Plymouth Whitemarsh puts away CB East, clinches PIAA berth

WHITEMARSH >> It looked like another run-of-the-mill Plymouth Whitemarsh playoff win Tuesday night when the Colonials used a strong second half to best Central Bucks East, 62-43, in the second round of the PIAA District One 6A playoffs.

But Colonials head coach Jim Donofrio has been around long enough to know better.

The Patriots gave the Colonials all they could want for a half, and actually pulled within single digits late in the game before PW simply wore them down.

“Our kids did a lot of practicing over the last two days,” Donofrio said after Ish Horn’s 19 points and Ahmad Williams’ 14 paced PW to the victory. “I guess I was a little bit overzealous in my preparation, but I know how good a team East is.

“They give you looks defensively you don’t see all the time, and we knew it was going to take our best effort to win the game.”

PW led, 7-6, through a listless first quarter, then after East hit a pair of free throws to open the second stanza, went on a 7-0 run and took control of the game.

Kareem Breeden and Ish Horn each had six points in the second quarter and the home team led, 27-20, at the break.

Elijah Seger had nine points at halftime to lead all scorers, while East senor guard and co-captain Matt Pattyson had eight, six from the free-throw line.

The second half belonged to the Colonials, who used a 7-0 run to open some breathing room, then nursed that lead to the end.

East got strong efforts from both Pattyson (19 points) and Seger (9), but ultimately the Patriots just couldn’t make up double-digit points in 10 minutes of playing time.

“You’re talking about one of the best teams in the district,” said East head coach Erik Henrysen. “I thought we did a good job staying close, but they just have too much to overcome.

“Hey, but we started the season with nobody giving us a chance to even make the playoffs, so we’re happy with our effort tonight.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh 62, Central Bucks East 43
Central Bucks East 6 14 11 12 – 43
Plymouth Whitemarsh 7 20 16 19 – 62
Central Bucks East: Matt Pattyson 6 7-9 19; Ryan Plack 2 0-2 4; Collin Stein 1 0-0 3; Cooper Fink 0 0-0 0; Elijah Sergert 2 4-4 10; Kyle Cassidy 1 2-4 5; Ben Markowitz 1 0-0 3; Nick Roggio 0 0-0 0 Totals 13 .
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Ish Horn 6 5-5; 19; Cheo Houston 0 0-0 0; Naheem McLeod 2 4-8 8 8; Ahmad Williams 6 2-3 14; Matt Walker 1 0-0 3; Kareen Breeden 5 0-0 10; Jason Paul 2 0-0 6; Devon Lawrence 1 0-0 2; . Totals 23 11-16 62..
3-pointers Cassidy; Stein; Markowtiz; Seger; Horn 2; Paul 2; Walker.