No mix-up here: North Penn rolls

When a basketball game begins with a technical foul and two free throws because of a jersey-number mix-up, you know the next 32 minutes are going to be anything but typical.

But then again, when two Suburban One Continental rivals such as Central Bucks East and North Penn get together, who is to say what is and isn't expected?

The North Penn girls' team drained the first two free throws before even one second had expired on the clock and went on to win, 47-37, Friday night in a game that was at times ugly.

"They've always been our biggest rival, and it's always a battle between the two of us," North Penn's Vicky Tumasz said. "This is the biggest game of the season so far for us."

North Penn was given two technical free throws because the C.B. East scorebook mentioned a No. 30 as a starter.

There was no No. 30 on the East roster.

Tumasz two free throws gave North Penn a quick two-point lead, which held through the half.

The Maidens then took control of the game on the defensive end, coming out with more intensity in the second half.

They finished the game with 13 steals, most of which occurred in the second half, disrupting the Patriots' rhythm and providing North Penn with transition points.

The Maidens outscored East (3-3, 1-2) by 23-15 in the last 16 minutes, in part because they were making better decisions on offense and shooting high-percentage shots instead of just throwing up anything.

Tumasz, a junior guard, was a big reason for that, scoring 16 points. Six of those came on two big three-pointers.

The Maidens (6-0 overall, 3-0 conference), ranked fourth in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, are averaging almost 52 points a game, scoring 56 or more in three of their first six games.

Lauren Crisler, a senior, said that in years past the Maidens have gotten off to slow starts, losing conference games early, but that this season, she sees a difference.

With her team having already defeated Souderton and Central Bucks South this season, the senior likes the Maidens' chances to break the Patriots' streak of five straight Continental Conference titles.

"We are definitely one of the top teams, but we are going to have to fight for that position to win the conference," Crisler said.

"It is giving everyone hope, and we know we can do this."

Central Bucks East   16 6 4 11 – 37

North Penn   14 10 13 10 – 47

CBE: Courtney Webster 14, Karoline White 10, Morgan Kelly 9, Katelyn Miller 4.

NP: Vicky Tumasz 16, Lauren Crisler 6, Jenn Halcovage 6, Bri Cullen 5, Mikaela Giuliani 4, Layona Dean 4, Sierra Simon 3, Jackie Bilotti 3.