MONDAY 1/15
- Cara Thomas kicked off her week by racking up 27 points in a 59-39 Northwestern Lehigh victory over Freedom. She sank 11 field goalsand was 5/6 from the charity stripe. A powerful 19-7 first quarter set the pace for the Tigers. For the Patriots, Alexis McNeil knocked down five treys and 19 points.
- Fresh off of her 1,000 point achievement last week, Ellie Wallbillich kept it going for the Green Knights in a 59-19 win over Salisbury. She exploded for a 17 point second quarter, including three triples in the quarter. She ended the night with 21 points. Pen Argyl pounded out 28 points in the second quarter after the teams were tied at 8. Macy Kotulka notched a 16 point effort, hitting three times from range.
- William Allen picked up a 42-35 win over Freire Charter. Layla Sweatte scored 32 of her team’s points, including 20 of the 23 scored in the second half to propel the Canaries to victory. Freire was held scoreless from the field in the fourth quarter, making just six free throws.
- Nine players scored for the Raptors in a 60-13 blowout of Lehigh Valley Academy Charter. Sophomore Tiana Carey again led Executive Education with 14 points.
WEDNESDAY 1/17
Bangor 35, Northwestern Lehigh 55
Adjustments are key in any game. With Northwestern Lehigh trailing 21-19 in the first half, coach Chris Deutsch switched up his defense to the 2-3 zone. This adjustment sparked a 24-2 run for the Tigers by the end of the third quarter. “We threw a different look at them. We changed the defenses up and it gave us a chance to rebound the ball better,” said Deutsch. Early on, Bangor did get the better of the boards, tallying nine offensive boards in the first half. They were held to just two in the second half. Emma Freeman came out in the third quarter, knocking down three consecutive 3-pointers. Coach Deutsch on Freeman’s run: “It was huge; it really opened the lead up. I was really proud of getting contributions from multiple girls tonight.” Olivia Reinhart also racked up ten points in the first half, totaling 16 on the night. Cara Thomas led all scorers with 20 points and was our player of the game.
“I honestly think we all just turned it on. We started playing a lot better. We packed it in and forced them to make their outside shots,” Thomas remarked on the Tigers’ run. In the loss, Avery Nelson scored 19, but a 13-2 Tigers’ third quarter killed any hopes of a Slaters comeback.
Other notes from Wednesday
- East Stroudsburg South picked up a 47-31 victory over Pleasant Valley. Rylee Davis led all scorers with 20. South held a 13-11 halftime lead and was able to pull away behind a 17-7 third quarter.
- A 25 point first quarter set the tone for Northampton’s 49-35 victory over the Dieruff Huskies. Anne Beenders and Rachel Yost both hit twice from beyond the arc in the first stanza and Beenders went on to lead all scorers with 21. Marisa Price tallied 19 for Dieruff, but Jayla Rosario was limited to three and both Brianna McKelvey and Jayda Lopez were held scoreless.
- Nazareth secured a district playoff berth with their 56-18 drubbing of Whitehall. Renee Wells and Sam Baker combined for 31 points, while the Blue Eagles defensively held the Zephyrs to seven field goals on the night.
- Four different Bulldogs went into double figures as Northern Lehigh defeated Southern Lehigh 74-47. Northern Lehigh made 30 shots from the field, paced by 19 points from Katelynn Barthold and 17 from Aubrey Pollard. Dakota Barthold added 14 and 12 were contributed by Teegan Simms. The victory marked the sixth in a row for the Bulldogs, who are undefeated since the new year. In defeat, Tessa Seagreaves scored 22.
- A buzzer-beating Alyssa Ford layup lifted the Pocono Mountain West Panthers past Stroudsburg, 42-41. Stroudsburg had held her scoreless in the second half until the decisive bucket. Anai’sah Malone was limited to just three points in the first half, but broke out for eight in the second half. Stroudsburg held a four point lead entering the final stanza, paced by 11 points from McKayla Strunk. However, the Panthers would hit six other shots from the field prior to Ford’s game-winner.
THURSDAY 1/18
Palmerton 45, Notre Dame Green Pond 42
Two unbeatens entered the night in the Colonial league and the heavyweight fight lived up to all expectations in a thriller. Notre Dame Green Pond took an early 5-1 lead, but this would be their largest lead of the night. An early Ava Shonk three put the Crusaders up 9-8 after a quarter and the two teams were off to the type of game everyone anticipated: close and defensive. Mikayla Pengelly, who has battled injury this season, entered the game in the second quarter and scored five points, along with an Ella Baumgrardt trey. At half, Palmerton was leading 20-16 and took their largest lead of the night at 30-23, in the midst of a 14-6 run. Hannah Barry drained two shots from beyond the arc in the third quarter and a third glanced off the rim. Those shots were matched by Brenna Hammerstone in the quarter, as Notre Dame battled back all night, eventually tying the game at 34 with 4:46 to play. The Crusaders took their first lead since the first quarter with 2:22 to go, but Hannah Barry helped close out the game, going 4/6 from the free throw line.
“I think we work the ball around really well. It really helps we have a lot of people that can come off the bench and contribute a lot,” said Barry of the Palmerton effort, “we just knew we had to persevere and that’s what we did.” On Barry’s shooting down the stretch, coach Jeremy Coleman remarked, “She’s our best foul shooter and certainly when the game comes down to it, we want the ball in her hands.”
Megan Matsko also had a big night, scoring seven of her nine in the final stanza. “Megan, she’s like the ultimate hustle player. Rebounds, loose balls, making things happen. From top to bottom, everybody contributed in one way or another,” said Coleman.
Josh Kopp agreed: “It was a great mid-January game. It certainly lived up to the billing. I thought both teams really showed a lot of heart. Anytime Megan Matsko comes into this gym, she puts up one of the best games of her season. I give her tremendous credit for putting some key baskets in. Hopefully this is game one of three classics and we’re going to use this one as motivation; let that fire burn a few weeks and hopefully see them come playoff time.” The teams could meet again in the Colonial league playoffs and possibly again in districts, which, if this first meeting is any indication, would be must-see basketball.
This game was broadcast on the Eastern PA Sports Network and can be heard here.
Other notes from Thursday:
- Liberty took a 21-13 halftime lead on William Allen and maintained that lead, winning 43-36. Strong defense characterized much of the game. Layla Sweatte had just five points at the half, while Ava Kopetskie, Ruby Miller, and Emma Pukszyn combined for 10. However, the latter three broke out for a combined 21 in the second half and Layla Sweatte finished with 19 for the Canaries.
- Pocono Mountain East saw three players score in double figures in a 67-38 rout of East Stroudsburg North. Farzah Shaheen led all scorers with 17; Kenna Snyder added 15 and Zanaiya Days tallied 13. The Cardinals sank 30 field goals, scoring 22 in the first and fourth quarters. The Timberwolves drew 29 free throw opportunities, but only converted on 11 as ES North remains winless on the season.
- Cici Hernandez is the latest Lehigh valley player to reach the 1,000 point achievement! Her first quarter bucket helped the Lady Hawks out to an 11-0 lead over Emmaus and Bethlehem Catholic would go on to win 58-40. Cici drained four of her team’s 11 triples on the night, as the Hawks officially clinched a district playoff berth. Leah Ault joined her in double figures at 11, sinking three treys of her own. Taylor Griffith led Emmaus with 10 in the loss.
- Avery Nelson and her fellow Slaters took care of business against Southern Lehigh 44-30. Nelson banged home five shots from range and totalled 22 on the game. In the loss, Tessa Seagreaves knocked down three triples and led her Spartans with 15 points.
- Pen Argyl, flying largely under the radar this season, turned heads with a 46-29 performance over Catasauqua. It was the seventh consecutive victory for the Green Knights. Ellie Wallbillich had another strong showing, notching a 19 point effort. Pen Argyl raced out to a 31-15 halftime lead. Of those 15, Haley Jenkins scored nine for the Rough Riders, but she was scoreless for the rest of the game. Olivia Bear wound up leading Catty with her 11 points, all scored in the second half. The victory secures a district playoff berth and chance to defend their class AAA title.
- The second meeting between Easton and Phillipsburg was much like the first: Easton dominated 71-25. Evalyse Cole logged another double-double and was one assist shy of making it a triple-double, scoring 14 and bringing down 10 rebounds. Ten Rovers found their way into the scoring column and Kourin Carew led all scorers with 16. Easton rained nine 3-pointers on the Stateliners and held them to nine field goals.
- Executive Education rolled to another victory, this time a 56-19 drubbing of Southern Columbia. Tianna Carey again led the Lady Raptors, tallying 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Executive racked up 30 first half points, burying the Tigers early.
- Northern Lehigh secured its seventh straight win by way of a 61-20 mercy rule win over Saucon Valley. Katelyn Barthold paced the Bulldogs with 19 points on nine field goals. Aubrey Pollard added 12.
- Salisbury snapped a seven game losing streak, coming away with a 43-35 win over Palisades. Kendra Morgan scored 19 and Desiree Nales added 13.
- Wilson picked up their fourth win of the season, defeating Pleasant Valley 43-37. Aby Colon provided 14 points and seven steals. Kiera Hartzell-Ham and Mikaila Brooks combined for 12 offensive rebounds and Brooks blocked six shots.
SATURDAY 1/20
- Parkland jumped out to a 22-2 first quarter lead on their way to a 57-32 victory over Central Catholic. The Vikettes were without Molly Driscoll and Milly Wolf, as injuries continue to plague the team. Talia Zurinskas, Delaney Chilcote, and Madi Siggins all went into double figures, with 17, 12, and 11 resepctively.
- Marian Catholic dropped an avalanche on East Stroudsburg North, winning 89-30. Carly Minchhoff notched her game leading 26 points by halftime, as the Fillies banked home 37 field goals on the game, including 11 from range. Sophomore Addison Fritz scored 20 and Aliya Tikhtova added 12.
- In a game that was called at halftime due to a gas issue in the gym, Notre Dame Green Pond defeated Moravian Academy 32-4. Skyler Howlett led her team with nine points and eight different Crusaders scored in the abbreviated effort.
- Palmerton followed up their emotional victory at Notre Dame green Pond with a tightly contested 35-30 win over Catasauqua. The Blue Bombers shot 7 of their final 12 free throws to close the game and a key 3-pointer for Ella Baumgardt was their only field goal of the fourth quarter.
- Emmaus roared out to a 25-4 first quarter lead on the road at Blue Mountain, en route to a 60-29 non-conference win that snapped a two game losing skid. Olive Whitney, Gabby DeVita, and Kayla Snyder each knocked down two triples, with DeVita’s 13 leading all scorers. Mya Cooper also hit double figures and contributed 10 points.
- The Dieruff Huskies earned a 36-24 non-conference road win at Lehighton, holding the Indians to just eight points in the second half. Jayla Rosario led the pack with 11 points, while Briana McKelvey hit three first half treys.
- Bangor survived an upset bid from Wilson, prevailing 35-29. The Bulldogs held a 17-10 halftime lead, but Avery Nelson put her team on her shoulders and took over in the second half. She hit seven of her eight free throws down the stretch and one of her three 3-pointers to finish the night with 18 points. Conversely, Wilson went 1/9 from the charity stripe in the second half, which ultimately would cost them the game.
- Exectuvie Education had another nice day at the office, thumping Jim Thorpe 71-20. Tiana Carey had another spectacular night, amassing 20 points and hitting three times from range.
NEXT WEEK’S BIG GAMES:
1/22: Liberty at Bethlehem Catholic, 7:00
1/23: Notre Dame Green Pond @ NW Lehigh, 6:45
1/23: Emmaus @ Whitehall, 7:00
1/23: Pocono Mountain West @ Nazareth, 7:00
1/24: Liberty @ Parkland, 7:00
1/24: Bethlehem Catholic @ Imhotep Charter, 7:00
1/25: Notre Dame Green Pond @ Bangor
1/25: Pen Argyl @ Northern Lehigh
1/25: Palmerton @ NW Lehigh
1/26: Dieruff @ Liberty, 7:00
1/26: Bethlehem Catholic @ Nazareth, 7:00
1/26: Catasauqua @ Northern Lehigh
1/27: Easton @ Parkland
Catch the weekly SCBL HS Hoops Podcast every week on EasternPASportsNetwork.com, featuring Ed Jennings and Scott Johnston on a boys edition, as well as Cody Brady and Scott on a girls edition. Each week, they review the best games, look forward to the week ahead, break down top teams and players, and name a player of the week!
Congratulations to last week’s players of the week:
Colonial League: Ellie Wallbillich
EPC: Madi Siggins
EPC Standngs
| East | Conference | Overall |
| Bethlehem Catholic | 9-0 | 11-3 |
| Easton | 8-1 | 14-1 |
| Nazareth | 7-3 | 11-5 |
| Liberty | 7-3 | 8-7 |
| Dieruff | 4-6 | 9-6 |
| Freedom | 3-6 | 4-10 |
| North | ||
| Pocono Mountain West | 7-3 | 10-6 |
| Stroudsburg | 5-5 | 7-7 |
| East Stroudsburg South | 3-7 | 3-12 |
| Pleasant Valley | 2-10 | 2-14 |
| Pocono Mountain East | 1-8 | 2-12 |
| East Stroudsburg North | 0-10 | 0-15 |
| West | ||
| Parkland | 10-0 | 14-1 |
| Allentown Central Catholic | 6-4 | 10-6 |
| Whitehall | 5-5 | 6-9 |
| Emmaus | 4-5 | 6-8 |
| William Allen | 3-7 | 6-8 |
| Northampton | 3-7 | 4-12 |
Colonial Standings
| East | Conference | Overall |
| Notre Dame Green Pond | 11-1 | 13-3 |
| Pen Argyl | 9-3 | 12-4 |
| Bangor | 8-4 | 11-5 |
| Moravian Academy | 4-9 | 4-10 |
| Palisades | 3-8 | 3-9 |
| Wilson Area | 2-10 | 4-11 |
| Saucon Valley | 1-10 | 2-12 |
| West | ||
| Palmerton | 11-0 | 14-1 |
| Northwestern Lehigh | 9-2 | 14-2 |
| Northern Lehigh | 7-4 | 10-6 |
| Catasauqua | 6-5 | 8-6 |
| Southern Lehigh | 3-9 | 4-10 |
| Salisbury | 1-10 | 3-11 |
LSV Sports 
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