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CHELTENHAM 52, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 43
Cheltenham can beat teams a whole lot of different ways.
While the Panthers much prefer an up tempo game, they’ve proven they can adapt when the game slows down. In Saturday’s SOL Tournament semifinal, they faced a West squad that wasn’t about to get in a track meet with the Panthers. The Bucks trailed by just two points after a Mika Munari bucket midway through the third quarter (34-32), and they had the ball with a chance to tie things up when the Panthers amped up their defensive pressure.
It began with a Justin Moore steal and layup, and seconds later, another turnover resulted in an easy bucket for Brandon Scott.
“I think our talking and communication on defense really helped us,” Scott said. “We got a couple of steals in the second half that really started the game back up for us.”
Jaelen McGlone put an exclamation point on an impressive defensive sequence with a ferocious dunk after a steal, and just like that, the Panthers led 40-32.
The Bucks trimmed that led to six when Munari connected on a pair at the foul line, but they would get no closer.
“I think defensively we didn’t give in because if there was a shot clock – they would be 40-45 seconds per possession, so that’s easy for a team to break down, especially when they have the continuity they have and as hard as they cut, so for us, we are pleased with the win,” Cheltenham coach Patrick Fleury said. “Obviously, we will look back at the tape, and there are things we can correct that could probably give us a better advantage moving forward.”
The Panthers – who fell to Pennridge in last year’s SOL Tournament semifinals – have earned their first ever spot in the tournament’s title game where they will have a rematch with the Rams.
“Going to the championship game is a good feeling because last year we were in the same position, but just didn’t get it done,” Scott said. “Just improving from last year and getting to the championship game – it feels great.
“It was kind of tough slowing us down because we like to play fast paced, but after talking about it, we slowed it down, we got the looks we wanted and we came out with a ‘W.’”
Early on, the two teams battled to a 12-12 tie after one quarter, and then came a second quarter that showcased the Panthers’ bright young talent. Back-to-back baskets – the second a 3 – by sophomore Saleem Payne, put the Panthers on top 17-12. Munari answered with a basket, but Moore, also a sophomore, scored on a drive. After a West miss, sophomore Rasheem Dearry buried a 3, and the Panthers led 22-14.
A three-point play by Jack Neri after coming up with a steal pulled the Bucks to within five, but Dearry connected on another 3-pointer.
“I said the other day – the sophomore class has a lot of budding stars,” Fleury said. “Dearry is a kid that we love, and we’re very confident putting him in any situation that we have.
“You have guys that are headlining the team, but what makes us what we are is that there are so many strong links. We have a lot of pieces that are hungry and that are good basketball players and good people.”
The Panthers took a 30-23 lead into halftime, and although the Bucks pulled to within two, the Panthers had an answer. They sealed the Bucks’ fate at the foul line. Justin Moore – who had nine points in the fourth quarter – was a perfect 7-for-7 down the stretch.
“It’s extreme confidence in Justin Moore,” Fleury said. “He’s beyond his years. The kid is a solid young man.”
Fleury was happy to see his team adjust to a style decidedly different than its own.
“When Zahree (Harrison) went down, we had to adjust to every style,” the Panthers’ coach said. “So we have a little bit of everything in our game right now or at least try to practice against every style.
“We have a great guard group led by the sophomores – Justin Moore and Saleem Payne, so we’re very confident in any style that we have to play. They’re a very good team.”
On the second line of Cheltenham’s scorebook, Zahree Harrison, #1, is listed each game even though he is sidelined for the season with an injury.
“He’s there every game with us, he’s giving us his wisdom for the game,” Scott said. “He’s always been pushing us practice and all. He’s always been there, so it’s not like he’s gone.”
Moore led a balanced Panther attack with 17 points. McGlone added nine, and Sean Emfinger had eight. Payne added seven – all in the second quarter, and Dearry had six.
“We have a lot of confidence in all our underclassmen because everybody on the team has a role, everybody knows their role, and everybody just plays to it,” Scott said. “It’s been an amazing season. We just keep pushing.”
Munari led the Bucks with 20 points – 13 in the first half.
“I thought Mika responded well,” West coach Adam Sherman said. “The way they play – you really need quality point guard play. I thought Mika did a nice job of keeping them honest.”
Neri finished with 12 points, and Dan Miller had seven.
“If we’re lucky enough to play Cheltenham again, playing them once definitely gives us a better feel for how to play them,” Sherman said. “We were there, we just need to be a little cleaner.
“We wanted to make them jump shooters. We felt we had to stop them from getting to the rim. Eleven (Payne) came off the bench and hit some big shots for them. We weathered the storm fairly well, and we got it to two in the second half. We just have to be better with the ball.”
Game Summary brought to you by
Cheltenham (21-2, 14-0 SOL) will take on Pennridge in Monday’s SOL title game at Council Rock South (6:30 p.m.). Central Bucks West (15-8, 8-4 SOL) will return to action Friday in the opening round of the District One 6A Tournament.
Central Bucks West 12-11-9-11 43
Cheltenham 12-18-10-12 52
Central Bucks West (43) – Jack Slaymaker 1 0-0 2; Ted Spratt 0 0-1 0; Owen Haney 1 0-0 2; Jack Neri 5 1-1 12; Mika Munari 7 5-6 20; Dan Miller 2 3-6 7; Totals 16 9-14 43.
Cheltenham (52) – Rasheem Dearry 2 0-0 6; Brandon Scott 1 0-0 2; Justin Moore 5 7-9 17; Saleem Payne 3 0-2 7; Jaelen McGlone 3 3-4 9; Sean Emfinger 3 2-2 8; Travis Coleman 1 1-2 3; Totals 18 12-19 52.
3-point goals: CBW -Jack Slaymaker, Jack Neri, Mika Munari, Cheltenham – Rasheem Dearry 2, Saleem Payne. Jaelen McGlone.