BOYS LACROSSE: Perkiomen Valley handles Phoenixville in PAC-10 opener

Phoenixville's Rob Miller attempts to run around the defense of Perkiomen Valley's Ben Minardi during Wednesday's PAC-10 boys lacrosse game. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — It is early in the spring sports season, and coaches are still hunting for the right combination of players along with the search for hard work and improvement with each practice session and game.
Perkiomen Valley first-year coach Bryan Churchey also sought a complete game from his players during Wednesday afternoon’s Pioneer Athletic Conference contest against Phoenixville.
The Vikings found both their offense and defense clicking that led to an 11-2 victory over the Phantoms at their new multi-purpose turf field.

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BOYS BASKETBALL: Glen Mills’ second-half burst ousts Phoenixville

Phoenixville's DeAndre Gadsden and Glenn Mills's Khafese Jones compete for a rebound during Saturday's District 1-AAA playoff game. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

CONCORDVILLE — Eric Wallace calmly drained a last-second trey from the right corner to give Phoenixville a one-point halftime lead against host Glen Mills Saturday afternoon.
However, that dramatic shot did not tell the story of the second half of the District 1-AAAA quarterfinal boys basketball playoff contest.
The visiting Phantoms ran into a buzzsaw in the form of a 19-0 run by the Battling Bulls in the fourth quarter that triggered a 60-41 Glen Mills victory over Phoenixville.

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GIRLS BASKETBALL: Phoenixville falls to Sun Valley in 1-AAA tourney

Photo by Barry Taglieber Phoenixville’s Mary Sinnott pulls the ball away from Sun Valley’s Katie Maloney during Tuesday night’s playoff game.

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

ASTON — Phoenixville’s girls hung with favored Sun Valley for most of the game before falling to the Vanguards, 66-51, in the first round of the District 1-AAA playoffs Tuesday night.
Phoenixville, the 12th seed, ended its year at 5-17 overall.
Sun Valley (17-6), the fifth seed, will travel to face fourth-seeded Lower Moreland in the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at 1:30.

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GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford slams Upper Perkiomen to return to final

Spring-Ford's Sarah Payonk, right and Shelby Mueller double-team Upper Perkiomen's Stacey Auckland to force a turnover during their PAC-10 girls basketball semifinal Saturday night at Spring-Ford. (Photo by Tom Kelly III)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

ROYERSFORD — Sammi Haas has always made things happen during her playing time for Spring-Ford’s deep and talented girls basketball team.
She has always done whatever aspect of the game the Rams needed while always being around the ball. Haas and the rest of the Rams went back to work Saturday night in the Franklin K. Manley Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Four playoffs on their home court at Spring-Ford’s Gymnasium.
Haas scored 11 first-half points as the Rams roared to a 28-0 first-quarter bulge and proceeded to post a 69-20 victory over Upper Perkiomen to advance back to the PAC-10 championship game.

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COLLEGE SIGNING: Phoenixville’s Ryan Pannella staying nearby at WCU

Photo by Barry Taglieber Phoenixville’s Ryan Pannella signs a letter of intent to play football at West Chester University.

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Ryan Pannella has found a home to extend his football career that is, well, located close to home.
Phoenixville’s star inside linebacker and tight end has accepted a scholarship to attend West Chester University, a Division II school that is part of the highly competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
Pannella will be lining up at a strong safety position for head coach Bill Zwaan’s Golden Rams. Pannella, a 6-foot-1, 180-pounder, made his decision final Wednesday by signing a national letter of intent. He chose West Chester over East Stroudsburg.

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COLLEGE SIGNING: Phoenixville’s Ali Meszaros going to Temple

Photo by Barry Taglieber Phoenixville’s Ali Meszaros, right, will play field hockey at Temple.

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Back in seventh grade, Ali Meszaros ventured to a field hockey camp at Temple University.
Now, five years later, the Phoenixville senior has decided to attend Temple on an athletic scholarship for field hockey.
Meszaros made her announcement official Wednesday when she signed a national letter of intent during a briefing at the Phoenixville High School television studio.

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BOYS BASKETBALL: Quick start leads PJP over Phantoms

Phoenixville's Greg Hughes pulls down a rebound in front of Pope John Paul II's Timothy Tadros during Monday's PAC-10 boys basketball game. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Pope John Paul II and Phoenixville both got a taste of boys basketball playoff-atmosphere Monday night in the windup game of their Pioneer Athletic Conference regular season schedules.
A large and loud crowd came out to watch the Golden Panthers and Phantoms battle it out for the PAC-10 Frontier Division title.
Pope John Paul II roared to a 12-0 start at the outset and then staved off Phoenixville’s comeback bid to come away with a 71-62 victory at the Phoenixville Area School District gymnasium.

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Wrestling: Senior Day a special day for Methacton

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

FAIRVIEW VILLAGE — Host Methacton capitalized on five falls, two forfeits and two decisions to help celebrate Senior Day with a 48-16 Pioneer Athletic Conference wrestling victory over Phoenixville Saturday afternoon.
Eric Straup (120), Paul Russo (160), Devin Bradley (170), Tahar Ferradji (220) and Tracey Green (285) recorded falls for the Warriors (5-3, 15-6 overall), who will close out their PAC-10 regular season schedule Wednesday night against Spring-Ford.
Joe Staley (132) and Jack Ryan (152) added decisions for Methacton, while Stephen Stajnrajh (182) and Mike Baccaro (195) accepted forfeits as the Warriors won nine of the 13 bouts contested. There was a double forfeit at 113 pounds.
Methacton honored its three senior wrestlers — Baccaro, Russo and Danny Damato (145).
“It is always nice to get a win,” said Methacton coach A.J. Maida. “I would say there were a couple matches where I think we could have had and didn’t. They were close  ones. Their (Phantom) kids did a nice job. There were some things our guys could have done, but give Phoenixville credit. They came out ready to go. Their guys at 126, 132, 138 and 145 were ready to roll.”
Mark Cermanski put Phoenixville on the scoreboard with a 5-4 decision over fellow freshman Al Ciccitto at 126. Ciccitto took a 2-0 lead after the first period and made it 4-0 with a reversal to start the second period, but Cermanski countered with an escape, takedown and two-point near fall in the second period to take the one-point lead that held up with a scoreless third period.
At 132, Staley took on Trey Romance and the bout was tied at 2-2 after one period. After a scoreless second period, Stacley scored on a reversal and three-point near fall in the third period to seal the verdict.
Phoenixville’s Damien Davido scored a 15-1 major decision over Cody Rupp at 138 pounds. Davido opened a 5-0 lead after one period and upped it to 9-1 after two and then widened the gap with a six-point third period.
Henry Hancock gave the Phantoms their lone lead of the day at 10-9 after the 145-pound encounter. Hancock copped a 6-4 decision over Damato, who scored on a first-period takedown and third-period reversal. Hancock posted reversals in the first and second periods and a takedown out of the neutral position to start the third period.
The Warriors then strung together seven consecutive victories to take control of the meet.
Phoenixville’s Garrett Serwatka capped the action with a fall at 106 in 3:39.
“There are some things we have to work on to get ready for Spring-Ford as far as finishing the match, things like that,” said Maida.
Maida said Damato and Hancock will probably meet again during the PAC-10 Championships at Boyertown on Feb. 16, where only the top five wrestlers will earn berths in the following week’s District 1 North Tournament at Spring-Ford.
Baccaro is now 25-4 with 11 falls. However, Maida said most of his league victories have been by forfeit. That will change during upcoming meets against Spring-Ford and non-league rival Wissahickon and then during the postseason.
“Michael has only had two matches in our PAC-10 schedule,” said Maida. “He has had quite a bit of forfeits. We look to our seniors for leadership on the mats, and when you don’t have that (chance to wrestle), it takes something away. But he’ll have matches against Spring-Ford and Wissahickon. Then he will have a tough road to hoe in the PAC-10. There is no doubt about that.”
Phoenixville coach Joe Youngblook was pleased with certain aspects of the meet.
“We gave up two forfeits up top and we had a guy not making weight at 113 that hurt us,” said Youngblood. “But Henry Hancock had a great match. We hope he is peaking for the postseason.
“Damien Davido wrestled well. His record does not indicate it, but he is a tough, tough kid. Romance wrestled well against Staley, and Garrett went out and did what he was supposed to do. So there were some positive things to take away from this match.”
Youngblood feels the Phantoms must do a better job of hand-fighting when they are in the bottom position. But much of that was due to Methacton’s wrestling ability and execution at the same time, he said.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Upper Perkiomen ends playoff drought by topping Phoenixville

Phoenixville's Aubree Flagg (33) shoots over Upper Perkiomen's Stacey Auckland, left, and Regina Moser during Thursday's PAC-10 girls basketball game in Phoenixville. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — The drought is finally over for the Upper Perkiomen girls basketball team.
It took a lot of extra fighting against stubborn Phoenixville Thursday night, but the Indians sealed their first Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Four playoff berth in 19 years with a gut-wrenching 55-53 victory over the Phantoms.
Sophomore guard Aubrey Gibbs made a last-second driving layup to give the Indians the victory and their first PAC-10 playoff berth since 1993-94. The Indians (6-7, 10-9) will be the No. 2 seed from the Frontier Division behind Pope John Paul II.

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WRESTLING: Phoenixville senior trio highlights win over PJP

Photo by Barry Taglieber Phoenixville’s Brennigan Myers and Pope John Paul II’s Aaron Cusatis do battle at 152 pounds on Wednesday night.

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — The three Phoenixville senior wrestlers enjoyed their Wednesday evening to the fullest in what has been a difficult season and career in terms of team success with the Phantoms.
Jordan Valenteen, Eddie McCarthy and Henry Hancock each won matches as Phoenixville pounded shorthanded Pope John Paul II59-12 in Pioneer Athletic Conference action.
Valenteen won via fall, McCarthy by major decision and Hancock by fall as the Phantoms won their first league meet of the season (1-6, 3-12) against the Golden Panthers (0-6, 0-14).

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GIRLS BASKETBALL: Pottstown ends losing skid

Pottstown's Alexis Hewlett and Phoenixville's Bailey Stover fight for control of the ball during Tuesday's PAC-10 girls basketball game. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — The first league victory of any season is oh so sweet.
And when it happens to occur towards the end of an otherwise long, struggling season, it can be that much more satisfying.
Pottstown found itself in that situation Tuesday night when the Trojan girls traveled to Phoenixville for a Pioneer Athletic Conference matchup against the Phantoms.
The Trojans proceeded to build a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and came away with a 53-45 victory over Phoenixville in a Frontier Division contest.
Pottstown won its first PAC-10 game of the season after 13 straight overall setbacks and is now 2-16 overall. Phoenixville dropped to 2-8 in league play and 4-14 overall.

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WRESTLING: Steffeninos spark Upper Perkiomen past Phoenixville

Photo by Barry Taglieber Upper Perkiomen’s Dustin Steffenino and Phoenixville’s Garrett Serwatka do battle at 106 pounds on Wednesday night.

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

RED HILL — Two of Upper Perkiomen’s three talented Steffenino brother wrestlers drew two of Phoenixville’s better individuals during Wednesday night’s Pioneer Athletic Conference dual meet.
At 126 pounds, returning state qualifier Dylan Steffenino, just back from surgery, got back on the mats against the Phantoms’ promising freshman, Mark Cermanski. And at 106, Dustin Steffenino drew Garrett Serwatka in a rematch from last year’s Section III Tournament.
The Indians earned close decisions in both matches to highlight an otherwise lopsided 72-6 rout of the Phantoms.

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SWIMMING: Perk Valley too much for Phoenixville

Perkiomen Valley's Samantha Schroeder swims in the 400 free relay during Tuesday's PAC-10 meet against Phoenixville. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

SCHUYLKILL — Perkiomen Valley’s boys swimmers are defending their undefeated Pioneer Athletic Conference championship from last year with much of the same cast along with some strong newcomers in the pool.
Thus far during the 2012-13 campaign, the Vikings are still undefeated to start the PAC-10 season along with some other non-league meets. On Tuesday afternoon, Perkiomen Valley hiked its record to 4-0 in the PAC-10 and 8-0 overall with a 97-62 victory over host Phoenixville at the Phoenixville YMCA metric pool.
The Perkiomen Valley girls have undergone wholesale changes from their undefeated PAC-10 title from last year and it has shown in the early going against some other strong league teams. The Vikings, though, still had too much depth for Phoenixville’s talented individual girls, resulting in a 107-63 victory for Perkiomen Valley.

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GIRLS BASKETBALL: Boyertown bowls over Phoenixville

Boyertown's Maria Garofolo looks to pass as Phoenixville's Anne Rubino defends during Friday night's PAC-10 girls basketball game. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — For powerful Boyertown, it was a night for coach Jason Bieber to use his full bench and give everyone ample playing time as well as the starters rest in anticipation for today’s big girls basketball showdown against Parkland.
For shorthanded Phoenixville, it proved to be another tough test and challenge with scrappy, aggressive play that the Phantoms hope will benefit them in the long run.
Boyertown posted a 65-38 Pioneer Athletic Conference inter-divisional victory over Phoenixville Friday night.

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BOYS BASKETBALL: Howell’s 3 at buzzer sends Phoenixville past Spring-Ford

Phoenixville's Marcus Howell sets up the last shot as Spring-Ford's Drew Kakareka defends in the closing moments of Tuesday's PAC-10 boys basketball game. Howell hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Phoenixville a 46-43 victory. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Phoenixville is in a battle for a possible Pioneer Athletic Conference playoff berth out of the Frontier Division.
Knowing every game from here on out is important, head coach Randy Reber didn’t have to put an asterisk in front of Tuesday night’s affair with visiting Spring-Ford.
And despite a first half in which they trailed by as many as 11 points with poor shooting, the Phantoms rebounded by using their defense to claw back into the game in the second half and finally win it, 46-43, the margin of victory a result of Marcus Howell’s last-second 3-point field goal from 25 feet away.
Howell scored a game-high 18 points, including 11 in the final period and 14 in the second half. He also had four steals and four rebounds.

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PAC-10 FOOTBALL BANQUET: Pottsgrove's hard-working Harp wins Freed Award

Honorees, from left, Pottsgrove's Daniel Harp (David L. Freed award), Phoenixville's Ryan Pannella (Defensive Player of the Year), Pottsgrove's Tory Hudgins (Most Valuable Player), Perkiomen Valley's Rasaan Stewart (Two-Way Player of the Year), Spring-Ford's Hank Coyne (Offensive Player of the Year), Pottsgrove's Madison O'Connor (Bill Rogers Lineman of the Year) and Spring-Ford's R.J. Sheldon (Joseph Edwards Scholarship) pose with their awards at the PAC-10 Football Banquet Sunday.

By Barry Sankey

bsankey@journalregister.com

UPPER PROVIDENCE — Pottsgrove’s football team had a number of special honorees after recording an undefeated record in the Pioneer Athletic Conference this past fall.

The Falcons featured a number of all-league players on offense and defense as part of the 27th Annual All-Pioneer Athletic Conference Banquet by the Football Coaches Association Sunday afternoon at the RiverCrest Golf Club.

As it turns out, the Falcons also received another of the special awards that were presented.

Dan Harp received the prestigious David L. Freed Award for team sportsmanship.

“It is really an honor,” said Harp. “I was really shocked when I got it. Coach (Rick) Pennypacker pulled me aside a couple weeks ago and told me to be at this banquet because I was going to be getting this. I am really honored to get it.”

Harp played on the special teams for Pottsgrove. But he was honored for qualities such as dedication, continuous self-improvement, team success over individual statistics, self-discipline, coachability, loyalty to coaches and teammates and unquestioning faith. 

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GIRLS BASKETBALL: Perk Valley defeats Phoenixville

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Bill Leonard nurtured his young Perkiomen Valley girls team through some tough times in the early going of the 2012-13 basketball season.
But his patience and the Vikings’ development as well as rapid progress has started to make everyone else around the Pioneeer Athletic Conference take notice of their success.
On Friday night, Perikomen Valley won its sixth straight game with a convincing 43-24 victory over host Phoenixville in an inter-divisional matchup as part of the Phantoms’ “Night of Champions” ceremonies at their new school building.
Anna Leonard scored 13 points with a pair of treys, and Mikki Guiton added 11 for Perkiomen Valley (3-3, 8-4 overall), which opened a 25-13 halftime lead. Guiton also had seven rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot.
The Vikings outscored the Phantoms (2-5, 4-9) in the third period by a 7-0 count that offset an 11-11 standoff in the final stanza.
Aubree Flagg had seven first-half points, six rebounds and two steals for the Phantoms, while Jada Boyce finished with 11 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and two points. Mary Sinnott and Nicole Lemon ach chipped in with five counters. Sinnott also had four boards.
“Our depth and our press made them turn the ball over,” said coach Leonard. “Many times we got some easy baskets in transition. In the early going, we didn’t handle their press. Once we figured out what they were dong, we were all right.”
Perkiomen Valley shot 14-for-42 from the field and 12-for-27 at the foul line, while Phoenixville dropped just 7 of 43 from the floor and 9 of 18 at the charity stripe.
The Phantoms owned a 38-35 rebounding edge. Both sides had trouble taking care of the ball as PV turned it over 26 times and Phoenxville 29.
PV, from the Liberty Division, used 12 players in the contest. Phoenixville, from the Frontier Division used 12, but the minutes were not as evenly divided until the end.
After a 5-5 tie, PV took a 10-5 lead after one quarter and stayed ahead the rest of the night. A free throw by Lauren Leonard put the Vikings in front with 1:59 left in the opening quarter, and then Guiton tacked on a jump shot and Kelly O’Brien a basket inside.
The Phantoms were still within 12-7 at the 6:17 mark of the second quarter, but the Vikes reeled off nine unanswered points to pull away to a 19-7 cushion at the 4:29 mark.
Anna Leonard hit a fast-break layup off a turnover and then drilled a trey from the right side. Guiton sank a baseline jumper from the left side and then Anna Leonard made  a layup to cap the spurt.
Coach Leonard talked about Guiton.
“It is a nice luxury to have her,” Leonard said of his 6-foot senior center. “She is so fast up and down the floor. She can run the floor, and she can run the floor with anybody. She broke out of the pack three or four times and got some easy baskets in the early going. And she can hit the short-range jump shot, too.”
Leonard said he has nine freshmen on the roster between varsity and junior varsity, and it took some time for the Vikings to find their stride at the outset of the season.
“Early on it was a case of jitters for them,” said Leonard. “Now they are getting confidence and experience against bigger girls, and it is starting to pay off. Now they are confident about taking their shots more.”

WRESTLING: Close decisions spark Pottsgrove past Phoenixville

Photo by Barry Taglieber Pottsgrove’s Qwhadir Miller and Phoenixville’s Damien Davido do battle Wednesday night at 138 pounds.

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

LOWER POTTSGROVE — The Pottsgrove and Phoenixville wrestling teams are becoming well-acquainted with one another.
The Falcons and Phantoms were part of the eight-team field at the Phoenixville Invitational Tournament last Saturday. Then, four days later, the two squads faced off in a Pioneer Athletic Conference dual meet on the Pottsgrove mats.
Pottsgrove won three one-point decisions that proved to be decisive in a 40-25 victory over Phoenixville.

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BOYS BASKETBALL: Methacton rallies to top Phoenixville

Photo by Barry Taglieber Methacton’s Brendan Casper tries to pass as Phoenixville’s DeAndre Gadsden, Marcus Howell and Greg Hughes defend on Tuesday night.

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Methacton’s undefeated boys basketball team found itself on the short end of an 18-3 score at the outset of Tuesday night’s Pioneer Athletic Conference game against Phoenixville.
The Warriors, though, maintained their poise and put their game together the rest of the way to take a 72-60 victory back to Fairview Village.
Methacton sizzled from downtown shooting range during the middle two periods to make up the deficit and create its own lead against the Phantoms.
Brendan Casper scored 24 points and Matt Forrest added 18 for the Liberty Division-leading Warriors (6-0, 11-1 overall). Methacton made eight 3-point field goals on the night with three apiece by Forrest and Joe Ruhl.

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WRESTLING: Falcons, Phantoms each win 2 titles at Phoenixville

Phoenixville’s Damien Davido and Pottsgrove’s Qwhadir Miller battle at 138 pounds (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Individual titles by Pat Finn at 220 pounds and Evan Weneck at 152 led the way as Pottsgrove finished second to Annville-Cleona in the Phoenixville Wrestling Invitational Tournament Saturday.
The Falcons, who placed the most wrestlers with 10, scored 126.5 points to trail only Annville-Cleona’s 130. Host Phoenixville finished sixth with 95.5 points in the eight-team field.
Jordan Valenteen (195) and freshman Mark Cermanski (126) captured gold medals for the Phantoms.

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