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Stars of the Week: The top performers in basketball, swimming and track & field

melissa hanejko, bucks county courier times
·11 min read
William Tennent junior Kirby Mooney moves the ball up the court at William Tennent High School on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. William Tennent boys basketball defeated Wissahickon 71-58.
William Tennent junior Kirby Mooney moves the ball up the court at William Tennent High School on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. William Tennent boys basketball defeated Wissahickon 71-58.

Winter doldrums getting to you? They sure haven't seemed to affect student-athletes in the area, who continue to turn in one dazzling outing after another. Check out some of last week's top performers in basketball, wrestling, swimming and track & field.

And be sure to vote for the Courier/Intell Girls and Boys Athletes of Week. This week's poll runs from Tuesday at 7 p.m. through Thursday at 8 p.m.

Who was voted Athlete of the Week? See all the winners for the winter season!

Wrestling

Faith Christian Academy's Gauge Botero prepares to pin Bald Eagle Area's Lucas Fye at 2:51 during a 113-pound quarterfinal bout at the PIAA Class 2A Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center on Friday, March 11, 2022, in Derry Township.
Faith Christian Academy's Gauge Botero prepares to pin Bald Eagle Area's Lucas Fye at 2:51 during a 113-pound quarterfinal bout at the PIAA Class 2A Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center on Friday, March 11, 2022, in Derry Township.

Jake Neill, Central Bucks South: Neill went 4-0 at the Rock Yard Duals, helping CB South to a first-place finish. Neill (145 pounds) had three wins by pin and one by decision.

Gabe Whittington, Central Bucks South: Whittington went undefeated at the Rock Yard Duals. Whittington (133 pounds) had two victories by fall, including one where he pinned his opponent in 39 seconds, and two by major decision.

Gauge Botero, Faith Christian: Botero had a dominant afternoon at the Hawk Mountain Duals. Botero (121 lbs.) went 5-0 in the tournament, taking all five wins by fall. Botero’s quickest pin was 38 seconds, and he decked his opponent in the championship match in just 54 seconds. He is currently the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class in District One by PAWrestling.com.

Quakertown's Collin Gaj, right, tries to escape Bethlehem Catholic's Kollin Rath during the 132-pound third-place bout at the PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center on Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Derry Township. Rath won in sudden victory by decision, 3-1.
Quakertown's Collin Gaj, right, tries to escape Bethlehem Catholic's Kollin Rath during the 132-pound third-place bout at the PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center on Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Derry Township. Rath won in sudden victory by decision, 3-1.

Collin Gaj, Quakertown: Gaj continued a stellar sophomore season at the Parkland Duals. Going undefeated on the day, all five of Gaj’s (145 lbs.) wins were by fall, including four pins in under one minute (35 seconds, 39, 39, 55 seconds). Gaj is ranked No. 1 in District One by PAWrestling.com

A.J. Stayton, Souderton: Stayton’s strong senior campaign included a 5-0 showing at the Parkland Duals. Stayton (133 pounds) had a win by major decision and four victories by fall, including a pin in 50 seconds.

Girls Basketball

Lansdale Catholic freshman Sanyiah Littlejohn shoots under pressure at Giant Center in Hershey on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Archbishop Wood defeated Lansdale Catholic in PIAA title game in class 4A.
Lansdale Catholic freshman Sanyiah Littlejohn shoots under pressure at Giant Center in Hershey on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Archbishop Wood defeated Lansdale Catholic in PIAA title game in class 4A.

Team of the Week: Pennridge 

The Rams went 3-0 on the week, beginning with a decisive win over Harry S. Truman. On Friday, Pennridge had a tough matchup against 10-2 Pennsbury. The Rams’ strong defensive effort resulted in a 46-29 win. The next afternoon, the Rams went to double overtime against Methacton. In the second OT period, the Rams, showing no fatigue, went on a 14-7 run to take a 71-64 victories. The Rams improved to 9-4 (4-3 SOL) and rose more than 10 spots in the District One standings to 16th.

Stat line of the Week: Gabby Casey, Lansdale Catholic

Lansdale Catholic senior Gabby Casey
Lansdale Catholic senior Gabby Casey

40 points, 21 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks.

You might need to read that twice (we sure did)! Casey, a senior St. Joseph’s commit, is no stranger to huge games. But this one was monumental even for her. Casey completely dominated Thursday’s PCL opener against defending state champs Neumann-Goretti, no less, carrying the Explorers to a 76-54 win. Casey had one 40-point game before, and it was also against N-G. Her 21 rebounds set a career high.

Izzy Casey, Germantown Academy: In the Patriots’ Inter-Academic League opener, Casey dominated with 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists en route to a 59-36 victories over Springside-Chestnut Hill. Next, she tallied 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists as the Patriots downed Agnes Irwin in an Inter-Ac matchup.

Saniyah Littlejohn, Lansdale Catholic: The Crusaders’ sophomore had a top-notch all-around game in their PCL opener, a win against Neumann-Goretti, collecting 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Council Rock South's Karissa Smedley looks for an open teammate after battling against Central Bucks West's Emily Spratt for a loose ball during a District One Class 6A first round playoff game at Central Bucks West on Friday, February 18, 2022. The Bucks advance to the second round after narrowly defeating the Golden Hawks 52-50.
Council Rock South's Karissa Smedley looks for an open teammate after battling against Central Bucks West's Emily Spratt for a loose ball during a District One Class 6A first round playoff game at Central Bucks West on Friday, February 18, 2022. The Bucks advance to the second round after narrowly defeating the Golden Hawks 52-50.

Karissa Smedley, Council Rock South: Smedley’s 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals led the Golden Hawks to a thrilling 42-37 victory over CB West.

Kathryn O’Kane, Council Rock South: O’Kane scored all six of her points in the pivotal fourth quarter against CB West. Trailing by two points to start the fourth, O’Kane, who had also had three assists, had a pivotal block as the Golden Hawks outscored CB West 14-7 over the final eight minutes to take the win.

Reagan Chrencik, New Hope-Solebury: The Lions’ senior captain had a huge game against Hatboro-Horsham, scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds en route to the 61-47 victory.

New Hope-Solebury's Reagan Chrencik dribbles while guarded by Gwynedd Mercy's Bianca Coleman in a District One Class 4A semifinal game, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School in Lower Gwynedd. The Monarchs advance to the title game after defeating the Lions 56-28.
New Hope-Solebury's Reagan Chrencik dribbles while guarded by Gwynedd Mercy's Bianca Coleman in a District One Class 4A semifinal game, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School in Lower Gwynedd. The Monarchs advance to the title game after defeating the Lions 56-28.

Carolyn Sipprell, Quakertown: Twenty-two was a lucky number for Sipprell and the Panthers this week. Sipprell led the way with 22 points in a win over Lower Moreland, and followed that up with a 22-point game against Springfield. Sipprell recorded a double-double with 15 rebounds and six steals in the win. Sipprell continued to dominate on the boards in Saturday’s victory over Pope John Paul II, pulling down 18 rebounds, along with 13 points, for another double-double.

Avery Kocur, William Tennent: Kocur scored at the buzzer to force overtime for the Panthers, who went on to win 52-45 against Wissahickon. Kocur finished with 21 points, scoring 12 in the second half as the Panthers rebounded from a 30-18 halftime deficit.

Ella Brown, Pennridge: The sophomore forward had 23 points, setting a career-high, in the Rams’ double OT win against Methacton. Brown hit a go-ahead 3-pointer in the second OT period.

Katie Yoder, Pennridge: Yoder started the week with an 18-point performance, with 11 coming in the first quarter, in a win over Truman. She then had a game-high 14 points, going 9-for-9 from the foul line, to lead the Rams over Pennsbury. In Saturday’s double OT win against Methacton, Yoder sank a game-tying 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining in the first overtime period, on her way to a game-high 27 points.

Girls Basketball: Brooke, Brianna McFadden the perfect pairing for Conwell-Egan

Neshaminy's Reese Zemitis, seen here in a game against CR North.
Neshaminy's Reese Zemitis, seen here in a game against CR North.

Reese Zemitis, Neshaminy: Zemitis scored Neshaminy’s final five points in a 56-54 victory over CB South. With a minute to go and the game tied, Zemitis scored a bucket, hit a free throw, then sank two more from the line, finishing with a game-high 26 points. In addition, Zemitis blocked five shots and had three steals. Zemitis repeated that effort on Friday, dropping 25 points and eight rebounds in a 58-44 win over North Penn. Zemitis scored 17 of those points in the second half, where Neshaminy outscored NP 39-22.

Sofia Vitucci, Pennsbury: Vitucci scored the Falcons’ only field goal in overtime to secure a 33-32 comeback win against North Penn. Vitucci finished with a game-high 15 points, with six coming in the fourth quarter to tie the game and force OT.

Oliveah Gilchrist, Pennsbury: In her first career varsity start, Gilchrist came through in the clutch. In OT against North Penn, Gilchrist sank a free throw to secure the Falcons the 33-32 win. She also had six rebounds in the game.

Anna Barry, Central Bucks East: After being held scoreless for three quarters by an unrelenting CR South defense, Barry came through in the clutch, scoring eight points in the fourth quarter and OT to secure the Patriots' 56-50 win.

Central Bucks East's Anna Barry
Central Bucks East's Anna Barry

Delaney McCaffrey, Council Rock North: McCaffrey hit a clutch free throw with 2.5 seconds left on the clock to give the Indians a 29-28 win over CB South. She finished with six points in the defensive battle.

Indoor Track & Field

Conor McFadden, Central Bucks West: The Bucks’ junior sprinted to a first-place finish in the boys 60-meter dash in 6.97 at the Track & Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia meet at Lehigh. McFadden’s time of 6.95 in the prelims qualified as a MileSplit Elite Gold performance, and also set a school record in the event.

CB West's Conor McFadden (back), pictured here in the 3A Boys 4x400 medley relay at the PIAA Track & Field Championships last spring.
CB West's Conor McFadden (back), pictured here in the 3A Boys 4x400 medley relay at the PIAA Track & Field Championships last spring.

Lanae Carrington, Harry S. Truman: At the Ocean Breeze Freedom Games, Carrington raced to a first-place finish in the girls 600-meter White Run with a time of 1:44.04, beating out 73 runners in her race. According to PA MileSplit, that time is the current no. 1 in Pennsylvania.

Jael Sykes, North Penn: The Knights’ senior took first place in the girls 60-meter dash with a time of 7.82 at the Delaware Valley Girls Track Coaches Association meet.

Riley Rooney, Central Bucks South: The Titans’ sophomore took first place in the girls 800-meter run with a time of 2:21.96 at the DVGTCA meet.

Bailey Hall, Pennsbury: The Falcons’ junior took first place in the girls one-mile run with a time of 5:21.26 at the DVGTCA meet.

James Kuduk, Souderton: Kuduk ran the boys 3,200-meter run in 9:42.86 at the Ocean Breeze Freedom Games. Kuduk’s time was good for eighth in the event, but clocked in as the top time in the state this season, per PA MileSplit.

Swimming

Ally Ricciardi of Pennridge reacts after dropping her time to 52.88 secs in the 100 freestyle. Swimmers competed at the 2022 District One swimming meet at York's Graham Aquatic Center on February 27, 2022.
Ally Ricciardi of Pennridge reacts after dropping her time to 52.88 secs in the 100 freestyle. Swimmers competed at the 2022 District One swimming meet at York's Graham Aquatic Center on February 27, 2022.

Ally Ricciardi, Pennridge: Ricciardi picked up two individual wins in the Rams’ meet against Souderton, placing first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.50, and the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:04.15. She added another victory in the 50 free (25.24) in a meet against North Penn.

Robbie Ferlick, Souderton: Ferlick had a huge night to lead the Indians over Pennridge. Ferlick had two individual wins in the 50 freestyle (21.91) and the 100 backstroke (57.77) and two relay wins by anchoring the first-place 200 medley relay and leading off the 200 freestyle relay.

Aidan Faikish, North Penn: At the New Year’s Challenge at Bucknell University, Faikish finished second in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 58.39, and second in the 200 IM with a 1:55.09 time, leading the Knights’ to a first-place finish in the eight-team meet. In a meet against Pennridge, Faikish won the 100 fly with a time of 54.14, and was a part of the 200 medley relay that set a pool record with a time of 1.37.59, helping secure the Knights win.

Nathan Rawa, North Penn: Rawa took first place in the 100 freestyle with a time of 50.40, and had another win in the 200 medley relay, which set a North Penn pool record, in a win over Pennridge.

Madeline Faikish of North Penn approaches her final lap of the 500 freestyle. Swimmers competed at the 2022 District One swimming meet at York's Graham Aquatic Center on February 27, 2022.
Madeline Faikish of North Penn approaches her final lap of the 500 freestyle. Swimmers competed at the 2022 District One swimming meet at York's Graham Aquatic Center on February 27, 2022.

Madeline Faikish, North Penn: The sophomore was stellar in a win over Pennridge. Faikish won the 200 IM with a time of 2:19.25, took first place in the 100 freestyle with a time of 54.68, and was a part of the first-place 200 freestyle relay. At the New Year’s Challenge at Bucknell University, Faikish finished second in the 200 free (1:55.81), and fourth in 500 free (5:14.77).

Boys Basketball

Central Bucks East senior Kyle Berndt drives in the season-opening victory over William Tennent.
Central Bucks East senior Kyle Berndt drives in the season-opening victory over William Tennent.

James Blair, Souderton: The senior exploded for 31 points, including nine 3-pointers, in the Indians’ win over Truman.

Kyle Berndt, Central Bucks East: Berndt, a senior, tallied 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a 57-47 win over Council Rock South.

More:CB East's Kyle and Natalie Berndt are playing for someone special in 2022-23

Owen Wheeler, Central Bucks South: Wheeler had 13 points and was a standout on a defense that held Neshaminy to nine field goals in a 45-38 upset for the Titans’ third win of the season. Coming off the bench against CR North, Wheeler led the Titans in scoring with 13 points in a 64-52 overtime victory.

Dalton Van Zanten, Central Bucks South: Van Zanten had six points during overtime in a win against CR North, finishing with 11 points.

Adam Mahtat, Council Rock North: Mahtat led the Indians with 21 points in a 51-48 win over CB West.

CR North senior Adam Mahtat goes up for a shot at Council Rock North High School on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. CR North defeated Lower Moreland 55-49 in the season opener.
CR North senior Adam Mahtat goes up for a shot at Council Rock North High School on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. CR North defeated Lower Moreland 55-49 in the season opener.

Ty Kocak, Pennsbury: Kocak erupted for 21 points as the Falcons topped North Penn 66-61. In the Falcons 49-35 win over Pennridge, Kocak had a game-high 18 points, with 14 coming the second half.

Jeremiah Lee, Abington: Lee had 19 points, 10 rebounds and four steals in a 57-47 victory over Upper Moreland.

Paul Glants, Abington: The Ghosts’ sophomore recorded a career-high 20 points in a win over rival Cheltenham. Glants also contributed six rebounds, three assists and two steals in the win. Eight of his points came in the pivotal third quarter, where Abington outscored Cheltenham 23-12 en route to the 62-48 victory.

Kirby Mooney, William Tennent: It was another huge week for the junior, who dropped 29 points in a 71-58 win over Wissahickon.

William Tennent junior Kirby Mooney works to move the ball forward at William Tennent High School on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. William Tennent boys basketball defeated Wissahickon 71-58.
William Tennent junior Kirby Mooney works to move the ball forward at William Tennent High School on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. William Tennent boys basketball defeated Wissahickon 71-58.

Hoyt Bultje, Dock Mennonite: In the Pioneers’ eighth straight win, Bultje posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds against MaST Charter. In his second double-double of the week, Bultje tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Bristol.

Christian Bliss, George School: The star guard helped the Cougars open Friends School League play with a big victory. Bliss scored 34 points to lead George School over Friends Select, 75-62.

Bryce Rollerson, Germantown Academy: Rollerson scored 23 points, 11 coming from in the fourth quarter, as the Patriots turned a 2-point lead to start the fourth into a 70-59 win over Episcopal Academy.

Jake Cummiskey, Central Bucks East: Cummiskey was the hero of an exciting, back-and-forth victory for the Patriots against visiting Bensalem. Cummiskey hit four free throws in the final 27 seconds to give CB East a 60-57 victory. He finished with a team-high 17 points.

CB East sophomore Jacob Cummiskey jumps for a rebound as the ball makes it through the hoop at Central Bucks High School East on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. The Patriots defeated the Titans 70-52.
CB East sophomore Jacob Cummiskey jumps for a rebound as the ball makes it through the hoop at Central Bucks High School East on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. The Patriots defeated the Titans 70-52.

Sam Wilkin, Quakertown: With the Panthers down by three points in the final minute, Wilkin hit a layup and then the ensuing free throw to give Quakertown a 48-46 win over Springfield. Wilkin scored eight points in the fourth, finishing with a team-high 18 points.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PA Bucks Montco High School Sports Top Performers