Pennsbury found out the last time it went to Abington, sometimes intimidating the refs works. Suffice it to say, the Falcons were the victims of one of the biggest hose jobs in the long and sad history of hometown high school football officiating.
Possibly making tonight even more stressful is the fact that it could be a pretty good game. Although Abington has lost to both Council Rocks, it also owns a 5-2 record and a victory over powerful Neshaminy. The Ghosts also desperately need this game to make the playoffs.
A playoff berth isn’t a problem for Pennsbury, currently the No. 1 seed in District 1 and ranked in the top five of Pennsylvania. A victory tonight would also assure Pennsbury of at least a tie for its first league title since 1993.
Pennsbury has been dominating all year. It has given up only 40 points overall and its first-team defense has allowed just three touchdowns. The last touchdown drive against the Falcon defense traveled exactly two yards.
Another thing to watch is the matchup between Pennsbury’s defense and Abington’s prolific passing game. Other than in the 34-3 loss to Rock North, Abington has posted big offensive numbers all season.
Of course, Abington has also allowed big offensive numbers, which could be trouble against a Pennsbury running game that is among the best in the entire district.
***
Calvary Christian (6-1) at Morrisville (5-3), tonight, 7 p.m.: This does not look good for the Dawgies. Calvary Christian has scored more than 40 points in three straight games and owns a fairly convincing win over Bristol. Coach Mike Reichebach’s son can throw the ball, CC has a good running game and it also plays some defense. Morrisville has come back to earth as the quality of its schedule has improved.
***
Springfield Montco (2-6) at Bristol (4-3), tonight, 7 p.m.: The Warriors have played much better the last two weeks after a stretch of mediocre football. With playoff implications also involved, there’s no reason to see that trend stopping tonight.
***
Bensalem (2-6) at Neshaminy (7-1), tonight, 7 p.m.:The Owls always come to play, but there’s just not enough talent to get it done against good teams. And make no mistake about it, Neshaminy is a good team. Redskins coach Mark Schmidt will also make sure his team isn’t caught looking ahead to next week’s game at Pennsbury. If Neshaminy wins tonight, it can gain at least a share of a league title next week. The Redskins are also right in the hunt for a very high playoff seed.
***
Archbishop Ryan (0-8) at Conwell-Egan (4-4), Saturday, 7 p.m.: Although Ryan plays by far the tougher schedule, the fact remains it hasn’t won a game yet. Ryan probably figures this is a good shot to get in the victory column, but there’s no reason to think Conwell-Egan won’t play relaxed, loose and well as it gets ready for the playoffs.
***
Truman (2-6) at Council Rock North (5-3), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: Once again, this is another game in which one team is playing for a lot more than the other. In this case, Rock North is still very much in the playoff picture despite its tough one-point loss at Neshaminy last week. A Rock North win makes next week’s already huge game against Rock South even bigger.

Labels: CR North, CR South, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Truman

By Rick Fortenbaugh
For BucksLocalSports.com
While this week’s schedule is not as attractive as the last, there are some games that will still generate a lot of interest on the Lower Bucks County scholastic football slate.
Two of the bigger ones involve the Council Rock schools with Rock South looking to rebound from its first loss when it hosts Bensalem tonight and Rock North hoping to extend its three-game winning streak at Pennsbury’s Homecoming tomorrow night.
Also of interest are a pair of non-league games involving Morrisville and Bristol.
The Owls ended a two-game losing streak when they beat Truman last week, while Rock South suffered its first loss in an away game at Pennsbury. This has the potential to go down to the last minute. Bensalem’s offense is still not where coach Dan McShane would no doubt like it to be, but the Owls had a strong second half against Truman. Rock South, meanwhile, has just two touchdowns in its last two games, including the dramatic escape against Conwell-Egan. If Bensalem can stop the triple option and give its offense enough chances, a minor upset could very well result.
As if this wasn’t a tough enough assignment, John Iannucci’s Tigers will be up against a Neshaminy squad that will be looking to wash away the taste of its first defeat. That came at undefeated Abington, where a furious Redskins rally in the fourth quarter came up just short. Truman can play some defense, but it’s offense is still far from upper-tier Suburban One National League standards. It’s just hard to see much excitement on The Ridge tonight.
George Gatto’s Warriors lost this game last year and you can be sure they’ve been reminded of that all week. Pennington has a nice passing game headed up by junior Keith Dearden (nearly 300 yards last week) and a decent running game featuring ex-Pennsbury back Malcolm Perry. A week ago, Pennington lost to Calvary Christian, 29-28, when it came up short on a gutsy attempt for a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. Most people consider Bristol to be superior to Calvary Christian, so that’s good for the Warriors. There will be some points tonight, but look for Bristol back Woodrow Vorters to make the difference.
Look for more offensive fireworks at the historic Robert Morris Stadium from Dawgie quarterback Matt Cookson and Co.. Morrisville lost its first game last week, but the setback came in a 33-26 thriller against Lower Moreland in one of the Dawgies’ best efforts in years. New Hope opened some eyes by playing Bristol tough in the first game in the history of its program, but it’s been back to reality for the Lions ever since. In that stretch was a loss to Princeton Day, which Morrisville hammered, 37-7.
It’s Homecoming Night at Pennsbury and there’s sure to be a huge crowd unless the weather really stinks. The numbers tell the story of what the Indians are up against. Pennsbury has avalanched its four opponents by a combined score of 130-22 and its first-team defense has allowed just 10 points. Making matters worse for Rock North is the fact Pennsbury showed a nice run/pass balance last week. Rock has a strong passing game with quarterback Tyler Hamilton, but Pennsbury also has an excellent secondary. Throw in the depth factor and Rock North is a big underdog despite its record.
Although the injury bug has continued to hit Conwell-Egan with standout wide receiver Ryan Bond the latest to get dinged up, the Eagles shouldn’t have many problems with this Saturday night foe at the Hank Morgan Stadium. Among Goretti’s losses was a setback to Cardinal Dougherty, which Egan just handled, 28-7, just last week. As Council Rock South can testify, Conwell-Egan does play some tough defense and it’s hard to throw on the Eagles.

Labels: Bristol, Conwell-Egan, CR North, CR South, Neshaminy, Pennington, Pennsbury, Truman

There will be two football games broadcast this weekend on WBCB 1490 AM.
The Levittown-based station continues its fall broadcast coverage this evening, giving you the play-by-play when Neshaminy hosts league rival Harry S Truman. Kickoff is 7 p.m. with the pre-game show slated for 6:45 p.m. Both teams are coming off league losses with the Redskins falling last week to Abington and the Tigers losing to Bensalem.
To hear every play live, just tune in to 1490 on your AM dial.
Council Rock North's road game against league rival Pennsbury will be broadcast live on Saturday night with the pregame starting at 6 p.m. and kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
Sister stations WHWH and WIFI will broadcast high school football from New Jersey on Saturday when Lawrence hosts Notre Dame and Florence travels to Woodrow Wilson for a noon kickoff.
For a list of local games being broadcast by 'BCB and sister stations 1350AM WHWH and 1460AM WIFI, click here

Labels: Council Rock North, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Truman

There will be two football games broadcast this weekend on WBCB 1490 AM.
The Levittown-based station continues its fall broadcast coverage this evening, giving you the play-by-play when Neshaminy hosts league rival Harry S Truman. Kickoff is 7 p.m. with the pre-game show slated for 6:45 p.m. Both teams are coming off league losses with the Redskins falling last week to Abington and the Tigers losing to Bensalem.
To hear every play live, just tune in to 1490 on your AM dial.
Council Rock North's road game against league rival Pennsbury will be broadcast live on Saturday night with the pregame starting at 6 p.m. and kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
Sister stations WHWH and WIFI will broadcast high school football from New Jersey on Saturday when Lawrence hosts Notre Dame and Florence travels to Woodrow Wilson for a noon kickoff.
For a list of local games being broadcast by 'BCB and sister stations 1350AM WHWH and 1460AM WIFI, click here

Labels: Council Rock North, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Truman

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

The road ended Monday, June 29 for the SOL National/Bicentennial (BAL) in the fifth annual Carpenter Cup softball tournament.
The opportunity to work together with the opposition is what assistant coach Frank McSherry relishes about the tournament, which combines the Council Rocks, with Neshaminy, Pennsbury of the Suburban One League, with Bristol Morrisville and some other teams from the Bicentennial Athletic League (BAL).
“We get the opportunity to coach kids that we coach against all year long and some that we never see as coaches,” stated McSherry.
“When we see the kids the following year, they no longer see you as the enemy, which is really refreshing.”
The local girls would have fared much better in the tourney, said McSherry, if not for an infield-outfield collision in game three of opening day that led to a 6-5 loss to Delaware South.
What hurt the SOL National’s cause most, according to the coach, was losing hurlers Sarah McGowan, of Neshaminy, and Kiersten Cain, from Bristol, when the team took the field against Jersey Shore. Both pitchers headed out to Colorado Monday, June 29 to compete in a national showcase tournament out west.
Earlier in the tournament, McGowan had held the opposition scoreless in four of the seven innings she pitched in wins over Chester and DelCo. Cain didn’t give up any runs in those same matchups and was on her way to a win vs. Del-South when all hell broke loose.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, a gaffe made on a popup over second base scored both the tying and winning runs for Delaware South, which went on to win the championship.
“We could very well have walked away from Wednesday at three-and-oh,” said McSherry. “That would have put us in a better position to win.”
Before the locals were eliminated however, the girls from lower Bucks got another chance to show their stuff to the collegiate scouts who came to South Philadelphia’s FDR Park looking for their next big NCAA prospect.
The SOL National/BAL trailed early in their final game against Jersey Shore. Pennsbury junior hurler Kait Schilling got herself into trouble in the bottom of the first inning, putting a pair of baserunners on with no outs after surrendering a single to pitcher Kasey Bulman and issuing a walk to infielder Alisha Cumberton. Third baseman Leann Ventriglia got the big hit in the frame, slapping a triple that scored a pair of runs for Jersey Shore.
Schilling got the locals on the board in the top of the second inning, scoring Bristol sophomore Brooke Dugger from third base with a sac fly to centerfield. Dugger had gotten on base with a walk, went to second on a passed ball then to third on an error by opposition right fielder Ani Sasala.
Jersey Shore padded their edge in the bottom of the third inning however, getting three more runs off Schilling. Again, Kait put a pair of runners on base with no outs, giving up back to back singles to Danielle Raneri and Bulman.
Center fielder Nicole Saggiomo’s single did the most damage, pushing a pair of runs across the plate that put Jersey Shore up, 4-1. Taylor’s McDonough’s triple then put the team from the Garden State up 5-1.
From there, things got a little wild, though no further damage was done by Jersey Shore. After drawing a walk – still with no outs – Ventriglia stole second and went to third on a sacrifice before getting cut down at the plate on a ground ball tapped by Jill Martin.
Martin then stole second and went to third on an error before getting cut down at the plate going for run number six.
Cantiello came on in relief of Schilling in the fourth and got out of the inning in order even though a runner – Maggie Fermo – reached base with no outs on an error at third base by Truman freshman Tiffany Koenig. That’s because Cantiello got the first out on a sacrifice bunt by Jen Retzer and her teammates got the next when they snuffed Fermo out at third trying to grab two bases on the bunt.
The locals missed a huge opportunity in the fifth inning after putting a pair of runners on base with no outs on back to back singles by Cantiello and Jopko. Retzer got out of the jam however with no damage, striking out the side when she fanned Council Rock North junior Chloe Pinto, Calvary Christian sophomore Kelli Reichenbach (looking) and Neshaminy junior Erin Quense. The runners were left standing at second and third base when Retzer threw a wild pitch on an 0-1 count with Quense up to bat.
With one last chance to stay alive, the SOL National nearly pulled it off in the top of the seventh, scoring a pair of runs and loading the bases with just one out.
Pinto’s double scored the first run of the frame for the locals pushing home Cantiello, who’d gotten on base with a leadoff single. With one out, Reichenbach got on board on Fermo’s fielding error that also sent Pinto to third base. Jersey Shore’s next gaffe loaded the bases with Quense jamming the sacks on an error made by Bulman.
Pinto represented run number two for the locals as she scored on a shallow fly ball over second base by William Tennent sophomore Ashley Alden. But Reichenbach also tried to score on the play from second base and that was a big mistake.
She never made it, instead getting cut down at the plate ending this year’s run by the SOL National/Bicentennial.
Schilling took the loss for the locals. Cantiello pitched three scoreless innings in relief and also had a good day at the plate with a pair of singles and a run scored.
“She was a big offensive threat for us,” said McSherry. “She went 2-for-2 and she pitched three or four scoreless innings.”
Delaware South, which had edged the SOL National/BAL earlier in the tourney, went on to win the championship, downing previously undefeated Berks in a pair of 3-2 wins that both went to extra innings.
Berks had handed Del-South its only loss in a 1-0 win on Monday, June 29. But the girls from Delaware reversed the tide however on Tuesday, defeating Berks first in a 9-inning matchup then in an 8-inning battle that decided the championship.

Labels: CR North, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, softball, Truman

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

Harry S Truman head coach Gretchen Cammiso must have had a sense of déjà vu last Thursday at Pennsbury’s softball field when the Falcons won for the second time this season.
Her Lady Tigers had just tied the game at 7 runs apiece with a four-run sixth that featured a 2-run bomb by junior hurler Rachael Alligood.
“When Pennsbury took a 7-3 lead, I think everyone in the park thought the game was over,” explained Cammiso. “I just told the girls ‘there’s nothing you can do but hit,’ and they did.”
Playing in between raindrops that hovered over the skies in lower Bucks, the Falcons broke the tie however in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs in a 10-7 home triumph over their SOL National Conference rivals.
In an unusual pitching performance for her, Alligood surrendered 12 hits to Pennsbury while striking out 7 batters and walking three.
“The final score--10-7--I’m sure was not something that either team expected,” stated Cammiso.
Pennsbury also defeated Truman with 2 late-game runs the first time these two teams squared off. With this win, the Falcons clinched yet another SOL National title, their eighth consecutive Suburban One League (SOL) trophy.
Alyssa Shirley, designated hitter for Pennsbury, pushed home the winning run when she drove infielder D’Anna Devine in with a single. Lauren Rossi then kept the rally going with another single but the big blow was struck by first baseman Kirby Groves, who plated another pair of runs for the Falcons with an RBI single in the gap.
Pennsbury righthander Kait Schilling came on and retired the side for the Falcons and recorded the win. Alligood took the loss for the Lady Tigers, who fell to 9-7 overall, 8-6 in the SOL National Conference.
Groves had another big day for the Falcons with a 3-for-4 batting performance that included a double and four RBIs. D’Anna Devine and Sarah Gosselin also doubled for Pennsbury, which pushed its record to 15-3, overall, 13-1 in the SOL.
The Falcons’ only loss this season was to Abington--a 4-3 setback suffered April 29 at home. That’s a fine feat considering the fact that Pennsbury came into the season with little experience in the circle.
With the win, the Falcons also clinched a bye in the District 1 playoffs, which get underway Monday, May 18. Truman (9-7, 8-6 SOL) earned a No. 16 seed and played hot to 17th-seeded Plymouth-Whitemarsh.
Pennsbury got the No. 4 seed and will open on Wednesday, May 20 at home against the winner of Haverford, which defeated Pennridge, 2-0, in the opening round.
It took extra innings but Plymouth-Whitemarsh scored four runs in the top of the ninth to get past the Tigers May 18 in Truman’s opener.

Labels: Pennsbury, softball, Truman

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

Looking at the Harry S Truman baseball team now versus the one that took the field the first half of the season is like seeing a mirror image--mirror meaning everything in reverse.
Whereas the Tigers seemed to find a way to lose their league matches the first half of the season, the same team has turned that trend on its head and is suddenly winning.
Yesterday’s 9-5 victory at Neshaminy, coupled together with previous wins at Abington and against Council Rock North, pushed Truman to 6-4 in the SOL National conference.
Of course, it has helped that lefthander Josh Patman and third baseman Frankie Morris have returned to the lineup. Patman held the Redskins in check, surrendering 3 runs in the first two innings before settling down to blank Neshaminy through the next three frames.
When Patman left the game in favor of reliever Tyler Erhard in the sixth, the Tigers exploded with a 5-run outburst in the top of the frame that put the visitors on top, 9-3.
Up 6-3 in the top of the sixth, Truman manufactured the next three runs on nary a hit. First, Brian Beyer scored on a Bob Monahan fly ball that was caught in foul territory by Matt Wenclowicz.
Beyer reached home when Wenclowicz tried to nail Tigers CF Chris Bechter in a rundown between first and second base. Even Bechter was safe when Neshaminy failed to covered second base on the rundown. The Truman outfielder then scored on a throw to first base.
“Our plan today was to take it an inning at a time,” stated HST outfielder Adam Ashwell. “With Bechter getting in a couple of rundowns there, we played small-ball and got the runs in.
“We needed a win today; by taking it a game at a time, we got one,” stated Ashwell.
Morris became the ninth Truman runner to cross on Eddie Connolly’s fly ball to deep center that looked destined to clear the basepaths. Connelly’s ball was caught but the damage was done. A six-run lead would be all the Tigers would need.
Oh, Neshaminy looked primed for a comeback a couple of times, loading the bases in each of the last two frames, including the sixth when the ‘skins had the bases loaded and no outs.
Each time, Truman had the answer. Pulling Erhard off the hill in favor of Mike McLeod, the sophomore righthander pitched out of a jam in both innings.
When Erhard lost control in the sixth and walked Brian Cleary, Brian Fiocco and Rick Brebner to load the bases, McLeod nearly got out of the inning with no damage at all.
First, he fanned Mike Kusters and then he got Tyler Orr on a rope to rightfield.
When John Burns bounded a ball toward shortstop Zach Philippi, it looked like out number three. Except that Philippi’s throw pulled the first baseman off the bag, allowing pinch runner Nick Strickler to cross.
Cleary, Fiocco and Brebner loaded the bases again in the bottom of the seventh but McLeod retired the game’s last batter when he got Orr on a right field flyout in foul territory.
The Tigers win over Neshaminy gave Truman sole possession of third place in the SOL National conference. The ‘Skins dropped to 5-5 with the loss. Unbeaten Council Rock South sits atop the division with Rock-North a game behind with its only loss to the conference leader.
“We’ve struggled with this team over the years so this is huge,” stated Connelly.
“We struggled earlier in the year but right now we’re fighting for the number three spot in the conference so this is a real big win for us.”
The Tigers tussled with Neshaminy earlier in the month, losing 14-6 the first time the sides squared off at Truman. Winning three straight league games puts Truman right back into the thick of things.
“We were looking for revenge,” added Connelly. “We were trying to send a message--Truman's not dead.”
“Everybody is starting to come together, hitting the ball well--that’s about it.”
Unity among the rank and file, a healthy pitching staff and lots of hitting--it's about all a baseball team needs.
***
Ghosts Vanquished

The Tigers certainly came together in an April 24 win over Abington. Bechter went 3-for-4, with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Connelly dropped hits in all three of his at-bats while also plating three runners. And Jonny Schiotis went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs.
While the satisfaction of beating the MontCo team is not as significant as say a Neshaminy or a Pennsbury, it’s still a league game and another notch in Truman’s win column.
“They are definitely a team to beat in the SOL,” stated Connelly. “Definitely a good win for us--a morale booster.”
***

Indians Scalped
Just two days before the win at Neshaminy, Connelly and company gave CR North their first loss of the season. Mind you, the Tigers lost to the Rock, 11-7, the first time out and North had taken an early lead on a 2-run shot by Scott Runzer in the top of the first.
But Connelly settled down after that and while he didn’t strike out a slew of the Indian batters, he scattered 4 hits and allowed just a single run the rest of the way in a complete game win, his third victory of the season.
Schiotis went 2-for-3 against Rock while Tepper (2 RBIs), Bechter (double), Philippi (RBI) and Dustin Milewski also contributed.
“We’re a good team,” said Patman. “The first half of the season, we had some issues with some of the guys not getting along. The past couple of weeks, we really bonded and now we’re all getting along now.
“And that’s really helped us a lot.”
All of it has played itself out on the Tigers' playing field.

Labels: Baseball, Truman, Truman Baseball

There were two big scores involving Lower Bucks County high school softball teams yesterday.
One found Bristol avenging an earlier loss to beat Christopher Dock, 2-1. The other found Pennsbury falling to Abington a day after a big win over Neshaminy.

Bristol 2,
Christopher Dock 1

LANSDALE — The BAL standings are now all tied up again for first as Mike Lalli’s Warriors (9-2) got even for last week’s loss.
Kierstin Cain was tremendous with a two-hitter and 15 strikeouts. Jocelyn Hickey threw a three-hitter and fanned eight in defeat. All the runs were unearned with Bristol scoring twice in the fourth on a throwing error.
Bristol (9-2) 000 200 0 — 2 2 1
Christopher Dock (12-2) 000 100 0 — 1 3 3
WP-Cain (7-2). LP-Hickey (12-2).
***
Abington 4, Pennsbury 3

FAIRLESS HILLS - One day after Pennsbury's big win over Neshaminy, the Falcons (10-2) suffered their first league loss to drop back into a tie for first.
Mirella Wells doubled and Alyssa Becker was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, but it wasn’t enough to save pitcher Kate Schilling.
Abington 102 000 1 — 4 5 1
Pennsbury 010 110 0 — 3 9 4
WP-Wendel. LP-Schiling. 2B-Muehlbronner (A), Wells (P). RBIs; A-Muehlbronner, Tolton, Hilliod. P-Becker 2.
***
Bensalem 6,
Council Rock South 5

BENSALEM — Don “Bogie" Bogan’s rapidly-improving Owls picked up their first win when Julia Quigley smacked two doubles in support of pitcher Leanna Quandt. Aleisha Diamond and Quigley had two RBIs, and Jen McGinley and Brittany Barnett were each 3-for-3.
Council Rock South (0-11) 000 121 1 — 5
Bensalem (1-10) 003 120 x — 6
WP-Quandt. LP-Shafer. 2B-Deal (CRS), Quigley (B) 2. RBIs: B-Ewing, Diamond 2, Quigley 2.
***
Morrisville 16,
Plumstead Christian 0

PLUMSTEAD — Ivan “The Guru of High School Sofball’’ Colon’s Bulldogs returned to their winning ways when Kaylee Whtie and Alina Sierra blasted home runs. Sierra also doubled, Shaylynn Porras had three hits and Casey Hollopeter had six Ks.
Morrisville (6-2) 170 08 — 16 13 0
Plumstead Christian 000 00 — 0 1 5
WP-Hollopeter (5-2). LP-Taylor. 2B-Sierra (M). HR-Sierra, White (M).
***
Neshaminy 3, Truman 2

BRISTOL TWP. — The Redskins (10-1) are now back in a first place following the five-hit, six-strikeout pitching of Sarah McGowan and two RBIs by Christina Udris, including a game-winning single in the seventh.
Truman stared well with two in the first behind an RBI double by Courtney Tenaglia. Rachael Alligood struck out seven in defeat.
Neshaminy (10-1) 002 000 1 — 3 7 1
Truman (7-5) 200 000 0 — 2 5 6
WP-McGowan. LP-Alligood. 2B-Tenaglia (T). RBIs: N-Quense, Udris 2, T-Coffman, Tenaglia.
***
Kennedy-Kenrick 2,
Conwell-Egan 1

NORRISTOWN — The Eagles followed up an exciting win with a tough loss in 11 innings. Nicki Trois was the winning pitcher and doubled. Stacie DeNucci pitched a five-hitter in defeat. Both teams scored in the seventh.
Conwell-Egan (5-7) 000 000 100 00 — 1 3 0
Kennedy-Kenrick 000 000 100 01 — 2 5 0
WP-Troisi. LP-DeNucci. 2B-Troisi.

Labels: Bristol, Conwell-Egan, Morrisville, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Truman

WARMINSTER — It took nine innings, but the Truman High School softball team was able to avoid an upset April 28 on the road when it knocked off William Tennent, 6-2.

Lady Tiger righthander Rachael Alligood went the distance and fired a two-hitter with eight strikeouts.

Kate Barrington tied the game with a home run in the fourth inning.

Felicia McCreery had the game-winning single in the ninth.

Ashley Black (triple), Tina Coffman and Alligood each had two hits.

Truman (7-4) 001 100 004 — 6 9 2
William Tennent 020 000 000 — 2 2 2
WP-Alligood. LP-Alden.
3B-Black (T). HR-Barrington (T).




Lions claw Lady Bulldogs

MORRISVILLE — This was not a good result for a suddenly struggling Morrisville team which fell, 5-3 to Lower Moreland April 28 at home.

Casey Hollopeter took the loss, despite Kaylee White’s 10th double of the year.

Morrisville (5-3) struck out 14 times against Dawn Vaccaro.
***

Lower Moreland (2-7) 023 000 0 — 5 4 1
Morrisville (5-3) 300 000 0 — 3 2 3
WP-Vacarro. LP-Hollopeter (5-2). 2B-White (M).

Labels: Morrisville. softball, Truman

By RICK FORTENBAUGH
For Buckslocalsports.com

BRISTOL TWP., Pa. — Never play a hand of poker against veteran Pennsbury High school softball coach Frank McSherry.
After all, even when his strategy backfires he’ll probably still pull an inside straight when the last card is turned over.
Such was largely the case Friday when Pennsbury remained undefeated with a 5-3 Suburban One National League victory over Truman.
At the start of the game, McSherry elected to throw his No. 2 pitcher. This appeared to be major trouble when she walked the first four Truman batters.
Incredibly, however, Truman didn’t score because the first batter who walked was thrown out trying to steal second.
Still, with the bases loaded and just one out, McSherry decided it was time to summon No. 1 pitcher Kait Schilling to the circle. The junior righty responded magnificently with two strikeouts to get out of the jam and the game had decidedly turned in Pennsbury’s favor.
“It was a little bit of a hunch, but we need two throwers," replied McSherry when asked why he didn’t start Schilling.
“I thought Kait did a great job. She came in in a pressure situation and handled it."
Schilling would go onto finish with a five-hitter and wasn’t scored upon until the sixth when Tina Coffman singled and came home on Nichole King’s ground ball.
Truman also scored twice in the bottom of the seventh when Ashley Black hit a two-run bullet over the left-field fence, but by that time Pennsbury was working with a very comfortable margin.
Truman junior ace Rachael Alligood was not at her best Friday and was forced into one deep count after another. The end result was five Pennsbury runs on nine hits.
While the Falcons didn’t exactly rip the ball, they did do a good job of putting the ball in play and struck out only six times against the hard-throwing Alligood.
Brooke Downs had the biggest day for the opportunistic Falcons. In the second inning she helped put her team on the board with a one-hop double off the left-field fence. Downs also had an RBI single in the seventh when Pennsbury tacked on two more runs.
The middle of the Pennsbury order also produced with Kirby Groves and Rebecca Erb each collecting two hits. Groves singled in a run in the fourth.
“I thought our defense played great," said McSherry of an errorless effort. “I also like the way we battled at the plate. Alyssa Shirley set the tone right away."
In the top of the first, Shirley had a long at bat that included at least six foul balls and led to an infield single. Shirley didn’t score, but it was obvious Pennsbury was really going to make Alligood work.
All in all it was a good day for Pennsbury, which came in undefeated, but hadn’t exactly faced strong pitching to date.
“It was our first big test," said McSherry. “Rachael is a very good pitcher and we were able to have some good at bats against her."
***
FALCON FODDER: Pennsbury will make up a postponed game this morning at home against Council Rock South. McSherry is still waiting to hear if the team will have administration approval to play in the Mt. St. Dominic Tourney on a Sunday. The rained-out Conwell-Egan game will be played on a Saturday night in May.

Pennsbury (5-0) 011 010 2 - 5 9 0
Truman (4-3) 000 001 2 - 3 5 2

WP-Schilling. LP-Alligood. 2B-Downs (P). HR-Black (T). RBIs: P-Groves, Downs. T-King, Black 2.

Labels: Pennsbury, softball, Truman

The Pennsbury High School softball team easily improved to 2-0 yesterday (March 31) with a 7-1 win over Suburban One League (SOL) National rival Council Rock North.
Righthander Kait Schilling pitched a two-hitter and struck out three for her second win.
First baseman Kirby Groves doubled, knocked in two runs and had two hits along with second baseman Deanna Devine and Kelsey Bunda, who made her first varsity appearance at the plate.
Chelsea Reynolds also doubled for the Falcons, who will host Bensalem tomorrow afternoon.
123 456 7 - R H E
Pennsbury (2-0) 300 022 0 — 7 9 0
CR North (0-3) 001 000 0 — 1 2 3
WP-Schilling (2-0). LP-Lewis (0-3). 2B-Groves (P), Reynolds (P). RBIS: P-Groves 2, Erb, Gosselin.
***
Bristol 15, New Hope 0
NEW HOPE, Pa. — Mike Lalli’s Warriors easily won their second game with sophomore righthander Kierstin Cain cranking up a one-hitter and striking out nine batters in four innings.
Second baseman Amanda Spadaccino went 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBIs. Cain was 2-for-2 herself and doubled.
Also smacking triples for Bristol were senior Kelee Pinto and sophomore Amanda Weir.
123 4 - R H E
New Hope 000 0 - 0 1 3
Bristol (2-1) 725 1 - 15 10 0
WP-Cain (2-1). LP-Yanishevsky. 2B-Cain. 3B-Pinto, Weir (B), Spadaccino (B).
***
Truman 8, Council Rock South 2

HOLLAND — The Tigers got back on track in style for their second victory of the season.
Rachel Alligood scattered six hits and struck out five for the win. Alligood was also on fire at the plate with a 4-for-4 day and an RBI.
Ashley Black singled and doubled, while Courtney Tenaglia was 3-for-4 and knocked in two runs.
123 456 7 - R H E
Truman (2-1) 030 121 1 — 8 14 0
CR South (0-3) 011 000 0 — 2 6 0
WP-Alligood (2-0). LP-Shaffer. 2B-Black (T), Young (CRS). 3B-Tenaglia (T). RBIs: T-Van Schaik, Alligood, Koenig. Tenaglia 2.
***
Conwell-Egan 12, Cardinal Dougherty 2

FAIRLESS HILLS — The Eagles busted into the victory column with this six-inning Philadelphia Catholic League victory.
Freshman righthander Stacie DeNucci fired a two-hitter and struck out 10. Brianna McInnis tripled and drove in three runs. Cheyenne Keen also doubled for the Eagles.
123 456 - R H E
Cardinal Dougherty 002 000 — 2 2 2
Conwell-Egan (1-2) 320 070 — 12 6 0
WP-DeNucci (1-2). LP-McMahon. 2B-Keen (CE). 3B-McInnis (CE).
***
Neshaminy 8, Abington 5

ABINGTON — This was a bit of a scare as the Redskins (3-0) were forced to storm back from a five-run deficit.
The big inning found Neshaminy scoring six runs in the top of the fifth. Kelsey Ryan had a huge hit there when she doubled home the tying run and then later scored the go-ahead run.
In the sixth inning, Christina Udris poked a two-run single. She, Erin Quense, Brittany and Brianna Guidos all had two hits.
Brianna Guidos also got the save in relief of Sarah McGowan (two strikeouts).
“We couldn’t do anything for the first four innings and then once we started hitting, it didn’t stop," said Neshaminy coach Kathleen Mullins. “I was proud of the comeback."
123 456 7 - R H E
Neshaminy (3-0) 000 062 0 — 8 12 1
Abington (3-0) 101 300 0 — 5 6 0
WP-McGowan (2-0). LP-Wendel. 2B-Ryan (N). RBIs: N-Clee, Quense, Udris 2, Ryan 2, Brianna Guidos, Brittany Guidos. A-Wendel 2, Gregorio, Gordon.

Labels: Bristol, Conwell-Egan, CR North, CR South, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, softball, Truman

Photos by Sue Donohue

By Phil Nelson V,
Steve Sherman

HERSHEY — It was a great showing for Council Rock North 189-pounder Jamie Callender at this year’s PIAA Class AAA State Wrestling Championships.

It was only the finish that hurt.

Taking on Tony Dallago of Central Dauphin in the finals, Callender was pinned in a time of 1:33. Dallago scored on a takedown 28 seconds into the match and then pinned Callender with a double arm bar when the Rock North wrestler attempted a sit out.

The next best finish for a Lower Bucks wrestler behind Callender’s second place showing came when Rock North’s Haynes took third at 119 pounds.

Haynes dropped a 5-2 decision in the semifinals, but came back and eventually beat Mitchell Port of Bellefonte, 3-2, in the consolation final.

Taking fourth place was CR South 160-pounder Ed Shupe, who was pinned in the semifinals by Hempfield’s Jake Kemerer (40-2) and was then decisioned by Jimmy Sheptock of Northampton in the battle for third place.

In between, Eddie pinned CB East senior Devon Passman.

Council Rock South sophomore Matt Martoccio (130) and senior Jimmy Vollrath (152) both finished with eighth place medals.

Labels: Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Neshaminy, Truman, Truman Wrestling, Wrestling

By Phil Nelson V
For BucksLocalSports
Steve Sherman

HERSHEY — Let’s just say things did not go as planned for the Harry S Truman High School’s outstanding 103-pounder James Bak at the PIAA Class AAA State Wresting Championships.
The only senior in the bracket with a record of 39-2 coming in after winning a region title on Saturday, Feb. 28, Bak lost two straight matches on opening day of the tourney March 5, his season ending to a much-too-sudden finish.
After a scoreless 45 seconds in his opening bout with Mike Fake of Parkland, Bak was headlocked to his back in a move that cost the Tigers wrestler five points. Bak never did recover, suffering an 11-3 loss to the Parkland opponent.
It apparently was a devastating loss because Bak then dropped in a 7-2 decision to Jordan Conaway of Oxford in the first round of wrestle-backs.
The good news for Lower Bucks County is Council Rock South had four opening-round winners and Rock North had two.
Advancing from Rock South were sophomores Matt Rappo (125), and Matt Martoccio (130), along with seniors Jim Vollrath (152) and Eddie Shupe (160).
The Hawks 160-pounder posted an 11-7 decision over Jeffrey Griffith of Easton, but not before surviving a scare when he was headlocked for backpoints in the third period.
A transfer student from Pennsbury, Shupe (36-3) surpassed 100 varsity wins working the mats for South this season. Eddie was cruising along with an 11-2 lead on the Easton grappler when he tried to secure a position on top. What happened next nearly cost Shupe the match as he suddenly found himself in a war with Griffith. But Shupe managed to keep at least one shoulder off the mat in advancing to a quarterfinal bout against Cumberland Valley’s Tristan Warner (35-5).
Vollrath (34-3) needed an extra period to do it but he got past Matt Laird, of Conneaut Lake with a 3-1 decision. Rappo (37-8) pinned Dan Neff Solanco just a minute-and-a-half into the first period.
And while it was close, Martoccio (22-3) decisioned South Western’s Drew Rebling, 2-1.
Winning his wrestle-back match late Thursday night after losing in the first round was Rock South’s Bob Lavelle (171). Lavelle (33-11) dropped a tough decision in the opener in losing 4-3 to Cedar Cliff’s Clint Morrison but bounced back with a 5-2 decision over Bellefonte’s Christian Oberle.
Rock North’s opening-round winners were senior Zac Haynes (119), and junior Jamie Callender (189). Haynes (36-9) scored a 13-3 major decision over Clearfield’s Andrew Spicer. Callender (41-6) did the same in outpacing Todd Miller, of Ringgold, 15-2.
Meanwhile CR South senior Helfrich found himself in a war with Jamal Lyons of Erie Cathedral Prep. The Erie grappler outpaced Mark, 8-3, in the 145-pound division. Then in his wrestle-back, Helfrich dropped a 6-2 decision to Parkland’s Ian Heist.
In other developments, CB East seniors Devon Passman (36-7) and Bubba McGinley advanced for the Patriots. Passman scored a major decision over Erie Cathedral Prep's Jermaine Easter in winning 14-5. And McGinley edged Meadville’s Shelton Mack, 1-0.
Jon Brodzik (39-4), a 135-pounder for the Patriots, lost a major decision to Josh Kindig, of Blue Mountain but wrestled back well in pinning Tyler Parsons of Erie Cathedral Prep. Brodzik’s pin put him in a consolation bout with Austin Sommer of Northampton.
CB South 103-pounder Mike Mathis (30-4) decisioned Anthony Cabrera, of Bethlehem Liberty, 5-3 in overtime.
LaSalle heavyweight Kyle DiGiacobbe, of Southampton, lost twice via falls to Clearfield’s Sean Owen (9 seconds) and Nick Page of Kennard Dale (3:28) and was hence eliminated.
District One wrestlers posted a 25-23 record in first round matches (0-4 in the 140-pound weight class). Meanwhile, District 12 (City Public/Catholic League) wrestlers went 0-8 in their openers.
***

Day two saw a trio of Rock wrestlers advance including two from North. First, Haynes pinned Governor Mifflin’s Kyle Demain. Then, Callender posted a major on Elizabethtown’s Shane Rosenberry.
Jamie prepares for his semifinal bout against Central Mountain’s Jake Bachman. With Springfield Delco’s Andre Petroski seeded up against Central Dauphin’s Tony Dallago in the other semi, there’s still a chance to see another classic war between Petroski and Callender. While the Springfield wrestler outdueled Jamie in the district finale, Callender took the regional title from Petroski in the next round.
Haynes finds himself in a bracket that includes a bunch of grapplers from the western half of the state. Zac prepares for his semifinal bout with Blue Mountain’s Tyler Rauenzahn.
Shupe advanced to the semis with a 3-2 decision he posted over Tristan Warner, of Cumberland Valley. Vollrath and Rappo were not as fortunate as both fell in their quarterfinal bouts. First, Vollrath dropped a very close decision in falling, 3-2, to Dan Karpency, of Albert Gallatin. And Rappo got himself pinned less than 30 seconds into the third period of his quarterfinal bout with Easton’s Joseph Rizzolino.
With his chance for third place still alive, Vollrath got ready to battle Boyertown’s Tim Feroe. Also still alive was Rappo, who prepared for his consolation bout with Cardinal O’Hara’s Chris Alexander.
Lavelle meanwhile, got ready to war with Ty Wilps, of Chartiers Valley in consolations.
For the Patriots, after getting pinned by West Mifflin’s James Fleming in the quarters, Passman dropped to a consolation bout with Altoona wrestler Nik Zimmerman. McGinley also lost in the quarters via technical fall to Liberty’s Anthony Marino and had to face Monsignor Bonner’s Nick Bongard in consolations.
For the Titans, Mike Mathis lost a major decision to Central Dauphin’s Shyheim Brown and got ready to battle West Chester Rustin’s Corey McQuiston in consolations.

Labels: CR South, Truman, Wrestling

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

When Harry S Truman basketball standout Tyrone Lewis donned the black and gold for the Tigers, he was one of the best in Bucks County.
Things are no different now that Tyrone is playing for Niagara University’s Purple Eagles.
This season, one of the best ever at Niagara, Lewis ranked third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) with 16.3 points-per-game. Tyrone led the conference with 86 three-pointers.
Lewis opened the season by blocking eight jump shots against Towson and recorded at least three steals in 16 games. The 5-foot-11 junior guard led the Eagles in scoring 12 times while tallying double figures in 28 of the team's 31 games.
For the season, Tyrone was tops in the conference while ranking fourth in the nation with 85 steals. He ranked second on the team with 27 blocks, adding 4.6 rebounds per game to his season effort.
What’s more, the effort of the Truman graduate can be seen in the win-loss column. Niagara’s regular season record of 24-7 is the best since John ‘Taps’ Gallagher’s 1948-49 team recorded the same record.
The 24 wins is the second most in school history, behind the 1921-22 team’s 27 victories. Niagara’s 14-4 record in MAAC play is the best in program history.
***
Niagara celebrated Senior Day in style March 1 with an 80-72 victory over Marist. The victory gave the Purple Eagles a 24-7 overall record, the best regular season mark in 60 years.
"We are ready for the second season," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said, referring to the MAAC Tournament, where his Purple Eagles have earned the No. 2 seed. "We are proud of what we have accomplished this season; 24-7 is very special. But we broke our huddle in the locker room talking about getting ready for the second season."
On Senior Day, the Red Foxes had no answer for Niagara's lone senior, Nigerian native Benson Egemonye, a 6-foot-10 guard from Benin City. The big man bid farewell to the Gallagher Center crowd of 2,182 with a team-high 19 points. Most of his damage came from the foul line as Egemonye shot 13-for-17 from the charity stripe.
Niagara fell behind early in the contest but used a 15-0 run midway through the first period, keyed by seven straight points by Anthony Nelson to seize control of the contest. The Eagles led by as many as 19 points in the second half.
Nelson connected on a triple to bring the Eagles to within two with five minutes remaining in the opening stanza. He buried an open jumper on the next trip and executed a tough lay-up in transition to take a 26-24 lead. Niagara would extend the advantage to 33-24 before Marist could end the run. Nelson finished the game with eight points, six assists and five rebounds.
Three other players finished the day in double figures as the Purple Eagles again executed a balanced attack. The junior trio of Lewis, Bilal Benn and Rob Garrison chipped in with 16, 12 and 17 points, respectively, in the win. Benn added a game-high nine rebounds to finish with the rebounding title, averaging a MAAC-best 9.1 rpg.
***
Lewis, Benn Earn Postseason Praise

The postseason accolades continue to mount for the Purple Eagles with Lewis garnering NABC All-District and All-MAAC honors. On Wednesday, March 4, Lewis, of Bristol Township, Levittown, and Bilal Benn of Philadelphia, were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District Team.
Both players were named to the District I Second Team. Lewis and Benn, who were named First-Team All-MAAC on March 2, are up for MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Benn led the conference in rebounding with 9.1 rpg while ranking second in steals with 76. The Philly native led the MAAC with 11 double-doubles and ranked in the top 10 in eight statistical categories. Benn finished the regular season with 14.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 87 assists and 78 steals while shooting .448 from the floor, .324 from behind the arc and .713 from the charity stripe.
Niagara matched last season's win total on Feb. 8 with a 75-50 win over Fairfield. The Eagles forced 21 turnovers in the win and shot a blistering 65.2 percent from the floor in the second half.
Niagara's defense, which has been the story all season long, held Fairfield to 50 points on 34.5 percent shooting. The 21 turnovers by the Stags was a season-high for Fairfield.
"I may sound like a broken record," Head Coach Joe Mihalich said, "but we always say that defense wins championships. Our defense was real good today."
The Purple Eagles tied a season high with 16 steals, led by Benn's four and Lewis' three. Niagara totaled double-digit steals in its previous five games, all wins, averaging 13 thefts during that span.
"No disrespect to anyone else in the league," Mihalich added, "but I don't know if there are two better defensive players in the league than Tyrone and Bilal."
Both players joined senior Benson Egemonye on the All-MAAC Team. Benn and Lewis earned First-Team All-MAAC honors while Nigerian native Egemonye was named to the All-MAAC Second Team. It was the first all-conference honor for Benn and Egemonye, and the second for Lewis, who earned Second-Team All-MAAC last season.
Lewis, Benn and the rest of the Purple Eagles begin the MAAC Championships 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7 against the winner of the Iona/Marist game that takes place Friday.
The Purple Eagles split the regular season series with both clubs.

Labels: men's basketball, Truman

Labels: CR North, CR South, Truman, Wrestling

Labels: CR North, CR South, Truman, Wrestling

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

To no one’s surprise, lower Bucks high schools dominated last weekend’s Southeastern Regional Class AA tournament.
In all, 10 area wrestlers will be heading to states, starting with Harry S Truman senior James Bak, who captured the 103-pound regional title.
At 39-2 on the season, the Tigers lightweight went 4-0, starting with a pin of Garnet Valley’s Kyle Loeb. In his opening bout, Bak pinned the GV freshman in 51 seconds.
Bak posted three consecutive decision wins starting with a 4-1 win over Upper Perkiomen sophomore Daniel Rodenberger. A 6-1 triumph over West Chester Rustin freshman Corey McQuiston followed by a 6-2 win over CB South sophomore Mike Mathis which earned Bak a second trip to states in as many seasons. James medaled in the tournament a year ago at Hershey’s Giant Center.
Council Rock South was the team champion with 132 points. The Golden Hawks crowned three regional champs including sophomore 125-pounder Matt Rappo (37-8), along with senior 152-pounder Jim Vollrath (39-1) and 160-pounder Ed Shupe (36-3). All three were also district champions.
Rappo captured his regional trophy with a 5-2 win over Quakertown junior Colin Bynum. Vollrath took his with a 2-1 win over Owen J. Roberts senior Nick Fuschino and Shupe took his after pinning North Catholic senior Kevin Mallon in the semis followed by an 11-3 decision over Plymouth Whitemarsh sophomore John Staudenmayer.
In addition, senior 145-pounder Marc Helfrich (33-8) and junior 171-pounder Bobby Lavelle (33-11), also district champions in their respective weight classes, fell to the runner-up position at regionals.
In their regional title bouts, Helfrich lost a major decision to Pennridge senior Colin McConnell and Lavelle got tech-falled by Penncrest senior Jim Resnick, The 171-pounder for Penncrest was later named Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament after winning his weight class.
Meanwhile, CR South sophomore Matt Martoccio (22-3) placed third at 130 pounds. After winning his first two bouts, Martoccio dropped a close decision to Boyertown junior Alex Pellicciotti, who went on to take the regional title.
Matt wrestled his way back however, taking a 5-0 decision from Oxford Area junior Kyle Moran and a 1-0 win from Pennridge sophomore Rich Jasinski.
All six wrestlers for the Hawks have qualified for the PIAA championships, which start Thursday, March 5 at the Giant Center in Hershey and continue through to March 7.
CR North senior Zac Haynes, the Indians’ only district champion, captured the regional prize at 119 pounds, only this time was joined by North junior Jamie Callender, who captured regional gold at 189.
Callender turned the tables on Springfield DelCo junior Andre Petroski, who won an 8-6 decision over the North grappler in the district finale. In the regional championship, however, Callender edged Petroski, 3-2.
Callender made his way to the regional championship with a 10-3 decision over Northeast Catholic's AJ Vizcorrando, a 15-0 tech-fall win over Joe Stolfi, of Souderton and a 7-0 victory Oxford Area junior Nick Ruggear.
Haynes decisioned Boyertown junior Matt Malfaro, 9-4, to earn his title belt.
Pennsbury junior Josh Mitchell, the Falcons only regional qualifier at 285 pounds, wound up in sixth place after going 3-3 on the day. Mitchell’s wins included a 3-0 decision over Garnet Valley's Brendan Walsh, a second period pin over Norristown junior Marcus Robbins and an overtime victory over William Tennent senior Rich Dracup. Josh defeated the Panthers wrestler 3-1 in a battle for third place at districts. He used a rideout to get past the Tennent heavyweight at regionals.
Josh’s day ended after he dropped a close decision to Alex Myers, Hatboro Horsham and a 6-3 loss to Frankford junior Elvis Diaz.
Mitchell finished his season at 32-12.
The day also finished disappointedly for Truman sophomore Sean Edmonson (34-6). Coming in as the district runnerup, Sean had hoped to reach states. But after pinning Conwell-Egan’s Pat Hecker (24-10), Sean got himself pinned by Boyertown sophomore Jeremy Minich.
After bouncing back with a 2-0 win over Upper Moreland junior Jacob Ellis, Edmondson’s day ended with a 1-0 loss to CR North sophomore Shane Longstreth (28-18) who finished in sixth place.
CR North sophomore Adam Slezak also finished in 6th-place after going 3-3 on the day. The 103-pounder for the Indians and the district runnerup finished his season at 18-9.
North senior John Kaschak finished his final season on the mat at 28-18. Another D-I South runnerup, John went 3-3 at regionals, finishing sixth.

Labels: CR North, CR South, Truman, Wrestling

Five Rock grapplers
earn SE Regional gold

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

To no one’s surprise, lower Bucks high schools dominated last weekend’s Southeastern Regional Class AA tournament.

In all, 10 area wrestlers will be heading to states, starting with Harry S Truman senior James Bak, who captured the 103-pound regional title.

At 39-2 on the season, the Tigers lightweight went 4-0, starting with a pin of Garnet Valley’s Kyle Loeb.
In his opening bout, Bak pinned the GV freshman in 51 seconds.

Bak posted three consecutive decision wins starting with a 4-1 win over Upper Perkiomen sophomore Daniel Rodenberger. A 6-1 triumph over West Chester Rustin freshman Corey McQuiston followed by a 6-2 win over CB South sophomore Mike Mathis which earned Bak a second trip to states in as many seasons. James medaled in the tournament a year ago at Hershey’s Giant Center.

Council Rock South was the team champion with 132 points. The Golden Hawks crowned three regional champs including sophomore 125-pounder Matt Rappo (37-8), along with senior 152-pounder Jim Vollrath (39-1) and 160-pounder Ed Shupe (36-3). All three were also district champions.

Rappo captured his regional trophy with a 5-2 win over Quakertown junior Colin Bynum. Vollrath took his with a 2-1 win over Owen J. Roberts senior Nick Fuschino and Shupe took his after pinning North Catholic senior Kevin Mallon in the semis followed by an 11-3 decision over Plymouth Whitemarsh sophomore John Staudenmayer.

In addition, senior 145-pounder Marc Helfrich (33-8) and junior 171-pounder Bobby Lavelle (33-11), also district champions in their respective weight classes, fell to the runner-up position at regionals.

In their regional title bouts, Helfrich lost a major decision to Pennridge senior Colin McConnell and Lavelle got tech-falled by Penncrest senior Jim Resnick, The 171-pounder for Penncrest was later named Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament after winning his weight class.

Meanwhile, CR South sophomore Matt Martoccio (22-3) placed third at 130 pounds. After winning his first two bouts, Martoccio dropped a close decision to Boyertown junior Alex Pellicciotti, who went on to take the regional title.

Matt wrestled his way back however, taking a 5-0 decision from Oxford Area junior Kyle Moran and a 1-0 win from Pennridge sophomore Rich Jasinski.

All six wrestlers for the Hawks have qualified for the PIAA championships, which start Thursday, March 5 at the Giant Center in Hershey and continue through to March 7.

CR North senior Zac Haynes, the Indians’ only district champion, captured the regional prize at 119 pounds, only this time was joined by North junior Jamie Callender, who captured regional gold at 189.

Callender turned the tables on Springfield DelCo junior Andre Petroski, who won an 8-6 decision over the North grappler in the district finale. In the regional championship, however, Callender edged Petroski, 3-2.

Callender made his way to the regional championship with a 10-3 decision over Northeast Catholic's AJ Vizcorrando, a 15-0 tech-fall win over Joe Stolfi, of Souderton and a 7-0 victory Oxford Area junior Nick Ruggear.

Haynes decisioned Boyertown junior Matt Malfaro, 9-4, to earn his title belt.

Pennsbury junior Josh Mitchell, the Falcons only regional qualifier at 285 pounds, wound up in sixth place after going 3-3 on the day. Mitchell’s wins included a 3-0 decision over Garnet Valley's Brendan Walsh, a second period pin over Norristown junior Marcus Robbins and an overtime victory over William Tennent senior Rich Dracup.

Josh defeated the Panthers wrestler 3-1 in a battle for third place at districts. He used a rideout to get past the Tennent heavyweight at regionals. Josh’s day ended after he dropped a close decision to Alex Myers, Hatboro Horsham and a 6-3 loss to Frankford junior Elvis Diaz.
Mitchell finished his season at 32-12.

The day also finished disappointedly for Truman sophomore Sean Edmonson (34-6). Coming in as the district runnerup, Sean had hoped to reach states. But after pinning Conwell-Egan’s Pat Hecker (24-10), Sean got himself pinned by Boyertown sophomore Jeremy Minich.

After bouncing back with a 2-0 win over Upper Moreland junior Jacob Ellis, Edmondson’s day ended with a 1-0 loss to CR North sophomore Shane Longstreth (28-18) who finished in sixth place.

CR North sophomore Adam Slezak also finished in 6th-place after going 3-3 on the day. The 103-pounder for the Indians and the district runnerup finished his season at 18-9.

North senior John Kaschak finished his final season on the mat at 28-18. Another D-I South runnerup, John went 3-3 at regionals, finishing sixth.

Labels: CR North, CR South, Pennsbury, Truman, Wrestling

Labels: CR North, Truman, Wrestling

Labels: CR South, Truman, Wrestling

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

Last year, James Bak, Sean Edmondson and Tom Kaufmann Jr. held the Harry S Truman (HST) wrestling fort down. Edmondson made it as far as the PIAA SE state regional tourney. Bak was both a regional and state qualifier.
The 119-pound champion and Most Outstanding Wrestler last year at sectionals, Edmondson took fourth at districts and was a regional qualifier while Bak placed seventh at states, medaling at 103 pounds in last year’s PIAA tournament.
And Kaufman (145) won 17 matches in just his second varsity season.
This year, the Truman wrestling program was so much more than that.
HST senior Matt Marks (125) won 26 matches during the regular season while adding two more wins at the Section One tourney. At sectionals, held Feb. 14 at Abington, Marks made it all the way to the championship bout before falling to CR South 125-pounder Matt Rappo, a sophomore who has compiled 30 wins on the season.
The Tigers had two sectional champions including Bak, who captured the top prize in the 103-pound division by pinning Council Rock North sophomore Adam Slezak in under two minutes (1:23).
Edmondson latched onto his medal by outdueling CR North sophomore Shane Longstreth in the 112-pound bout. The Indian grappler entered the tourney with a 20-13 mark and seeded third in sectionals.
Wait; there’s more.
Truman had a total of six grapplers who qualified for districts this year including Marks, who claimed a runnerup trophy at 125 pounds.
No surprise there; but, the Tigers also had three wrestlers who captured sixth-place medals including freshman Brandon Ryan at 130 pounds, sophomore Shane Marchesani at 160 and junior Tom Bremme at heavyweight.
Marchesani would have placed higher if not for a 6-5 decision he lost to Neshaminy 160-pounder Stephen Stemme in the consolation finals.
Bremme also would have placed higher had he not lost a close decision to Pennsbury heavyweight Josh Mitchell.
HST freshman Brandon Ryan also made it into that round but lost a major decision to Pennsbury senior Brian Kahil.
“There’s no mystery. We just had a good group of wrestlers who were willing to work hard,” stated Truman assistant coach Tom Kaufmann Sr.
Still, there are others who added to the high level of the competition within the Tigers’ program this year.
An HST junior, Justin Evens is 23-12 wrestling at 135 to 140 pounds. Brother Steve, a sophomore wrestling varsity at 103 pounds, is 20-4. Senior Anthony Monichelli is 19-10, wrestling at 125. Sophomore Shane Marchesani is 19-15 working the mat at 152 pounds. Senior Jordan Carstarphen is 16-13 wrestling at 152 pounds.
Among the highlights this year were a comeback win over William Tennent and a grudge win over Pennsbury that settled the score from an early season loss to the Falcons.
Storming back from a 25-point deficit, Truman posted a thrilling 37-36 win over Tennent Dec. 10 at home. Evening its record at 3-3, Truman swept the last five weights on its home mat.
It all started with a forfeit at 103 pounds to Steve Evans. The Tigers followed with pins from Bak (112), Edmondson (119) and Monichelli (125).
The Panthers were penalized a team point at 140 pounds and Marks won the match with a 9-2 decision at 130 pounds to give Truman the win by the slimmest of margins.
It was the second straight year the Tigers beat Tennent by one point after posting a wild 39-38 victory last season.
***
Revenge So Sweet

Truman avenged a 34-28 early season loss to Pennsbury with a 39-23 win over the Falcons Jan. 30 in enemy territory.
Among the Tiger winners were Bak, Edmondson, Steve Evens and Justin Evens (140). Ryan (135) and Marchesani (160) posted decision wins in a pair of close bouts. Quinton Bryant won by technical fall at 215 pounds. HST junior Larry Abramson was awarded a win at 189 when opponent Kevin Bree was disqualified.
After going 4-1 at the Kennett Duals held Jan. 17 at Kennett High, the Tigers finished up a successful dual-match season at 18-14 with a respectable showing against Council Rock South Feb. 4 at home.
Among the winners for Truman were Bak (31-2), Edmondson (29-3); Bremme (12-18) and Kaufmann Jr. (18-13).
“It was a collective effort by the coaches and the kids,” added Kauffman Sr. “Everybody worked hard and it showed.”
The District One-Class AAA tournament is slated to go tomorrow morning (Feb. 21) at Council Rock North. Regionals are scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 27-28 at Oxford High School.
The Tigers are hoping to take at least four grapplers--maybe more--with them to the 2-day tourney held near the Pennsy-Maryland border.
***

Below are the individual records of each Truman wrestler who earned a spot in districts:
WT/GR NAME RECORD, Sect. Place
103/Sr. James Bak (31-2) 1st
112/So. Sean Edmondson (29-3) 1st
119/Sr. Matt Marks (28-5) 2nd
130/Fr. Brandon Ryan (14-17) 6th
152/So. Shane Marchesani (19-15) 6th
189/Jr. Tom Bremme (12-18) 6th
***

Section One Class AAA Tournament
(Jan. 14 at Abington HS)

Championship finals
103: James Bak, HST, pinned Adam Slezak, CRN, 1:23
112: Sean Edmondson, HST, dec. Shane Longstreth, CRN, 4-3
119: Zac Haynes, CRN, dec. Tim Santry, UM, 8-7 (ultimate tiebreaker)
125: Matt Rappo, CRS, maj. dec. Matthew Marks, HST, 16-6
130: Matt Martoccio, CRS, dec. Will Dill, UM, 10-5
135: Zac Bush, WT, tech. fall Tim Riley, CRS, 4:00
140: John Lindquist, NSH, dec. Greg Lanctot, CRN, 4-2
145: Cody Carrigan, AB, dec. Marc Helfrich, CRS, 3-0
152: Jimmy Vollrath, CRS, dec. Max Barsky, AB, 10-4
160: Ed Shupe, CRS, pinned John Bolich, UM, 4:47
171: Bobby Lavelle, CRS, dec. Andrew Scholer, WT, 6-4
189: Jamie Callender, CRN, maj. dec. Matthew Johnson, PN, 17-5
215: John Kaschak, CRN, dec. Tyler Stabillito, NSH, 6-0
285: David Osei, AB, pinned Ricky Dracup, WT, 1:35
***
Consolation finals
103: Colby Lederer, NSH, pinned Patrick Tully, BN, 1:51
112: Jake Ellis, UM, pinned Jeffrey Lieb, PN, 0:35
119: John Lee, AB, dec. Nick Russell, NSH, 10-5
125: Frank Lippincott, BN, dec. Matthew Funk, PN, 6-4
130: Brian Kahil, PN, maj. dec. Brandon Ryan, HST, 8-0
135: Sean Doerr, CRN, dec. Brandon Brickner, BN, 3-0
140: Max Agasar, UM, dec. Matt Lancaster, AB, 5-2
145: David Giannaula, CRN, dec. Mark Poderis, UM, 9-5
152: Thomas Burke, NSH, pinned Conlan Cornman, PN, 3:32
160: Stephen Stemme, NSH, dec. Shane Marchesani, HST, 6-5
171: Ryan Rozniakowski, AB dec. Tom Clark, CRN, 7-5
189: James Nicholson, UM, maj. dec. Garrett Simpson, NSH, 20-8
215: Kevin Bree, PN, dec. Dan Clemenson, WT, 8-2
285: Joshua Mitchell, PN, dec. Tom Bremme, HST, 3-1
***
Outstanding Wrestler: David Osei, AB
***
Team scores:
1. Council Rock North 155 1/2
2. Council Rock South 150
3. Neshaminy 106
4. Harry S Truman 97 1/2
4. (tie) Abington 97 1/2
6. Upper Moreland 95 1/2
7. William Tennent 81
8. Pennsbury 79
9. Bensalem 30
***

Council Rock South 43
Truman (18-14) 27
(Feb. 4 at HST)

103: Bill Rappo (CRS) d. Steve Evens, 4-2 OT
112: Bak (T) wbf
119: Edmondson (T) p. Eckman, 1:04
125: Matt Rappo (CRS) wbf
130: Martoccio (CRS) d. Marks, 7-3
135: Moore (CRS) d. Ryan, 13-0
140: Riley (CRS) d. Justin Evens, 17-4
145: Kauffman (T) d. Wiltrout, 5-3
152: Gilmore (CRS) p. Levine, 2:44
160; Vollrath (CRS) t-fall Marchesani, 4:00
171: Lavelle (CRS) p. Wolfe, 1:31
189: Dingui (CRS) p. Bonsig, 4:53
215: Carstarphen (T) p. Pellberg, 4:45
Hvy: Bremme (T) p. Kupperstein, 1:22

Labels: Truman, Truman Wrestling, Wrestling