Team chemistry has Central Bucks South girls' basketball off to hot start

The Central Bucks South girls' basketball team has its sights set on another deep playoff run following a perfect start to the season.

Led by a core nucleus of six seniors, the Titans moved to 12-0 after beating North Penn, 53-39, on Friday. The win also gave them a 5-0 mark in the Suburban One League Continental Conference. They ranked just ahead of Garnet Valley for first place in the District 1 Class 6A power rankings.

C.B. South is averaging nearly 50 points per game while giving up a shade over 31 per contest. Junior guard Alexa Brodie (13.8 ppg) and senior guard Haley Meinel (12.8 ppg) lead the way on offense.

The Titans' starting lineup consists of Brodie, Meinel, senior guard Natalie DiSandro, senior guard Mac Ehresman, and senior forward Maddie McShane. Senior guard Lindsay Scott plays a critical role off the bench according to Beth Mattern, who is in her 11th season as the head coach at C.B. South. Senior forward Madison Aldinger, sophomore forward Allie Burke, junior forward Sofia Sonnet, and freshman guard Caroline McSorley round out the roster.

"A key factor in our success this season has been team chemistry," said Mattern. "The girls really love each other and want to play for one another. Having six seniors is nice because they've played together for awhile. That's really proving to be a benefit."

The Titans have been a force to be reckoned with over the past few seasons. In 2015-16, the team advanced to the PIAA state tournament for the first time in program history before falling in the second round to Cumberland Valley. Last season, C.B. South lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh in the District 1 Class 6A semifinals and then fell short against Souderton in the second round of states.

This year's team avenged those playoff defeats with wins over both Plymouth Whitemarsh and Souderton.

Meinel and her teammates are focused on the present but also have the ultimate goal of advancing further in the state tournament.

"It would mean a lot to me," said Meinel, who will continue her basketball career at Jefferson University. "If we work hard and continue what we're doing, we can push over that hump."

The road to a SOL Continental title won't be easy with teams like Souderton, C.B. West, and C.B. West trailing close behind.

"We can't be satisfied with where we are at," said Mattern. "We've played some great players. You just keep working and allow the game plan to happen for us."