Month: January 2025

Taylor-made win

Bass gives Pennsville big boost in second half against Penns Grove, win sets up showdown with Woodstown for first place Friday

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville 58, Penns Grove 51
Pitman 38, Salem Tech 33
Gloucester Catholic 86, Salem 26
Woodstown 57, Schalick 20

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE — Taylor Bass had a big knot rising over her right eye from hitting her head on the floor late in the second quarter. It shook her up briefly and it shook up her game.

Bass came out in the second half ready to score. The Pennsville junior torched Penns Grove for 11 of her season-high 20 points in the third quarter as the Eagles pulled away for a 58-51 victory for their sixth straight win.

“The bump on the head didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would,” Bass said. “I get banged on the floor every single game. It’s just like part of my routine at this point.”

“After that (fall) she shot better,” Eagles coach Steve Merritt said. “i gotta go smack people in the head, maybe that’ll work.”

The game was as close as many in the series between the teams. Penns Grove scored the last eight points of the first quarter to take a 16-9 lead and led by six midway through the second quarter, but Pennsville scored the last seven points to take a one-point halftime lead.

It was during that last flurry that Bass hit her head. It came during a scramble for a loose ball near mid-court. She laid on the floor for a few moments as trainers raced to her side, then walked off under her own power.

She came out for the second half and scored 11 points in the first four and a half minutes. Included in the outburst was a 3-[pointer and a nifty layup in which drove under the basket from right to left and scooped a shot from underneath that dropped through to make it 39-32.

“I just went in (at halftime), regathered my thoughts and came back out and just played the game I know how to play,” Bass said. “Once I got going, the pain went away. We were only up by one, that’s not going to work for me, so I was like we’ve gotta go out there and we’ve got to get more. And that’s what we did.”

“I told my assistant what we need is a big third quarter to stretch it out a bit and that’s what they did.” Merritt said. “They played hard in that second quarter and brought the game to one point for us. In the third quarter we put some points on the board. And at that point all we have to do is protect the ball.”

They at least protected the lead. The Eagles opened the fourth quarter with another 9-0 run and maintained the lead to the finish.

RaNiyah Wilson kept the Red Devils in it. She led all scorers with 30 points to surpass 600 points in her Penns Grove career and move with 146 of 1,000 for her career. She also had 11 rebounds. JaNiyah Cummings had 10 points and 11 boards. They combined Penns Grove’s first 14 points and 25 of their first 29.

The other two players on the floor chasing 1,000, Pennsville’s Marley Wood and Nora Ausland, had 16 and 12, respectively. Ausland is now only 78 points away from the milestone.

The Pennsville win sets up a midseason showdown at Woodstown 7 p.m. Friday for first place in the Tri-County Diamond Division. Both teams are 4-0 in the division.

PENNSVILLE 58, PENNS GROVE 51
PENNSVILLE (7-2) – Taylor Bass 9 0-0 20, Marley Wood 6 1-3 16, Izzy Saulin 1 0-0 2, Nora Ausland 4 3-6 12, Jaida Burns 3 2-2 8, Addie Johnston 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 6-11 58.
PENNS GROVE (6-3) – Syanna Robbins 1 0-0 3, Brianna Robbins 3 0-0 7, RaNiyah Wilson 12 2-3 30, Keziah Patterson 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Washington 0 1-4 1, JaNiyah Cummings 5 0-0 10, Ny’asia Numan 0 0-2 0. Totals 21 3-9 51.

Pennsville9171715-58
Penns Grove1691313-51
3-point goals: Pennsville (Bass 2, Wood 3, Ausland); Penns Grove 6 (B. Robbins, Wilson 4
Rebounds: Pennsville 33 (Ausland 15, Burns 9); Penns Grove 42 (Wilson 11, Cummings 11, Washington 9). Total fouls: Pennsville 8, Penns Grove 14.

WOODSTOWN 57, SCHALICK 20: The Wolverines recognized both ends of their development curve – Senior Night and Youth Night – and put on a big show.

Seniors Megan Donelson and Talia Battavio continued to grow their legacy for the future Wolverines to follow, scoring 19 and 15 points, respectively, and the defense posted another shutout quarter as the Wolverines won their fifth in a row. They extended their winning streak over Tri-County Diamond Division opponents to 36 games and Salem County rivals to 32.

It couldn’t have started better with the underclassmen sharing stories about their favorite moments with the seniors while the youth players listened at floor level. And then the game started and the Wolverines held Schalick scoreless in the first quarter. They blanked Delsea in the fourth quarter Saturday and held Salem scoreless in the third quarter of their season opener.

“When the game started our defensive effort was outstanding, playing good smart defense and attacking the glass,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “(Kyia) Leyman had some big offensive rebounds where she stood strong.

“The second quarter we started to attack the basket more often. Donelson was able to get to the foul line off strong takes to the basket. When we attacked the basket, we were able to open up our outside shot with (senior Ryann) Foote draining a huge 3. It is great to see Foote starting to get in the flow of things because it’s only her third game of the season.”

With her 13 points Battavio moved into second place on Woodstown’s all-time girls scoring list, passing Stephanie Owen with 1,386 career points. Tori Smick is No. 1 with 1,566.

Donelson is fourth on the list. She needs 23 to pass Owen.

“It was a great night,” Smart said. :I am so grateful to be able to coach this senior class.”

WOODSTOWN 57, SCHALICK 20
SCHALICK (2-6): Abby Willoughby 0 0-0 0, Nevaeh Robinson 4 0-0 11, Ava Scurry 1 0-0 2, Olivia VanAcker 1 0-0 2, Willow Davis 0 0-0 0, Emily Miller 1 0-0 2, Olivia Lunemann 0 0-0 0, Emma O’Neill 0 0-0 0, Carly Vicente 1 0-0 3, Vic Basich 0 0-2 0. Totals 8 0-2 20.
WOODSTOWN (9-2): Talia Battavio 5 4-9 15, Megan Donelson 7 4-4 19, Gianna Maiorini 1 0-0 2, Ryann Foote 2 0-0 5, Kyia Leyman 3 0-0 6, Lauren Hengel 0 2-2 2, Emma Perry 1 0-0 2, Kendall Young 1 1-2 4, Jala Thomas 1 0-0 2, Lizzy Daly 0 0-0 0, Talia Guardascione 0 0-0 0, Kailyn Kennedy 0 0-0 0, Ava White 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 11-17 57.

Schalick (2-6)05510-20
Woodstown (9-2)11181711-57
3-point goals: Schalick 4 (Robinson 3, Vicente); Woodstown 4 (Battavio, Donelson, Foote, Young). Total fouls: Schalick 12, Woodstown 5.

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 86, SALEM 26
SALEM (0-9) – Carlysia Pierce 3 0-2 6, Nevaeh Hickman 2 0-0 5, Zaniyah Frieson 2 0-0 6, Timmiyah Simmons 1 0-0 2, Marcela Villalpando 0 0-0 0, Lyric Hayes 2 0-0 4, Madison Dixon 1 0-0 3. Totals 11 0-2 26.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (8-1) – Talia Shumate 5 1-2 11, Jahzara Green 8 1-1 17, Jalyn Moore 4 2-4 12, Amanda Eggers 4 0-0 9, Monet High 1 2-2 4, Ashlynn Eggers 1 0-0 3, Maya Hutchinson 3 0-0 9, Elizabeth Burgo 2 0-0 5, Ruth Cutuli 4 0-1 8, Addison Toal 3 2-4 8. Totals 35 8-14 86.

Salem09116-26
Gloucester Catholic33142712-86
3-point goals: Salem 4 (Hickman, Frieson 2, Dixon); Gloucester Catholic 8 (Moore 2, Am. Eggers, As. Eggers, Hutchinson 3, Burgo).

PITMAN 38, SALEM TECH 33
PITMAN (4-6) – Jocelyn O’Brien 1 0-0 2, Kendall Bennett 1 0-0 2, Audrey Duffield 6 2-4 15, Bella Pramov 1 0-0 2, Jessica Bretz 6 0-2 12, Lauren Streck 2 1-1 5. Totals 17 3-7 38.
SALEM TECH (2-7) – Shelby Drummond 2 0-0 6, Kaylin Beardsley 2 0-0 4, Hannah Dewitt 0 0-2 0, Lavae Scott 1 0-0 2, Shelby Liber 5 4-5 15, Evening Amedee 1 0-2 2, Amora Elaine 0 2-4 2, Jaylah Bell 0 0-0 0, Payton Fitzpatrick 0 1-2 1, Maci Fiant 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 7-15 33.

Pitman815312-38
Salem Tech37815-33
3-point goals: Pitman 1 (Duffield); Salem 2 (Liber, Drummond). Rebounds: Salem Tech 37 (Beardsley 13, Scott 6).


Active scorers watch

SALEM COUNTY SCORING LISTTODAYPOINTS
Talia Battavio, Woodstown 151386
Megan Donelson, Woodstown191359
1000-POINT WATCH
Nora Ausland, Pennsville
(Salem 462/Pennsville 460)		12
922
Marley Wood, Pennsville16843
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove
(Kingsway 251/PG 603)		30
854

Through games of Jan. 15

Tuesday roundup

Here are the results from Tuesday night’s wrestling and bowling action involving Salem County teams

Wrestling

TUESDAY’S MATCHES
Cumberland at Penns Grove
Schalick at St. Joe (Hamm.)

PENNSVILLE 52, PITMAN 29
106: Grady Datz (Pit) pinned John Sassi, 5:04
113: Brett Land (PV) won by forfeit
120: Mekhi Dicks (PV) pinned King Iglesia, 3:49
126: Christopher Daniels (PV) pinned John Wisniewski, 0:43
132: Nathaniel Mason (PV) pinned Isaac Gaspariano-Robbins, 1:58
136: Gabe Supernavage (PV) pinned Jared Luu, 1:47
144: Jacob Lawrence (Pit) tech fall Travis Hagan, 16-0 (5:15)
150: Chris McIntyre (Pit) won by forfeit
157: Aidan Upham (Pit) won by forfeit
165: Juan Velasquez (PV) won by forfeit
175: Joseph Halstead (PV) maj. dec. Anthony Cappello, 10-0
190: Connor Ayars (PV) pinned Andrew Hurst, 0:39
215: Aiden Milward (Pit) won by forfeit
285: Trevor Waddington (PV) won by forfeit

CEDAR CREEK 54, SALEM 6
106: Sincere Wilcox (CC) won by forfeit
113: Luke Senn (CC) won by forfeit
120: Double forfeit
126: Gavin Marcasciano (CC) dec. Guylherme Quintanilha, 11-5
132: Antonio Cruz (CC) won by forfeit
138: Cameron Reid (CC) pinned Thomas Langley
144: Masen Cruz (CC) won by forfeit
150: Leilin D’Amico (CC) won by forfeit
157: Cole Burton (CC) won by forfeit
165: Double forfeit
175: Giovanni Carnes (CC) won by forfeit
190: Double forfeit
215: Abdur Jenkins (S) over Carlos Villarrubia, inj.
285: Slayton D’Amico (CC) dec. Abdullah Jenkins, 4-1

Bowling

BOYS
GLOUCESTER 3, SALEM 1: Troy Carey had high game (255) and high series (616) for Salem. Rudy Perez rolled a 561 series for the Rams.

GIRLS
GLOUCESTER 4, SALEM 0: Audrey Harding rolled games of 201, 228 and 165 to lead Gloucester. Sade Jones had the high game (135) and high series (360) for Salem.

Salem CC basketball

Mighty Oaks men set scoring record against RCSJ-Cumberland, women closing gap on Harcum

TUESDAY’S GAMES
Salem CC men 119, RCSJ-Cumberland 53
Harcum 76, Salem CC women 45

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

VINELAND — The Salem CC men’s basketball team set a modern-era team scoring record for the second time this season Tuesday night when it routed RCSJ-Cumberland 119-53.

It was the third time this season the Mighty Oaks (13-4) have scored 100 in a game and the second time they’ve done it against the Dukes (0-17). The old single-game scoring record since the school revived the program was the 114 points this team put on the Dukes on Dec. 19.

“I think we guarded pretty well tonight,” Mighty Oaks coach Mike Green said. “We didn’t shoot it extremely well (from the 3 arc), but I think we guarded well.

“They had a hard time with the press,” coach Mike Green said. “Our guys were aggressive and alert, even the guys who came off the bench were super aggressive and alert. Our guys got out and has success in transition. They were very unselfish; we got a lot of layups. I just think we overpowered them.”

When the Mighty Oaks put 114 on the Dukes earlier this year they had four players with double-doubles. Tuesday night, they seven players score in double figures and three with double-doubles.

Jyheim Spencer had 15 points and 15 rebounds, Tajee (Herb) Jordan had 13 points and 11 boards, and Tyrese Fortune had 13 points and 10 boards. Akeem Taylor led the offense with 17 points. Xavier Brewington had 16, Tamir Powell 15 and A.J. Jones 10.

The 119 points would elevate the Mighty Oaks to 11th in JUCO Division III scoring average.

It was the Mighty Oaks’ fourth win in a row, moved them into third place in the Region XIX standings and one win from clinching a playoff spot. The last time they were nine games over .500 was the next to last game of the 2021-22 season (18-9) .

It comes as the Mighty Oaks step into perhaps their most demanding stretch of the season. From here to the end of the month they play at Atlantic Cape, Passaic, Williamson Trades and three of the top five teams in the region – at Union, Northampton and at CC of Philadelphia.

Women’s game

CARNEYS POINT – At least it wasn’t 60. Or 105.

The Salem CC women’s basketball team still hasn’t found a way to solve Harcum, but they’ve managed to narrow the gap. The first two times the Mighty Oaks played them after reviving the program they lost by 85 and 105. When they played earlier this year, the margin was 61.

Tuesday night, they were locked in a 13-point game in the middle of the third quarter before the Bears eventually pulled away 76-45.

“We’re definitely closing the gap,” Salem coach Brian Marsh said. “We’ve got to get to the point we’re not happy with good loses any more. We’ve got to get them to wins.”

The Mighty Oaks (6-8) appeared on the way to another one of those games when they struggled with their shot early and fell behind 20-5 in the first quarter. Maggie St. Clair’s basket right before halftime kept it under 20 at the break, and they had it within 13 (41-28) on St. Clair’s 3-pointer with 6:34 left in the third quarter.

Then Harcum post Amber Bullard took charge and the 18th-ranked Bears (12-4) pulled away for good. Bullard, a 6-4 sophomore Mount St. Mary’s commit who didn’t play in the first meeting between the teams, scored eight of the next 10 points in an eventual 14-0 run that put the game out of reach.

Bullard had 14 points in the second half and finished with 21 on 10-of-12 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. Freshman guard Sofia Vitucci was big for the Bears in the first half with all 13 of her points.

St. Clair led the Mighty Oaks with 17 points, tying her season high. She was 7-of-17 from the field with three 3-pointers. Nyaijah Jackson had 11.

“This team had every reason, especially after our game on Saturday, to lay down and they didn’t; they kept playing hard,” Marsh said. “I’m really proud of the way they played tonight. They battled. Sometimes it’s just not good enough when you’re playing a really good team.

“I thought we battled to the very end and that’s something we can build upon.”

And that’s a positive sign heading into this upcoming stretch of four gettable games that would enhance their hopes of a playoff berth. They play Anne Arundel and Delaware Tech, two teams they beat early in the season; Essex, which beat them by 10; and Middlesex, a game they let slip away Saturday.

They have 10 games remaining and must win six to get the .500 record that would get them in.

“I told the girls after Saturday’s loss we dug a hole, but it’s not a grave,” Marsh said. “They’re going to keep fighting. These next four games are really going to be a good indication of where we’re going to land for the season.”

HARCUM 76, SALEM CC 45
HARCUM (12-4) — Jordyn Cooper-Best 3-8 2-2 9, Sofia Vitucci 4-11 2-2 13, Kimanhi Woods 0-2 0-0 0, Piper McGinely 2-7 2-3 7, Amber Bullard 10-12 1-2 21, Jaida Helm 4-10 4-5 12, Bryce Harvey-Carr 4-13 0-0 11, Shaylynn Waiters 0-1 1-2 1, Aubrey Wroten-Thomas 1-1 0-2 2. Totals 28-65 12-18 76.
SALEM (6-8) — Nyaijah Jackson 4-8 3-5 11, Caroline Zullo 1-6 0-0 2, Maggie St. Clair 7-17 0-1 17, Kathryn Laurence 1-9 0-0 3, Jakayla Jenkins 1-8 2-2 4, RayNescia King 0-5 0-0 0, Daniella Gustin 0-2 0-0 0, Akira Chambers 4-10 0-2 8, Alexa Hopkins 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-65 5-10 45.

Harcum20182117-76
Salem CC5141412-45
3-point goals: Harcum 8-33 (Cooper-Best 1-4, Vitucci 3-7, Woods 0-2, McGinely 1-5, Helm 0-5, Harvey-Carr 3-10); Salem CC 4-26 (Jackson 0-1, Zullo 0-5, St. Clair 3-10, Laurence 1-7, Jenkins 0-2, Chambers 0-1). Rebounds: Harcum 48 (Bullard 12, Hełm 7, Vitucci 7); Salem CC 31 (Zullo 8, Gustin 5). Technical fouls: Gustin. Total fouls: Harcum 13, Salem CC 17.



They all like Ike

Pittsgrove’s Mike (Ike) Iaconelli has gone from outlier to one of the most popular figures in pro fishing, becomes first in his sport inducted into the All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey Hall of Fame

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON – The temperature on the car dash said it was 30 degrees outside; the wind made it feel more like 18. There was a fresh coating of snow covering the remnants of what fell on the area earlier in the week. The people in the room had shed their coats that protected them from the winter chill.

It was the kind of day that makes sports people appreciate more indoor pursuits like basketball and wrestling, but on this day the man standing in front of the room was talking about, of all things, fishing.

Not the kind where you pull out the lawn chair, throw out a line and suck back a couple cold ones while waiting for a tug on the other end. We’re talking about the highly competitive, big bass boat world of professional angling.

As anyone who knows him will tell you, any day is a good day for Mike Iaconelli to talk about the sport that has become his lifelong passion and, on this day, the newest member of the All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey Hall of Fame.

“I love talking shop and engaging with people about the sport,” Iaconelli said after addressing what a museum official described as one of the largest crowds for their induction ceremony. “I’m very passionate about it. It’s been my profession for 30 years. It’s what I love. It’s the most natural thing I’ve done in my life. It just feels right that it’s what I love to do. It’s been a lot of work, but it doesn’t feel like that when you’re really into it.”

And he’s been really good at it, becoming an unlikely fan favorite in a sport where people embrace their sports heroes but haven’t always been welcoming to folks from his side of the lake.

Winning and an engaging personality helps a lot. He has won dozens of tournaments and series titles and is the only angler to ever win the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Angler of the Year and BASS Federation Nation Championship. Those are just the highlights.

With his induction last weekend he is the first fisherman to be enshrined in the Hall that recognizes the accomplishments of sports luminaries with ties to South Jersey. His inclusion brings to 22 the number of sports and related fields now represented in the museum.

Museum board member Anthony D’Agostino called it “very cool” to add a new sport to the fold and said in Iaconelli’s case “it’s something we probably should have done a long time ago.”

The trailblazing moment wasn’t lost on the newest member of the Hall.

“The fact fishing is now represented in the museum, I am as proud of that as I am of being from South Jersey,” Iaconelli said. “We are kind of a fringe sport. To be a part of getting that in the museum is a good feeling.

“A lot of people never really recognized it as a sport, especially in this part of the world. To be a part of bringing that awareness … I’m proud of that. If you combine it with the fact that I’m very, very proud I grew up here, still live here, it makes it even more special.”

Iaconelli grew up in Runnemead, went to Triton Regional High School and now lives on Palatine Lake in Pittsgrove. He had not been to the museum prior to learning of his induction into the Hall, but like everyone who tours the facility for the first time was “blown away” by the scope and volume of the items on display. The museum houses more than 15,000 items with some connection to the South Jersey sports scene.

While he was impressed by the likes of Willie Mays’ National League Gold Glove, Pete Rose baseball bats and all the famous players there, he was especially drawn to the local stories of which he was unaware, like those of Bernice Gera, the first female professional umpire, and John Borican, Bridgeton’s world-class runner whose Olympic dream was preempted by World War II.

“It’s one of those things that’s kind of hiding in plain sight,” Iaconelli said of the museum. “I’ve driven past that road thousands times in my life and didn’t know it existed, but we took a visit before the ceremony and it was awesome.

“I’m a bit of a history buff and also, of course, into the Philadelphia sports scene, so it was cool to see some of the history, the memorabilia and all that stuff. It was cool. It was eye opening.”

Traditionally, Hall of Fame inductees donate items from their personal collection to the museum to display in his exhibit. Iaconelli provided a treasure trove of memorabilia exceeding the cache he provided to the BASS Fishing Hall of Fame upon his induction there in 2023. “It was for sure more,” he said.

Pro angler Mike Iaconelli stands with some of the items he donated to the All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey upon his induction into its Hall of Fame. (Hall of Fame photo)

Among the items he was especially proud to donate included a jersey he wore during the season he won Angler of the Year (2006), a letterman-style jacket he was awarded that same year as an homage to his local roots with the Top Rod Bassmasters fishing club, and what he called “the smallest but probably the most important” piece of memorabilia, a custom Delta Special lure that helped him win the 2003 Bassmasters Classic in New Orleans “that kind of made my career.”

“I come from a family of people who don’t throw things away,” he said. “I wouldn’t call them horders, that might be the wrong word, but they like to keep stuff. I had this amazing selection of stuff that my mom had kept, my uncle had kept, and a couple things we had at the house and put it together. It was cool. I was so happy to have that donated to the museum.””

You might call Iaconelli an outlier in his sport, certainly atypical both when he started and when he went pro.

He played all the traditional stick-and-ball sports growing up and ice hockey was his favorite because, as a guy who never likes to sit still, he liked the pace of play. But as he got older whenever he got the chance he’d slip away to some nearby lake for a little quiet time with a rod and reel and the sounds of nature. And when you have success the pull gets stronger and the hook was set.

He started fishing competitively in 1993 and the next year he won a tournament on Lake Norman outside Charlotte that set him up with a $40,000 bass boat package and he was on his way. He was just a sophomore at Rowan.

“That was the win for me,” he said. “There was a level of confidence that win gave me, but the boat was the big one. I had access to get to the next level.”

Every step of the journey he was an outsider. In his suburban Philly schools he was one of five “outcasts” who enjoyed fishing but their passion became their lifelong bond. The four buddies – three childhood friends and one they met in high school – were all on hand at the induction.

“In middle school and high school, a couple hundred kids in our grade, very, very few fished,” Iaconelli said. “But somehow the four other guys who fished, we all found each other. It was the absolute best thing from a standpoint of friendship – these guys are still my friends 40 years later – but it also helped me elevate my level of fishing. We were helping each other and you would push each other.

“It’s almost like Little League, but we didn’t have a Little League at fishing, but we would push each other, we would elevate each other, we would help each other learn. In those years, sixth grade to my early 20s, those years of the camaraderie between us was unbelievable. As much as we were outcasts and strange and odd to a lot of people, we loved it and it was our passion. Take that away, I don’t think I get to the next level if that wasn’t there.”

It took a while to find that kind of camaraderie when he went out on tour. Not only was he young, he was a danged yankee invading the domain of Southern, country men who knew SEC stood for the Southeastern Conference and not the Securities & Exchange Commission. The only thing South about Iaconelli was South Jersey.

“You’re definitely a bit of an outcast in a sport that was dominated by Southern guys,” he said. “That feeling wasn’t a mystical thing; it was real. I can remember being shunned and guys turning a shoulder. That was there.

“The other thing early on, too, is I was just always a bit different from the norm and it’s natural to be afraid or wary of change. Maybe at the beginning a lot of people didn’t know what to think, it was a different thing, but time does heal all that. After you’re doing it for a while and kind of, like, prove yourself and they realize you love what you’re doing and you have some success, then those things change. 

“I would say there were four or five years there where you have to battle through that and then you make a decision personally. You’ve got to keep going because you love it, you’ve got to deal with it and combat it or you run. I kept going. I loved it.”

And now he’s one of the most popular anglers on the tour. In addition to competing at the top level of his sport, he is driven to grow the sport with his entertainment, education and charitable interests. He has a popular podcast and hosts several television shows.

In about a month he’ll be off to start his 30th year as a professional angler. Internally, his team will be doing some limited edition merchandising and promotions related to the milestone year, beginning with the Ike Foundation College Scholarship Dinner Jan. 31 at The Grove in Centerton. And BASSMasters plan to have a film crew follow him throughout the season to document the year on its various digital platforms.

Yes, digital platforms. Iaconelli is really blown away how the sport has gone mainstream and he’s been proud to be a part of that growth.

“I remember when I was aspiring thinking if I could just make a living fishing tournaments this would be great,” he said. “Every day I come home I’m blown away about how big it’s gotten. And I’m proud of that because I feel like I was part of the growth.

“I was lucky that I was in the sport where I feel like was the golden era of growth, the late 90s to 2010-11. It was a tremendous point of growth for our sport because we had a lot of corporate money coming in, we had a lot of exposure, I was getting invited to late-night talk shows, GQ, ESPN the Magazine. It was like what the hell is going on here but I was involved in that.

“Now you look back and see how many people form the North, the West Coast, different ages, different backgrounds (getting involved); it’s really cool to see how big it’s getting. I do a lot of seminars and you’re at a show and you have a kid in his 20s come up and say ‘thank you, you inspired me, I was watching your stuff when I was 8 years old.’ It makes you feel old, but it makes you feel proud because you helped sort of get to a new place.”

And with each new place he visits it brings a whole new audience to talk fishing with.

The Hall’s next induction ceremony is February 15 when it will welcome former major-league pitcher and current Phillies broadcast analyst Ricky Bottalico into its ranks.

Pittsgrove’s Mike Iaconelli checks his electronics at the launch of the St. Johns River Bassmaster Elite event last year. Top photo, Iaconelli holds up his biggest bass from a tournament on Lake Murray in South Carolina. (Photos courtesy of Mike Iaconelli)

Rams on the run

Monday basketball: Motivated Salem outruns Clayton in second half to win; includes all 10 games involving Salem County teams

GIRLS GAMESBOYS GAMES
Clayton 62, Salem 27Salem 82, Clayton 69
Woodstown 79, Overbrook 28Overbrook 57, Woodstown 48
Pennsville 63, Schalick 20Schalick 61, Pennsville 38
Penns Grove 44, Glassboro 39Glassboro 65, Penns Grove 59
Wildwood 77, Salem Tech 23Wildwood 77, Salem Tech 32

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CLAYTON — Anthony Farmer called time out with four minutes left in the third quarter. He was looking for some leaders.

His Salem basketball team was clinging to a one-point lead in a game that really was that tight against a team capable of scoring 100 in any game it played – it already had twice against Salem County teams this year – and the coach wanted somebody to step up and take charge.

Azhone Burden answered the call. The 6-5 senior transfer, playing in only his fourth game since regaining his eligibility, had 14 points and nine rebounds in the second half to help the Rams pull away from Clayton 82-69.

“Azhone spoke up and kind of rallied the troops,” Farmer said. “He got the guys together, started getting a little more vocal once he got his head together, and I think that was kind of the turning point for us.”

The Rams led 41-40 at halftime and were up 45-44 when Farmer called his decisive time out, which, incidentally, left him with only one for the rest of the game. They went on a 18-4 run that carried into the fourth quarter and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the game.

Burden had 10 points in the third quarter, more than the Clippers did as a team, and 12 after the key time out.

“It’s just the fire coming out,” said the senior they call A-Magic. “I’ve been waiting on the bench this whole time, all the fire has been building up. It’s just coming out now.”

In his four game since satisfying his senior transfer requirement, Burden has scored 51 points and grabbed 41 rebounds with two double-doubles.

The Rams, who’d prefer playing at a pace somewhere between Clayton’s break-neck approach and the half-court game they purposely played against LEAP, held their own against the Clippers once they got adjusted to what was coming. As a result, four players enjoyed double-doubles. 

Tymear Lecator had a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Burden finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds and came within two assists of joining Lecator with a triple-double. Deshaan Williams was big for the Rams in the first half and finished with 17 points and 12 boards. And Antwaun Rogers had 10 points and 10 boards.

The Rams were playing only hours after learning they had to forfeit four wins due to an ineligible player, a penalty that knocked them all the way to No. 17 in the South Jersey Group I power points standings. The win moved them all the way to No. 13.

Lecator wouldn’t speak on the issue preferring just to focus on playing basketball but said he did come into the game with “a real chip on my shoulder.”

“It’s in the back of our head,” Farmer said. “We know what what’s going on. We know what happened to us. It’s just a little motivation, that’s all. We take it game by game anyway, but the worst thing you can do in Group I South is give us a little motivation.”

SALEM 82, CLAYTON 69
SALEM (4-7): Donovan Weathers 1 0-2 2, Xavier McGriff 4 0-0 8, Neziah Spence 3 0-0 8, Tymear Lecator 7 0-1 16, Deshaan Williams 8 1-2 17, Antwan Rogers 5 0-0 10, Joe Tunis 2 1-2 5, Azhone Burden 8 0-0 16, Giovanni Tuvale 0 0-0 0. Totals 38 2-7 82.
CLAYTON (4-5): Jackson Venuto 1 1-2 4, Princeton Sackor 11 1-1 24, Nazir Davis 4 4-5 13, Demetris Williams 3 0-0 6, Anthony Taylor 0 0-0 0, Nasir Carter 4 1-2 11, Isaiah Aviles 0 0-0 0, Rodney Robinson 0 0-0 0, Anthony Archer 0 0-0 0, Trevor Rehm 0 0-0 0, King Mosley 0 0-0 0, James Fritz 4 1-2 11. Totals 27 8-12 69.

Salem 23181724-82
Clayton2318920-69
3-point goals: Salem 4 (Spence 2, Lecator 2); Clayton 7 (Venuto, Sackor, Davis, Carter 2, Fritz 2). Rebounds: Salem 67 (Burden 13, Williams 12, Rogers 10, Lecator 10). Total fouls: Salem 14, Clayton 12.

SCHALICK 61, PENNSVILLE 38: Reggie Allen hit four 3-pointers and scored a career-high 29 points to lead the Cougars to their third win in a row. It’s their longest winning streak since the last three games of the 2019-20 season. Allen’s previous career best was 22 his freshman year against Clayton.
SCHALICK (4-7): Reggie Allen 10 5-6 29, Nylan Sutton 6 5-8 17, Sherrod Jones 2 2-2 6, Justin Iacona 1 0-0 2, Jamari Whitley 3 2-4 8. Totals 22 14-20 62.
PENNSVILLE (1-8): Jovanni Rios 3-1-7, Cole Johnston 2-0-4, Shiloh Jefferson 3-0-6, Logan Hill 1-0-2, C.J. McDevitt 4-4-12, Daniel Knight 1-1-3, Arturus Franz 1-2-4, Perry Meranti 0-0-0. Totals 15-8-38.

Schalick 15151121-61
Pennsville78149-38
3-point goals: Schalick 4 (Allen 4). Rebounds: Pennsville 21 (Meranti 7, Rios 5).

OVERBROOK 57, WOODSTOWN 48
WOODSTOWN (5-3): Blake Bialecki 2 1-2 5, Alejandro Vazquez 4 0-0 10, Elijah Caesar 2 2-4 6, Garry Leyman 3 1-2 7, Rocco String 4 1-3 9, M.J. Hall 4 2-3 11. Totals 19 7-14 48.
OVERBROOK (10-2): Lamar Little 6 2-2 17, Xavier Wright 5 4-5 14, Zair Green 3 8-10 14, Elvin Santiago 1 0-0 2, Bilal Robinson 3 0-0 8, J.R. Stanley 1 0-0 2, Rashon Jones 0 0-0 0, Jaden St. John 0 0-0 0, Cody Harris 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 14-17 57.
Woodstown 922413-48
Overbrook12111816-58
3-point goals: Woodstown 3 (Vazquez 2, M. Hall); Overbrook 5 (Little 3, Robinson 2).

GLASSBORO 65, PENNS GROVE 59
PENNS GROVE (2-7): Brandin Robbins 5, Roman Gipson 18, Karon Ceaser 15, Antoine Robinson 1, Haneef Frisbee 10, Jameel Horace 6, William Roy 4.
GLASSBORO (4-6): Xavier Sabb 12, Kenny Smith 28, Tashean Thomas 2, Davon Barr 4, Maurice Davis 5, Aiden Harris 14.

Penns Grove 16131416-59
Glassboro17161319-65

WILDWOOD 77, SALEM TECH 32
WILDWOOD (3-6): Brian Cunniff 15 5-6 40, Nolan Mawhinney 5 3-5 14, Trevor Troiano 3 0-0 8, Jordan Dozier 0 1-2 1, Jack Fullerton 1 0-0 2, R.J. Blanda 1 0-0 2, Gianni Troiano 1 0-0 2, Daniel Benichou 0 0-0 0, Sammy Santiago 1 4-5 6, Jeff Knight 1 0-0 2, Justice Santiago 0 0-2 0. Totals 28 13-20 77.
SALEM TECH (0-10): Ayden Myers 2 0-0 5, Joseph Hayes 1 0-0 3, Luke Kroll 3 0-0 8, Larry Pompper 1 0-0 2, Logan Pace 1 2-2 4, Chase Ayars 1 0-0 2, Chase Pompper 1 0-0 2, Aiden Bobo 2 0-0 5, Alex Thomas 0 0-2 0. Totals 12 2-4 29.

Wildwood 14152325-77
Salem Tech501212-32
3-point goals: Wildwood 8 (Cunniff 5, Mawhinney, Troiano 2); Salem Tech 5 (Myers, Hayes, Kroll 2, Bobo).

Girls Games

PENNSVILLE 63, SCHALICK 20: Nora Ausland returned to the lineup after a brief illness and posted a double-double (21 points, 12 rebounds) to lead the Eagles to their fifth straight win. The game moved Ausland over 900 points on her way to the 1,000-point plateau. Marley Wood, who’s also chasing the 1,000-point milestone, had 16 points and Taylor Bass had 15 points and eight steals.

PENNSVILLE (6-2): Marley Wood 6 2-6 16, Taylor Bass 4 4-4 15, Izzy Saulin 0 2-2 2, Nora Ausland 9 0-0 21, Jaida Burns 1 0-0 2, Addison Johnston 2 0-0 6, Calli Ausland 0 1-2 1, Sofia Belitsas 0 0-0 0, Ashlyn Fredo 0 0-0 0, Kylie Weist 0 0-0 0, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 9-14 63.
SCHALICK (2-5): Abby Willoughby 1 0-0 3, Cali Fisler 1 0-2 2, Naveah Robinson 2 0-0 6, Ava Scurry 1 0-0 2, Willow Davis 2 0-0 5, Emily Miller 0 0-0 0, Olivia Lunemann 0 2-2 2, Emma O’Neill 0 0-0 0, Carly Vicente 0 0-0 0, Olivia Vanacker 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 2-4 20.

Pennsville 17121420-63
Schalick07112-20
3-point goals: Pennsville 10 (Wood 2, Bass 3, N. Ausland 3, Johnston 2); Schalick 4 (Willoughby, Robinson 2, Davis). Total fouls: Pennsville 6, Schalick 11.

PENNS GROVE 44, GLASSBORO 39: RaNiyah Wilson scored 21 points and the Red Devils won the fourth quarter 16-11 to win the game.

“They played great in the fourth quarter — poised, together on both ends of the floor,” Penns Grove coach Jennifer Denby said. “I saluted them as a team today. The coaches are proud of them.”

PENNS GROVE (6-2): RaNiyah Wilson 9 1-2 21, Brianna Robbins 3 0-0 7, JaNiyah Cummings 4 5-9 13, Mikayla Washington 0 1-4 1, Keziah Patterson 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 7-15 44.
GLASSBORO (4-5): Sanaa Thomas 4 3-4 14, Tamia Smith 3 2-4 10, Kezia Brackett 1 3-4 5, Kimora Miles 1 1-2 3, Sianna Wedderburn 0 2-2 2, Lily Czubas 2 0-0 5. Totals 11 11-16 39.

Penns Grove 515816-44
Glassboro6101211-39
3-point goals: Penns Grove 3 (Wilson 2, Robbins); Glassboro 6 (Thomas 3, Smith 2, Czubas).

WILDWOOD 77, SALEM TECH 23
SALEM TECH (2-6): Shelby Drummond 0 0-0 0, Kaylin Beardsley 2 0-0 5, Shelby Liber 3 0-0 6, Lavae Scott 1 0-0 2, Evening Amedee 2 0-0 4, Payton Fitzpatrick 3 0-0 6. Totals 11 0-0 23.
WILDWOOD (7-1): Macie McCracken 8 4-4 26, Angela Wilber 7 0-0 16, Rebecca Benichou 6 0-0 14, Cydnee Kilian 0 0-0 0, Kiana D’Antuono 1 0-0 3, Addison Troiano 3 0-0 6, Lily Atkinson 1 0-0 3, Talia Fathi 1 0-0 3, Julia Ennis 1 1-2 4, Janet Gonzalez 1 0-0 2. Totals 32 5-6 77.

Salem Tech5648-23
Wildwood 2328206-77
3-point goals: Salem Tech 4 (Beardsley, Fitzpatrick 3); Wildwood 10 (McCracken 2, Wilber 2, Benichou 2, D’Antuono, Atkinson, Fathi, Ennis). Rebounds: Wildwood 35 (Troiano 10, McCracken 7).

WOODSTOWN 79, OVERBROOK 28: Megan Donelson scored 13 points and Kendall Young and Lauren Hengel scored 11 points apiece to lead the Wolverines. For Young, a sophomore, it was a career high and came all in the second half. Hengel, a junior, grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds for her first career double-double.

“Kendall has worked her butt off this season,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “She has a high basketball IQ and watches a ton or film. Whenever I have to call on her she seems ready.

“My favorite part of Lauren’s game today wasn’t the scoring, it was the 14 rebounds. She’s a tough kid who will run through a brick wall if you asked her to do so. When she’s confident with the basketball she is dangerous.”

OVERBROOK (1-9): Leslies Rosario 1 0-0 3, Jael Pressley 5 3-7 13, Lelani Knight 1 2-2 4, Ahlani White 1 0-0 2, Kayla Reynolds 1 1-2 3, Lily LaFountain 0 0-0 0, Taija Wiggins 0 0-2 0, Rosetta Loibman 1 0-0 3. Totals 10 6-13 28.
WOODSTOWN (8-2): Megan Donelson 5-9 2-2 13, Talia Battavio 3-10 3-4 9, Gianna Maiorini 3-5 2-2 8, Lauren Hengel 4-7 3-5 11, Kyia Leyman 1-6 1-4 3, Emma Perry 2-2 0-0 4, Ryann Foote 1-4 3-6 5, Kendall Young 5-10 0-0 11, Jala Thomas 4-4 1-2 9, Talia Guardascione 1-2 0-0 2, Lizzy Daly 0-1 0-0 0, Brynley Ecret 0-1 0-0 0, Mia Waterman 0-0 0-0 0, Kailyn Kennedy 1-2 0-0 2, Ava White 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 31-64 15-25 79.
Overbrook74512-28
Woodstown16281520-79
3-point goals: Overbrook 2 (Rosario, Loibman); Woodstown 2-18 (Donelson 1-4, Young 1-4, Battavio 0-4, Hengel 0-3, Kennedy 0-1, Foote 0-2). Rebounds: Woodstown 47 (Hengel 14, Donelson 8, Daly 6). Total fouls: Overbrook 16, Woodstown 9. Officials: McGaffeny, Brown.


Active scorers watch

SALEM COUNTY SCORING LIST TODAYPOINTS
Talia Battavio, Woodstown 91371
Megan Donelson, Woodstown131340
1000-POINT WATCH
Nora Ausland, Pennsville
(Salem 462/Pennsville 448)		21910
Marley Wood, Pennsville16827
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove
(Kingsway 251/PG 573)		21824

Through games of Jan. 13

Salem sanctioned

Ineligible player forces Salem to forfeit four victories, record drops to 3-7 but Rams remain eligible for the playoffs

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM – The Salem boys basketball program learned earlier today it would have to forfeit four pre-2025 wins because of an ineligible player.

The Rams were informed of the penalty by the NJSIAA after it was ruled junior Darrelle Johnson was in violation of the student transfer rule.

“They said there was inaccurate information on (Johnson) coming from his technical school, so the state gave us the wrong information back and we played him and lost four games,” Rams coach Anthony Farmer said. “It’s a huge shock because it seemed like an error on their end because we only did what the state allowed us to do and they approved him.”

Johnson played for Vineland as a freshman enrolled at Cumberland Tech, which does not offer basketball, and played for Millville last year before transferring to Salem to join his cousin, Rams’ leading scorer Tymear Lecator.

Students who attend tech schools that do not offer a particular sport can play that sport at their home district public school. They cannot play at the public school if their tech school sponsors the sport.

Senior transfers are required to sit out the lesser of 22 days from the first game or 1/3 the maximum number of games to regain their eligibility. Underclassmen transfers don’t have that requirement, but all student-athletes who transfer to a second school must sit out the lesser of 30 days or half the maximum number of games, but Johnson didn’t do that.

The Rams say they were only working with information they were given.

“When I put him in the portal I just put the school of record, which was Cumberland County Tech, not realizing they didn’t have sports and he played at Millville,” Salem athletics director Darryl Roberts said. “I didn’t have any idea Cumberland County Tech didn’t have sport because of my experience most of the tech schools we deal with right now have sports and I didn’t know anything about Cumberland County Tech.

“So I was unaware he played elsewhere, so when I put him in the portal I sent the information to Cumberland County Tech. It’s not really their responsibility to let you know if he played somewhere else.”

Roberts attempted to plead their case further Monday, but was told by state officials there was no further appeal.

The Rams were forced to forfeit their first two wins against Woodbury and Woodstown that opened the season and their two wins at the Boardwalk Classic over Oakcrest and Millville. They now have a record of 3-7 and are No. 17 in the South Jersey Group I power points standings.

Johnson, a 6-3 junior guard, had 11 points and five rebounds against Woodbury, six points and 10 rebounds against Woodstown and 12 points, 10 boards and five assists against Oakcrest. He played six minutes against Millville without scoring. He had scored in six of the Rams’ 10 games, averaging 6.5 points and 7.2 rebounds.

The Rams were made aware of an issue after playing Millville.

They remain eligible for the playoffs and Johnson will be eligible to return Feb. 8.

“It’s nothing we tried to do because we had five transfers,” Farmer said. “We played the ones we could play. We followed all the rules with everything, it’s just the technical school didn’t clear him and we ended up getting jammed up.

“Now we’re going to be a nightmare for somebody at an 11 or 12 spot (in the seedings). Wherever we end up at, we’re just going to be a nightmare for Group I.”

The sanction also put a dent in Farmer’s record. With the adjustment, he now needs 12 more victories to reach 100 for his coaching career.

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Jan. 13-18

JAN. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Wildwood
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Overbrook
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Schalick at Vineland YMCA, 3:15 p.m.
TRACK
Pennsville, Woodstown at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island

JAN. 14
WRESTLING
Cumberland at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Pitman, 6:30 p.m.
Salem at Cedar Creek
Schalick at St. Joe (Hamm.)
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Harcum at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 15
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 7 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Pitman at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem vs. West Deptford, Bolero Deptford Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Haddon Heights at Camden County Tech
WRESTLING
Woodstown at Middle Twp.

JAN. 16
WRESTLING
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Timber Creek at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
Schalick vs. Pitman at GCIT, 7:15 p.m.
Salem vs. Deptford at GCIT, 8:15 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape, 6 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Anne Arundel CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester City
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennisville at Woodstown
Haddon Twp. at Schalick
Salem Tech at GCIT
TRACK
NJSIAA Relays, Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem at Lenape, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville Collingswood, Sterling at Vineland
Penns Grove, Salem, Overbrook at Pitman
Deptford, Haddon Twp., Pemberton at Schalick, 9 a.m.
Buena, Haddon Heights, Pennsauken at Woodstown
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Passaic County CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Essex County, noon

Hook into history

All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey welcomes first fisherman into ranks with induction of Pittsgrove’s Iaconelli into its Hall of Fame

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON – The All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey expanded its roster of sports and inductees Saturday with the induction of pro angler Mike Iaconelli into its Hall of Fame.

Iaconelli, a decorated pro with unconventional beginnings in the sport, is the first fisherman to be enshrined in the Hall that recognizes the accomplishments of sports luminaries with ties to South Jersey. His enshrinement brings to 22 the number of sports and related fields now represented in the museum.

“It’s very cool,” museum board member Anthony D’Agostino said of the landmark induction. “He’s a local guy, he’s right in our backyard, and it’s something we probably should have done a long time ago.

“He’s one of the most accomplished people if you really look at his professional career. His story is amazing. It’s a sport that’s traditionally Southern, country guys, and you’ve got this brash New Jersey guy listening to hip hop and he really wasn’t liked at first.

“But it’s his 30th year as a professional fisherman and it’s finally kind of turned around for him where people are starting to really recognize what he’s done and what he’s accomplished and brought to the game there, so it means a lot to have him in our Hall.”

Iaconelli, who lives on Palatine Lake in Pittsgrove, is the only angler to ever win the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Angler of the Year and BASS Federation National Championship and before leaving Saturday’s ceremony donated a treasure trove of items to the museum commemorating those feats and more. He was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2003.

In addition to competing at the top level of his sport, Iaconelli is driven to grow the sport with his entertainment, education and charitable interests. He has a popular podcast and hosts several television shows.

His selection to the Hall proved quite popular as the ceremony drew one of the bigger crowds they’ve had for an enshrinement. Among those in attendance were his four buddies who were the only other anglers in his suburban high school and a youngster he remembered fishing with in a local event years ago.

The interaction, D’Agostino said, “was awesome.”

The Hall’s next induction ceremony is February when it will welcome former major-league pitcher and current Phillies broadcast analyst Ricky Bottalico into its ranks.

Look for more on Iaconelli’s passion for the sport and induction into the Hall of Fame Sunday at Riverview Sports News.

Top photo: All-Sports Hall of Fame inductee Mike Iaconelli is flanked by Museum and Hall chairman Dom Valella (L) and board member Anthony D’Agostino during Saturday’s induction ceremony. (Photo courtesy of All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey)

Another milestone

Salem CC men eclipse last year’s win total by getting past RCSJ-Gloucester; women fall at Middlesex

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

DEPTFORD – The Salem CC basketball team reached another milestone in what is quickly becoming an historic season.

The Mighty Oaks came from behind Saturday to beat RCSJ-Gloucester 94-75 for its third win in a row. More significantly, it was their 12th win of the season (12-4), eclipsing their win total of the entire 2023-24 season (11-14), and moving them within two wins of qualifying for postseason play.

“I’m not downplaying that, it’s definitely significant, but the job’s not finished,” coach Mike Green said. “That was never our goal to win more games than last year. Our goal is to compete for something at the end of the year, compete for a championship, compete for a trophy, all that stuff. And we’re in a good position to do so, so far.”

Their best season since reviving the program was 18-10 in 2021-22, but that team didn’t get its 12th win that season until Feb. 1.

It took the Mighty Oaks a while to get going in this one. They fell behind by 11 six minutes into the game and trailed by nine with nine minutes left in the half. But that’s where they started to turn it around.

They put together a 22-4 run to take the lead before halftime and then opened the second half with an 18-2 run to put it away.

“We want to wear teams out,” Green said. “Teams that play six and seven people, we want to wear them out. I feel like we wore them down with our first unit, then our second unit came in and wore them down. It worked out well that way.

“And we guarded better. The first half they shot a high percentage – it looked like they barely hardly missed. The second half we did a better job guarding them in the half court and got out and got some runs.”

Everybody contributed. Jaheim Spencer had a game-high 19 points, but six players scored in double figures. Akeem Taylor and Josh Ramos each had 12, Tamir Powell and Tyrese Fortune each had 11, and Tajee Jordan had 10.

Powell had nine straight points in the middle of the first-half flurry, including a 3-pointer with 4:54 left in the half that gave the Mighty Oaks the lead for good 

After Saturday’s high-scoring win, the Mighty Oaks are 14th in JUCO Division III in scoring. They’re in the top 10 in 3s made per game and free throw percentage and the top 20 in rebounding.

With a plus-7 turnaround through 16 games over last season, might it be time for the Mighty Oaks to start getting attention in the Division III poll. After all, one of their most recent wins was over one of the teams also receiving votes in the most recent poll. 

“How does that work?” Green asked. “I think we’ve done enough to at least get some votes, but that’s on the coaches. Can’t really control that. If somebody thinks we’re a force to be reckoned with, then cool. If not, then we’ll be showing them.”

Top photo: Salem CC’s Jaheim Spencer (32) races to bring the ball up the floor against RCSJ-Gloucester Saturday. (Photo courtesy Gus Ostrum, RCSJ-Gloucester)

SALEM CC 94, RCSJ-GLOUCESTER 75
SALEM CC (12-4) – Jyheim Spencer 9-16 1-3 19, Akeem Taylor 4-7 3-5 12, Josh Ramos 4-8 0-0 12, Tamir Powell 5-9 0-0 11, Tyrese Fortune 5-8 0-1 11, Tajee Jordan 5-7 0-0 10, Xavier Brewington 3-6 0-0 8, A.J. Jones 3-3 0-0 6, Tivon Woolford 2-5 0-0 5, Dontarius Jones 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 40-73 4-9 94.
RCSJ-GLOUCESTER (6-10) – Hajir Davis 5 4-6 16, Titus Bacon 5 2-4 14, Ace Cassiter 3 2-3 9, Aiden Cranmer 2 0-2 5, Fred Orock 7 2-6 16, Kendell McCray 3 1-1 7, Chance Kershaw 0 0-0 0, Daniel Mendez 5 0-3 10, Jon Guzman 0 0-0 0, Amara Sacko 0 0-0 0. Totals 30 11-25 75.

Salem CC4549-94
RCSJ-Gloucester4134-75
3-point goals: Salem CC 10-26 (Taylor 1-2, Ramos 4-7, Powell 1-3, Fortune 1-3, Brewington 2-3, Woolford 1-4, D. Jones 0-4); RCSJ-Gloucester 4 (Davis 2, Cassiter, Cranmer). Rebounds: Salem CC 32 (Spencer 9, Jordan 6, Brewington 5). Total fouls: Salem 23, RCSJ-Gloucester 13.

Women’s game

EDISON – It was a game, comparatively speaking, the Salem CC women should have brought back to Carneys Point as a win.

The Mighty Oaks drilled Delaware Tech by 24 when the teams played earlier this year. Middlesex barely beat them at the buzzer when they played recently.

But that’s the danger of comparing scores. The Mighty Oaks struggled in the second half on the road and Middlesex sent them home with a 63-40 setback.

Salem scored only 14 points in the second half. Middlesex’ Genilah Singleton had nine of her game-high 15 in the third quarter.

“There was no energy, no execution,” Mighty Oaks coach Brian Marsh said. “And on the road that’s not a good combination.”

Maggie St. Clair was Salem’s leading scorer with 10 points. The Colts (7-8) had three scorers in double figures.

The Mighty Oaks (6-7) return to action Tuesday at home against Harcum (11-4), No. 19 in the last JUCO Division II poll dated Dec. 16.

MIDDLESEX 63, SALEM CC 40
SALEM CC (6-7) – RayNescia King 0 2-2 2, Nyaijah Jackson 2 1-2 5, Caroline Zullo 2 0-0 5, Maggie St. Clair 4 0-0 10, Dani Gustin 0 0-3 0, Kathryn Laurence 1 0-0 2, Jakayla Jenkins 4 1-1 9, Akira Chambers 3 1-2 7, Alexa Hopkins 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 5-10 40. 
MIDDLESEX (7-8) – Yasmen Zafar 1 7-10 9, Genilah Singleton 6 2-6 15, Julianne Reyes 1 0-0 2, Alyssa Rice 5 0-0 10, Abria Durham 0 0-2 0, Amya Green 4 0-0 8, Reema Azouzi 0 0-0 0, Jalena Santiago 0 0-0 0, Taijaney McCollum 1 0-0 2, Kezia Feaster 4 2-5 11, Angelia Peralta-Almonte 3 0-2 6. Totals 25 11-25 63.

Salem CC141268-40
Middlesex17171514-63
3-point goals: Salem CC 3 (Zullo, St. Clair 2); Middlesex 2 (Singleton, Feaster). Total fouls: Salem CC 20, Middlesex 13.


Saturday sports

Here are the results of Saturday’s basketball and wrestling events involving Salem County teams

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Woodstown 44, Delsea 19
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden Catholic 88, Woodstown 42
St. Joseph 50, Penns Grove 43
Schalick at Collingswood

By Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – The Woodstown girls put forth one of their best defensive efforts of the season, holding their opponent to one field goal in the second half and scoreless in the fourth quarter, in beating Delsea 44-19 Saturday for their third straight win.

It was the second opponent the Wolverines held to fewer than 20 points and shutout in a quarter they season. They held Salem scoreless in the third quarter of their 61-16 win in the season opener.

“The fourth quarter was phenomenal,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “In the beginning of the game we were allowing too many cuts, not boxing out and not playing good help defense. We were able to talk at halftime and focus on doing the little things right.

“Our team had a very open conversation at halftime about what was working for us and what we needed to improve. That’s the great thing about having a team with a high basketball IQ. They can clearly explain things that they are seeing on the court and we can make adjustments.”

Megan Donelson and Talia Battavio led the Wolverines’ offense with 19 and 18, points, respectively. They combined for all 17 of Woodstown’s points in the first quarter.

Gianna Maiorini had 12 rebounds, while Donelson and Hengel had eight each. As a team, the Wolverines had 12 steals and blocked six shots. 

WOODSTOWN 44, DELSEA 19
DELSEA (2-8) – Nicole Morris 1 1-2 3, Angelina Rodriguez 0 0-0 0, Kayleigh Barnett 1 0-0 3, Kaiah Braxton 0 0-0 0, Peyton Parker 0 0-0 0, Juliana Baez 2 0-0 5, Ayress Maitland 2 2-5 6, Maura Madden 0 0-0 0, Zoe Shangle 1 0-0 2, Emma Natalie 0 0-0 0, Mel DiBona 0 0-0 0, Britt Horn 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 3-7 19.
WOODSTOWN (7-2) – Talia Battavio 8-22 2-3 18, Megan Donelson 7-14 2-3 19, Gianna Maiorini 1-5 0-0 2, Kyia Leyman 1-3 0-0 2, Lauren Hengel 0-4 0-0 0, Emma Perry 1-4 0-0 2, Kendall Young 0-1 0-0 0, Foote 0-0 0-0 0, Thomas 0-2 1-2 1, Daly 0-0 0-0 0, Talia Guardascione 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-55 5-8 44.

Delsea8740-19
Woodstown1751111-44
3-point goals: Delsea 2 (Barnett, Baez); Woodstown 3-18 (Battavio 0-9, Donelson 3-7, Hengel 0-1, Young 0-1). Rebounds: Woodstown 41 (Maiorini 12, Donelson 8, Hengel 8). Total fouls: Delsea 12, Woodstown 11.

BOYS GAMES
CAMDEN CATHOLIC 88, WOODSTOWN 42
WOODSTOWN (4-3) – Elijah Caesar 2, Alejandro Vazquez 5, Garrett Leyman 0, Andrew White 1, Rocco String 10, Connor Miller 9, Blake Bialecki 6, M.J. Hall 7, Joshua King 0, John Hood-McGinley 0, Sid Leevy 0.
CAMDEN CATHOLIC (8-1) – Nymir Daily 2, Shane Congleton 7, Seamus Bieg, Charlie Neal 3, Luke Kennevan 23, Sean Welde 2, Chase Langrehr 5, Bryce Clark 10, Azyris Richmond 6, Mel Jones 4, Zach Winkler 4, Nick Tartamosa 2.

Woodstown7141110-42
Camden Catholic23221726-88
3-point goals: Woodstown 6 (Vazquez, Miller 3, Bialecki 2); Camden Catholic NA. Rebounds: Woodstown 31 (String 12). NOTE: String also had four blocked shots, giving him 140 for his career.

ST. JOSEPH (HAMM.) 50, PENNS GROVE 43
ST. JOSEPH (9-1) – Will Spross 2 6-8 10, Jameer Gordon 8 3-4 19, Edwin Drummond 4 2-4 10, Cayden Banks 1 1-4 3, Donny Spross 3 0-0 8, Chris Hill 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 12-20 50.
PENNS GROVE (2-6) – Brandin Robbins 3-1-8, Roman Gipson 5-1-11, Karon Ceaser 1-0-2, Antoine Robinson 2-0-4, Haneef Frisbee 2-0-4, Jameel Horace 2-0-4, William Roy 2-1-5, Luis Colon 2-1-5. Totals 19-4-43.

St. Joseph991219-50
Penns Grove109819-43
3-point goals: St. Joseph 2 (D, Spross 2); Penns Grove 1 (Robbins).

Active scorers watch

SALEM COUNTY SCORING LISTTODAYPOINTS
Talia Battavio, Woodstown181362
Megan Donelson, Woodstown191327
1000-POINT WATCH
Nora Ausland, Pennsville
(Salem 462/Pennsville 427)		DNP889
Marley Wood, PennsvilleDNP811
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove
(Kingsway 251/Penns Grove 552)		DNP803
Games through Jan. 11

Wrestling

Millville Quad

PENNSVILLE 48, OAKCREST 30
113: Erick Davalos (P) won by forfeit
120: Joey Sanchez (O( pinned Jacob Hand, 4:00
126: Vincent Ciccantelli (P) won by forfeit
132: Nathaniel Mason (P) pinned Kevin Longo, 2:00
138: Gave Supernavage (P) pinned Erick Montas-Arias, 2:00
144: Travis Hagan (P) pinned George Swoyer, 2:00
150: Ryan Monroe (O) won by forfeit
157: Aiden Xayaphachan (O) won by forfeit
165: Adienn Aponte (O) pinned Juan Velasquez, 4:00
175: Joseph Halstead (P) pinned Juan Anaya, 2:00
190: Connor Ayars (P) pinned Malik Hughes
215: Jose Anaya (O) won by forfeit
285: Trevor Waddington (P) pinned Jeremiah Lopez, 2:00
106: Double forfeit

PENNSVILLE 37, OVERBROOK 36
(x-Pennsville wins on criteria)
106: Jacob Sole (O) pinned John Sassi, 1:35
113: Brett Land (P) pinned Kayden Branco, 3:57
120: Michael Mahon (O) pinned Mehki Dicks, 2:53
126: Kevin Reed (O) pinned Vincent Ciccantelli, 5:34
132: Nathaniel Mason (P) dec. Damiano Redrow, 9-8
138: Alan Marcos (O) dec. Telvin Duk, 8-5
144: Gabe Supernavage (P) pinned Isaiah Natal, 1:36
150: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Jaevon Mitchell, 2:24
157: Karter Reed (O) won by forfeit
165: Juan Velasquez (P) pinned Randall Ringstaff, 1:04
175: Joseph Halstead (P) dec. Oscar Calderon, 9-3
190: Connor Ayars (P) pinned Xyon Marshall, 4:18
215: Cooper Himes (O) won by forfeit
285: Tomas Sanchez (O) dec. Trevor Waddington, 2-0

MILLVILLE 46, PENNSVILLE 33
120: Ruben Cruz (M) maj. dec. Mekhi Dicks, 14-3
126: Joshua Roman (M) pinned Vincent Ciccantelli, 0:26
132: Nathaniel Mason (P) pinned Caleb Rhoads, 5:24
138: Patrick Tull (M) pinned Gabe Supernavage, 3:24
144: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Alexander Mendez, 2:13
150: Jared Hoffman (M) won by forfeit
157: Ryan Tepper (M) won by forfeit
165: MarQuis Allen (M) pinned Juan Velasquez, 1:35
175: Joseph Halstead (P) pinned Trystan Brooks, 1:59
190: Connor Ayars (P) pinned Tyshawn English, 2:32
215: Jayden Jones (M) won by forfeit
285: Trevor Waddington (P) dec. Keani Speights, 1-0
106: Karter Parker (M) pinned John Sassi, 0:46
113: Brett Land (P) won by forfeit

Deptford Quad

DEPTFORD 66, PENNS GROVE 12
106: Corey Hoffman (D) pinned Jose Santiago
113: Avery Curriden (P) pinned Julian Colon
120: Dylan Smith (D) won by forfeit
126:  Amir Barnes (D) maj. dec. Devine Arce, 12-1
132: Ethan Christmas (D) tech fall Adan Gonzales, 16-1
138: Jaylen Huertes (D) pinned AbdulMuta’Alie IbnAbdulHailmTart
144: Quentin Boyce (D) won by forfeit
150:  Odess Myers (D) won by forfeit
157:  Devin Trotter (D) won by forfeit
165: Gavyn Henderson (D) won by forfeit
175: Mel Maguire (D) dec. Clinton Bobo, 7-6
190: Shawn McLaughlin (D) pinned Julian Espino
215: John Griffith (D) pinned Antonio Cooper
285: Wayne Scott (P) pinned Daniel Maguire

PENNS GROVE 54, ST. JOSEPH (HAMM.) 24
113: Avery Curriden (P) won by forfeit
120: Double forfeit
126: Devine Arce (P) pinned Naheem Davis, 0:16
132: Adan Gonzales (P) won by forfeit
138: AbdulMuta’Alie IbnAbdulHailmTart (P) won by forfeit
144: Mason Hollywood (SJ) won by forfeit
150: Paul Lacy (SJ) won by forfeit
157:  Tre Brown (P) won by forfeit
165: Colin Steiner (SJ) won by forfeit
175: Clinton Bobo (P) won by forfeit
190: Julian Espino (P) won by forfeit
215: Antonio Cooper (P) won by forfeit
285: Wayne Scott (P) pinned Cayden Banks, 1:27
106: Damien Spera (SJ) pinned Jose Santiago, 1:04

COLLINGSWOOD 64, PENNS GROVE 18
106: James Jiles (C) pinned Jose Santiago, 2:24
113: Kenny Olsen (C) pinned Avery Curriden, 1:12 
120: Rufus Burris (C) won by forfeit 
126: Devine Arce (P) pinned Sean Byrd, 2:30
132: Oscar Reyes (C) pinned Adam Gonzales, 0:55
138: Avange Santos (C) pinned AbdulMuta’Alie IbnAbdulHailmTart, 2:26
144: Stewart Chang (C) won by forfeit
150: Christopher Sanchez-Chavez (C) won by forfeit
157: Matt Malinowski (C) tech fall Tre Brown, 21-5
165: Caden Luby (C) won by forfeit
175: Clinton Bobo (P) pinned Julian Maxwell, 3:38
190: Josiah Evans (C) pinned Julian Espino, 1:12
215: Nyeim Bennett (C) tech fall Antonio Cooper, 19-4
285: Wayne Scott (P) pinned Derek Fleming, 1:13

Buena Quad

SCHALICK 65, BUENA 12
126: Luke Silva (S) pinned Zach Cohen, 1:10
132: Ryan Miller (S) pinned Thomas Hann, 5:04
138: Gionni Sharkey (B) pinned Colin Bittle, 4:30
144: Ayden Jenkins (S) won by forfeit
150: Lucas Gellura (B) dec. Koen Martin, 8-4
157: Riley Papiano (S) pinned Donato Vai, 1:20
165: Eric Sulik (S) won by forfeit
175: Ricky Watt (S) won by forfeit
190: Evan Elliott (S) won by forfeit
215: Brian Passamante (B) dec. Gerardo Felipe, UTB 3-2
285: Julian Reid (S) won by forfeit
106: Emma Cain (S) tech fall Gianna Edwards, 19-3
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) pinned Aubrey Raum, 0:40
120: E’Shion Underwood (S) pinned Jack Mazzoni, 1:10

SCHALICK 52, CUMBERLAND 20
132: Ryan Miller (S) pinned Killian McGraw, 1:15
138: Chase Williams (CU) dec. Colin Bittle, 8-7
144: Daniel Lloyd (CU) tech fall Ayden Jenkins, 17-2
150: Michael Carastro (CU) dec. Koen Martin, 7-3
157: Riley Papiano (S) dec Gary Albert, SV-1 6:31
165: Eric Sulik (S) pinned Gabriel Rodriguez, 3:09
175: Ricky Watt (S) tech fall David Seeger, 17-1
190: Evan Elliott (S) tech fall Sebron Hall-Jones, 16-1
215: Gerardo Felipe (S) over Noval Jenkins, DQ
285: Julian Reid (S) pinned Gavin Hayes, 1:22
106: Victor Fenske (S) won by forfeit
113: DeAnthony Harden (CU) dec. Caleb Jenkins, 7-1
120: Kolton Sheppard (CU) pinned E’Shion Underwood, 1:34
126: Luke Silva (S) pinned Logan Smith, 3:39

SCHALICK 49, TIMBER CREEK 27
120: E’Shion Underwood (S) tech fall Dominic Speakman, 19-3 (3:44)
126: Luke Silva (S) tech fall Ayden Zarnosky, 18-2 (2:23)
132: Ryan Miller (S) pinned Josh Wolfenden, 3:10
138: Colin Bittle (S) won by forfeit
144: Ayden Jenkins (S) pinned Eric Rambaran, 3:00
150: Joey Walker (TC) pinned Koen Martin, 2:54
157: Riley Papiano (S) won by forfeit
165: Ryan Kuriger (TC) pinned Eric Sulik, 0:27
175: Ricky Watt (S) dec. Zyeir Green, 8-6
190: Amir Reason-Dallas (TC) pinned Evan Elliott, 3:49
215: Elijah Green (TC) dec. Gerardo Felipe, 11-4
285: Roland Green (TC) pinned Julian Reid, 3:53
106: Victor Fenske (S) won by forfeit
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) won by forfeit

Cinnaminson Duals

WALL 47, WOODSTOWN 24
113: Omar Carrillo-Solano (WA) tech fall Luke Woronicak, 15-0 (3:59)
120: Carson Bradway (WO) pinned Charles Mahoney, 0:40
126: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Nicholas Traina, 0:17
132: Ben Waitzel (WA) pinned Louie Scholl, 1:39
138: Mason DiStefano (WA) pinned Ryan Polk, 1:31
144: Joseph Matri (WA) won by forfeit
150: Michael Boulard (WA) pinned Thomas Lacy, 3:08
157: Parker Quinn (WA) pinned Brett Rowand, 5:12
165: Joe Donofrio (WA) dec. Laitton Roberts, 4-1
175: Jeremy Marsella (WA) dec. Greyson Hyland, 6-5
190: Paul Banff (WO) dec. Sean Cosme, 3-0
215: Walter Carter (WO) dec. Eric Clauburg, 9-3
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) won by forfeit
106: Bryson Jarosz (WA) pinned Hunter Allen, 2:33

WOODSTOWN 60, HADDON TWP. 24
120: Carson Bradway (WO) pinned Andrew Marshall, 0:29
126: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Owen Ziegler, 1:31
132: Blake Thoder (H) pinned Louie Scholl, 3:43
138: Thomas Andrews (H) pinned Ryan Polk, 1:50
144: Brady Mokoid (H) won by forfeit
150: Justin Capri (H) pinned Thomas Lacy, 2:37
157: Brett Rowand (WO) won by forfeit
165: Laitton Roberts (WO) pinned Ryan Henry, 1:27
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) pinned Antonio Reyes, 2:48
190: Paul Banff (WO) pinned Joseph Sum, 0:49
215: Walter Carter (WO) pinned Elijah Borowicz, 2:18
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned Sean Weikel, 1:11
106: Hunter Allen (WO) pinned Sok Hoy, 2:23
113: Luke Woronicak (WO) pinned Jon Rodriquez, 1:32

HADDONFIELD 41, WOODSTOWN 28
126: Walker Battavio (WO) dec. Alexander Frey, 9-3
132: Pierce Hoffman (H) dec. Travis Balbeck, 8-5
138: William Dietz (H) won by forfeit
144: Chase Degillo (H) maj. dec. Ryan Polk, 11-1
150: William Barker (H) pinned Thomas Lacy, 4:45
157: Hutch Rhyne (H) pinned Brett Rowand, 3:07
165: Aidan Rhea (H) dec. Laitton Roberts, 9-3    
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) tech fall Parker Bawidamann, 20-3 (5:26)
190: Paul Banff (WO) pinned Rafael Lytle, 1:28
215: Walter Carter (WO) won by forfeit
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) won by forfeit
106: Hunter Allen (WO) dec. Harrison Carroll, 7-1
113: Cole Spence (H) maj. dec. Luke Woronicak, 13-1
120: Michael Lamb (H) pinned Carson Bradway, 1:47