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The Kremp twins, Jenkintown capture Bicentennial Athletic League gold

Celebrating their first BAL tournament crown, coach Jim Romano and his players cut down the net afterward and took it back to the tiny borough as a souvenir.

Jenkintown senior tricaptains (from left) Jennifer Kremp, Amelia Mulvaney and Ashley Kremp accept the Bicentennial Athletic League basketball  championship trophy from Morrisville coach Tanya Argueta.
Jenkintown senior tricaptains (from left) Jennifer Kremp, Amelia Mulvaney and Ashley Kremp accept the Bicentennial Athletic League basketball championship trophy from Morrisville coach Tanya Argueta.Read moreLOU RABITO

Senior twins Jennifer and Ashley Kremp have successfully kept alive a basketball-playing family tradition at Jenkintown.

The girls' parents, Scott and Chrissy, shined at the small-enrollment school. Their sister, Madison, 21, played under longtime coach Jim Romano, and their brother, Ryan, 20, was the fourth to hit the hardwood for the Drakes.

"I guess I was kind of drawn to the sport," Jennifer Kremp said. "It's nice that we've all been part of the program."

With Jennifer and Ashley Kremp each contributing five points, Jenkintown cruised past the Christian Academy, 45-20, in Saturday afternoon's Bicentennial Athletic League final at Morrisville.

Celebrating their first BAL tournament crown, Romano and his players cut down the net afterward and took it back to the tiny borough as a souvenir.

"It's a really good feeling," Jennifer Kremp said. "We all played to the best of our abilities, and we came away with a big win."

For the 24-1 Drakes, whose only loss came against Suburban One League champion Souderton, Jennifer Kremp is averaging a team-high 14.2 points per game and has drilled 51 three-pointers.

"First of all, she loves the game," Romano said of the 5-foot-7 guard. "And when you need somebody to make a big basket, she comes through and does it. She's also a great competitor."

Jenkintown eked out a 33-32 semifinal victory against Lower Moreland on Thursday. There was little suspense in the final as the Kremps and Co. led the Crusaders, 28-10, at intermission.

The Drakes struggled mightily on offense against Lower Moreland. They needed a free throw from junior Mia Kolb, who was fouled as time expired in regulation, to escape the heartbroken Lions.

Natalie Kolb, Mia's twin sister, led the way against the Christian Academy (13-8) with 11 points. Senior Amelia Mulvaney and her freshman sister Carly were next in line with 10 and 8 markers, respectively.

Ashley Kremp has buried 30 treys this season. "She leads in a different way than her sister," Romano said. "I'd say she's more vocal."

Senior forward Dejah Burley-Chambers paced the Christian Academy, which was trying to avenge a 47-13 loss to Jenkintown a week earlier, with 12 points.

Jennifer Kremp, a defender in field hockey, was voted the BAL Constitution Division player of the year.  She is considering Delaware, James Madison, Penn State, and Temple for college.

The Christian Academy   6    4     10   0  –  20

Jenkintown                       14   14   13   4  –  45

TCA: Lindsay Haseltine 4, Dejah Burley-Chambers 12, Britney Dike 4.

J: Mia Kolb 4, Jennifer Kremp 5, Amelia Mulvaney 10, Natalie Kolb 11, Ashley Kremp 5, Carly Mulvaney 8, Lily Waters 2.