The Reporter/Montgomery Media/Times Herald Local Roundup (Dec. 29): Gwynedd Mercy wins North Pocono Tournament

Girls basketball
Gwynedd Mercy Academy 44, North Pocono 17: Bailey Balkir scored 10 points to lead a balanced attack for the Monarchs on Thursday to win the North Pocono Tournament. GMA jumped out to a 27-17 halftime advantage and never looked back. Hannah Griffin won MVP of the tournament, finishing with 8 points in the finals.

Upper Merion 27, Faith Christian 22: Down by 3 points entering the fourth quarter, the Vikings heated up in the fourth quarter on Thursday in the Lady Vikings Holiday Tournament. Levayda Fuqua scored 8 of her team-high 9 points in the fourth quarter as the Vikings rallied for the win. Mikalya Hissner scored 8 points for Faith Christian.

Lansdale Catholic 60, Villa Joseph Marie 24: The Crusaders improved to 6-1 behind 17 points from Gabby Casey. Jaida Heim added 9, while Sanyiah Littlejohn scored 8 for LC.

Ursuline (Del.) 47, Plymouth Whitemarsh 44: Abby Sharpe scored 25 points, including 3-of-4 from the 3-point line on Thursday at the Diamond State Classic in Wilmington, Delaware. PW was outscored 13-8 in the third quarter and could never take back control of the contest. Erin Daley added 15 points for PW (8-2), which will face Cheltenham on Jan. 3rd in an SOL crossover contest.

Boys basketball
Archbishop Wood 57, Penn Hills 55: The Vikings only led by 1 point at the half and then Jahlil Bethea got cooking. Bethea scored 17 of his team-high 19 points in the second half as the Vikings eked out the win on Thursday at the at the Central Valley Holiday Tournament.

Germantown Academy 55, Carver E&S 22: The Patriots won big on Thursday in the Abington Friends Tournament. Flinn Brooks had 19 points, including four 3-pointers for GA, while Bryce Rollerson added 16. GA plays Abington Friends in the championship game at 7pm.

Upper Moreland 61, Fels 56: The Bears move to 10-1, taking home the Robert Hopf Memorial Tournament in the process. Colson Campbell scored 15 points and Jonathan Clark added 13 for the Golden Bears.