District One Boys Basketball Postseason

CLASS AAAA

Nine teams advance to states

All games 7 p.m. unless noted

First Round
Friday, Feb. 18
(1) Chester 70, (32) Perkiomen Valley 36 STORY
(17) Springfield (D) 56 (16) Cheltenham 55 (OT) STORY
(8) North Penn 49, (25) Upper Dublin 38 STORY
(9) Bensalem 53, (24) Strath Haven 37 RECAP
(4) Upper Darby 71, (29) Kennett 37 STORY
(13) Lower Merion 63, (20) Methacton 57 STORY
(5) Neshaminy 55, (28) Central Bucks East 43 STORY
(12) Glen Mills 29, (21) Central Bucks West 28 (OT) STORY
(2) Council Rock North 43, (31) Great Valley 28 STORY
(15) Wissahickon 47, (18) Spring-Ford 43 STORY
(7) Norristown 47, (26) Ridley 41 STORY
(10) Coatesville 71, (23) Souderton 59 STORY
(3) Plymouth Whitemarsh 78, (30) Interboro 42 STORY
(14) Pennridge 74, (19) West Chester Henderson 54 STORY
(6) West Chester Rustin 48, (27) Penncrest 29 STORY
(11) Penn Wood 90, (22) Conestoga 65 STORY

Second Round
Last Tuesday
(1) Chester 72, (17) Springfield (D) 48 STORY
(9) Bensalem 36, (8) North Penn 33 STORY ANALYSIS
(13) Lower Merion 73, (4) Upper Darby 66 STORY
(5) Neshaminy 60, (12) Glen Mills 36 STORY
(2) Council Rock North 50, (15) Wissahickon 44 STORY
(7) Norristown 67, (10) Coatesville 62 STORY
(3) Plymouth Whitemarsh 50, (14) Pennridge 27 STORY
(6) West Chester Rustin 59, (11) Penn Wood 51 STORY

Quarterfinals
Last Friday
(1) Chester 67, (9) Bensalem 39 STORY
(5) Neshaminy 64, (13) Lower Merion 61 STORY
(2) Council Rock North 56, (7) Norristown 55 (2OT) STORY
(3) Plymouth Whitemarsh 63, (6) West Chester Rustin 47 STORY

Semifinals
Tuesday, at The Pavilion, Villanova University
(2) Council Rock North 58, (3) Plymouth Whitemarsh 50 STORY
(1) Chester 77, (5) Neshaminy 67 STORY ANALYSIS

Final

Friday, at The Pavilion, Villanova University

(1) Chester 66, (2) Council Rock North 43 STORY ANALYSIS

THIRD PLACE CONSOLATION
Friday
(3) Plymouth Whitemarsh 67, (5) Neshaminy 61 STORY

FIFTH AND SEVENTH PLACE CONSOLATION

Semifinals
Tuesday
(13) Lower Merion 45, (9) Bensalem 44
(6) West Chester Rustin 57, (7) Norristown 50 STORY

Fifth Place Game
Friday
(6) West Chester Rustin 53, (13) Lower Merion 52 STORY

Seventh Place Game
Friday
(7) Norristown 48, (9) Bensalem 34 STORY

NINTH PLACE CONSOLATION

Quarterfinals

Friday

(8) North Penn 60, (17) Springfield (D) 41 STORY

(4) Upper Darby 52, (12) Glen Mills 34 STORY

(15) Wissahickon 77, (10) Coatesville 61 STORY

(11) Penn Wood 56, (14) Pennridge 32 STORY

Semifinals

Tuesday
(8) North Penn 59, (4) Upper Darby 43 STORY ANALYSIS
(15) Wissahickon 63, (11) Penn Wood 57 STORY

Ninth Place Game
Friday, at Council Rock South
(11) Penn Wood 47, (8) North Penn 27 STORY

CLASS AAA

Three teams advance to states

All games 7 p.m. unless noted

First Round
Last Wednesday
(9) Phoenixville 51, (8) Upper Merion 38 STORY
(7) Harriton 53, (10) Sun Valley 31 STORY
(6) Bishop Shanahan 51, (11) Upper Moreland 49 STORY

Quarterfinals
Last Saturday
(1) Octorara 69, (9) Phoenixville 58 STORY
(4) Pope John Paul II 56, (5) Pottstown 52 STORY
(2) Holy Ghost Prep 43, (7) Harriton 38 STORY
(6) Bishop Shanahan 44, (3) Lower Moreland 42 (OT) STORY

Semifinals
Wednesday, at Council Rock South
(2) Holy Ghost Prep 54, (6) Bishop Shanahan 44 STORY
(1) Octorara 53, (4) Pope John Paul II 40 STORY


Final
Saturday, at The Pavilion, Villanova University

(1) Octorara 46, (2) Holy Ghost Prep 41 STORY

THIRD PLACE CONSOLATION
Saturday, at Plymouth Whitemarsh
(4) Pope John Paul II 73, (6) Bishop Shanahan 65 STORY

CLASS AA

District 1/12 Subregion
Saturday, at St. Joseph's Prep
Prep Charter 60, Devon Prep 46

CLASS A

Three teams advances to states

Games 7 p.m. unless noted

First Round
Last Tuesday
(8) Morrisville 56, (9) Calvary Christian 53 STORY
(5) Plumstead Christian 65, (12) Friends Select 55
(10) Calvary Baptist 34, (7) Jenkintown 29 STORY
(6) Delco Christian 52, (11) Christopher Dock 34 STORY

Quarterfinals
Last Friday
(1) Church Farm 53, (8) Morrisville 25 STORY
(4) Girard College 40, (5) Plumstead Christian 33
(2) Phil-Mont Christian 60, (10) Calvary Baptist 39 STORY
(3) Faith Christian 71, (6) Delco Christian 55 RECAP

Semifinals
Tuesday, at Cheltenham
(3) Faith Christian 57, (2) Phil-Mont Christian 53 STORY
(1) Church Farm 60, (4) Girard College 47 STORY

Final
Saturday, at The Pavilion, Villanova University
(1) Church Farm 71, (3) Faith Christian 44 STORY

THIRD PLACE CONSOLATION
Friday, at Wissahickon
(2) Phil-Mont Christian 40, (4) Girard College 37

District One Girls Basketball Postseason

CLASS AAAA

Nine teams advance to states

First Round
Friday, Feb. 18
(1) Council Rock North 41, (32) Central Bucks West 13 STORY
(4) Cheltenham 62, (29) Souderton 25 STORY
(12) Downingtown West 52, (21) Haverford 38 STORY
(15) West Chester Rustin 47, (18) Upper Darby 35 STORY
(19) Radnor 55, (14) Sun Valley 37 STORY VIDEO
(6) Boyertown 47, (27) Central Bucks South 33 STORY

Saturday, Feb. 20
(16) North Penn 49, (17) Abington 42 STORY
(8) Central Bucks East 69, (25) Chester 54 STORY
(9) Spring-Ford 64, (24) Neshaminy 56 STORY
(13) William Tennent 63, (20) Plymouth Whitemarsh 50 STORY
(5) Lower Merion 33, (28) Great Valley 29 RECAP
(2) Mount St. Joseph 58, (31) Bishop Shanahan 31 STORY
(7) Upper Dublin 40, (26) Coatesville 36 STORY
(10) Council Rock South 48, (23) Unionville 34 STORY
(3) Downingtown East 66, (30) Academy Park 44 STORY
(11) Avon Grove 52, (22) Garnet Valley 27 STORY

Second Round
Last Wednesday
(1) Council Rock North 46, (16) North Penn 40 STORY
(8) Central Bucks East 44, (9) Spring-Ford 37 STORY
(4) Cheltenham 58, (13) William Tennent 41 STORY
(5) Lower Merion 36, (12) Downingtown West 34 STORY
(2) Mount St. Joseph 67, (15) West Chester Rustin 31 STORY
(7) Upper Dublin 53, (10) Council Rock South 48 STORY
(3) Downingtown East 49, (19) Radnor 37 STORY
(6) Boyertown 42, (11) Avon Grove 28 STORY

Quarterfinals
Last Friday
(1) Council Rock North 39, (8) Central Bucks East 38 RECAP
Last Saturday
(5) Lower Merion 50, (4) Cheltenham 47 (OT) STORY
(2) Mount St. Joseph 50, (7) Upper Dublin 30 STORY
(3) Downingtown East 36, (6) Boyertown 34 STORY

Semifinals

Wednesday, at Norristown

(2) Mount St. Joseph 48, (3) Downingtown East 27 STORY

(1) Council Rock North 45, (5) Lower Merion 32 RECAP

Final

Friday, 7 p.m., at The Pavilion, Villanova University

(2) Mount St. Joseph 45, (1) Council Rock North 23 STORY

THIRD PLACE CONSOLATION
Saturday
(3) Downingtown East 46, (5) Lower Merion 34

FIFTH AND SEVENTH PLACE CONSOLATION
Semifinals
Wednesday
(4) Cheltenham 47, (8) Central Bucks East 44 STORY
(7) Upper Dublin 36, (6) Boyertown 33 STORY

Fifth Place Game
Saturday
(4) Cheltenham 55, (7) Upper Dublin 45 STORY

Seventh Place Game
Saturday
(6) Boyertown 51, (8) Central Bucks East 49 RECAP

NINTH PLACE CONSOLATION

Quarterfinals
Last Saturday
(16) North Penn 57, (9) Spring-Ford 49 STORY
(12) Downingtown West 59, (13) William Tennent 49 RECAP
(10) Council Rock South 42, (15) West Chester Rustin 37 RECAP
(11) Avon Grove 49, (19) Radnor 44 STORY

Semifinals
Tuesday
(10) Council Rock South 56, (11) Avon Grove 41 RECAP
Wednesday
(12) Downingtown West 51, (16) North Penn 35 STORY

Final
Friday, at Wissahickon
(12) Downingtown West 50, (10) CR South 49 (OT) STORY

CLASS AAA

Three teams advance to states

All games 7 p.m. unless noted

First Round
Last Tuesday
(8) Merion Mercy 54, (9) Marple Newtown 33 STORY
(12) Pope John Paul II 26, (5) Oxford 16 STORY
(6) Villa Joseph Marie 70, (11) Phoenixville 33 STORY
Last Wednesday
(7) Upper Merion 43, (10) Harriton 33 STORY

Quarterfinals
Last Friday
(1) Villa Maria 50, (8) Merion Mercy 35 STORY
(4) St. Basil 49, (12) Pope John Paul II 36 STORY
(2) Nazareth Academy 42, (7) Upper Merion 31
(6) Villa Joseph Marie 48, (3) Springfield (D) 45 STORY

Semifinals
Tuesday, at Wissahickon
(6) Villa Joseph Marie 44, (2) Nazareth Academy 39
(1) Villa Maria  47, (4) St. Basil 28 STORY

Final
Saturday, at The Pavilion, Villanova University
(1) Villa Maria 56, (6) Villa Joseph Marie 38 STORY

THIRD PLACE CONSOLATION
Saturday, at Plymouth Whitemarsh
(4) St. Basil 51, (2) Nazareth Academy 49 STORY

CLASS AA

Two teams advance to states

First Round
Last Thursday
(5) Bristol 39, (4) New Hope-Solebury 35 STORY

Semifinals
Wednesday, at Wissahickon
(1) Christopher Dock 69, (5) Bristol 52 STORY
(2) Springfield (M) 54, (3) Lower Moreland 48 (OT) STORY

Final
Saturday, The Pavilion, Villanova University
(2) Springfield (M) 59, (1) Christopher Dock 57 (OT) STORY

CLASS A

Three teams advance to states

First Round
Last Wednesday
(8) Friends Select 44, (9) Plumstead Christian 25
(7) Jenkintown 28, (10) Calvary Christian 21 STORY

Quarterfinals
Last Saturday
(1) Delco Christian 39, (8) Friends Select 28 STORY
(4) Morrisville 41, (5) Phil-Mont Christian 23
(2) Sacred Heart 62, (7) Jenkintown 21 STORY
(3) Girard College 56, (6) Faith Christian 32 STORY

Semifinals
Wednesday, at Plymouth Whitemarsh
(2) Sacred Heart 47, (3) Girard College 40 STORY
(1) Delco Christian 59, (4) Morrisville 20 STORY

Final
Friday, at The Pavilion, Villanova University
(1) Delco Christian 50, (2) Sacred Heart 41 STORY

THIRD PLACE CONSOLATION
Friday, at Council Rock South
(3) Girard College 53, (4) Morrisville 36

BASKETBALL: North Penn boys down Upper Dublin in districts

The North Penn boys basketball team got back in the postseason win column for the first time in nine years Friday night, the No. 8 seed Knights rallying from a 10 point second quarter deficit to best No. 25 Upper Dublin in the District One Class AAAA first round.

It was the first playoff win for North Penn since it beat Avon Grove in the 2002 district first round. The Knights also gave Ron Hassler his first district win at the school since in his third season on the sidelines. Below is Hassler's postgame comments.



The victory Friday was North Penn's seventh straight and sets up an interesting rematch with No. 9 Bensalem Tuesday at home in the second round. The Knights struggled to get anything to go through the bucket when the faced the Owls in the SOL Challenge Jan. 22 in Abington, finishing with a season-low in points as they fell 43-26. Stakes are a little higher this time, with the winner qualifying for states, while the loser has to reach the PIAA Tournament through ninth-place consolation.

Sean Brooks, who finished with a game-high 17 points, talks in the video below about the win over the Cardinals.

Why Pujols should take less money

By Christiaan DeFranco

Should the best position player in baseball — who likely will go down as one of the best hitters of all time — be the highest paid player in the game?

Well, I'm not going to say he shouldn't. Albert Pujols deserves to get paid.

Reports say his asking price to re-sign with the Cardinals is 10 years, $300 million. St. Louis reportedly has offered him something in the range of eight years at $18-23 million per.

When you consider his value, in on-field production as well as revenue for the Cardinals and Major League Baseball, Pujols warrants a lucrative contract, perhaps a record-setting one. But when you consider other factors — and his manager's recent comments that Pujols is being pressured by the players union to set the bar — maybe a decade-long, $300-million mega-deal isn't the right course of action.

Even if La Russa, by ripping the union, is just trying to ease his star player's mind and show him he has his back, the point remains the same: There is more to life, and to a career, than money.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not sneezing at a big payday. But what do you want to be known for? Alex Rodriguez is one of the best ever, but he'll be remembered for his outrageous contracts (as well as his prima-donna image, of course) rather than his talent.

And it's clear that A-Rod — throughout his career, with every strikeout, every errant throw, every pop-up with runners on, every O-fer in the postseason — has felt the weight of that money as he has tried to live up to it.

Perhaps Pujols should take a cue from Cliff Lee, who turned down more cash elsewhere to return to the Phillies. He wanted to win and he felt that being with the Phillies gave him the best shot, plus he loves it here and his wife and family do too. This organization and this intensely competitive city felt like home.

"Once you hit a certain amount, enough is enough," Lee said, after he was asked why he took less money to sign in Philadelphia.

And isn't that the point? Cliff Lee isn't starving, and his grandchildren won't either. Once you reach a certain stratosphere, isn't it less about money and more about championships and legacy and greatness?

Isn't it about immortality?

Follow assistant sports editor Christiaan DeFranco on Twitter here @cdefranco.

SOL Continental Boys Basketball Standings Feb. 19

Current standings as of Saturday, Feb. 19

	Overall	Conference	PPG	OPP PPG	Streak
North Penn	19-4	11-3	51.2	41.2	W8
Pennridge	18-5	11-3	60.6	51.5	W3
Central Bucks West	14-9	9-5	47.0	44.0	L1
Souderton	14-9	9-5	53.8	51.5	L1
Central Bucks East	11-12	7-7	51.9	52.0	L2
Hatboro-Horsham	9-13	5-9	50.9	51.2	L2
Central Bucks South	5-17	4-10	48.6	54.8	L2
Quakertown	1-21	0-14	37.8	57.7	L20

This Week in the SOL Continental
Friday, Feb. 18
District One Class AAAA First Round
(10) Coatesville 71, (23) Souderton 59
(12) Glen Mills 29, (21) Central Bucks West 28 (OT)
(5) Neshaminy 55, (28) Central Bucks East 43
(8) North Penn 49, (25) Upper Dublin 38
(14) Pennridge 74, (19) West Chester Henderson 54

SOL Continental Girls Basketball Standings Feb. 20

Current standings as of Sunday, Feb. 20

	Overall	Conference	PPG	OPP PPG	Streak
Central Bucks East	20-3	14-0	48.8	32.7	W16
North Penn	16-6	11-3	46.9	35.1	W3
Central Bucks South	13-9	9-5	46.9	39.9	L1
Central Bucks West	12-11	8-6	43.0	38.3	L1
Souderton	12-10	8-6	41.8	40.5	L2
Hatboro-Horsham	6-16	3-11	44.7	58.3	L2
Quakertown	6-16	2-12	34.1	49.0	L2
Pennridge	3-19	1-13	35.5	52.3	W2

This week in the SOL Continental
Tuesday, Feb. 15
Central Bucks East 47, Council Rock South 39

Friday, Feb. 18
District One Class AAAA First Round
(1) Council Rock North 41, (32) Central Bucks West 13
(4) Cheltenham 62, (29) Souderton 25

Saturday, Feb. 19
District One Class AAAA First Round
(8) Central Bucks East 69, (25) Chester 54
(16) North Penn 49, (17) Abington 42

BOYS BASKETBALL: Pennridge fans rush the court

Pennridge beats CB West in double OT and Rams fans rush the court.

North Penn 65, Souderton 55: Stats, Videos

The North Penn boys basketball team was able to end its Senior Night in winning fashion against Souderton Tuesday, grabbing the lead in the second quarter and never trailing afterwards to claim a 65-55 victory. The win keeps the Knights tied for first place in the Suburban One League Continental Conference with Pennridge, with each team having one game remaining.

Here's a couple stats pertaining to the contest, followed by video interviews from after the game.

• The 65 points North Penn scored were the most for the season. besting the 63 the Knights compiled on Jan. 11 in their win at home against Quakertown. It was only the third time in 2010-2011 North Penn has score at least 60. Meanwhile, it was the sixth time Souderton has given up at least 60, the Indians going 1-5 in those games (The one win was beating Pennsbury 73-63 on Jan. 22 at Souderton).
• Tuesday's victory by North Penn evened the series between the Knights and Souderton at 3-3 since the two teams both began playing in the SOL Continental. Souderton took both games in 2008-2009, the teams split in '09-'10 (each team winning at home), with NP sweeping the two games this year.

North Penn coach Ron Hassler


North Penn senior Dexter Shy


North Penn junior Wes Brooks


Souderton coach Dennis Stanton

NFL conference title game predictions

Four historic NFL giants — the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets — remain standing. A pair of fascinating matchups will determine who will play in the Super Bowl.

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS

Classic rivals. Legendary NFL teams. Soldier Field.

And ironic, when you think about it, that the Bears hope to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy when all is said and done.

Plus, you have a tail of two quarterbacks. One guy is a total jerk who throws lots of interceptions, and the other guy has zero personality but makes some good decisions on the field. Which do you prefer to watch?

The NFC title game will come down to Green Bay's defense. If the Packers can limit Jay Cutler and the Bears' attack, and maybe force a couple turnovers, they have the offensive firepower with Aaron Rodgers to pull out a road win against their rival — in spite of the Bears' stiff 'D.'

Prediction: Packers 28, Bears 17.

NEW YORK JETS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The team that put the AFL on the map and forced the creation of the modern NFL vs. one of the NFL's dynasties.

Ben Roethlisberger has established himself as a postseason playmaker. He finds ways to win, and also ways to escape court charges. For the Jets to take the AFC crown, they need to disrupt Roethlisberger all night and come up with a late pick or fumble. It would also help Mark Sanchez and the Jets to get an early lead.

Prediction: Jets 24, Steelers 21.

Just my humble opinions. What do you think?

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on Twitter @cdefranco.

BASKETBALL: SOL CHALLENGE SCHEDULE

 If you like high school basketball, the Suburban One League is supplying plenty of it Saturday with the SOL Challenge, as 42 teams (22 girls, 20 boys) play 21 games at six sites in the Bux-Mont area.

Below is the schedule, with local teams bolded. First team listed in the matchup is the home team.

At Abington
2 p.m. GIRLS-North Penn vs. Bensalem
3:30 p.m. BOYS-North Penn vs. Bensalem
5 p.m. GIRLS-Abington vs. Cheltenham
6:30 p.m. BOYS-Abington vs. Cheltenham

At Souderton
2 p.m. BOYS-Quakertown vs. Truman
3:30 p.m. GIRLS-Norristown vs. William Tennent
5 p.m. GIRLS-Souderton vs. Pennsbury
6:30 p.m. BOYS-Souderton vs. Pennsbury

At Upper Dublin
6:30 p.m. BOYS-Upper Dublin vs. Pennridge
8 p.m. GIRLS-Upper Dublin vs. Central Bucks South

At Hatboro-Horsham
2 p.m. GIRLS-Pennridge vs. Wissahickon
3:30 p.m. BOYS-Hatboro-Horsham vs. Wissahickon
5 p.m. GIRLS-Hatboro-Horsham vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh

At Council Rock South
2 p.m. GIRLS-Upper Moreland vs. Truman
3:30 p.m. BOYS-Upper Moreland vs. William Tennent
5 p.m.-GIRLS-Council Rock South vs. Central Bucks West
6:30 p.m. BOYS-Council Rock South vs. Central Bucks East

At Council Rock North
2 p.m. GIRLS-Neshaminy vs. Central Bucks East
3:30 p.m. BOYS-Central Bucks South vs. Norristown
5 p.m. GIRLS-Council Rock North vs. Lansdale Catholic
6:30 p.m. BOYS-Council Rock North vs. Central Bucks West