Month: January 2024

Changing places

Pennsville, Pitman boys soccer changing divisions in a move expected to benefit both programs; this story will be updated

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

The boys soccer teams at Pennsville and Pitman are changing places in the Tri-County Conference in a move that will benefit both programs.

FOGLEIN

When the season opens next fall, Pennsville will play in the Tri-County Classic Division, while Pitman will move into the demanding Diamond Division. The change, approved in Tuesday’s conference athletics directors meeting at Kingsway, does not affect the girls alignment.

“Right now, for the next two years, it made sense for our program, it made sense for the Pitman program and it also made sense for the sub-varsity programs within the Diamond Division,” Pennsville AD Jamy Thomas said. “From a conference perspective we’re trying to benefit kids as much as possible and that’s not just from a competitive standpoint it’s from an opportunity to compete standpoint.”

The Diamond Division will now comprise Pittman, Glassboro, Overbrook and Salem County schools Schalick, Woodstown and Penns Grove. The Classic Division is now Pennsville, Clayton, Wildwood, Gloucester Catholic, Salem and Salem Tech.

Five of the six teams in the new Diamond Division lineup won at least 11 games last season. Only one of the teams in the new Classic Division lineup had a winning overall record and won more than seven games.

The move fits Pennsville from a competitive balance and scheduling standpoint. The Eagles finished last in the Diamond Division last season (6-13, 1-9) with a young squad, but the move will allow them to challenge for a division title as they get older and in turn increase interest and participation within the program with growing success.

“I think that gives us a chance to be very successful in our division record,” Pennsville coach Derek Foglein said. “It seemed weird to only go up or down a division and have it swing that much and I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch but with the right work ethic and the right attitude I think a division title is very much a possibility for this team.

“Our team is only going to get better as we get more experience and as the team gets better we’ll find more division success in a division that’s better paired for us and as the program gets more successful it only gets more enticing for us to get more numbers. That chain of events is what I’m most excited about.  and that chain of events is what I’m most excited about. I would love to see a division title go up. Putting up a division banner only drums up interest for boys soccer, and that to me is the most exciting part about all of this.”

Pennsville also was the only team in the Diamond without a junior varsity program. None of the Classic Division programs have JV squads. Pitman, even as one of the smallest Group I schools in South Jersey, has huge soccer participation throughout its community and was the only Classic Division team with a JV.

Actually, the Eagles volunteered to move when Pitman requested the change, but they likely would’ve have gone anyway since the conference sets divisions by the size of schools and Pennsville was the smallest in the division.

Foglein already is working on the schedule for the coming season. In addition to the home-and-home series with their division opponents, the Eagles are expecting to play Woodstown and Penns Grove and have crossover commitments from Gloucester City, Collingswood and the always-anticipated matchup against brother Doug’s Paulsboro team. This year’s Foglein Bowl is Sept. 23 in Pennsville.

Back on track

MONDAY’S GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES
Clayton 64, Salem Tech 17
Glassboro 70, Schalick 18
Penns Grove 79, Overbrook 22
Wildwood 84, Salem 33
Woodstown 58, Pennsville 43

By Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — Talia Battavio bounced back from a cold shooting Saturday to score 22 points Monday night and lead Woodstown back into the win column, 59-43 over Pennsville in the Wolverines’ Coaches vs. Cancer game.

Battavio was held to a season-low nine points by OLMA and didn’t hit a shot in the second half, but bounced back for her fourth 20-point game of the season. The Wolverines are 11-1 the last two seasons when either Battavio or Megan Donelson score 20 points in a game. She also had five assists and six blocked shots.

The junior guard was one of three Wolverines to score in double figures in the game. Donelson had 17 points, including her 100th career 3-pointer, with five assists, three blocks and four steals. And Shannon Pieman had 12 points and eight rebounds. Alyssa Baber grabbed 12 boards.

“I feel like we’re still not playing our best basketball, individually or as a whole, but it was a good division win with multiple girls scoring,” Wolverines coach Kara Straughn said. “There’s nothing we can’t iron out in practice tomorrow (and) the rest of the week.

“We needed some momentum with tonight’s win because I think we have the potential to go on a winning streak for a few weeks now through the month.”

Pennsville’s Marley Wood led all scorers with 27 points. She hit a career-high seven 3-pointers, matching teammate Nora Ausland for the team’s single-game high this season (Overbrook).

WOODSTOWN 59, PENNSVILLE 43
PENNSVILLE (4-5) — Nora Ausland 4 0-0 9, Celli Ausland 1 0-0 3, Kylie Harris 1 0-0 2, Izzie Säulen 1 0-0 2, Marley Wood 10 0-1 27. Totals 17 0-1 43.
WOODSTOWN (6-2) — Talia Battavio 9 2-2 22, Megan Donelson 7 0-0 17, Gianna Maiorini 2 0-0 4, Alyssa Baber 1 0-0 2, Shannon Pieman 6 0-2 12, Jala Thomas 1 0-0 2, Lizzy Daly 0 0-0 0, Emma Perry 0 0-0 0, Lauren Hengel 0 0-0 0, Brae DiGregorio 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 2-4 59.

Pennsville781018 —43
Woodstown19121117 —59
3-point goals: Pennsville 9 (N. Ausland, C. Ausland, Wood 7); Woodstown 5 (Batavia 2, Donelson 3).


WILDWOOD 84, SALEM 33
SALEM (2-5) — Ryann Foote 4 6-8 14, Ameriyona Hunter 1 0-0 2, Carlysia Pierce 1 0-0 2, Ava Rodgers 0 1-2 1, Kaela Nichols 3 0-0 6, Marissa Bower 3 0-0 6, Zaniyah Frieson 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 7-10 33.
WILDWOOD 84 (6-3) — Sophia Wilber 1 3-4 6, Angela Wilber 6 5-7 18, Macie McCracken 12 1-1 30, Kaliah Sumlin 3 3-6 9, Rebecca Benichou 9 1-1 21, Cydnee Kilian 0 0-0 0. Totals 31 13-19 84.

Salem69117 —33
Wildwood 3224226 —84
3-point goals: Salem 0, Wildwood 9 (S. Wilber, A. Wilber, McCracken 5, Benichou 2).

CLAYTON 64, SALEM TECH 17
CLAYTON (4-5) — Jordyn Jones 5 0-0 10, Rainelle Blocker 7 0-0 14, Rosalina Pereira 4 0-0 11, Deondria Simon 1 0-0 2, Ava Delaney 9 0-0 19, Janice Blair 0 1-2 1, Sophia Petsch 3 0-0 7. Totals 29 1-2 64.
SALEM TECH (0-7) — Shelby Drummond 1 0-0 2, Kaylin Beardsley 2 0-0 6, Demajae White 1 0-0 2, Hanna DeWitt 1 0-0 2, TiRonna McGaha 1 0-0 0, Morgan VanDover 1 1-2 3. Totals 7 1-2 17.
Clayton21211210 —64
Salem Tech10223 —17
3-point goals: Clayton 5 (Pereira 3, Delaney, Petsch); Salem Tech 2 (Beardsley 2).

Familiar finish

Hall again hits the big shot as Woodstown gets back on track with a tight win over Pennsville; Ballard makes four late FTs to lift Penns Grove, Salem stages big fourth-quarter rally

MONDAY’S SALEM COUNTY BOYS SCORES
Penns Grove 51, Overbrook 48
Clayton 83, Salem Tech 57
Glassboro 68, Schalick 42
Salem 64, Wildwood 57
Woodstown 60, Pennsville 57

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – The Woodstown basketball team needed a win in the worst of ways. That it came against a heated rival only made it better.

M.J. Hall hit a game-tying free throw with 38 seconds to play and then nailed the go-ahead 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds left to lift Woodstown over Pennsville 60-57 to get back on track after two crushing losses.

The Wolverines started the season 4-0, but their fortunes changed when the calendar did. They started the new year by letting a double-digit lead against Penns Grove get away under a hail of turnovers and then losing a low-scoring three-point game to Delsea 24 hours later.

But they were determined to get back on track and Hall, a junior guard with a history of picking the Eagles apart, made it happen.

“It’s a brotherhood and for us to be down in a situation like this after coming off an 0-2 week is just a blessing to have,” Hall said. “Going through the shot with the ball in your hand on the last possession is always a nervous wreck, but to come through and get us back on a winning streak hopefully is a blessing.

“We all play a part. Rocco (String) getting fouled out had us nervous, but we just found a way to come through and pull off the win and send a statement to anybody else.”

The end of the game was eerily similar to the one the Wolverines won here last year when Hall hit the game-winning shot from in front of the Woodstown bench with time running out.

The Wolverines opened a 20-5 lead early in the second quarter and the way things were going felt they had a real opportunity to push the lead to 25 or 30 before halftime. But Pennsville, showing shades of Penns Grove’s rally Thursday night, chipped away on the front end to get within eight and then got back in the game altogether with the final nine points of the half.

The Eagles did take the lead early in the third quarter when Daniel Saulin converted a long pass from Jayden Thomas into a layup to make it 33-32. The game stayed tight the rest of the night and was tied at 45 going into the fourth quarter.

“We talk about the hope that we keep for ourselves and the hope we shouldn’t give the other teams,” Woodstown coach Phil Campbell said. “We gave them some hope there before halftime and they made a game of it.”

Malik Rehmer hit two free throws with 1:13 left off the play that fouled String out to put Pennsville up for the last time 57-56. Woodstown, now without its big man in the game, called time with 1:08 left to set up a play. The Wolverines worked it around and Hall was fouled by Saulin.

Hall hit the first of the two free throws to tie the game. He missed the second shot and Saulin rebounded, but Hall snuck around to steal it back and the Wolverines immediately called time again with 33.8 left.

The plan was to work it around to about 15 seconds and get it to Garrett Leyman. They did, but the Eagles sealed off his drive to the basket. Instead of forcing something, Leyman smartly kicked it out to Hall, who drained the go-ahead 3 from the far left side of the floor.

Last year Hall hit the winning 3 from the right corner after the Eagles missed a potential game-winning layup just seconds earlier.

“We talk a lot about inside-out 3-pointers are the best shot you can take,” Campbell said. “They’re the highest percentage 3 in the country, inside-out, and that was exactly what he got. He’s a good shooter, especially in that kind of position.”

It just had to be Hall. In two career games in Pennsville, he has scored 23 points and hit two game-winning shots.

“To hit a shot like that, big, it’s fun,” he said.

“He just seems to flip the switch here in Pennsville,” sophomore guard Blake Bialecki said. “He always seems to play good here.”

Hall finished with 11 points. Bialecki led the Wolverines with 26 points, including five 3-pointers.

Hall’s big shot may have given the Wolverines the lead, but it still wasn’t over. Pennsville called time with 4.4 seconds left to set up the tying shot. They set the play in motion, but Luke Wood stepped on the sideline trying to rush up the floor for a 3.

Wood led Pennsville with 19 points and moved inside 50 points of 1,000. He had 12 points during the Eagles’ second-quarter comeback, but fell ill during halftime and missed the first four minutes of the third quarter. Saulin had 14 points and six rebounds. Rehmer had 13 points and nine boards.

“We played good team ball tonight, it was just unfortunate that we got nearly home and we just … two plays either way and we win that game,” Pennsville coach Joe Mecholsky said. “I’m not discouraged whatsoever. The kids decided the game and tonight the Woodstown team was a play better than us.”

WOODSTOWN 60, PENNSVILLE 57
WOODSTOWN (5-2) — Manny Ortega 1 0-0 3, Blake Bialecki 10 1-2 26, Alejandro Vazquez 0 0-0 0, M.J. Hall 4 1-2 11, Garrett Leyman 1 2-2 4, Anthony Bokolas 1 0-0 2, Max Webb 4 0-0 10, Rocco String 2 0-0 4. Totals 23 4-6 60.
PENNSVILLE (4-4) — Mason O’Brien 1 0-0 2, Luke Wood 7 2-4 19, Cohen Petrutz 2 0-0 4, Peyton O’Brien 2 0-0 4, Jayden Thomas 0 0-0 0, Malik Rehmer 3 6-7 14, Daniel Saulin 6 2-3 14. Totals 21 10-14 57.

Woodstown16161315 —60
Pennsville5231712 —57
3-point goals: Woodstown 10 (Ortega, Bialecki 5, Hall 2, Webb 2); Pennsville 5 (Wood 3, Rehmer 2).
Technical fouls: Thomas. Fouled out: String. Total fouls: Woodstown 12, Pennsville 8. Officials: Panko, Popper, Johnson.

PENNS GROVE 51, OVERBROOK 48: Mekhi Ballard seems to be back in the groove and that’s a good thing for the Red Devils.

Ballard hit four free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory and send the Red Devils into a four-way tie for first in the Tri-County Diamond Division.

“He’s our most experienced player who was off to a slow start, but has come up big the last two games,” Penns Grove coach Damian Ware said. “He had seven fourth-quarter points against Woodstown and then four big free throws today in the fourth. He’s starting to find his rhythm.”

Both pairs of free throws came after Overbrook scored to cut into the Red Devils’ lead. The first set pushed the lead to four. The Rams hit a 3 on the next trip down the floor and then he made two more to make it a three-point game. Overbrook had a shot at the buzzer for the tie but missed.

Ballard finished with 13 points to lead three Red Devils scorers in double figures. Giomar Conrad had 12 and Mr Peterson 10. Yes, the name is Mr, as in Mister.

“My dad told me a long time ago it was because when anybody talks to me he wants them to respect my name,” Peterson explained.

It’s the same reason Mr. T explained his name is Mr. T.

PENNS GROVE 51, OVERBROOK 48
OVERBROOK (5-3) — Shaun Mills 1 4 6, Chris Grier 6 9 24, Amare Kee 1 0 3, Lamar Little 1 0 2, Kevin Satchell 1 0 3, Xavier Wright 2 1 5, Maki Ortiz 1 0 2, Jaden St. John 0 3 3. Totals 13 17 48.
PENNS GROVE (4-5) — Brandon Robbins 0 0 0, Roman Gipson 2 3 7, Giomar Conrad 5 1 12, KaRon Ceaser 0 1 1, Willie Slocum 1 2 4, Mehki Ballard 3 6 13, Camren Thompson 1 0 2, Khiry Higgs 1 0 2, Mr Peterson 5 0 10. Totals 18 13 51.
Overbrook971715 —48
Penns Grove13111116 —51
3-point goals: Overbrook 1 (Grier 3, Kee, Satchell); Penns Grove 2 (Conrad, Ballard).

SALEM 64, WILDWOOD 57: Freshman Tymear Lecator had the best game of his career, leading three Salem scorers in double figures, and the Rams went an amazing 18-for-18 from the free throw line.

The Rams trailed by 12 in the third quarter and staged a furious fourth-quarter rally to win their third game in a row.

“I don’t know how we did it, but we pulled it off,” Salem coach Anthony Farmer said.

Lecator, a transfer from Winslow, scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds. Anthony Farmer had 19 points and was 11-for-11 from the line. Paul Weathers posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

SALEM 64, WILDWOOD 57
WILDWOOD (6-4) — Junior Hans 4 7-8 16, Ryan Troiano 3 0-1 7, Jordan Fusi 3 1-1 12, Brian Cunniff 7 3-3 17, Josh Pintella 0 0-0 0, Harley Buscham 0 0-0 0, Lukas Basile 0 1-2 1, James Wyers 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 12-15 57.
SALEM (4-2) — Ramaji Bundy 1 0-0 2, Anthony Farmer 4 11-11 19, Jabez DeJesus 2 0-0 4, Paul Weathers 6 3-3 16, Tymear Lecator 7 4-4 21, Antwone Rogers 1 0-0 2, Donovan Weathers 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 18-18 64.
Wildwood1421139 —57
Salem11151820 —64
3-point goals: Wildwood 5 (Hans, Troiano, Fusik 3); Salem 4 (P. Weathers, Lecator 3).

GLASSBORO 68, SCHALICK 42: Charles Graves scored 21 of his career-high 45 points in the first quarter and helped the Bulldogs (4-4) pull away from a one-point game in the final 2:30 of the quarter to take control.

The Bulldogs hit six 3-pointers in the first quarter; Graves had four of them. He’s gone for 20 or more in six of his last seven games, averaging 26.0 a game in that stretch. He’s averaging 23.7 for the season.

GLASSBORO 68, SCHALICK 42
SCHALICK (3-4) — Nylan Sutton 2 0-2 4, Jordan Johnson 1 2-2 5, Reggie Allen 9 2-6 21, Ryan Johnson 1 0-0 2, Daniel Lis 4 1-2 10, Jake Siedlecki 0 1-2 1. Totals 17 6-14 42.
GLASSBORO (4-4) — Charles Graves 18 5-8 45, Clinton Suggs 2 3-3 7, Michael Dougherty 3 1-2 10, Josh Buff 1 0-0 2, William Goggans 2 0-0 4. Totals 26 9-13 68.

Schalick1291011 —42
Glassboro2915159 —68
3-point goals: Schalick 3 (Johnson, Allen, Lis); Glassboro 7 (Graves 4, Dougherty 3). Total fouls: Schalick 11, Glassboro 10.

CLAYTON 83, SALEM TECH 57
SALEM TECH (0-8) — Antoine Robinson 1 2-4 4, Chase Wills 5 2-2 12, Tyler Zampino 2 1-2 5, Josh Muntz 0 0-0 0, Haneef Frisby 5 1-2 11, Joseph Hayes 2 0-0 4, Gio Holmes 4 0-0 10, Daviontae Russell 2 4-6 9. Totals 21 10-14 55.
CLAYTON (2-7) — Dillon Jones 3 0-2 6, Princeton Sackor 6 4-6 20, Nazir Davis 9 2-5 23, John Carter 1 0-0 3, Michael Akosah 0 1-2 1, Demetris Williams 5 3-8 13, Jon Cox 1 1-1 3, Ashaud Hines 4 0-2 8, Chimali Mitchell 1 0-0 3, Mason Gable 1 0-0 3. Totals 31 11-26 83.
Salem Tech5112714 —57
Clayton22161728 —83
3-point goals: Salem Tech 3 (Holmes 2, Russell); Clayton 10 (Sackor 4, Davis 3, Carter, Mitchell, Gable).

Tri-County Conference

DIAMONDALLDIVCLASSICALLDIV
Woodstown5-22-1Pitman8-23-0
Overbrook5-32-1Gloucester Cath.6-32-1
Glassboro4-42-1Salem4-32-1
Penns Grove4-52-1Wildwood6-42-2
Pennsville4-41-2Clayton2-71-3
Schalick3-40-3Salem Tech0-80-3


Framed for success

Salem Tech girls bowlers go into the new week still glowing from first win in program history

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Matt DiTizio loves it when a plan comes together.

After two years laying the foundation for the bowling program at Salem Tech, DiTizio and assistant coach Mark Kasubinski came into the preseason this year with the priority of building up the girls team.

They were able to put a full boys team together right away, but the girls have been a slow grow. They did have bowlers to put on the lanes, but not enough for a complete five-man lineup. Now, things are starting to “come together” for them and they’re making strides one step at a time.

You might have noticed a little different swagger in the Tech girls as they walked around school this past week.

That’s because they’ve been riding the momentum of the first win in their program’s history, a 3-1 win over Lindenwold last time out at Wood Lanes.

“Thing are starting to come together,” DiTizio said. “They’ve had some close moments. But I don’t think they really fully understand the significance of it. That’s the first one we’ve had of hopefully many wins and they did it. They’ve been learning and improving together and that’s the big step in the right direction as far as I’m concerned.”

The boys team had enjoyed some success – they won four matches last year and are 2-2-2 this season – but the girls, with their limited lineup, had lost 21 straight matches since their inception in 2021-22. They hadn’t won a game until they evened their match with a 532 against Salem in mid-December.

“I think they knew it was coming after that,” DiTizio said.

They split the first two games with Lindenwold – winning the first 531-505 and losing second 634-538 – then won the third game 634-535 and took the overall point 1703-1601.

Lexi Cagle, the Chargers’ lone senior, led the way with the match’s high game – a career-best 177 in Game 3 – and high series (397). She averages 125.4. Naomi Hess and Casey Zaluske both averaged 117 for the match.

It was said they were really excited for the morning announcements the next day at school to hear their results broadcast to their classmates.

“To be truly honest with you, both Coach Matt and myself were actually more head over heels than they were,” said Kasubinski, who oversees the girls team. “They almost took it in stride, very matter of factly. They were obviously excited and happy, especially the new girls, they got a real kick out of it. Coach and I were over the moon about it and we’re like ‘Girls, you just made history,’ and they were like, ‘Yeah, we know. That’s cool.’

“It was very understated, but you could tell all the things that we’ve been preaching at them and telling them – this is going to happen, once you get a full team we’re going to be able to compete, we’re going to win game, we’re going to win matches – (was kicking in). I think they realized all that stuff we’ve been telling them since the preseason is not just lip service. They were obviously very satisfied, very happy to make that accomplishment and be part of history at Salem Tech.”

And now they have a couple tall orders coming up. They go to Hammonton Tuesday and host Clayton at Wood Lanes Thursday. Both opponents are currently 5-1 and they lost to Clayton with only four bowlers earlier this year, but the Chargers go into the matches knowing what winning feels like.

“I think getting a taste of that and seeing that it’s not just a myth that we can go out there and win matches, they’re going to ramp up their expectations for themselves because they know what they’re capable of, they’ve seen what they can accomplish,” Kasubinski said. “To get that first taste of winning a match and knowing when we are at full strength, when we do have a full team, when we do bowl well, we can go out there and go shoulder to shoulder with other teams in our division or in our conference, in the region, and have positive results. 

“And I think if they don’t meet those expectations they’re going to be very critical of themselves. Knowing how our young ladies are, they take these things seriously.”

Tri-County Conference Bowling

CLASSIC BOYSALLDIVCLASSIC GIRLSALLDIV
Clayton5-0-14-0Gloucester5-04-0
Gloucester3-1-12-1-1Clayton5-13-1
Salem Tech2-2-21-1-2Salem1-31-2
Lindenwold0-3-10-2-1Salem Tech1-51-3
Salem1-30-3Lindenwold0-40-3
Standings through Jan. 7

This week’s schedule

Here is the high school sports schedule for Salem County teams for the week of Jan. 8-13

Monday

BASKETBALL
Girls
Penns Grove at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Clayton at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m.
Glassboro at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood, 5:30 p.m.
Boys
Overbrook at Penns Grove, 5:30 p.m.
Salem Tech at Clayton, 5:30 p.m.
Schalick at Glassboro, 5:30 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 5:30 p.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m.

INDOOR TRACK
Salem vs. TBA, Toms River, 5 p.m.

Tuesday

WRESTLING
Oakcrest at Schalick, 5 p.m.
Pitman at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Timber Creek at Penns Grove, 6 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford Twp.

BOWLING
Salem Tech at Hammonton, 4 p.m.

Wednesday

BASKETBALL
Girls
Penns Grove at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Clayton at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 5:30 p.m.
Salem at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.
Salem Tech at Glassboro, 5:30 p.m.
Boys
Pennsville at Salem, 5:30 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday

BASKETBALL
Boys
Clearview at Pennsvile, 5:30 p.m.
Salem at LEAP, 5:30 p.m.

WRESTLING
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 6 p.m.
Schalick at Clayton, 6 p.m.

SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Triton Regional at GCIT, 6 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Highland at GCIT, 7 p.m.

BOWLING
Clayton vs. Salem Tech, Wood Lanes, 4 p.m.
Salem vs. Gloucester City, Westbrook Lanes, 6 p.m.

Friday

BASKETBALL
Girls
Camden Academy at Salem, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Schalick at Paulsboro, 5:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.
Boys
Camden Catholic at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m.
Deptford Twp. at Penns Grove, 5:30 p.m.
Gateway at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.

WRESTLING
Woodstown at Clearview, 5 p.m.
Buena at Pennsville, 6 p.m.

INDOOR TRACK
Schalick at NJSIAA Relays, Toms River, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday

BASKETBALL
Girls
South Jersey Invitational Tournament
South Region
Eastern at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
Camden Catholic 42, Rancocas Valley 39
Gloucester Catholic 41, Haddon Heights 39
Lenape 62, West Deptford 13
North Region
Moorestown Friends at Cherokee
Haddon Twp. at Highland 
Paul IV 81, Delran 12
Shawnee 41, Westampton Tech 36
West Region
Williamstown 53, Pennsauken 40
Cherry Hill West 49, Woodbury 37
Moorestown 72, Kingsway 27
Holy Cross 50, Bishop Eustace 45
East Region
Gateway at Cinnaminson
Clearview at Haddonfield
Medford Tech at Sterling
Timber Creek 46, Winslow 34

Boys
Salem at Cherokee, 12:30 p.m.

WRESTLING
Deptford Twp., St. Joseph Academy at Penns Grove, 9 a.m.
Woodstown, Hillsborough, Watchung Hills at Park Ridge, 11 a.m.
Pennsville vs. Oakcrest, Overbrook, Millville
Schalick, Buena, N. Burlington, Timber Creek at Cumberland

.500 and motivated

Schalick plays one of its most solid games of the year, beats Pennsauken Tech to reach .500 for the third time this season

SATURDAY BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick 39, Pennsauken Tech 26

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – There’s a different vibe buzzing around the Schalick boys basketball team these days.

Call it a carryover from a very successful football season, one in which many of the players on the basketball team participated in, but there’s regular talk within a program that struggled to win games in the past of .500 records and winning seasons.

“We talk about it all the time in practice,” sophomore guard Jase Volovar said. “This year just felt a lot different. I felt like we were going to do way better.”

The Cougars were better Saturday. They played one of their most solid games of the year on both ends of the floor and beat Pennsauken Tech 39-26.

It was their third win of the season, matching their win total for all of last season (3-20), and more importantly got them back to .500 for the third time this year. The 3-3 record is their best this early in the season since 2015-16 when they were 4-2 on Jan. 5 and 6-2 on Jan. 6 on the way to a 22-8 campaign.

And maybe it’s too early to think about, but they are now No. 18 in the South Jersey Group I power points standings.

“It just keeps them more motivated,” Cougars coach James Turner said. “Not winning or you win one game and you lose eight then get one and (lose) another five, it’s hard to keep the kids motivated, hard to keep them locked in.

“I don’t think it’s so much as we already won three games, I think it’s also the idea that we’re a .500 team. They just want to constantly keep that. You want to get that next one. We lost to Pennsville, it was all right, we’ve got to get that back.”

The Cougars didn’t win their third game last year until the 20th game of the year. It took them two years to get that many before that. The last time they won more than three games was 2019-20 when they were 9-17 and that third win didn’t come until Game 12.

“I think this is really good for us,” Volovar said. “It’s going to get us moving a lot and we’re going to want to chase for more.”

Reggie Allen bounced back from a tough game against Pennsville and led the Cougars with a game-high 15 points, including a clutch three-point play in the fourth quarter that ramped up the bench and got the crowd into it. It was his best game since the season opener. 

Dan Lis added 12 points and Volovar hit three 3-pointers at key junctures in the game to keep the momentum on the Cougars’ side. One of the treys gave the Cougars a four-point lead and kept the energy up, one beat the buzzer to give them a nine-point halftime lead and the last one sealed the deal.

Nylan Sutton scored only three points after back-to-back games in double figures, but he led the defensive effort with quick hands and deflections.

“Usually we’re our own worst enemy, but overall they played a great offensive and defensive game,” Turner said. “It was a good offensive game because we didn’t force any shots or any passes, we controlled the ball and took care of the ball. Going into today we really wanted to emphasize being patient on offense and not rush passes and wait for the right shot to come.

“And defensively we were able to put pressure on them and get turnovers, which slowed their team down.”

They’re all the things teams that put together winning seasons do.

SCHALICK 39, PENNSAUKEN TECH 26
PENNSAUKEN TECH (3-6) – Naeem Dale 1 0-0 2, Tyrone Baker 2 0-1 6, Omari Spencer 4 2-3 10, Carlos Cruz 0 2-3 2, Xavier Melendez 1 3-5 6, Jahseem Branch 0 0-0 0, Chris Graham 0 0-0 0, James Stout 0 0-2 0. Totals 8 7-14 26.
SCHALICK (3-3) – Reggie Allen 5 3-7 15, Nylan Sutton 1 1-2 3, Dan Lis 3 4-7 12, Jordan Johnson 0 0-0 0, Jake Siedlecki 0 0-0 0, Ryan Johnson 0 0-0 0, Jase Volovar 3 0-0 9. Totals 12 8-16 39.

Pennsauken Tech7874 –26
Schalick101478 –39
3-point goals: Tech 3 (Baker 2, Melendez); Schalick 7 (Allen 2, Lis 2, Volovar 3). Fouled out: Baker. Total fouls: Tech 16, Schalick 13.

Saturday wrestling

Penns Grove’s Brown finishes second in Maryland tournament; Schalick wins three, Woodstown, Pennsville in duals

By Riverview Sports News

CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md. – Anthony Brown wrestled for a title for the second week in a row and this time finished second to return home as Penns Grove’s highest-placing wrestler in the 27th annual Battle at the Bridge.

Brown lost a 13-6 decision to Ryan Sewell of Harford Tech in the 150 final. It was his first loss of the season. Brown pinned all three of his opponents on the road to the final.

Isaiah Upshur placed third, winning by injury default over Jimmy McLane of team champion Sussex Central in the consolation final. Devine Arce finished fifth at 120, pinning Keegan Allan of North East in 0:46 in the fifth-place match. 

Upshur went 4-1 in the tournament with three pins. Arce went 3-2 and all three of his wins were by pin.

Four other Penns Grove wrestlers won at least one match in the tournament – Adam Gonzales (126), Reed Clark (132), Jayden Owens (157) and Clinton Bobo (175).

The Red Devils finished 14th as a team with 82 points.

BATTLE AT THE BRIDGE
TEAM SCORES: Sussex Central 333, Plymouth Whitemarsh 183, Harford Tech 170, Penncrest 155.5, Langley 121.5, North Caroline 118, Marple Newtown 114, Aberdeen 107.5, Conrad Science 100, North East 93.5, Queen Anne 92, Middletown 90, Havre de Grace 86, Penns Grove 82, Concord 79, Howard 58, Odessa 52, Linganore 51, Kent County 34.5, Elkton 22, Bohemia Manor 20, St. Charles 8.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
106: Austen Decker (Sussex) pinned Hunter Pettorossi (North East), 1:43
113: Tommy Arms (Conrad) dec. Zaden Tablan (Harford), 5-2
120: Malachi Stratton (Sussex) tech fall over Vincent Kirby (Havre de Grace), 4:33 (15-0)
126: Chase Murray (Sussex) dec. Tremaine Jackson (Queen Anne), 5-4
132: Evan Cordrey (Sussex) pinned Joe Bussell (Plymouth Whitemarsh), 0:54
138: Talan Savage (Sussex) dec. Scottie Ford (Kent County), 8-2
144: John Rovillard (Sussex) pinned Nikolai Chervak (Harford), 5:15
150: Ryan Sewell (Harford) dec. Anthony Brown (Penns Grove), 13-6
157: Ty Bokowski (Plymouth Whitemarsh) dec. Justin Negron (Sussex), 6-0
165: Robert Roncskevitz (Langley) dec. Zak Ettien (Concord), 9-4
175: Gabe Cannon (Sussex) pinned Chris Bruette (Penncrest), 1:15
190: Noah Reed (Penncrest) dec. Jack Ryder (Harford), SV-1 6-4
215: Liam Stauffer (Penncrest) pinned Jeremiah Eastburn (Concord), 5:10
285: Donald Kunf (Plymouth Whitemarsh) dec. Brett Cowan (Marple Newtown), TB-1 3-2

Haddon Heights Quad

HADDON HEIGHTS – There’s nothing better for a young team’s confidence than winning.

The Schalick/Cumberland co-op program has no seniors and started four freshmen and won all three of their matches in a quad meet at Haddon Heights to run their winning streak to six.

They beat Haddon Heights 47-24, Mainland 57-15 and Overbrook 62-13.

“The more we win, the more confident they’re getting, which is a good thing for a very, very young team,” SC coach Joe Frassenei said.

Caleb Jenkins (106), Ayden Jenkins (150), Koen Martin (165) and Ronald Piernikoski (215) all went 3-0. Martin scored three pins to run his record to 8-0, Piernikoski had two pins and a decision. Caleb Jenkins had two pins and a forfeit, while Ayden Jenkins had a pin, tech fall and a forfeit.

SC WRESTLING 57, MAINLAND 15
120: Gabriel McFeeley (SC) pinned Justin Mazur, 5:07
126: Chris Mazur (M) pinned Luke Silva, 3:56
132: Chase Williams (SC) dec. Michael Borini, 10-3
138: Nikko Carfagno (M) pinned Daniel Lloyd, 1:14
144: Riley Papiano (SC) dec. Yeshua Martinez, 4-2
150: Ayden Jenkins (SC) pinned Miguel Melo, 4:17
157: Ricky Watt (SC) dec. Tyler Waters, 12-6
165: Koen Martin (SC) pinned Ian Reed, 0:59
175: Eric Sulik (SC) won by forfeit
190: Chase Hoag (M) dec. Jake Magonagle, 6-4
215: Ronald Piernikoski (SC) pinned Hector Gomez, 1:42
285: Noval Jenkins (SC) pinned Oswaldo Mendoza, 5:33
106: Caleb Jenkins (SC) pinned Jaxon Serra, 0:23
113: DeAnthony Harden (SC) won by forfeit

SC WRESTLING 47, HADDON HEIGHTS 26
126: Luke Silva (SC) pinned Tajon Rivera, 1:10
132: Chase Williams (SC) pinned Benjamin Alexander, 2:35
138: Dom Azzari (H) pinned Daniel Lloyd, 0:59
144: Josh Delgozzo (H) dec. Riley Papiano, 8-1
150: Ayden Jenkins (SC) tech fall over Ryan Bailey, 17-2 (3:47)
157: Liam Wikberg (H) pinned Ricky Watt, 0:36
165: Koen Martin (SC) pinned Adam Marks, 2:52
175: Jake Magonagle (SC) dec. Louis DiNardo, 5-2
190: Eric Sulik (SC) pinned Damian Berger, 4:43
215: Ronald Piernikoski (SC) dec. Nathan Lelionis, 6-4
285: Jayden Trace (H) dec. Noval Jenkins, 5-1
106: Caleb Jenkins (SC) pinned Aniello Napolitano, 2:20
113: Cole Denning (H) pinned Jermaine Cannon, 3:07
120: DeAnthony Harden (SC) pinned Michael Ferraro, 5:07

SC WRESTLING 63, OVERBROOK 13
132: Michael Rosano (O) maj. dec. over Chase Williams, 9-1
138: Daniel Lloyd (SC) pinned Domiano Redrow, 0:29
144: Riley Papiano (SC) pinned Tymere Christmas, 0:37
150: Ayden Jenkins (SC) won by forfeit
157: Ricky Watt (SC) dec. Oscar Calderon, 9-3
165: Koen Martin (SC) pinned Ben Matos, 3:32
175: Jake Magonagle (SC) pinned Vance Elder, 1:04
190: Daniel Keyes (O) dec. Eric Sulik, 10-7
215: Ronald Piernikoski (SC) pinned Angel Martinez, 4:19
285: Noval Jenkins (SC) pinned Aydin Appley, 4:51
106: Caleb Jenkins (SC) won by forfeit
113: DeAnthony Harden (SC) pinned John Coia, 0:18
120: Gabriel McFeeley (SC) won by forfeit
126: KhyRee Hines (O) pinned Luke Silva, 3:20
Records: Schalick/Cumberland 6-1

Dan Trainer Duals

COLLINGSWOOD – Woodstown went 0-2 in the tournament, losing to Cherry Hill West (44-36) and Highland (37-27).

Individually, Travis Balback (120), Greyson Hyland (175) and Paul Banff (190) all had a pair of pins. Brett Rowand (150) and Mateo Vinciguerra (285) had two wins.

Alex Torres lost twice in his return to the Wolverines’ lineup at 132.

CHERRY HILL WEST 44, WOODSTOWN 36
106: Raheem Truluck (CHW) pinned Chance Baionno, 2:55
113: Aidan Maldonado (CHW) won by forfeit
120: Travis Balback (W) pinned Elijah Triche, 1:59
126: Otto Sanchez (CHW) dec. Carson Bradway, 4-0
132: Nate Camacho (CHW) pinned Alex Torres, 3:44
138: Josiah Canales (CHW) pinned Willem Groom, 3:36
144: Kristian Lenny (CHW) pinned Angel Hernandez, 3:39
150: Brett Rowand (W) pinned Gabe Jones, 0:57
157: Danny Market (CHW) tech fall over Zayden Donahue, 18-2 (4:13)
165: Zach Bevis (W) pinned Clayton Tyson, 3:46
175: Greyson Hyland (W) pinned Ricardo Shirley, 2:29
190: Paul Banff (W) pinned Karol Miklus, 4:31
215: JoNathan Valentin (CHW) pinned Josiah Meijas, 2:46
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (W) pinned Ross Worlds, 5:33

HIGHLAND 37, WOODSTOWN 27
106: Erek Schwinge (H) pinned Chance Baionno, 1:30
113: Chris Kulb (H) won by forfeit
120: Travis Balback (W) pinned Aidan Slimm, 1:15
126: Owen Kulb (H) maj. dec. over Carson Bradway, 16-3
132: Matt Tuttle (H) dec. Alex Torres, 9-6
138: Isaiah Garcis (H) pinned Willem Groom, 1:58
144: Michael Williams (H) pinned Angel Hernandez, 1:28
150: Brett Rowand (W) dec. Nick DiCamillo, 4-3
157: Zayden Donahue (W) def. Andrew Silvanio, SV 5-3
165: Jordan Suiter (H) dec. Zach Bevis, 7-3
175: Greyson Hyland (W) pinned Jack Conway, 2:17
190: Paul Banff (W) pinned Marquise Moss, 0:51
215: Xavier Velez (H) dec. Josiah Mejias, 7-2
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (W) dec. William Taylor, 4-0
Records: Woodstown 2-5.

Blue Devil Duals

HAMMONTON – Pennsville bounced back from a tough loss to Absegami the night before to go 2-1 with wins over Buena and Millville.

Gateway scored pins or tech falls in nine of the 14 weight classes and handled the Eagles 58-15. But Pennsville bounced back, winning each of the last four bouts to down Buena 40-30 and scored four straight pins in the middle of the match to dump Millville 48-25.

Lucas Thomas, Christopher Daniels, Joseph Maurer, Travis Hagan, Robbie McDade, Elias Lussi and Daniel Emmons all posted a pair of wins for Pennsville.

GATEWAY 58, PENNSVILLE 15
106: Leo Butler (G) pinned Lucas Thomas, 3:13
113: Christian Snyder (G) pinned Vincent Ciccantelli, 0:54
120: Aidan Barbato (G) pinned Christopher Daniels, 1:49
126: Tavien Benoit (G) pinned Kameron Drummond, 1:41
132: Dante Gismondi (G) tech fall over Ayden Perez, 16-0 (2:52)
138: Chase Rossi (G) dec. Travis Hagan, 9-4
144: Noah Ubil (G) pinned Joseph Maurer, 1:47
150: Andrew Cortes (G) tech fall over Maddox Efelis, 22-7 (5:44)
157: Robbie McDade (P) dec. Evan Lee, 10-5
165: Donte Nocito (G) pinned Cole Campbell, 2:32
175: Brandon Bourdon (G) dec. Connor Ayars, 4-2
190: Elias Lussi (P) pinned Nick Kircher, 4:32
215: Daniel Emmons (P) won by forfeit
285: John Morris (G) pinned Trevor Waddington, 3:09

PENNSVILLE 40, BUENA 30
113: Nicholas Panaro (B) won by forfeit
120: Vincent Ciccantelli (P) won by forfeit
126: Christopher Daniels (P) maj. dec. over Michael Pettit, 13-1
132: Gionni Sharkey (B) pinned Kameron Drummond, 5:03
138: Joseph Maurer (P) won by forfeit
144: Travis Hagan (P) dec. Lucas Gellura, 10-9
150: Dom DiGiovachio (B) dec. Sky Eppes, 8-2
157: Charlie Muzzarelli (B) pinned Robbie McDade, 2:24
165: Cole Chicchi (B) dec. Cole Campbell, 7-2
175: Louie Drogo (B) pinned Connor Ayers, 4:45
190: Elias Lussi (P) pinned Maysen Sandfort, 1:05
215: Daniel Emmons (P) dec. Brian Passamante, 6-2
295: Trevor Waddington (P) pinned Brian Ayres, 2:22
106: Lucas Thomas (P) pinned Brianna Roeder, 1:15

PENNSVILLE 48, MILLVILLE 25
120: Christopher Daniels (P) pinned Caleb Rhoads, 3:15
126: Josh Roman (M) dec. Kameron Drummond, 9-3
132: Patrick Tull (M) maj. dec. over Gabriel Supernovae, 9-1
138: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Ezair Allen, 1:33
144: Joseph Maurer (P) pinned Alexander Mendez, 0:20
150: Sky Eppes (P) pinned Jacob Jones, 3:48
157: Robbie McDade (P) pinned Ryan Tepper, 3:40
165: Marquis Allen (M) pinned Cole Campbell, 2:41
175: Connor Ayers (P) pinned Ricky Brown, 0:20
190: Xavier McBride (M) dec. Elias Lussi, SV 7-5
215: Jayden Jones (M) pinned Daniel Emmons, 1:36
285: Marcus Offer (M) dec. Trevor Waddington, 3-0
106: Lucas Thomas (P) pinned Emerson Lewis, 0:45
113: Vincent Ciccantelli (P) won by forfeit


Shut down Saturday

OLMA puts the clamps on Woodstown’s two big scorers, wins by 20; shorthanded Pennsville, Salem both fall

SATURDAY GIRLS BASKETBALL
Delsea 37, Pennsville 20
Gateway 47, Salem 34
OLMA 51, Woodstown 31

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — The girls basketball world has seen what Woodstown can do when its two dynamic scorers are lighting up the scoreboard. On Saturday, it saw what can happen when they are not.

Talia Battavio and Megan Donelson scored most of their team’s points once again, but this time it wasn’t nearly enough to save the Wolverines from a 51-31 loss to once-beaten Our Lady of Mercy.

The two scorers were averaging 20.1 and 18.8 a game, respectively, coming into the power matinee. But the Villagers (10-1) held Donelson to 14 points and Battavio to nine and 0-for-16 shooting from the field in the second half.

They hadn’t been held down like that since Highland held them to 19 combined points last February. It’s only the fifth time in their last 31 games one or the other had been held to single digits.

What’s that mean in the big picture? Consider, over the last two season when they both score 20 in a game, the Wolverines are 6-0. When one of them goes for 20, they’re 10-1. When they both score at least 18 in the same game, they’re 9-1. When one of them is held to less than 10 points, they’re 3-4.

“We know they’re two great performers for the last two years, but we have very, very good defenders and our communication is phenomenal,” OLMA head coach Brian Coyle said. “We had a good game plan on how to take away what they want to do. It really was about communication and staying in a good stance and when they do attack, just wall off.“

Before Donelson hit back-to-back 3s early in the third quarter there was a real threat both Wolverines scorers would be denied double figures in the same game for only the second time in the last two seasons.

Woodstown coach Kara Straughn thought the double treys might have been the spark to get the Wolverines going, but they were just a brief ray of sunshine.

“We couldn’t score anything today,” Straughn said. “I told them 75 percent of those shots would have fallen any other night. Today, they didn’t. It’s gonna happen. It’s the game of basketball.”

Maddie Bernhardt was tasked with guarding Battavio and VonAsia Thompson drew the assignment against Donelson. In the first half, they held the two stars to three combined field goals and Woodstown to 4-of-24 shooting as a team. To a man, they said communication was the key to getting the job done.

“Maddie’s a phenomenal defensive player,” Coyle said. “She’s going to be a 1000-point scorer and I think people look at her as a shooter and scorer, (but) she’s probably our most intelligent defensive player. She’s great at staying in front of the girl, she knows how to read and has great instinct. She’s also our best communicator on defense.”

“I definitely take pride in defending, so I was trying to lock her down,” Bernhardt said. “I kind of keep my hand up, at eye level and kept it in their face to make it harder for them to shoot it.”

But Bernhardt had her scoring chops on, too. She had 19 points and is now only 36 away from 1,000. Savannah Prescott had 13 points and Khalia Lewis dominated the paint with 12 points and 18 rebounds. Lewis became even more effective when Wolverines post Shannon Pierman went to the bench in foul trouble.

“I told (her team) in the locker room they’re almost an identical team to us,” Straughn said. ‘‘They have two guards who are really good; we have two guards who are really good. They have a center that’s really good; we have a center that’s really good. They have so many different weapons and their weapons were just a little stronger than ours today.”

Battavio contemplated becoming one of the Villager people in the offseason, and Straughn conceded the OLMA factor probably impacted her play. The junior guard finished with two baskets — both 3-pointers in the first half – Woodstown’s first bucket of the game for their only lead and the last bucket of the first half.

“I think part of it was mental,” Straughn said. “I told her sometimes you just overthink. When she misses one or two, instead of just saying let me trust some of the other ones, I think she tries to outwork herself and just keep going, going and going. She’ll even tell you that – she’s the queen of doing too much.”

The Wolverines (5-2) did get something out of the loss and because of OLMA’s strength it’s a gift that will keep on giving – power points.

“I’d rather lose to a team like this than lose to any other type of team,” Straughn said. “Playing teams like OLMA and Eastern, they’re going to make us better. That’s why we put these teams on our schedule. Yeah, it sucks to lose, but it’s even better to get better.”

OLMA 51, WOODSTOWN 31
OUR LADY OF MERCY (10-1) – Maddie Barnhardt 6 4-4 19, Savannah Prescott 3 7-8 13, Khalia Lewis 5 2-4 12, Adrianna Bristow 1 0-0 2, VonAsia Thompson 1 0-0 2, Katelyn Coryell 1 0-0 3, Gwen O’Hara 0 0-0 0, Katie Ricchiuti 0 0-0 0, Erin McGonigle 0 0-0 0, Erin McMahon 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 13-16 51.
WOODSTOWN (5-2) – Talia Battavio 2 3-6 9, Megan Donelson 4 4-6 14, Gianna Mairoini 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Baber 1 0-0 2, Shannon Pierman 1 2-2 4, Lauren Hengel 1 0-0 2, Emma Perry 0 0-0 0, Brea DeGregorio 0 0-0 0, Lizzy Daly 0 0-0 0, Kendall Young 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 9-14 31.

OLMA1213188 –51
Woodstown9589 –31
3-point goals: OLMA 4 (Bernhardt 3, Coryell); Woodstown 4 (Battavio 2, Donelson 2). Technical fouls: Woodstown bench. Fouled out: Pierman. Total fouls: OLMA 10, Woodstown 16. Officials: Carter, Jackson.

Delsea 37, Pennsville 20

PENNSVILLE – The shorthanded Eagles felt the strain of the recent rash of injuries, putting only three players in the scoring column and scoring just six points in the second half. Marley Wood led Pennsville with 11 points.

“We could not produce anything offensively in the second half,” Eagles coach Sam Trapp said.

DELSEA (2-4) – Maura Madden 2 0-0 6, Ali Green 2 1-3 5, Kayleigh Barndt 2 3-4 7, Elle Metcalf 1 0-0 3, Ayress Maitland 5 4-5 14, Natalie DiRaddo 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 8-17 37.
PENNSVILLE (4-4) – Calli Ausland 1 0-0 2, Nora Ausland 2 3-4 7, Marley Wood 3 5-8 11, Karson Crooksey, Izzy Saulin 0 0-0 0. Totals 6 8-12 20.

Delsea91549 –37
Pennsville7733 –20
3-point goals: Delsea 3 (Madden 2, Metcalf); Pennsville 0.

Gateway 47, Salem 34

WOODBURY HEIGHTS – Angelina Zagone scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Gators snapped Salem’s two-game winning streak. Ryann Foote led the Rams with a career-high 16 points.

SALEM (2-4) – Ameriyona Hunter 1-0-2, Ryann Foote 7-1-16, Marissa Bower 1-0-2, Carlysia Pierce 2-0-4, Ava Rodgers 3-1-7, Nevaeh Hickman 1-1-3. Totals 15-3-34. 
GATEWAY (7-1) – Angelina Zagone 9 7-9 27, Gabby Gasis 1 0-0 2, Tabby Bay 0 2-2 2, Bella Fini 5 2-3 13, Sydney Hughes 0 2-2 2, Lexi Kirwin 0 1-2 1, Maggie Eliasen 0 0-0 0, Rachael Summers 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 14-18 47.

Salem88108 – 34
Gateway189911 –47
3-point goals: Salem 1 (Foote); Gateway 3 (Zagone 2, Fini).


Friday roundup

Woodstown basketball falls to Delsea; Penns Grove wrestling battles in Maryland, Pennsville suffers first duals loss

By Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Woodstown was looking to purge the bad taste left by the upsetting loss to Penns Grove the night before, but instead lost another close game.

The Wolverines held Delsea to its season-low in points and hit seven 3-pointers Friday, but their fourth-quarter rally came up just short and they fell to the Crusaders 40-37.

Blake Bialecki and Alejandro Vazquez combined for five of the Wolverines’ 3-pointers and had nine points apiece. Delsea’s Chase Ambrosius led all scorers with 17 points, going 11-of-13 from the free throw line.

It was Delsea’s sixth win in a row. It’s the Crusaders’ longest winning streak since winning eight in a row in 2018-19.

DELSEA 40, WOODSTOWN 37
DELSEA (7-1) – Luke Van Auken 4 2-2 10, Frank Master 1 0-0 2, Chase Ambrosius 2 11-13 17, Mike McGinley 5 0-0 11. Totals 12 13-15 40.
WOODSTOWN (4-2) – Manny Ortega 1 0-0 3, Blake Bialecki 3 0-0 9, Alejandro Vazquez 3 1-1 9, M.J. Hall 1 0-0 3, Garrett Leyman 2 1-2 5, Anthony Bokolas 0 0-0 0, Max Webb 1 0-2 2, Rocco String 3 0-3 6. Totals 14 2-8 7.

Delsea18985 –40
Woodstown117811 –37
3-point goals: Delsea 3 (Ambrosius 2, McGinley); Woodstown 7 (Ortega, Bialecki 3, Vazquez 2, Hall).

Wrestling

CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md. – Three Penns Grove wrestlers scored second-round pins Friday to stay alive in the championship bracket of the Red Devils’ annual pilgrimage to the Battle at the Bridge tournament.

Devine Arce (120), Anthony Brown (150) and Isaiah Upshur (190) all reached the quarterfinals. Arce scored his second round pin in 1:50, Brown scored his in 1:07 and Upshur scored his in 3:37.

The Red Devils, who’ve been coming to the tournament regularly since 2012, brought 11 wrestlers to the event and are currently 16th in the team standings. Plymouth Whitemarsh (Pa.) leads the field.

Clinton Bobo (175) has scored 10 points for the Red Devils win pins in the first round and the consolation second round.

BATTLE AT THE BRIDGE
TEAM SCORES: Plymouth Whitemarsh 92, Sussex Central 75, Havre de Grace 66, Aberdeen 58, Harford Tech 57, Conrad Science 56, Langley 55, North Caroline 54, Linganore 51, Marple Newtown 51, Penncrest 44.5, Howard 44, Odessa 44, Queen Anne 41, Concord 36, Penns Grove 33, North East 32.5, Middletown 31, Elkton 19, Kent County 15.5, Bohemia Manor 8, St. Charles 8.

Eagles drop first duals

PENNSVILLE – Absegami won six of seven bouts in the middle of the match to hand Pennsville its first dual match defeat of the season 45-26.

Robbie McDade’s pin at 165 got the Eagles (4-1) to within 33-20 with four bouts remaining, but Julian Rivera scored a pin in the next bout to close out the match.

Travis Hagan (138) and Trevor Waddington (285) also scored pins for Pennsville, while Christopher Daniels and Gabriel Supernavage scored major decisions.

The Eagles are currently No. 2 in the South Jersey Group I power points standings, 0.33 points behind undefeated Gloucester.

ABSEGAMI 45, PENNSVILLE 26
106: Liam Kisby (A) pinned Lucas Thomas, 2:31
113: Amelia Taylor (A) pinned Vincent Ciccantelli, 3:02
120: Christopher Daniels (P) maj. dec. over Tristan Brown, 14-1
126: Gabriel Supernavage (P) maj. dec. over Michael Famelio, 14-2
132: Nathaniel DeStefano (A) pinned Ayden Perez, 2:43
138: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Brendan Ross, 1:25
144: Johnny Font (A) pinned Joseph Maurer, 5:11
150: Christopher Eaton (A) won by forfeit
157: Ibn Russell (A) dec. Sky Eppes, 4-3
165: Robbie McDade (P) pinned Joshua Herring, 1:00
175: Julian Rivera (A) pinned Justin Oldaker, 0:36
190: Brayden Wright (A) dec. Elias Lussi, 5-0
215: Thomas Appello (A) dec. Daniel Emmons, 3-0
285: Trevor Waddington (P) pinned Brandon Miller, 2:58
Records: Absegami 1-2, Pennsville 4-1

Cougars paired in Battle

Battle of the Beach pairs Schalick with Cedar Grove in this year’s fourth annual showcase in Ocean City

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Mike Wilson would watch the Battle at the Beach games on television whenever practice week prep would allow. He always wanted to play in it, but never had the chance.

Well, the Schalick football coach can cross that off his bucket list now.

SCHALICK

His Cougars, coming off one of the best years in school history and still loaded with talent, will get one of the Friday games in this year’s fourth annual Battle in Ocean City. They are scheduled to play Cedar Grove in an all-Group I matchup Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. in Carey Stadium. All that awaits is approval from their board.

“I think it’s good because it’s a showcase weekend,” Wilson said. “John (Emel), Mike (McKeown), (Clyde) Folsom, those guys have done a great job of organizing a great weekend. Just to have the opportunity to play in a showcase weekend like that is a big deal. It’s good for the kids. It’s good for the school.

“I’ve watched plenty of it on TV. Usually we’re playing that weekend, so I don’t have time to get down there myself. But last year I watched St. Joe Prep on TV. I watched Mainland play on TV. I played on that field growing up … the ferris wheel in the background … the beach in the background. I played there in high school, played there in youth football. It’s one of the best fields in New Jersey. It’s a great atmosphere.”

It’s just another chance for Schalick administrators to give their athletes a special experience. Later this winter the Cougars’ basketball team will play Clayton in the Wells Fargo Center before a Sixers game.

“To me, as an athletics director, that’s what you’re supposed to do – try to provide opportunities out of the norm for your kids to enhance your programs,” AD Doug Volovar said at the time of the basketball announcement. “That just seems like it’d be a great opportunity as an athletics director to give your kids a chance to do something different, to being a part of something special.”

CEDAR GROVE

While Schalick will be making its Battle debut, Cedar Grove has been there before. The Panthers played in it in 2022 and got crushed by Salem.

The Panthers went 8-2 last year and lost to eventual sectional champion Shabazz in the first round of the North Jersey-2 playoffs. Schalick won its first 11 games before losing to Glassboro in the Central Jersey final.

Other Battle at the Beach games that have been previously announced are George Washington (Phila.)-Glassboro, Winslow-Montclair, Willingboro-Oakcrest, Irvington-Eastside Camden, Millville-Holy Spirit, Mainland-Camden, Washington Twp.-Northern Highlands and Rancocas Valley-Pascack Valley. 

Penns Grove is likely to play in the event, but no matchup has yet been made.