Souderton defeats Neshaminy in Challenge

Bianca Picard did a lot of great things on the basketball court for the Souderton Indians on Saturday afternoon: three three-pointers, a couple of steals, a few rebounds, and some assists.

But according to the junior point guard, the most important thing she did on the floor was something that has been developing all season:

She completely trusted her teammates.

That confidence in her mates is something she relied on against Neshaminy, she said, as she committed herself to playing "full, on-the-ball defense" when her shots didn't fall in the Indians' 38-31 win during the Suburban One League Challenge at Bensalem.

"The amount of trust I have in my teammates outweighs any team I've ever been on," Picard said. "I know someone has my back, and when you have that confidence and trust in your teammates, you are willing to put 110 percent into defense and I think that is what we are all starting to realize."

Picard wasn't the only member of the Indians (9-4 overall, 5-3 Continental Conference) who was impressive Saturday. She received help from fellow junior Allison Gallagher, who had 13 points, six coming on vital baskets in the fourth quarter, and sophomore Sarah Derstein.

Derstein had arguably the most important basket of the game, putting back a Picard miss with seconds remaining in the third quarter.

After controlling the flow of the game for the first two quarters, up by as much as 10, and entering the locker room with an eight-point lead, the Indians went stone-cold in the third quarter.

Whether from beyond the arc or from the post, their shots weren't falling, but their stellar play on defense stopped Neshaminy (11-3, 6-2 National) from getting on the board, as well.

"Our third quarters are always a struggle, and that is something we've been working on as a team," Picard said. "I think that we are all confident enough in each other. . . . We handled it and did what we had to do."

The game was important for the Indians, who were coming off a heartbreaking loss, 39-26, Thursday to conference rival North Penn.

Souderton   15 11 2 10 – 38

Neshaminy   11 7 3 10 – 31

S: Allison Gallagher 13, Bianca Picard 9, Sarah Derstein 8, Libby Wetzler 4, Katie O'Connor 3, Courtney Day 1.

N: McKenna Mullin 8, Sarah Oliveira 7, Morgan Goldenbaum 5, Maddie Murray 4, Stephanie Donahue 4, Lori Paulits 3.