The Guru Report: Old Rivals to Meet Again as Black/D2-Jefferson and Heather Maroon/D2-USciences Grads Advance to Championship of the Philly Women’s Summer League

By Bob Heller and Mel Greenberg @womhoopsguru

HATBORO, Pa. -  On Thursday night in which history in the Philadelphia/Suburban Women’s Summer Basketball League was made at Kelly Bolish Gym, home of the AAU Renegades, with the streaming of the semifinals by Ari Bluestein’s Sports Fan Base Network (SFBN) on YouTube, a couple of things very familiar emerged to head to Tuesday’s championship at 7 p.m. on Court 1.

That would be those long-running winter rivals in the Division Two Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division (CACC), Black/Jefferson and defending champion Heather Maroon/D2-USciences Grads, who have battled in both settings.

That will no longer be possible in the winter because the USciences’ athletics program for undergrads ceased to exist at the end of June with the school merging with D-1 Saint Joseph’s University.

However, the Devils’ long time coach Jackie Hartzell was in the gym as the last semblance of the program, organized last summer as a grad unit, played as the second seed and topped third-seed Columbia Blue/D2-Holy Family, another CACC team, 57-43, though it took several thrusts for Heather Maroon (7-2 regular season) to down the opposition 57-43.

The winners took a quick early lead but the Tigers (6-3) then rallied close and there was another thrust and parry before the championship remained where it was acquired 12 months ago, at least minimally for one more night.

Meanwhile, the opener was a state of revenge achieved again with fifth-seeded Black/D2-Jefferson ejecting top-seed Red/Chestnut Hill 62-53. 

It was a year ago that Jefferson hit the semifinals unbeaten and got upended by Chestnut Hill, which had played the summer schedule to a .500 record.

This year in what was a ten-team organization on a nine-game slate, Jefferson (6-3) struggled uncharacteristically at the outset, then went on a run before being slammed by Purple/D-2 West Chester and finishing in the fifth seed slot after tie-breaking procedures broke up a four-game deadlock for third.

Black, which also knocked out then top-seeded Chestnut Hill from the CACC playoffs, paid back Purple in the quarterfinals before emerging Thursday night.

Incidentally, a salute to the one-man play-by-play broadcast effort from Luke Nichols and his production crew and a mention to the presenting sponsor for the streaming broadcast as well as the Tuesday return for the championship which is Payroll Service Solutions - a Philadelphia based Payroll Tax Services & Human Resources Consulting company, which is supported by many local athletes including former Phillies pitchers Tommy Greene and Marty Bystrom.

Also, an update link switch for Tuesday’s game as opposed what sent after the quarterfinals. https://youtu.be/0qMRig4Ks9E

Now, here’s Bob’s recaps of the two semifinals games.

#5-Black/D2-Jefferson 62, #1-Red/D2-Chestnut Hill 53

Fifth Seed Black (Jefferson University) pulled away late in the first quarter and held top seed Red (Chestnut Hill College) at bay for the remaining 30 minutes as they advanced to Tuesday’s Championship game with a 62-53 win.

Nine players scored for Black with Emma Kuczynski leading the way with ten points. Haley Meinel and tori Nigro added eight apiece.

Red also had nine players score in the losing effort, with Morgan Orloski and Bri Hewlett producing ten points apiece and Sara Tamoun sinking three three-point baskets for nine total points.

Black took the early jumping ahead 9-3 following a traditional three-point play from Sam Yencha and a bucket from Cassie Murphy but Red kept within striking distance, closing within two 16-14 before Black closed out the first quarter with a 10-5 run to lead 26-19.

Red opened the second quarter with a 7-2 spurt capped by a Tamoun three-ball to again pull within two 28-26 and forcing a Black timeout. 

Four different players produced a 10-2 run for the underdogs coming out of the timeout as Black took a double-digit lead 38-28. 

Abbey Spratt followed with a three-point bucket before Yencha closed out the half with a layup to give Black a 40-31 lead at the half.

 Tamoun opened the third quarter with her third three-ball of the game as Red scored the first six points to cut the lead to 40-37. 

Black countered with another 10-2 uprising to again go up by double digits 50-39. 

Emily Chmiel and Kait Carter scored back-to back baskets to cut the lead to seven. Morgan Robinson closed out the quarter with a layup and Black’s lead was the same as it was at halftime, nine points, 52-43.

Lauren Crim pulled Red within six 52-46 with a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter before Black again pulled away with an 8-3 spurt as Nigro scored half of the points in the run and black again went up by double digits 60-49. 

Carter broke the run with a basket at the 2:19 mark and Orloski added two free throws to make the score 60-53. 

Nigro capped off the scoring with a basket in the final 30 seconds, giving Black the nine-point win.

 

#2-Heather Maroon 57, #3-Columbia Blue 43

 Defending league champion and second seed Heather Maroon (USciences grads) held off several surges from third seed Columbia Blue (Holy Family University) in the first half before pulling away late in the second quarter en route to a 57-43 victory.

Maroon, who led the game wire-to-wire, advances to the league championship game on Tuesday August 2 at 7:00 against fifth seed Black, a 62-53 upset winner over top seed Red in the early game.

Irisa ye led Maroon with 17 points. Jess Huber chipped in 14 while Kate Connelly added 11. 

Monee Moore was the lone Columbia blue player in double figures with 12 points. 

Huber and Connelly keyed a first quarter opening run as Maroon jumped out to a 16-2 lead over the first six minutes of the first quarter. 

Blue responded with a furious rally, outscoring Maroon 12-2 with four different players scoring to pull within four 18-14 at the two teams headed to the second quarter.

Blue’s Taylor Hinkle opened the second quarter with a short jumper to pull blue within two 18-16 before Shannon May’s two baskets put Maroon back up 23-16. 

Blue scored the next five points to again pull within two 23-21 before Ye and Lexie Edwards combined for an 8-0 spurt for Maroon to increase their lead back to double digits 31-21 late in the second quarter. Ye’s two free throws pushed the lead to 36-24 at the half.

Maroon maintained their double-digit lead throughout most of the third quarter before Moore had two straight baskets to cut the lead to eight 47-39. 

Huber closed out the third quarter with a basket to again give Maroon a double-digit lead 49-39. 

Baskets from Connolly and Ye extended the lead as the fourth quarter began while Maroon’s defense was holding Blue scoreless for the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. 

Claire Dougherty’s basket at the 3:51 mark was Blue’s first points of the period and their only points until Moore added a basket with two minutes left, making the final score 57-43.

Playoffs

 

Thursday, July 28th

Playoffs Semifinals Results (Streaming - SFBN on YouTube)

(5) Black/D2-Jefferson 62, (1) Red/D2-Chestnut Hill 53

(2) Heather Maroon/D2-USciences Grads 57, (3) Columbia Blue 43 

Tuesday, July 26th

 Playoffs Quarterfinals Results

(1) Red/D2-Chestnut Hill 86, (9) Orange/D3-Ursinus 59

(3) Columbia Blue/D2-Holy Family 52, (6) Pink/D2-Kutztown 28

(2) Heather Maroon/D2-USciences Grads 68, (7) Kelly Green/Draft Team 59

(5) Black/D2-Jefferson 59, (4) Purple/D2-West Chester 51

Thursday, July 21

Round 1 Play-In Results

(7) Kelly Green/Draft Team 76, (10) Royal Blue/D3-Arcadia 54

(9) Orange/D3-Ursinus 71, (8)-Sun/Draft Team  67 

Tuesday, August 2

 

Playoff Championship  (Streaming - SFBN on YouTube  https://youtu.be/0qMRig4Ks9E )

 

Tipoff: 7 p.m.

 

Court 1 : 2-Heather Maroon/D2-Chestnut Hill Grads (7-2) vs. 5-Black/D2-Jefferson (6-3), 7 p.m., Court 1

 

Playoff Seed Tracker (Setting the Spots)

 

S-Red/D2-Chestnut Hill (7-2) vs. Or-W; vs. Pk-L; vs. Pur-W; vs. Blk-L; vs. RB-W; vs. Sun-W; vs. CB-W; vs; HM-W; vs. KG-W

 

F-Heather Maroon/D2-USciences Grads (7-2) vs. Sun-W; vs. CB-W; vs. Blk-W vs. KG-W; vs. Or-W; vs. Pk-L vs. Pur-W; vs. Red-L vs. RB-W

 

S-Columbia Blue/D2-Holy Family (6-3) vs. Blk-W; vs. HM-L; vs. KG-W; vs. Or-W; vs. Pk-L; vs. Pur-W; vs. Red-G7; vs. RB-W; vs. Sun-W 

 

Q-Purple/D2-West Chester (6-3) vs. Pk-W; vs. Blk-Ppd; vs. Red-L; vs. RB-W; vs. Sun-W; vs. CB-L; vs. HM-L; vs. Blk-W-M; KG-W; vs. Or-W

 

F-Black/D2-Jefferson (6-3) vs. CB-L; vs. Pur-Ppd.; vs. HM-L; vs. Red-W; vs. KG-W; vs. RB-W; vs. Or-G7; vs. Pur-L-M; vs. Sun-W#; vs. Pk-W-Forfeit

 

Q-Pink/D2-Kutztown (6-2) vs. Pur-L; vs. Red-W; vs. RB-W; vs. Sun-L; vs. CB-W; vs. HM-W; vs. KG-W; vs. Or-W; vs. Blk-L-Forfeit

 

Q-Kelly Green/Draft-1 (3-6) vs. RB-W: vs. Sun-W; vs. CB-L; vs. H.M.-L; vs. Blk-L; vs. Or-W; vs. Pk-G7; vs. Pur-L; vs. Red-L

 

Sun/Draft-2 (3-6) vs. HM-L; vs. KG-L; vs. Or-W; vs. Pk-W; vs. Pur-L; vs. Red-L; vs. RB-W; vs. Blk-L; vs. CB-L

 

 Q-Orange/D3-Ursinus (1-8) vs. Red-L; vs. RB-W; vs. Sun-L; vs CB-L; vs. HM-L; vs. KG-L; vs. Blk-L; vs. Pk-L; vs. Pur-L

 

Royal Blue/D3-Arcadia (0-9) vs. KG-L; Or-L; vs. Pk-L; vs. Pur-L; vs. Red-L; vs. Blk-L; vs. Sun-L; vs. CB-L; vs. HM-L

 

Codes: Blk-Black; CB-Columbia Blue; HM-Heather Maroon; KG-Kelly Green; Or-Orange; Pk-Pink; Pur-Purple; Red-Red; RB-Royal Blue; Sun-Sun; D2-NCAA II; D3-NCAA III

 

F-Finalistsl S-Semifinalsts; Q-Quarterfinalists.

Standings

 

(Final Regular Season Thru July 19th)

 

Team    W  L  PCT.   GB    PF  PA

 

S*-Red  7 2  .778 — 465 424 

F-Heather Maroon  7 2 .778 — 535 458

S-Columbia Blue  6 3 .667 1 554 431

Q-Purple  6 3 .667 1 628 555

F%-Black  6 3 .625 1 463 428  

QF-Pink  6 3  .667 1 413 368  

Q-Kelly Green  3 6 .333  4 468 501

Sun  3 6 .333  4 461 493

Q-Orange  1 8 .111 6 482 618 

Royal Blue  0 9 .000 7 414 667

 

F-Finalist S-Semifinalists Q-Quarterfinalists; *-No. 1 Seed; %-includes 2-0 Black forfeit win, 0-2 Pink forfeit loss July 19

 

Players Scoring 20 or More Points

 

27-Jess Huber, Heather Maroon, W, vs. Kelly Green, Quarterfinals Playoffs, July 26

25-Leah Johnson, Purple, W, vs. Orange, July 19

24-Jess Huber, Heather Maroon, W, vs. Orange, June 28

24-Jess Huber, Heather Maroon, W, vs. Kelly Green, June 23 

24-Annie Whalen, Pink, W, vs. Red, June 21

24-Natalie Mehl, Orange, L, vs. Sun, June 21

22-Emily Violante, Sun, L, vs. Orange, First Round Playoffs, July 21

22-Jess Huber, Heather Maroon, L, vs. Pink, June 30

21-Siobhan Boylan, Red, W, vs. Purple, June 21

20-Erin Dougherty, Orange, L, vs. Pink, July 14

20-Leah Johnson, Purple, W, vs. Royal Blue, June 23

20 -Jess Huber, Heather Maroon, W, vs. Sun, June 14

 

Regular Season Results (By Date Schedule)

 

Tuesday, July 19

 

Red 58, Kelly Green 42

Heather Maroon 70, Royal Blue 34

Purple 79, Orange 73

Columbia Blue 66, Sun 25

Black 2, Pink 0, forfeit 

 

 Thursday, July 14

 

Pink 62, Orange 47

Columbia Blue 80, Royal Blue 29

Purple 83, Black 40, makeup from June 16

Black 53, Sun 45

Purple 66, Kelly Green 59

Red 58, Heather Maroon 49

 

Tuesday, July 12

 

Heather Maroon 72, Purple 65

Black 61, Orange 53

Pink 44, Kelly Green 33

Red 40, Columbia Blue 36

Sun 67, Royal Blue 35

 

Tuesday, July 5 

 

No Games - Holiday Break

 

Thursday, July 7

 

No Games - Holiday Break

 

Thursday, June 30

 

Red 61, Sun 54

Black 79, Royal Blue 46

Columbia Blue 74, Purple 69

Pink 71, Heather Maroon 49

Kelly Green 57, Orange 48

 

Tuesday, June 28

 

Purple 74, Sun 53

Heather Maroon 68, Orange 42

Pink 55, Columbia Blue 53

Red 83, Royal Blue 60

Black 82, Kelly Green 50

 

Thursday, June 23

 

Columbia Blue 76, Orange 51

Heather Maroon 69, Kelly Green 51

Sun 56, Pink 47

Purple 87, Royal Blue 67

Black 48, Red 39

 

Tuesday, June 21

 

Heather Maroon 53, Black 45

Pink 63, Royal Blue 50

Red 71, Purple 51

Columbia Blue 51, Kelly Green 48

Sun 75, Orange 62

 

 Thursday, June 16

 

Kelly Green 51, Sun 50

Pink 52, Red 51

Orange 61, Royal Blue 50

Heather Maroon 61, Columbia Blue 59 ovt.

Purple vs. Black, postponed to July 14

 

Tuesday, June 14

 

Columbia Blue 59, Black 53

Kelly Green 77, Royal Blue 33

Red 76, Orange 45

Heather Maroon 44, Sun 36

Purple 56, Pink 45

Team By Team Regular Season Schedules/Results

Site/Time Codes:EC1- Early 6:30 p.m. Court 1;  LC1 - Late 7:45 p.m. Court 1; and thus EC2, LC2; LC3

Dates: Week 1 - G1-June 14; G2- June 16

Week 2 - G3-June 21; G4 - June 23

Week 3 - G5-June 28; G6 - June 30

Week 4 - G7-July 12; G8-July 14

Week 5 -G9- July 19

 

5-Seed Black/D2-Jefferson (6-3) Finalist

June 14: vs. Columbia Blue, L - 53-59

June 16: vs. Purple, ppd. to July 14, EC3

Jun 21: vs. Heather Maroon, L - 45-53

June 23: vs. Red, W - 48-39

June 28: vs. Kelly Green, W - 82-50

June 30: vs. Royal Blue, W - 79-46

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Orange, W - 61-53)

July 14: vs. Purple, EC3, ppd., from June 16, L-40-83

July 14: vs. Sun, W-53-45

July 19: vs. Pink, W-2-0, Forfeit

July 26: Playoffs: Quarterfinals vs. 4-seed Purple (6-3), W-59-51

July 28: Playoffs: Semifinals vs. 1-seed Red (7-2), W-62-53

August 2: Playoffs: Finals vs. 2-seed Heather Maroon (7-2), 7 p.m., Court 1

 

3-Seed Columbia Blue/D2-Holy Family (6-3) Semifinalist

June 14: vs. Black, W - 59-53

June 16: vs. Heather Maroon, L - 59-61 ovt.

Jun 21: vs. Kelly Green, W - 51-48

June 23:  vs. Orange, W - 76-51

June 28: vs. Pink, L - 53-55

June 30: vs. Purple, W - 74-69

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Red, L-36-40

July 14: vs. Royal Blue, W-80-29

July 19: vs. Sun, W-66-25

July 26: Playoffs: Quarterfinals vs. 6-seed Pink (6-3), W-52-28

July 28: Playoffs: Semifinals vs. 2-seed Heather Maroon (7-2), L-43-57

 

2-Seed Heather Maroon/USciences Grads (7-2) Finalist

June 14: vs. Sun, W - 44-36

June 16: vs. Columbia Blue, W - 61-59, ovt.

Jun 21: vs. Black, W - 53-45

June 23: vs. Kelly Green, W - 69-51

June 28: vs. Orange, W - 68-42

June 30: vs. Pink, L - 49-71

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Purple, W - 72-65

July 14: vs. Red, L-58-49

July 19: vs. Royal Blue, W-70-34

July 26: Playoffs: Quarterfinals vs. 7-Kelly Green (3-6), W-68-59

July 28: Playoffs: Semifinals vs. 3-Columbia Blue (6-3), W-57-43

August 2: Playoffs: Finals vs. 5-Black (6-3), 7 p.m., Court 1

 

7-Seed Kelly Green/Draft Team-1 (3-6) Quarterfinalist

June 14: vs. Royal Blue, W - 77-33

June 16: vs. Sun, W - 51-50

Jun 21: vs. Columbia Blue, L - 48-51

June 23: vs. Heather Maroon, L - 51-69

June 28: vs. Black, L - 50-82

June 30: vs. Orange, W - 57-48

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Pink, L - 33-44

July 14: vs. Purple, LC2 - L - 59-66

July 19: vs. Red, L-42-58

July 21: Playoffs: Opener vs. 10-Seed Royal Blue (0-9), W-76-54

July 26: Playoffs: Quarterfinals vs. 2-Heather Maroon (7-2), L-59-68

9-Seed Orange/D3 - Ursinus (1-8), Quarterfinalist

June 14: vs. Red, L - 45-76

June 16: vs. Royal Blue, W - 61-60

Jun 21: vs. Sun, L - 62-75

June 23: vs. Columbia Blue, L - 51-76

June 28: vs. Heather Maroon, L - 42-68

June 30: vs. Kelly Green, L - 48-57

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Black, L - 53-61

July 14: vs. Pink, L - 47-62

July 19: vs. Purple, L - 73-79

July 21: Playoffs: Opener vs. 8-Seed Sun (3-6), W-71-67

July 26: Playoffs: Quarterfinals vs. L-Red (7-2), L-59-86

 

6-Seed Pink/D2-Kutztown (6-3), Quarterfinalist

June 14: vs. Purple, L - 46-57

June 16: vs. Red, W - 52-51

Jun 21: vs. Royal Blue, W - 63-50

June 23: vs. Sun, L - 47-56

June 28: vs. Columbia Blue, W - 55-53

June 30: vs. Heather Maroon, W - 71-49

July 5: Dark: 

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Kelly Green, W - 44-33

July 14: vs. Orange, W - 67-42

July 19: vs. Black, L-0-2, Forfeit

July 26: Playoff: Quarterfinals vs. 3-Seed Columbia Blue (6-3), L-28-52

 

4-Seed Purple/D2-West Chester (6-3), Quarterfinalist

June 14: vs. Pink, W - 57-46

June 16: vs. Black, LC1, ppd. to July 14, EC3

Jun 21: vs. Red, L - 51-71

June 23: vs. Royal Blue, W - 87-67

June 28: vs. Sun, W - 74-53

June 30: vs. Columbia Blue, L - 69-74

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Heather Maroon, L - 65-72

July 14: vs. Black, EC3, ppd., from June 16, W-83-40

July 14: vs. Kelly Green, W-66-59

July 19: vs. Orange, W-79-73

July 26: Playoff: Quarterfinals vs. 5-Seed Black (6-3), L-51-59

1-Seed Red/D2-Chestnut Hill (7-2), Semifinalist

June 14: vs. Orange, W - 76-45

June 16: vs. Pink, L - 51-52

Jun 21: vs. Purple, W - 71-51

June 23: vs. Black, L - 39-48

June 28: vs. Royal Blue, W - 83-60

June 30: vs. Sun, W - 61-54

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Columbia Blue, W - 40-36

July 14: vs. Heather Maroon, W-58-49

July 19: vs. Kelly Green, W - 42-58

July 26: Playoffs: Quarterfinals vs. 9-Orange (1-8), W-86-59

July 28: Playoffs: Semifinals vs. 5-Black (6-3), L-53-62

10-Seed Royal Blue/D3-Arcadia (0-9)

June 14: vs. Kelly Green, L - 33-77

June 16: vs. Orange,  L - 60-61

Jun 21: vs. Pink, L - 50-63

June 23: vs. Purple, L - 67-87

June 28: vs. Red, L - 60-83

June 30: vs. Black, L - 46-79

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Sun, L - 35-67

July 14: vs. Columbia Blue, L-29-80 

July 19: vs. Heather Maroon, L-34-70

July 21: Playoffs: Opener vs. 7-Seed Kelly Green (3-6), L-54-76

8-Seed Sun/Draft Team-2 (3-6)

June 14: vs. Heather Maroon, L - 36-44

June 16: vs. Kelly Green, L 50-51

Jun 21: vs. Orange, W - 75-62

June 23: vs. Pink, W - 56-47

June 28: vs. Purple, L - 53-74

June 30: vs. Red, L - 54-61

July 5: Dark:

July 7: Dark:

July 12: vs. Royal Blue, W - 67-35

July 14: vs. Black, L-45-53

July 19: vs.  Columbia Blue, L-25-66

July 21: Playoffs: Opener vs. 9-Seed Orange (1-8), L-67-71