Schalick, Woodstown, Penns Grove win first-round games in the Tri-County Conference girls tournament
TRI-COUNTY GIRLS TOURNAMENT
Flight A
Gloucester Catholic 60, Timber Creek 31
Wildwood 69, Gloucester Tech 50
Woodstown 52, Clearview 48
Washington Twp. 64, Pennsville 42
Flight B
Williamstown 64, Cumberland 24
Triton 41, Glassboro 40
Penns Grove 42, Kingsway 39
Delsea 59, Clayton 53
Flight C
Schalick 53, Salem 25
Overbrook 45, Salem Tech 43
(7) Highland at (2) Pitman
THURSDAY’S GAMES
Flight A
(4) Wildwood at (1) Gloucester Catholic
(3) Woodstown at (2) Washington Twp.
Flight B
(4) Triton at (1) Williamstown
(7) Delsea at (3) Penns Grove
Flight C
(4) Schalick at (1) Deptford
(3) Overbrook vs. (7) Highland/(2) Pitman
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
SALEM — Schalick girls coach John Whalen went to bed Monday night resigned to the fact his team just missed out on the biggest tournament of the season. But about an hour before their Tri-County Conference flight opener Tuesday the Cougars got a big surprise.
With his junior players standing behind him, Whalen out of curiosity opened the South Jersey Group I girls tournament bracket on his computer and discovered they had indeed landed a spot in the field. It’s a tough spot — No. 16 to face top-seeded Haddon Twp. — but a spot nonetheless.
The Cougars were the No. 17 team in the SJ Group I power points, but apparently bumped up into the field when Pitman fell out.
“It’s a nice surprise,” Whalen said. “I’m excited for the girls. It’ll be a good experience, especially for the juniors who didn’t get to see the playoffs last year and the freshmen will get a good experience. It’ll be a good opportunity for us as we look ahead to the future.”
Buoyed by that news, they went out and put together a balanced effort to throttle Salem 53-25 in their TCC Tournament Flight C opener.
The Cougars (6-16) jumped out to a 15-4 lead and outscored the Rams in three of the four quarters. Ten players scored, led by freshman Navaeh Robinson’s 11 points. Five players scored six points apiece.
“We played a very good, a complete, basketball game today,” Whalen said. “Before the game we kind of challenged the girls to play fast, play aggressive. We came out, we pressed, forced some turnovers, got some early scoring. It was good to see it be a balanced effort both defensively and offensively. Everybody chimed in and did their part.
“It’s nice for all the girls to kind of find some success. We’re starting to gain some confidence as the season is kind of coming to an end. It gives us a lot to look forward to for next year when we bring back everybody.”
While their South Jersey Group I Tournament draw is a tough one, the Cougars will get an advance feel for facing a No. 1 seed. Their win over Salem sends them to face the top seed in their flight, Deptford, Thursday.
SCHALICK 53, SALEM 25
SCHALICK (6-16): Cali Fisler 2 2-2 6, Ava Scurry 1 0-0 2, Abby Willoughby 2 2-6 6, Olivia Vanacker 2 1-3 5, Navaeh Robinson 4 1-4 11, Willow Davis 2 1-2 6, Olivia Lunemann 3 0-3 6, Emily Miller 0 2-2 2, Carly Vicente 2 0-0 6, Victoria Basich 1 1-2 3, Emma O’Neill 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 10-24 53.
SALEM (3-17): Carlysia Pierce 2 6-7 11, Nevaeh Hickman 1 0-0 2, Zaniyah Frieson 2 1-2 6, Timmiyah Simmons 3 0-0 6. Only players reported. Totals 8 7-9 25.
| Schalick | 15 | 8 | 17 | 13- | 53 |
| Salem | 4 | 9 | 6 | 6- | 25 |
PENNS GROVE 42, KINGSWAY 39
| Kingsway (11-14) | 15 | 4 | 10 | 10- | 39 |
| Penns Grove (10-11) | 5 | 9 | 11 | 17- | 42 |
WOODSTOWN 52, CLEARVIEW 48
CLEARVIEW (12-11): Hannah Meloro 0 0-0 0, Sienna Maysonet 0 0-0 0, Alessia Lombardi 0 1-2 1, Brett Foster 6 2-4 15, Jillian Guzzardo 1 0-2 3, Casey Maxwell 1 0-0 2, Juliette Mirigliani 11 3-4 27. Totals 19 6-12 48.
WOODSTOWN (17-5): Talia Battavio 5 9-11 21, Megan Donelson 5 4-4 14, Gianna Maiorini 0 2-2 2, Lauren Hengel 4 1-4 10, Kyia Leyman 1 0-2 2, Emma Perry 1 1-2 3, Ryann Foote 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 17-25 52.
| Clearview | 17 | 6 | 13 | 12- | 48 |
| Woodstown | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11- | 52 |
WASHINGTON TWP. 64, PENNSVILLE 42
PENNSVILLE (17-8): Taylor Bass 17, Nora Ausland 9, Jaida Burns 2, Marley Wood 8, Addie Johnston 2, Izzy Saulin 4.
WASHINGTON TWP. (16-7): Leah Roe 10, Shyla McLean 17, Kate D’Ottaviano 6, Jade Mazzuca 3, Alaina LaMonica 15, Lena Giannini 6, Elena Dabrowski 7.
| Pennsville | 12 | 6 | 10 | 14- | 42 |
| Washington Twp. | 17 | 11 | 11 | 25- | 64 |
OVERBROOK 45, SALEM TECH 43
| Salem Tech (2-19) | 5 | 6 | 11 | 21- | 43 |
| Overbrook (6-18) | 6 | 18 | 11 | 10- | 45 |
Riverview Sports News 