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Council Rock North 55, Pennsbury 49
Connor Rushing scored 17 points, as CR North shook off a rough second quarter to post the six-point home win against Pennsbury.
“Pennsbury is a really tough out,” said Indians coach Jesse Krasna, himself a 2010 Pennsbury grad. “They are relentless with their pressure, very good on the offensive glass and they are so difficult to defend because they have so many shooters and scorers. Coach (Bill) Coleman and his staff always get his teams to play so hard, so they are a group you love to watch but hate to play against.”
Playing against the Falcons’ pressure defense, Krasna pointed to the play of guards Bernie Parent and Jack Blum.
“I am proud of the composure and resiliency our kids showed throughout the game, which was so big for us because the only way you can beat a team like Pennsbury is if you are physically and mentally tough for 32 minutes,” Krasna said. “Our boys played well together tonight, moving the ball and making the extra pass. It’s tough to run set plays versus Pennsbury because they run so many double teams, so it comes down to your players being able to be tough with the ball and make the right play with defenders in your face.
“Bernie (Parent) and Jack (Blum) were so calm in traps and played strong with the ball. Bernie also had four charges and saved so many layups by putting his body on the line, something he has done so courageously for us all season. Jack came up with big offensive rebounds and was tremendous on the defensive end, making it difficult for Pennsbury shooters to get loose.”
Blum, who led the team with seven rebounds, finished with 14 points, including four clutch free throws late to salt away the victory.
Rushing was in foul trouble in the first half but made his presence known in the second half.
“He was so good for us as a playmaker when he was on the floor, attacking the rim and staying under control in the paint, finding his teammates and scoring when the opportunities presented themselves,” Krasna said. “He was all over the backboard for us too”
Krasna also credited Mikey Sylvester on the glass and defensively against Pennsbury’s Evan Reichard, as well as Adam Mahtat, Logan Saifer, and Garrett Gromlich, who finished with 11 points.
“Garrett is a senior for us who never played jayvee or varsity basketball before this year, but he has been such a big part of our team’s success,” Krasna said. “It was only a matter of time before he broke out because the kid is such a gym rat and can really shoot the ball because of it. He is super coachable and a good vocal leader for us in practice too, holding his teammates accountable and making sure we compete hard on every rep.”
Amir Johnson led Pennsbiury with 19 points, while Evan McNeely added 13, and Reichard 12 points and 10 rebounds.
CR North (3-1, 3-1 SOL) is at Harry S. Truman on Friday, while Pennsbury (2-5, 1-4 SOL) hosts Bensalem.
Game Summary Brought To You By
Council Rock North 55, Pennsbury 49
CR North (55): Garrett Gromlich 4 0-0 11; Bernie Parent 2 2-2 7; Mikey Sylvester 1 0-2 2; Adam Mahtat 2 0-1 4;Jack Blum 3 6-8 14; Connor Rushing 8 0-0 17. Totals 20 8-13 55.
Pennsbury (49): Johnson 7 5-5 19; Taddei 2 0-0 5; Reichard 6 0-1 12; Stargell 0 0-0 0; McNeely 5 2-3 13. Totals 20 7-9 49.
CR North 21 2 16 16-55
Pennsbury 16 2 14 17-49
3-point goals: CRN- Gromlich 3, Blum 2, Parent 1, Rushing 1, P-Taddei 1, McNeely 1