Simon’s clutch free throws lift Pottsgrove over Pope John Paul II, 32-30

LOWER POTTSGROVE >> The game was between the lines. The deciding moment was between the ears.

In a game she described as ‘mental,’ Thursday’s matchup of Pioneer Athletic Conference Frontier Division leaders between Pope John Paul II and host Pottsgrove came down to Falcons’ sophomore Riley Simon facing her own mental hurdle: free-throw shooting.

“I struggle with it,” Simon said. “Me, it’s a hit or miss game. But my assistant coach (Joe Greene) has been working with me on my foul shots. I’ve tweaked my foul shot quite a few times and I think he finally found the go-to foul shot for me: 1-2-3, don’t think about and go straight up with it.”

Success at the stripe hasn’t always come Simon’s way this season. But what better time than with 4.1 seconds remaining in a tie game for a turn of fortune?

Simon’s late free throws were the game-winners as Pottsgrove defeated Pope John Paul II, 32-30, dealing the Golden Panthers their first PAC Frontier loss of the season.

The sophomore point guard finished with a team-high 10 points as the Falcons got even in the standings – and in the regular season head-to-head – with PJP at 6-1 in the Frontier (8-3 PAC, 12-4 overall). Sophomore forward Sydney Mowery added seven while junior forward Summer Walker had six, including four in an important stretch of the fourth quarter that rallied Pottsgrove from down 25-20.

“That was absolutely incredible,” Simon said. We lost to them the first time by 11 (51-40 on Dec. 14, 2018). This time, we played harder and were the harder team. It was just a great team win. We got the offense when we needed it and our defense is always there for us. We just had a really good win against Boyertown so this was a really good way to come back.”

Pope John Paul II dropped to 6-1 in the PAC Frontier (6-5 PAC) and 10-6 overall. The Golden Panthers got nine points apiece from the backcourt duo of senior Elise Sylvester and freshman Tess Crossan.

“We struggled offensively,” first-year PJP coach TJ Lonergan said. “Pottsgrove to their credit got more aggressive than they did in the first game. We handled their pressure pretty well then but we seemed to be back on our heels this game. They got more and more aggressive.”

Though it’s the Golden Panthers’ first division loss, there’s little reason to sound the alarm.

“With such a young group as we have with starting two freshman and a sophomore, we have a lack of experience with only Elise and Lauren back as starters. But the girls bought in right away, practice hard and are together,” Lonergan said. “They are playing teams tough. We are playing teams tough, but our youthfulness shows sometimes. That’s something we’re trying to play through.”

The game wasn’t an offensive classic through three quarters with PJP leading 23-20 but was compelling in the final quarter. PJP built a 25-20 lead on free throws from Lauren Ciuba (6 points) and Crossan and looked to be taking control.

“We were down 25-20, down by 5, but we knew we needed to stop them on defense,” Simon said. “If we got a stop right there and then, we could turn it into offense and points and we did. We have to keep our mental game right there.”

A Simon layup keyed the Falcons’ rally before Walker tied it 27-27 on an and-one opportunity and hit a jumper for a 29-28 lead with 3:37 left. Pottsgrove wouldn’t trail again, but needed Simon’s clutch free throws after getting a stop on Sylvester’s drive attempt in the final seconds with the game tied 30-30.

“The foul shooting has been a problem for her this year. But she’s worked on it a great deal,” Pottsgrove coach Mike Brendlinger said. “My assistant, Joe Greene, has worked on it with a lot and her foul shooting has become a lot better and more consistent. We feel confident with her now at the line in those situations.”

Pottsgrove is pleased to have a share of the division lead, but were sure about one thing: it won’t be going to their heads.

“We have big games against Phoenixville and Upper Merion, games that could potentially go either way,” Simon said. “It’s about who plays better, who plays better defense and we just have to keep our heads in it.”

NOTES >> A free-throw heavy game, Pottsgrove was 11-for-21 at the line while PJP was 16-for-19.