City of Basketball Love

Anthony Dabbundo (@AnthonyDabbundo)
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On a night when Plymouth Whitemarsh and Central Bucks West’s leading scorers struggled, it was the role players for both sides who made the difference in a Suburban One League semifinal.

While P-W guard and Rider commit Xzavier Malone was held to just 10 points on the night, CB West leading scorer Cal Reichwein was held scoreless in just his third game back from a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup for weeks.

Instead of the usual suspects, it was Bucks seniors Billy Power, Luke Irons, and Connor Lynch who carried the torch in a landmark 53-46 overtime win over the one-loss Colonials. 

Down by two with just 20 seconds remaining, Central Bucks West was down to their last stand. One final chance to draw even with Plymouth Whitemarsh and force overtime. They had battled back from an eight point fourth quarter deficit, and needed just one more bucket to complete the comeback.

The Bucks were patient, careful, and methodical. They waited for the look they wanted--Lynch isolated at the top of the key--and took advantage.

Lynch drove to the rim and laid it in with just five seconds left, tying a game that Plymouth Whitemarsh led by eight with just 4:30 remaining.

For the Bucks, it was like any other play.

“We called the play, and we always try to take advantage of mismatches because we’re not the biggest team but we can all handle the ball,” Lynch said. “And I guess coach [CB West head coach Adam Sherman] felt I had the best match-up on the floor. The goal was just to get to the rack.”

From that layup forward, CB West never looked back. The senior-laden Bucks were more steady in overtime, as Irons was 5-6 from the line in the extra period.

And after losing two games late in conference play, the seniors on this CB West team were ready to prove themselves against another great team from the Suburban One.

“The kids were really upset to see the division slip through their fingers in the last couple weeks,” Sherman said. “These playoffs give them a chance to redeem themselves.”

Despite having no offensive production from Reichwein, a Lafayette commit, the Bucks have five guys who can dribble the ball, which gave them a big advantage on the perimeter late in the game. Both Power and Irons got to the rim at will, as Power scored nine of his 16 points in the game’s final quarter.

Trailing 39-31 halfway through the fourth, it was Power’s ability to get into the paint combined with excellent free throw shooting that got them back into the game.

“Our strength is that we have five guys that can play like guards,” Sherman said. “We were able to score points without the clock moving, and Bill Power made some gutsy plays at the end.”

Power came up with a huge three point play with 1:21 left, at a time when CB West was absolutely desperate for a bucket. Down 41-36, Power got to the rim and finished in traffic, drawing the foul and sinking the free throw to keep the Bucks’ championship hopes alive.

After another Power bucket the Bucks were still down by two, 43-41, with one final possession. Instead of going to the hot hand Power, Sherman got the ball to his biggest mismatch on the floor, and Lynch delivered, forcing the game into overtime.

Once overtime began, the Colonials faded, scoring only three points, and turning the ball over four times.

Head coach Jim Donofrio, who has been very critical of the installation of the four-team playoff which began last year--even going as far to decline the bid from last year’s playoff, a move he wasn’t allowed to pull this year--still found a positive to take from what was otherwise a disappointing defeat.

“You try to get something positive out of every game, and it’s a good opportunity to see West up close and see another team that plays a ball control style and likes to drive and kick for threes,” Donofrio said.

While the Colonials came up just short tonight, they have bigger games on the horizon. A team poised for a deep district and state run, they wanted to ensure they were healthy and rested while still trying to get a win against a great team.

“We’re playing for a chance to go deep in the district tournament and make it to states,” Donofrio said. “That’s what we do.”

CB West will have a chance to take the Suburban One League title on Monday night against Abington, which will be a chance to show to the whole district they are a force to be reckoned with once districts get underway next Friday.

Sherman and his experienced senior group are ready to take on the young Ghosts team Monday, and to potentially be the last team standing in the conference playoffs.

“We have an opportunity to be the last one standing in the Suburban One,” Sherman said. “That speaks volumes.”