Delcohoops.com

By Sam Istvan

After a freshman year in which he burst onto the scene and became the starting point guard for Catholic League contender Archbishop Carroll, it seemed life decided to throw everything it could at Dean Coleman-Newsome.

Before he could get his sophomore year off the ground, Coleman-Newsome found out in October 2020 that he had a lesion in one knee, an injury that would require surgery. While recovering from that surgery, an MRI revealed he had a lesion in the other knee as well. Coleman-Newsome underwent a second surgery in January, burying any hope of reaching the court that season.

Now a junior, Coleman-Newsome did not sugarcoat it when asked how he felt after receiving that brutal one-two punch of bad news: “Devastated. That was one of my lowest lows.”

The talented point guard, who says that being on the basketball court is his “favorite thing to do,” went to extreme measures to cope with the pain of not being able to play. Perhaps the most extreme? Not watching basketball at all.

(click on this link for the full story)

By Josh Verlin

By Jack McCaffery

The trick to early-season, out-of-conference high school basketball scheduling is a willingness to postpone any rewards.

Penn Wood coach Matt Lindeman knew that when he agreed to play at ever-competitive Norristown Thursday. He appreciated even more after a 63-54 defeat in a game that was even with 1:22 to play.

“The coaches knew what we were coming here for, absolutely,” Lindeman said. “When you come here you know you are going to get their best effort. They play hard.

“We tried to prepare our guys for the speed of this game, and we weren’t ready. So give Norristown credit.”

The Eagles (3-2) jumped on Penn Wood early, scored five of the first seven points in the first quarter and never trailed … not that the Patriots didn’t make that a distinct possibility in a fourth-quarter flurry.

Finally settling, Penn Wood cut a deficit to 54-51 on an Anthony Murray drive with 1:49 left. Pressing, the Pats created a quick turnover and fed Mekhi Shillingsford for a layup to pull within a point.

(click on this link for the full story)

By Matt Smith

 Lexi Aaron and Springfield’s other juniors understand what is at stake for them this season.

The sophomores and freshmen are looking to them for leadership.

Aaron, who scored a game-high 16 points to help the Cougars to a 42-36 Central League win over Marple Newtown Friday, realizes that a lot is expected of her, point guard Mia Valerio and forward Anabel Kreydt, the three juniors who not long ago were role players as freshmen on a team that won the first of two straight District 1 Class 5A titles in 2020.

They were able to stay in the background last season, too, as members of a great team that went undefeated until the semifinal round of the PIAA tournament. Now, since Springfield doesn’t have any seniors, this is Aaron’s, Kreydt’s and Valerio’s team. They have the most varsity experience, by far. The good thing is, they learned how it’s done from two of the the program’s very best.

“I think we learned so much from Rachel and Alexa and the seniors from last year. The way they did things, that is built into us,” Aaron said.

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Maeve McErlane his six three-point shots en route to a 20-point performance, leading Notre Dame Academy to a 45-39 win over Episcopal Academy in Inter-Ac League action. Annie Gree added seven points and Julia Dever and Carolina Kemp each scored six for the Irish. For EA, Riley Cassidy scored 11 points and Alice Nash had nine.

MANASQUAN 45, ARCH. CARROLL 37 » Grace O’Neill scored 13 points while Brooke Wilson and Taylor Wilson had 11 each but the Patriots fell short. Manasquan’s Dorothy Loffredo scored a team-high 11 points.

Brooke Wilson scored six of her 16 points in overtime as Archbishop Carroll outlasted Notre Dame, 45-41, in a nonleague battle of Main Line powers.

Carroll pushed the game to the extra session thanks to two late free throws from Taylor Wilson, who led the Patriots with 18 points to go with six rebounds. Brooke Wilson added nine boards.

Maeve McErlane led all scorers with 22 points for Notre Dame. Katie Halligan chipped in seven points.

Sun Valley 48, Interboro 17 >> Aliceia Whitfield led all scorers with 15 points to see the Vanguards to a win Tuesday. Olivia Hoy chipped in nine points, and Melana Timmes added eight.

(click on this link for the full story and more game scores)