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Cheltenham 62, Hatboro-Horsham 41
With Friday’s win, Cheltenham clinched sole possession of the SOL American Conference championship, the sixth championship in program history. Coach Patrick Fleury played on the 2004 and ’05 teams that won titles.
It’s quite an accomplishment, especially considering that the Panthers best player, point guard Zahree Harrison, was injured in the first game and missed the entire season.
“This is one of the goals that we had, but there are definitely loftier goals that we’re looking for, but it still feels good, I’m not going to lie,” Fleury said. “To live in Cheltenham, to teach in Cheltenham, to coach at Cheltenham and to win at Cheltenham is a beautiful thing.
“To be honest, I don’t know if anyone thought after that first quarter when Zahree went down that it would be this. I still look at us as underdogs in every game.”
Friday, the Panthers were without two key players due to illness, Sean Emfinger and Justin Moore, but others stepped into the lineup and performed.
Jaelen McGlone led the Panthers with 12 points, while Saleem Payne finished with 10 points and three assists. Brandon Scott had five rebounds and three steals, Brandon Hawkins had six points, three rebounds and two assists, Justin Savage, two assists and four rebounds, Mike McClain, seven points and three assists and Nasir Andino five rebounds.
“It was a complete team effort,” Fleury said. “Everybody played, everybody contributed toward the title, and that’s ideal.”
Now that the conference title is secure, Cheltenham (18-2, 12-0 SOL) will look to secure one of the top seeds for the upcoming District One Class 6A playoffs. It is currently in the No. 3 position behind Methacton and Garnet Valley, with games remaining against Springfield Township at home on Tuesday and then at Abington on Thursday.
Zehier Cheeze led Hatboro-Horsham with 16 points, while Jack Marvin added eight. The Hatters (1-19, 0-12 SOL) are back in action Tuesday with a home game against Abington.
Game Summary brought to you by
Cheltenham 20 9 16 17-62
Hatboro-Horsham 6 7 15 13-41
Cheltenham (62) – Rasheem Dearry 5, Travis Coleman 6, Brandon Scott 1, Brandon Hawkins 6, Justin Savage 2, Saleem Payne 10, Jaelen McGlone 12, Mike McClain 7, Joey Weiner 3
Hatboro-Horsham (41) – N’Gianni Cerisier 2, DJ Cerisier 7, Zehier Cheeze 16, Jack Marvin 8, Colin O’Sullivan 6, Logan Fischer 6, Dan Simpson 3.