Mount's tourney reign ends
by TOM UTESCHER
Since 2000, Mount St. Joseph Academy had started its basketball season by winning the HHOOPS tip-off tournament at Hatboro Horsham High School.
Last Friday the Magic rolled to a 67-36 win over semifinal opponent Northeast High School, moving into position to claim its fifth straight championship at Hatboro. In Saturday's final, however, Upper Dublin High School broke out to a 14-5 lead in the first quarter and went on to knock off the Mount, 62-45, forcing the locals to end the first weekend of the 2004-'05 season with a record of 1-1.
MSJ's Johnson sisters, senior Emily and freshman Laura, were named to the All-Tournament Team, along with Lexi Gerson of Upper Dublin, Jessica Romano of host Hatboro Horsham, and Robbia Hines of Northeast. Lisa Harchut of the victorious Cardinals was the tourney MVP.
The coach of the Mount's first rival, Northeast, was former Mount mentor Rich Kirk, who ran the Magic show in the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons. Friday's contest was the first...
Lions begin with a win for Flynn
By TOM UTESCHER
Receiving almost half of its total offense in a 14-point outburst by eighth grade guard Amanda Walker after the intermission, Springside School edged Philmont Christian Academy, 29-28, last Tuesday afternoon to claim its first basketball victory since the 2002-2003 season.
Walker's spree included a gamewinning three-pointer with half-a-minute remaining in the encounter, and her freshman sister, Krystin, scored all of her seven points during the second half as the Lions rallied to win for Steve Flynn in his debut as Springside head coach.
Philmont forward Rebecca Faith came on to net eight of her team-high ten points after halftime, and guards Amy Dodridge and Sheena Wright each chalked up half-a-dozen points for the Falcons.
The speedy Wright led the hosts to a 9-4 advantage at the half, as Springside struggled to find the hoop. Maeve Koch started the visitors off with a pair of free throws, and...
Physical play delivers Blue Devils first win
by ED MAHON
Bodies flew as jerseys, legs and arms sprawled on Chestnut Hill Academy's gym floor. Fans screamed for and against foul calls. But besides bruises, it's clear what the CHA varsity basketball players received this weekend: their first win.
On Saturday, Dec. 3, thanks to their tough defense and aggressive offense, the Blue Devils beat the La Salle College High School Explorers 74-38 in the final game of the Chestnut Hill Tournament.
Perhaps players were more physical because they were coming off losses from the night before (La Salle to Abington Friends and CHA to St. Joe's Prep.), but CHA head coach Ed Aversa wasn't surprised.
"Every time you play La Salle it's gonna be physical," Aversa said.
CHA got off to a quick start in the first quarter, scoring 22...