North Penn stymies Council Rock North, advances to SOL final
BENSALEM >> North Penn’s defensive play put Council Rock North Penn in a big hole early and the Knights’ 18-for-19 foul shooting made the climb out impossible, as the Knights clamped down a 41-27 victory over the Indians in the Suburban One League Tournament semifinals at Bensalem High School Saturday afternoon.
“In the past few games, our help defense hadn’t been that great,” said the Knights’ Irisa Ye, who helped spearhead the defense up top and led the Knights with 17 points, “so we worked a lot on help defense.
“Whenever (Rock North) drove, everyone was on help and if they kicked it out, we were getting out on the shooters, identifying who was able to hit the shot. We just kinda knew how they were gonna run their offense, so we knew how to play them.”
North Penn (20-2) advances to Monday night’s 6 p.m. SOL Final at Souderton Area, to take on the winner of the Central Bucks West-Plymouth Whitemarsh matchup.
The Indians (15-7) hit just three shots from the floor in a frustrating first half, as North Penn built an 11-point lead by the break.
“I think our defense was outstanding today. We kept them to eight points in the first half — a great Council Rock North team,” the Knights’ Sam Carangi said of the National Conference champs. “They had 20 points in the first half last time (in a 45-40 NP win) so to keep them to eight was huge.
“We knew they were gonna make a run at us. And we just had to take the run, and keep going.”
The run was fueled by Dana Bandurick, whose 18 points were a game high. Her seven third-quarter points gave the Indians hope, down 10, but then North Penn was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw-line in the fourth to lock things up.
“North Penn played a really tough defense,” said Bandurick, the only Indian to reach double figures, “and the lane just really closed up. We really couldn’t use our height to our advantage.”
Carangi had a steal and layup then sent the Knights charging into the fourth when she drew a foul on a three-point attempt at the third-quarter buzzer, calmly hitting all three to boost the margin to 10.
Ye hit a pair in the opening moments of the fourth and North Penn was on its way. Carangi (13 points) also banked in a three, sending a smile towards the North Penn bench, as part of an 8-0 run in the first, providing the Knights early separation.
When Rock North did get an open shot, rarely did the Indians get a second one.
“I was really proud of our rebounding,” Knights coach Maggie deMarteleire said. “I thought Jess McKenzie did a great job on (Mackenzie) Tinner. I thought she kept her off the boards and that was key.”
Top Photo: North Penn’s Irisa Ye drives for the basket past Council Rock North’s Becca Margolis during their Suburban One League Tournament semifinal on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. (Bob Raines/Digital First Media)
