It's always fun when North Penn and Lansdale Catholic met up and any sport and last Friday was the latest contest between the neighborhood rivals as the two school's softball team faced off at North Penn. Using some early offense and some solid pitching from senior Kellianna Bradstreet, North Penn earned a 7-0 victory over the Crusaders.
Below are video interviews of both team's coaches, starting first with North Penn's Rick Torresani then Lansdale Catholic's Paul Suder.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wissahickon boys lacrosse's day of service at Prophecy Creek Park
The team, along with coaches and parents, have made it annual spring event to help the township with cleaning up and landscaping projects within its park system. This year, the Trojans raked leaves, planted shrubs, mulched flower beds and moved small boulders to stabilize the banks of an island in one of the park's ponds.
Friday, April 01, 2011
BASEBALL: Dock Gets Fenced In
Home runs were always possible at Christopher Dock's baseball field. But now, the Pioneers can now truly send the ball out of the yard.
Dock's home diamond has a new look as a chain-link fence now surrounds the outfield. The wall out in right field is 326 feet, center 385 feet and left field the shortest distance at 313 feet. The fence out in left field runs a few feet across a hill, adding a little character or difficulty, depending on how one looks at it, to that part of the outfield.
The fence is not the only addition to Dock's field as a scoreboard will be installed in a week or so.
The inaugural home run is still available for some player to earn, as no one was able to hit a ball over the fence as Christopher Dock opened its home schedule by defeating Plumstead Christian 14-6.
Christopher Dock has played just one game at home this season, that being Thursday's rainy Bicentennial Athletic League contest with Plumstead Christian.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
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 ANALYSISTHIRD PLACE CONSOLATION
Friday
(3) Plymouth Whitemarsh 67, (5) Neshaminy 61 STORY
FIFTH AND SEVENTH PLACE CONSOLATION
SemifinalsTuesday
(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
(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
THIRD PLACE CONSOLATION
Saturday, at Plymouth Whitemarsh
(4) Pope John Paul II 73, (6) Bishop Shanahan 65 STORY
CLASS AA
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 STORYTHIRD 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
QuarterfinalsLast 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
Saturday, February 19, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, February 18, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
SOL Continental Boys Basketball Standings Feb. 19
Current standings as of Saturday, Feb. 19
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
| 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
Friday, February 11, 2011
SOL Continental Girls Basketball Standings Feb. 20
Current standings as of Sunday, Feb. 20
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
| 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
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
BOYS BASKETBALL: Pennridge fans rush the court
Pennridge beats CB West in double OT and Rams fans rush the court.
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