GIRLS BASKETBALL: Predicting the Class 4A Playoffs

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

(1) Spring-Ford
(32) William Tennent
                           Spring-Ford
                           Downingtown West
(16) Downingtown West
(17) Norristown
                                          Spring-Ford
                                          Central Bucks West
(8) Central Bucks West
(25) Great Valley
                          Central Bucks West
                          Upper Darby
(9) Upper Darby
(24) Springfield (Delco)
                                                          Spring-Ford
                                                          Council Rock South
(4) Neshaminy
((29) Penn Wood
                         Neshaminy
                         Council Rock South
(13) Council Rock South
(20) Pennsbury
                                           Council Rock South
                                           Methacton
(5) Methacton
(28) Council Rock North
                        Methacton
                        Bishop Shanahn
(12) West Chester Rustin
(21) Bishop Shanahan
                                                                                 Mt. St. Joseph over Spring-Ford 

(2) Mount Saint Joseph
(31) Bensalem
                       Mt St Joes
                       Central Bucks East
(15) Conestoga
(18) Central Bucks East
                                              Mt St Joes                                   
                                              Boyertown
(7) Boyertown
(26) Wissahickon
                     Boyertown
                     Downingtown East
(10) Garnet Valley
(23) Downingtown East
                                                                   Mt. St. Joes
                                                                   North Penn
(3) Upper Dublin
(30) Ridley
                      Upper Dublin
                      Perkiomen Valley
(14) Abington
(19) Perkiomen Valley
                                                  Perkiomen Valley
                                                  North Penn
(6) North Penn
(27) Upper Merion
                      North Penn
                      Souderton
(11) Souderton
(22) Central Bucks South


PIAA Qualifiers: (1) Mt. St. Joes, (2) Spring-Ford, (3) North Penn, (4) Council Rock South, (5) Methacton, (6) Central Bucks West, (7) Boyertown, (8) Perkiomen Valley, (9) Neshaminy, (10) Souderton

Breakin' down the First Round Match-Ups

William Tennent at Spring-Ford - In a game against a less-than familiar opponent sometimes the easiest thing to do is find out who the leading scorer is and shut them down, but you cannot do that with the top-seeded Rams. The Panthers will have to play man defense to slow down coach Jeff Rinehimer's revolving door of scorers. It is yet to be seen if the 32nd seed has the speed and savvy defenders to do so.

Norristown at Downingtown West - The Eagles were hoping they did enough to warrant a home game, but instead they will be taking the drive to the Whippets. While the Suburban One American Conference club is athletic with multiple scorers there is not much playoff experience on the roster. If they can avoid the slow start off the bus they could be rewarded with Spring-Ford in the second round.

Great Valley at Central Bucks West - What the 25th seed Patriots have going for them is experience and a tremendous group of senior leaders, but that may be the only thing they have on the eighth seeded Bucks. Coach Terry Rakowsky runs an deep bench that is a great blend of aggressive, hard working seniors and sophomores than can shoot the lights out and play with a high motor.

Council Rock North at Methacton - While the Indians' Jessica Gerber is one of the best scorers in the area, the Lady Warriors have a pair that have been battle tested and are hard to stop. Jenna Carroll and Kelsey Watson both average over 10 points per game, Watson over 17, and other than when they face their rival Spring-Ford, have seemed to be in total control.

Bensalem at Mt St Joes -Do not let the smaller 4A school stigma, or the all-girls private school connotations make the Magic out for an overrated two seed. Maybe the Owls have played against bigger and faster teams, but they have not played against more discipline and more efficient teams. Junior Alex Louin also is on her way to a Division-One scholarship at this rate and can take over a game.

Boyertown at Wissahickon - While the good news for the 26th seeded Trojans is that the Bears have lost four of their last five games, but it probably only adds more motivation for the Pac-10 team to a have strong postseason. The Trojans post defense will be tested against senior center Kaitlyn Eisenhard and her 16 points per game.

Ridley at Upper Dublin - Defense is paramount in the playoffs, but here specifically as neither team will light up the scoreboard. The Green Raiders have the height advantage, but the Flying Cardinals know to how finish around the rim and get to the foul line. Look for the first team to 30 points to win this game.

Perkiomen Valley at Abington - Coach Bill Leonard has his team competiting on a daily basis and with the leadership of his senior daughters and the 14 points per game inside from Mikki Guiton they are force and a possible upset against the 14th seeded Abington. The Galloping Ghosts' Deja Rawls knows how to swing through the trees, but can they rebound well enough to win the first round home game?

Upper Merion at North Penn - The combo of Kristina O'Sullivan and Regie Robinson is not going to make it easy on the Maidens, but it may be possible that the 6th seed has not even played their best basketball yet. If the Suburban One Continental Conference champs can get the trio of Vicky Tumasz, Erin Maher, and Lauren Crisler clicking at once they could be very dangerous.

Central Bucks South at Souderton - The Indians beat the Titans twice during the regular season and Big Red coach Lynn Carroll already said the 22nd seed was a dangerous draw for whomever they faced. Little did she know it would be her own squad. This game should come down to limiting turnovers in the fourth quarter and not looking ahead to another Suburban One Continental Conference contest with North Penn in the following round.



CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR BOYS 3A PREDICTIONS