It's playoff time! 🏀 See which girls teams are advancing, and which players led the way
The postseason is here, and league tournaments are underway! Follow along for all the action from the Suburban One League, Bicentennial Athletic League, Friends School League, Catholic Academies and Inter-Academic League playoffs, including scores, matchups and recaps.
Suburban One League
Championship, Tuesday, Feb. 14
No. 1 Plymouth Whitemarsh 47, No. 2 Souderton 40 (OT): The Colonials made an improbable comeback to take the SOL Tournament title for the second year in a row. PW trailed 27-15 at halftime before making a comeback in the second half, led by Abby Sharpe (22 points), who had 11 points in overtime. Casey Harter led Souderton with 11 points, while Teya McConnaha had 12 rebounds and 5 points.
Semifinals, Feb. 11
No. 1 Plymouth Whitemarsh 45, No. 5 Abington 44 (OT): It seemed inevitable that this one would end in overtime, considering the two regular season meetings between the Liberty Division rivals were decided by a total of three points. Plymouth Whitemarsh didn’t take their first lead until late in the fourth quarter, but Cire Worley (15 points) hit the equalizer for the Ghosts to force OT. Piper McGinley sank a 3-pointer to give the Ghosts an early lead in OT, but Abby Sharp’s (22 points) basket with 56 seconds to go would be the game-winner for PW.
No. 2 Souderton 34, No. 3 Neshaminy 32: The final score looked much like the regular season meeting between the two teams, but this time it was Souderton on the winning side. With Souderton holding a one-point lead with 12 seconds to go, Teya McConnaha hit a free throw, and Erin Bohmueller made a huge block on a 3-point attempt to secure the win. Casey Harter led the Indians with 13 points, while Reese Zemitis had a game-high 17 points for Neshaminy.
Quarterfinals, Feb. 10:
No. 1 Plymouth Whitemarsh 49, No. 8 Council Rock South 44: The Golden Hawks stood tall against the top team in the league, and nearly pulled off the upset, with Plymouth Whitemarsh needing a couple of late shots to escape with the win.
CR South sophomore Lil Metrick, who has developed into a top shooter in the league, had 15 points while Karissa Smedley scored 8 points. The Golden Hawks will prepare for the District One tournament next.
No. 5 Abington 61, No. 4 Upper Moreland 41: The Ghosts, a No. 5 seed in name only, courtesy of Plymouth Whitemarsh winning the division, put their high-powered offense on display in the win. Abril Bowser led the way with 18 points, all from beyond the arc, and Cire Worley pitched in with 10 points.
Holly Gohl led Upper Moreland with 14 points. The Golden Bears were without top-scorer EmmyFaith Wood who had missed a few games due to injury. UM will now have some time to get healthy before districts.
No. 3 Neshaminy 45, No. 6 Pennsbury 33: After falling to Pennsbury twice during the season, both games by a single point, Neshaminy jumped out to a 15-8 start and never looked back, going into halftime up 29-14. Reese Zemitis and Lola Ibarrondo both had 11 points for Neshaminy, and Zemitis also led the team with 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. Sophomore Alena Cofield contributed 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Daniella MacDonald paced the Falcons with 12 points and Sofia Vitucci scored 10 points. Pennsbury will host a district playoff game on Friday.
No. 2 Souderton 54, No. 7 Pennridge 40: Mikayla McGillian and Casey Harter led the Indians’ offense with 12 points each as Souderton used a 15-4 third quarter to pull away for the win. Grace McDonough tallied 9 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
Anna Croyle had 12 points for Pennridge and Olivia Poole scored 10 as the Rams put up a good fight against their division rivals. The Rams will now prepare to host their first district playoff game in more than 15 years.
More:Ella Brown is doing what she loves & helping Pennridge to a dream season
Girls Basketball: 7 Players to Watch, Matchups, for the SOL Tournament!
Athletic Association of Catholic Academies
Championship Game, Feb. 14
Villa Maria Academy 55, Gwynedd Mercy 32: Playing for the third time this season, VMA took an early lead and never looked back en route to the AACA title. Elaina Guerzon had a game-high 15 points for VMA. But the Monarchs had reason to cheer after the game, as senior captain Hannah Griffin was named AACA Co-MVP. Griffin had a team-high 11 points in the game, and Morgan Newell contributed 8 points.
Semifinal, Feb. 11
Gwynedd Mercy 35, Mount St. Joseph 25: Freshman Bailey Balkir had the biggest game of her young career, leading the Monarchs with 11 points, while her fellow freshman teammate Emilia Coleman had nine rebounds, seven points and two blocks. The Monarchs, defending AACA champs, will play for the title against Villa Maria Academy.
Bicentennial Athletic League
Championship, Saturday, Feb. 18
Faith Christian 40, The Christian Academy 33: Izabella Forker scored 11 points as the Lions captured their second straight BAL championship. Maddee Huber had nine points in the win.
Semifinals, Feb. 16
Faith Christian 54, Bristol 14: The Lions’ defense dominated in the semifinal, with Kendall Garber and Aubrey Pringle each grabbing 10 rebounds.
Quarterfinals, Feb. 14
Bristol 60, Collegium Charter 45: The Warriors went on the road and upset Collegium Charter to advance to the semifinals. Senior captain Angelisse Cantiello had a huge game, scoring 24 points and pulling down 18 rebounds, while Kay Smith contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.
Faith Christian 50, Jenkintown 14: The Lions easily advanced to the semifinals after downing Jenkintown.
First round, Feb. 13
Bristol 47, Calvary Christian 20: Junior Mackenzie Kauffman led the way with 12 points and an incredible 12 steals as the Warriors easily handled Calvary Christian to advance to the quarterfinals.
Renaissance Academy 31, Morrisville 29: The Bulldogs played a strong game and came close to pulling off the upset, but Renaissance Academy took the win in a heartbreaker.
Friends Schools League
Semifinal, Feb. 7
Friends’ Central 48, George School 45: Sophia Martinez scored 14 points and Gianna Johnson had 13 as the Cougars were just three points away from a trip to the FSL championship game. George School will compete in the PAISAA Tournament on Friday.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PA Bucks Montco High School sports girls basketball playoffs SOL BAL
