PA Bucks Montco High School Sports Top Performers

Winter doldrums getting to you? They sure haven’t seemed to affect student-athletes in the area, who continue to turn in one dazzling outing after another. Check out some of last week’s top performers in basketball, wrestling, swimming and track & field.

And be sure to vote for the Courier/Intell Girls and Boys Athletes of Week. This week’s poll runs from Tuesday at 7 p.m. through Thursday at 8 p.m.

Who was voted Athlete of the Week?See all the winners for the winter season!

Wrestling

Jake Neill, Central Bucks South: Neill went 4-0 at the Rock Yard Duals, helping CB South to a first-place finish. Neill (145 pounds) had three wins by pin and one by decision.

Gabe Whittington, Central Bucks South: Whittington went undefeated at the Rock Yard Duals. Whittington (133 pounds) had two victories by fall, including one where he pinned his opponent in 39 seconds, and two by major decision. 

Gauge Botero, Faith Christian: Botero had a dominant afternoon at the Hawk Mountain Duals. Botero (121 lbs.) went 5-0 in the tournament, taking all five wins by fall. Botero’s quickest pin was 38 seconds, and he decked his opponent in the championship match in just 54 seconds. He is currently the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class in District One by PAWrestling.com.

Collin Gaj, Quakertown: Gaj continued a stellar sophomore season at the Parkland Duals. Going undefeated on the day, all five of Gaj’s (145 lbs.) wins were by fall, including four pins in under one minute (35 seconds, 39, 39, 55 seconds). Gaj is ranked No. 1 in District One by PAWrestling.com

A.J. Stayton, Souderton: Stayton’s strong senior campaign included a 5-0 showing at the Parkland Duals. Stayton (133 pounds) had a win by major decision and four victories by fall, including a pin in 50 seconds. 

Girls Basketball

Team of the Week: Pennridge 

The Rams went 3-0 on the week, beginning with a decisive win over Harry S. Truman. On Friday, Pennridge had a tough matchup against 10-2 Pennsbury. The Rams’ strong defensive effort resulted in a 46-29 win. The next afternoon, the Rams went to double overtime against Methacton. In the second OT period, the Rams, showing no fatigue, went on a 14-7 run to take a 71-64 victories. The Rams improved to 9-4 (4-3 SOL) and rose more than 10 spots in the District One standings to 16th. 

Stat line of the Week: Gabby Casey, Lansdale Catholic

40 points, 21 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks.

You might need to read that twice (we sure did)! Casey, a senior St. Joseph’s commit, is no stranger to huge games. But this one was monumental even for her. Casey completely dominated Thursday’s PCL opener against defending state champs Neumann-Goretti, no less, carrying the Explorers to a 76-54 win. Casey had one 40-point game before, and it was also against N-G. Her 21 rebounds set a career high.