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Council Rock North 50, Bensalem 42
In the stunner of the year in the SOL National, CR North handed conference champion Bensalem its first league loss of the season, at home on Senior Night.
“This was a total team win and one we all really wanted to get because it was our Senior Night and our six seniors have been super leaders this season,” said Indians coach Jesse Krasna.
“We got contributions from so many different players on both ends of the floor and to beat a team like Bensalem you have to have guys step up because they are so talented and coach (Ron) Morris does such a good job highlighting his players’ talents.”
Bernie Parent led the Indians with 14 points, while Adam Mahtat had 11 and went 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Sean Mealey and Hunter Wan had seven points each. Jack Blum was also 4-for-4 from the line in the second half.
“For us, Hunter Wan has had some very good games this year but I think this was his best yet,” Krasna said. “We were without Luke Vliet, our starting point guard, so Hunter handled the ball more than he has all season and he showed what a gifted ball handler and playmaker he is.
I don’t know how many assists he finished with, but it seemed like he made a great pass every time the ball was in his hands.
“Sean Mealey is so versatile. He did a little bit of everything for us – he hit two big threes for us, he defended bigger posts and he helped us break pressure throughout the game. When you have a forward that can handle the ball it is a huge weapon because it gives our guards a chance to rest.
“Andrew Stewart had an incredible game – he was blowing by his man to finish around the rim, dumping off nifty passes to his teammates and he defended with so much heart like he always does. Sean Clancy was a physical force and his interior defense and toughness on the backboard helped limit Bensalem’s inside game.”
The Indians led 20-19 at halftime and outscored the Owls 30-23 in the second half.
“Our underclassmen were tremendous in this one,” Krasna said. “Bernie Parent had several clutch baskets and free throws in the second half when Bensalem was making a run. He plays so under control and was a calming influence for us versus Bensalem’s intense ball pressure.
“We were without two of our bigs, junior Mikey Sylvester and senior Dan Egan, so we had two freshmen playing major minutes in Adam Mahtat and Jack Blum, and they really responded to the expanded role.
They both played like seasoned veterans, hitting pressure free throws down the stretch and coming up with huge rebounds in key moments of the second half. Those two are growing up in front of our eyes.”
CR North (5-15, 2-9 SOL) closes out the National Conference portion of its schedule Thursday at rival Council Rock South.
“I am so proud of this group to be able to block out the past and continue to work hard every day,” Krasna said. “By doing so they put themselves in position to earn this win and finish the season off strong.”
Bensalem was led by James Ashford’s 16 points, while Travis Robinson was second on the team with nine points.
The Owls (17-5, 11-1 SOL) wrapped up their championship regular season and stand at No. 7 in the most recent District One Class 6A power rankings.
Game Summary brought to you by
Bensalem 7-12-8-15 42
Council Rock North 8-12-11-19 50
Bensalem (42) – Travis Robinson 4 0-1 9; Justin Johnson 0 1-2 1 Aaron Sanders 2 1-2 7; Jeremiah Alexander 3 0-0 7; James Ashford 5 6-11 16; Luke Zeidler 1 0-0 2; Totals 11 8-16 42.
Council Rock North (50) – Bernie Parent 4 5-8 14; Andrew Stewart 2 0-1 4; Sean Mealey 2 1-2 7; Hunter Wan 3 1-2 7; Connor Rushing 1 1-1 3; Jack Blum 1 2-2 4; Adam Mahtat 2 7-8 11; Totals 25 17-24 50.
3-point goals- B-Robinson 1, Sanders 2, Alexander 1; CRN-Mealey 2, Parent 1