30 | December | 2009 | McClelland Miscellanea

Daily Archives: December 30, 2009

December 30, 2009 · 11:26 pm

North Penn Rallies Past Downingtown West in Championship Game

North Penn Knights pose with championship trophy in Chris Smith Holiday Tournament

(Lansdale PA) North Penn rained down accurate 3’s on Downingtown West in the third period and that spell of good shooting provided the margin that sparked the Knights to a 47-38 win in the Chris Smith Holiday Tournament championship game on Wednesday night.

Downingtown West led 17-12 at the half with little offense by either team in evidence. Those on hand waited for the stars of the opening round games (Mike Milito – 18 points against Engineering and Science) and/or (Matthew Possanza – 19 points versus Methacton) to put some points on the board. Didn’t happen. Mike ended up with eight points on off-shooting stats while Matthew had very few touches thanks to the Whippet know-where-he-is defense.

What went on in the North Penn locker room at halftime? Those meager twelve points that North Penn took sixteen minutes to get in the first half surely were discussed. Anyhow, it took the Knights only five minutes to get their second batch of twelve points in the decisive third quarter.

Sophomore Wes Brooks – high scorer (15) and all-tourney selection

Junior Conner Silhanek was the early catalyst with a couple of baskets (one assisted by Wes Brooks) and two free throws to narrow the Downingtown West advantage to 19-18 with 4 ½ minutes to go in period three.

After that was when the rain of 3’s kicked in for North Penn. They tallied 15 points in their next five possessions including one three (by Matthew Possanza) the old-fashioned way. Matthew also had a regular three as did TJ Gill. The game’s top scorer (sophomore Wes Brooks) chipped in two in a row.

By the time the quarter ended, Downingtown West was on the wrong end of a 33-23 score and never recovered.

In the midst of the Knight scoring run was a very crucial, if not controversial play. The Whippets were just down two (21-19) and Mike Milito was breaking away. From where I was sitting, it was clear that someone had grabbed his shirt causing the ball to get away from him. No whistle and a quick pass off the steal to the right corner gave Wes Brooks an open look at a three which he buried to boost the lead to five points. If a foul is called on the shirt grab, that play doesn’t happen.

In the final frame a couple of Knight turnovers and a run of successful Whippet free throws made things interesting at 39-34 with 2:42 to go. But with a chance to get even closer, the visitors had a possession with three missed shots before a turnover. The Knights made eight of ten free throws the rest of the way to seal the championship.

Wes Brooks (15 points) and TJ Gill (9 points) paced North Penn while Idris Jones (13 points including six in the first period) and Mike Milito (8 points) led Downingtown West.

The guard play of North Penn was the difference maker. The Whippets played a very physical man-to-man defense and yet North Penn had only eleven turnovers.

North Penn got away with a zone defense because Downingtown West took very few three’s and didn’t make one until the last minute – Ian Jones.

Best defender was the Whippets’ Terrell Brice. However, late in the game, when it came time to intentionally foul, he drew his fifth by planting 5’9” Wes Brooks out of bounds with a two-hander. No need for that but his defensive play other than that was a coach’s delight.

Matthew Possanza, Wes Brooks, Mike Milito, and Idris Jones were chosen for the All-Tourney team.

Andrew Bargman takes free throw as Taylor Koffke, Terrell Brice, Dexter Shy, and TJ Gill look on.

(All stats are unofficial.)

Ready For Action in Ipswich

Action Inc has been active on Cape Ann since 1965. They have offices in many towns throughout the area, including recently opened sites in Ipswich and Rockport.

In a press release regarding the new offices, Action Inc. Executive Director Tim Riley said, “Although Action has served Ipswich and Rockport residents for more than 40 years, these new satellite offices will make our services accessible to a greater number of people. We expect to deliver services to 30% more people in Ipswich and Rockport this year.”

The funding for the offices in Ipswich and Rockport came from the Stimulus Bill signed into law by President Obama in February.

The Action Inc office in Ipswich is located at the Birth to Three Family Center at 15 Market Street, Suite 4. Office hours are on Monday (10AM-5PM) and Wednesday (Noon-7PM).

More important than the office hours is the office phone number – (978-879-3667). That number has voice mail (I know, I tried.) and the woman in charge of the office, Harmoni White, assured me in a phone interview that all calls will be answered. “If I don’t answer right away,” she said, “I’m probably researching the problem. I will get back to everyone who calls.”

Trying to describe what Action Inc does is a bit like explaining what a stay-home mom does – a little bit of everything. They are especially intent on helping the Cape Ann area needy of all ages in practical ways.

Harmoni told me that she is getting plenty of calls about needs in Ipswich. “Once we put out our information in Ipswich school newsletters the calls picked up considerably. Each call usually describes a particular need and I try to get that person help. I’m psyched to be able to do it.”

I learned from Harmoni that her passion for helping others was part of her background. “My grandmother directed the Teen Center in Beverly and my mother was involved in foster care. I have about 40 brothers and sisters as a result. I have also lived in public housing as well as on welfare and know about navigating for help. The important thing is to keep going.”

Harmoni told me that the biggest barrier she has been confronted with in Ipswich is pride. “This is a town where people are used to meeting their own needs,” she said. “To some here, asking for organized assistance is the very last thing they would do especially for those who have never been on the receiving end before.”

She added, “Part of it is their worry that others will be alerted to their condition of need. I cannot tell you how many people, with obvious shortages of money from job reductions or losses will refuse to apply for food stamps. They are afraid that someone at the local supermarket might see them using food stamps. It is unfortunate.”

Obviously, for Action Inc to live up to its name, needs needing to be addressed, must be presented. Action Inc is already serving over 3,000 families in Cape Ann and it sounds as if they are ready, willing, and able to help if allowed into the mix.

Action Inc has a website and there is always the Ipswich office phone number (978-879-3667) for those searching for information and help.

( This article appeared in The Town Common in December 30, 2009. )