Saturday
May 18, 2024 
Both Pennridge and host Central Bucks South were searching for their second win of the season when the two teams clashed in Warrington on Tuesday night.
The Titans got it, going to wire-to-wire in a 57-52 victory.
“This feels great,” South’s Kyle Moyer exclaimed. “We’ve been struggling. I’m a senior and this is it. Every win matters. We have to keep pushing. We want that playoff spot.”
South (2-6, 1-4 SOL) struck early and often, exploiting a pair of Pennridge turnovers to build a 7-0 lead when the game was just 79 seconds old. The Titans carried an 8-0 run from the end of the first into the second quarter, to extend the margin to 20-6.
The highlight was Dan Gies acting like a defensive back to pick off a Pennridge pass and race for a layup. No surprise there. Gies, who scored five of the opening seven points, was a starting defensive back on the Titans’ district-winning football team.
“I learned to not let losses bother us,” Gies shared. “During football season, we lost to CB West. We bounced right back the next week against Pennridge. This year hasn’t gone so well for us but we aren’t letting the losses bother us. We get right back at practice the next day and we put in the hard work. That’s what got us the ‘W’ tonight.”
South built a 28-14 lead before two late Rownan Smith threes gave Pennridge an answer. The Titans took a 30-22 lead into halftime. Titans junior Ben Harrison had eight points in the quarter.
“I had the mindset of coming out that I was going to go to the rim and not let matchups stop me,” Harrison explained. “I didn’t start the game but I wanted to get right into a rhythm.”
South did an excellent job of holding on to the ball in the first half, committing just two turnovers.
“Turnovers are a point of emphasis every game. They cost games,” Gies said. “We didn’t have that many.”
A pair of Smith free throws trimmed South’s lead to 34-30, but South responded with an 8-1 run, sandwiched by treys from Moyer and Gies. Gies opened the fourth quarter with another three to build South’s lead to 46-36.
“We trust each other,” Moyer shared. “Three or four guys had great games tonight. It can’t be one guy. We have to trust each other and know we’re going to make the right plays.”
Three times in the final 2:47, Pennridge whittled the lead down to four, but the Titans held on. Rams junior Xavier Peters’ 21 points led all scorers. Peters, who averages 23 points per game, is equally adept with both hands and fearless at the rim. Smith added a dozen for Pennridge.
Despite its record, Pennridge (1-6, 1-4 SOL) is knocking on the door. The Rams have led or trailed by one possession in the second half of three of their losses.
For South, Gies’ 16 and Harrison’s 15 points were both season highs. Moyer added nine while Alex Shahin tallied eight.
South shares the wealth: Connor Thompson, Harrison, Brett Barrett, Gies and Moyer have all been game-high scorers.
“Our system gives a lot of room for guys to step in and chip in points,” Harrison said. “If they are getting it in, keep giving it to them. We moved the ball really well.”
Both teams are back in action Thursday with road crossover games. Pennridge heads to Harry S. Truman while CB South visits Neshaminy.
After hosting Owen J. Roberts on Saturday, Pennridge heads to the Allentown Central Catholic Christmas Tournament next Wednesday and Thursday. During those same two days, CB South will be down the Shore at the Wildwood Boardwalk Classic.
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