Tuesday's Colonial League boys basketball recaps, updated standings and playoff picture

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Catasauqua didn't clinch a tournament spot on Tuesday night, but took a huge step toward it by beating Northern Lehigh in a defensive-oriented 44-36 win.

Catty needs to beat Northwestern on Friday, a team that the Roughies defeated 65-39 back on Dec. 16, for its first league tournament berth since 2009.

Here's a look at all of the Colonial League games:

Bangor 74, Northwestern 35 -- Jeremy Ringland scored 24 and the Slaters have clinched top seed for next week's tourney.

Salisbury 65, Wilson 37 -- Falcons clinch South Division title and No. 2 seed. Warriors eliminated from District 11 tournament consideration. First time they'll miss postseason since 2007.

Notre Dame 76, Palisades 50 -- Crusaders late-season charge continues. Notre Dame made 11 3-pointers. Tannor Reed scored 21.

Pen Argyl 41, Palmerton 39 -- Green Knights get eighth win, their most since 11 wins in 2007-08.

Catasauqua 44, Northern Lehigh 36 -- The Roughies turned the tables on the Bulldogs after losing at Slatington by five on Dec. 19. Great defense in holding Egan to 10, Dibilio to 3 and Landsberger to 9.

Saucon Valley 56, Southern Lehigh 36 -- Did not receive a scoring breakdown on this one, but Mosher likely had another big game. Not shocked the Panthers won, but the margin does surprise. Panthers still have a shot at making league tournament. Like Catty, staged major turnaround after a slow start.

UPDATED COLONIAL LEAGUE STANDINGS

COLONIAL LEAGUE

NORTH DIVISION

Team                     CL       All

XC-Bangor             13-2    15-5

X-Catasauqua         11-4    14-7

X-Northern Lehigh    9-6     12-9

Pen Argyl               6-9     8-13

Northwestern         2-13     5-16

Palmerton             0-15     2-18

SOUTH DIVISION

Team                   CL         All

XC-Salisbury          12-3    15-6

X-Notre Dame         10-5     12-9

X-Saucon Valley     10-5     12-9

X-Southern Lehigh   9-6     13-8

Wilson                   5-10      9-12

Palisades              3-12     6-14

X: Clinched District 11 tournament berth. C: Clinched league playoff berth.

NOTES: The Colonial League semis will be Weds. night at Southern Lehigh and the finals on Friday night at Freedom.

Bangor is the definite No. 1 seed. Salisbury is in the tournament for sure as South Division champs and could clinch No. 2 seed by beating Southern Lehigh on Friday.

Catasauqua plays Northwestern on Friday. With win the Roughies claim a tournament spot. They would have the No. 3 seed with the possibility of moving up to No. 2 if Salisbury loses. Doesn't really matter since those two would play one another in the CL semis.

Saucon Valley and Notre Dame are battling for the fourth and final league tourney spot and the chance to play Bangor in the league semis. Both will be heavily favored on Friday when Notre Dame plays Wilson and Saucon plays Palisades. If either wins and the other loses, they would secure a spot. If both win, as expected, Notre Dame will get the last spot based on a better divisional record.

League will have a meeting to discuss all of the possibilities on Thursday, but right now -- barring any major upsets -- you'd have Salisbury vs. Catty and Bangor vs. Notre Dame in the semis on Wednesday night at Southern Lehigh.