Month: March 2026

Concern for coach

Rodriguez to miss Salem CC’s home softball doubleheader Friday with medical issue; baseball drops two close games at Northampton

THURSDAY BASEBALL
Northampton 6-4, Salem CC 5-2, Gm 1, 8 inns.
THURSDAY SOFTBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, ppd.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

The Salem CC softball team returns to the field Friday for a home doubleheader with Bucks County CC in which it will be heavily favored, but will be without its leader for the foreseeable future after fourth-year head coach Angel Rodriguez suffered what he described as “basically a mini heart attack” Thursday morning.

RODRIGUEZ

Rodriguez, 29 with no history of heart issues, said trouble arose “very sudden” as he worked in his office. He said he felt his chest tighten and began to sweat. He credited a co-worker with recognizing the warning signs and acting quickly on his behalf. He was transported from campus and was expected to remain hospitalized at least into Friday.

The Mighty Oaks were scheduled to play a doubleheader at RCSJ-Gloucester Thursday, but those games were postponed.

Rodriguez sent a text to the players later in the day to provide them “some clarity” on the situation.

“They were definitely a little concerned and worried,” he said Thursday night. “I think them being able to hear from me was a good sign. I don’t want them to stop their progress and what they’re doing. I told them to carry on, to play hard and win.”

Assistant coaches Mackenzie Freas, Chris Watson and Josie Bryszerwski will collectively coach the team until Rodriguez returns.

“I have all the faith in them,” the head coach said. “I know they’re going to get them right.”

Freas put the team through what Watson described as a “really good” practice Thursday.

“We just wanted to get the girls together and make sure everybody was good and they had everybody to learn on,” Watson said. “Just to get them all together was important.”

The doubleheader with Bucks is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Rodriguez suspects his doctors will probably discourage it, but he’ll somehow try to find a way to follow the games. The Mighty Oaks have an even bigger doubleheader scheduled Sunday at Delaware Tech.

“I’m sure it’s going to be emotional,” Watson said of Friday’s doubleheader. “We’re going to ask them to play with some intensity and focus for him.”

Baseball: Mighty Oaks swept

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Mighty Oaks were hoping to carry the momentum of a walk-off run-rule win in the series opener into Thursday’s doubleheader, but Northampton had other ideas.

The Spartans swept the twin bill in two close games, winning the opener 6-5 in extra innings and taking the nightcap 4-2.

Northampton scored the winning run in the opener on a passed ball with two outs in the eighth inning. Kyle Stoner opened the inning by reaching on an infield error. He was sacrificed to second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a ball that got away from catcher Trevor Hernandez.

The Mighty Oaks tied the game 5-5 with three in the sixth. Hernandez had an RBI single and Aiden Nestor tied it with a one-out two-run single. They had bases loaded with one out in the seventh, but couldn’t get the runs home.

Tyler Hacker, Roman Hernandez and Nestor all had two hits for Salem in the game.

Jared Diefenbach held the Mighty Oaks to two hits in the nightcap, but the first was sophomore Jason LeBold’s two-run homer in the third that gave Salem a 2-0 lead. Diefenbach retired the first seven he faced before Jacob Sharrow walked in advance of LeBold’s homer. Hacker had Salem’s other hit.

Northampton cut its deficit in half in the fifth, then scored three in the sixth to take the lead. Matthew Tankred’s two-run homer with two outs broke a 2-2 tie.

Familiar ground

Salem CC baseball returns wins its home opener after returning from Myrtle Beach trip, starts stretch of six games in four days

COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC 12, Northampton 2, 8 inns.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT — After a less-than-satisfactory Myrtle Beach trip best described as humbling, the Salem CC baseball team came home looking for a couple breaks to get its season back on track.

The Mighty Oaks got two big breaks in the form of defensive miscues in the fourth inning Wednesday that extended an eventual four-run outburst that carried them to a 12-2 Region XIX win over Northampton in their home opener. They walked it off on Cliff Wysinger’s bases-loaded triple with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.

Salem went south with high expectations and a handful of poll mentions despite playing only four games, then went 3-9 on the trip. They got plenty of offense, but were set back by their defense. Things started going their way when they got home.

“It’s very welcoming because a lot of those things didn’t go our way when we were away,” Mighty Oaks coach John Holt said. “We didn’t seem to catch too many breaks. At the end of the day sometimes you need to get that to get going.”

The game was tied 1-1 when the Mighty Oaks’ fortunes changed, and the way starter Seth McCormick was going early they were fortunate to be that close. But it all changed in the fourth.

They scored the go-ahead run when first baseman Tyler Reichenbach dropped shortstop Danny Qualteria’s throw on Aiden Nestor’s grounder that would’ve been the third out of the inning. Nestor later scored when third baseman Shane Henrick tried to tag Wysinger after collecting Chase Hortiz’ grounder and the contact knocked the ball free.

Wysinger then scored on a bases-loaded walk to Tyler Hacker and J.J. Pankowski scored when Rocco Sting was hit in the hands with bases loaded to make it 5-1. They never trailed again.

“That inning was very needed; it really got us on top of things,” Wysinger said. “That brought everything together.”

“In Myrtle we had a lot of those situations ourselves and (the opponents) took advantage of them, so we know how important it is to take advantage of it when we can get them, too,” Hacker said. “Baseball’s pretty hard, so when we can take advantage of their mistakes, helps us score runs, win the game.”

Wysinger, hitting in the 9-hole after opening the season as the leadoff man, came within a homer of hitting for the cycle. Trevor Hernandez had three hits, Hacker had two hits and two RBIs, and String drove in a pair of runs.

McCormick was credited with the win in what will go down as one of the strangest outings of the year. He threw 127 pitches over seven innings, but he threw 76 in the first two – and still only gave up one run.

He hit two and walked two in the first when the Spartans scored their first run. He hit another batter in the second and had another runner in scoring position, but Pankowski saved him with a diving catch in center. The Spartans loaded the bases in the third, but McCormick got out of that striking out the side.

“It was a rough start to the game,” he admitted. “I tried to do it all on my own instead of using my teammates. After the first two innings I was good . It was like a rolling stone at that point. You couldn’t stop it.”

He faced only 14 batters over his last four innings and at one point retired eight in a row, 10 if you count the double play he started in the seventh. He had a 12-pitch inning and a seven-pitch inning. When it looked like the sixth would be his final frame, he threw his final pitch at 86 mph that sounded a lot faster when it hit catcher Trevor Hernandez’ mitt. And then he told Holt he could go an inning more.

“I started pitching more for the team than I did for myself,” McCormick said of the turnaround. “I feel like I hit my spots better, I let them make contact, I let my defense work. I was just being selfish the first two innings. I went into the game thinking I was better than what I was and I got a reality check. I had to bear down, use my teammates more, play for the team.”

Some coaches may have pulled their pitcher after that kind of start, figuring the command just wasn’t there this day, but Holt stayed committed to his sophomore right-hander.

“Seth pitched his tail off all day and wanted to keep going and I had to shut him down for the sake of him not knowing any better,” Holt said. “He’s got to be a guy we’ve got to look for seven out of, especially in these nine-inning games. That’s his role. That’s what we worked with him and built him up to.

“We know we can get a solid 100 pitches out of him,. We overextended him a little bit today but he’s got plenty of time to rest and he’s had plenty of time to rest. It’s go time now. Now it’s time he has to step up and be the guy.”

ACORNS: Colin McLaughlin’s RBI double in the sixth inning brought big cheers from the Mighty Oaks’ dugout since they know how much the freshman infielder has struggled this year. McLaughlin had 17 strikeouts in 29 at-bats entering the game … The Northampton series concludes with a doubleheader in Bethlehem Thursday, then the Mighty Oaks return home for three with Atlantic Cape Friday and Saturday.

Northampton (6-6)10000001-252
Salem CC (6-11)00141204-12120
GAVIN PANOVIC (L,1-1), Ben Mostosky (4), Isaiah Sack (6) and Kyle Stoner; SETH McCORMICK (W, 2-2), Louie Rivera (8) and Trevor Hernandez. 2B: Tyler Reichenbach (N); Trevor Hernandez (S), Colin McLaughlin (S), Cliff Wysinger (S). 3B: Cliff Wysinger (S).

TCC All-Stars

Here are the Tri-County Conference basketball all-star teams as voted by the coaches

BOYS

CLASSIC DIVISION

FIRST TEAMPTSRBSECOND TEAMPTSRB
Tymear Lecator, Salem498112Trevor Troiano, Wildwood294140
James Fritz, Clayton461205Kevin Mosley, Clayton23047
Deshaan Williams, Salem323229Lucas Razze, Pitman25684
Parker DeChristopher, Pitman40069Owen Bannon, Wildwood21681
Nolan Mawhinney, Wildwood378167Neziah Spence, Salem24940

DIAMOND DIVISION

FIRST TEAMPTSRBSECOND TEAMPTSRB
Lamar Little, Overbrook496128Elijah Caesar, Woodstown27498
Xavier Sabb, Glassboro40027Geonni Conrad, Penns Grove27081
Bilal Robinson, Overbrook392153Julian Dickerson, Schalick25786
Roman Gipson, Penns Grove326102Mason O’Brien, Pennsville23641
Blake Bialecki, Woodstown381119JR Stanley, Overbrook223124

GIRLS

DIAMOND DIVISION

FIRST TEAMPTSRBSECOND TEAMPTSRB
Keziah Brackett, Glassboro659176Nevaeh Robinson, Schalick302208
Taylor Bass, Pennsville355112Keziah Patterson, Penns Grove27269
Marley Wood, Pennsville299172Gianna Simon, Overbrook404114
Lauren Hengel, Woodstown284231Sianna Wedderburn, Glassboro145247
Sanaa Thomas, Glassboro155162Kendall Young, Woodstown251136

CLASSIC DIVISION

FIRST TEAMPTSRBSECOND TEAMPTSRB
Angela Wilber, Wildwood33788Addison Troiano, Wildwood245166
Rebecca Benichou, Wildwood401105India Bryant, Clayton31059
Deondria Simon, Clayton28192Carlysia Pierce, Salem173142
Dyaira Anderson, Salem234263Joelle Murphy, Wildwood288242
Audrey Duffield, Pitman185NAShelby Liber, Salem Tech9917

Salem County Spring 2026

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for Spring 2026; events at 4 p.m. unless noted; administrators/coaches forward updates to al.muskewitz@gmail.com; x-scrimmage

MARCH 16
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Northampton at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 17
TENNIS
x-Cumberland at Schalick
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at Absegami, 5 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Northampton (2), noon

MARCH 18
BASEBALL
x-Millville at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
x-Middle Twp. at Schalick
TENNIS
x-Millville at Pennsville

MARCH 19
BASEBALL
x-Bridgeton at Salem
x-Schalick at Paulsboro
SOFTBALL
x-Gateway at Woodstown
x-Salem at Bridgeton
TENNIS
x-West Deptford at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Delran at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.

MARCH 20
BASEBALL
x-ACIT at Salem
Pennsville at West Deptford
SOFTBALL
x-Salem at Lower Cape May
x-Salem Tech at Schalick
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Delsea, Wild Oaks GC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Atlantic Cape at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Bucks at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

MARCH 21
TRACK
Woodstown at Upper Darby Relays, 9:30 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape (2), noon

MARCH 22
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, noon

MARCH 23
BASEBALL
x-Penns Grove at Pleasantville
x-Woodstown at Deptford
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Triton, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 24
SOFTBALL
x-Camden County Tech at Woodstown
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech
x-LEAP at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Pennsville at Cedar Creek
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Clearview, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 6 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Delaware County, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 25
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Salem
x-Camden Tech at Schalick
x-LEAP at Penns Grove
x-Salem Tech at Winslow
x-Woodstown at GCIT
SOFTBALL
Salem at Cumberland
x-Schalick at Camden Tech
GOLF
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Clayton, The Birches, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Lower Cape May at Schalick
TRACK
x-Bridgeton at Salem
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Cedar Creek, 4 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Delaware County at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 26
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Salem Tech
x-Highland at Woodstown
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Clayton
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Lower Cape May at RiverWinds, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. West Deptford, River Winds, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. GCIT, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
x-St. Joseph at Woodstown
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at CCBC-Catonsville, 3 p.m.

MARCH 27
BASEBALL
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Gateway
TRACK
Woodstown at Pennsville
BOYS TENNIS
Mainland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Cinnaminson at Woodstown
COLLEGE BASEBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 28
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Morris at Salem CC, noon

MARCH 30
BASEBALL
Salem Tech at Lindenwold
Schalick at Glassboro
Wildwood at Salem
Woodstown at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Gloucester at Pennsville
Lindenwold at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem at Wildwood
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Pennsville, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick girls vs. Williamstown, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester Catholic, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at Wildwood
Schalick at Clayton
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Highland at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at St. Joseph
GIRLS LACROSSE
Cedar Creek at Woodstown

MARCH 31
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Pilgrim Academy
Sterling at Woodstown
BOYS TRACK
Penns Grove at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Montgomery County, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna, 3 p.m.

APRIL 1
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Gateway
Pitman at Pennsville
Schalick at Woodstown
Wildwood Catholic at Salem Tech
SOFTBALL
Highland at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Pitman
Salem at Deptford
Schalick at Woodstown
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Clearview, Westwood GC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Wildwood, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Clayton at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Triton at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Glassboro
BOYS TRACK
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Woodstown
GIRLS TRACK
Pennsville at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Glassboro
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Lower Cape May
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Montgomery County, 3:17 p.m.

APRIL 2
BASEBALL
Pleasantville at Penns Grove, 1:30 p.m.
Schalick at Ocean City
Woodstown at Haddon Heights
SOFTBALL
Clearview at Schalick
Woodstown at Haddon Heights
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Pitman, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Monroe-Bronx, 2 p.m.

APRIL 3
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Howard CC at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

APRIL 4
SOFTBALL
Pennsville in Thunderbolt Tournament, Millville
GIRLS LACROSSE
Washington Twp. at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Mercer, noon

APRIL 6
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Schalick at Clayton
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Schalick
Woodstown at Glassboro
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Cumberland, Centerton CC, 3:30
TENNIS
Pennsville at West Deptford, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Cinnaminson at Woodstown, 10 a.m.

APRIL 7
BASEBALL
Rancocas Valley at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Overbrook at Pennsville
Woodstown at Glassboro
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Overbrook
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS GOLF
Cumberland at Schalick, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Overbrook, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Pitman, Pitman GC, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS TRACK
Pennsville at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Pennsville at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford, 3:45 p.m.
Mainland at Schalick
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Kingsway at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Clearview at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Clearview
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

APRIL 8
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Salem
SOFTBALL
Salem at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic
TENNIS
Kingsway at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
BCIT at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. West Deptford, RiverWinds, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Cecil, 2 p.m.

APRIL 9
BASEBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at Pitman
Salem Tech at Wildwood Catholic
SOFTBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Clayton at Pennsville
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
BOYS GOLF
Salem Tech vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Cumberland, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at Delsea, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook
Woodstown at Haddon Heights
TRACK
Overbrook at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Triton, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Holy Spirit at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Holy Spirit

APRIL 10
BASEBALL
Haddon Heights at Pennsville
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Winslow at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Collingswood
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Haddon Heights
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic
Salem Tech at Haddonfield, 4:15 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 11
BASEBALL
Schalick at Gloucester, TBD
Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 11 a.m.
BOYS TRACK
Salem, Woodstown at West Deptford Relays, 9 a.m.
GIRLS TRACK
Woodstown at Univ. of Delaware Invitational
Salem at West Deptford Relays, 9 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Middlesex (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC, noon

APRIL 13
BASEBALL
Salem at Clayton
Salem Tech at Mastery Charter
Schalick at Penns Grove
Wildwood at Pennsville
Woodstown at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Schalick
Pennsville at Wildwood
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Clayton, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. OLMA, White Oaks CC, 3:30 p.m.
TRACK
Gloucester Catholic, Wildwood at Salem
TENNIS
Highland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Millville, 3:45 p.m.
Wildwood at Schalick
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Kingsway at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Kingsway
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Harford, 1 p.m.

APRIL 14
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Washington Twp., 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 15
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Woodstown
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Woodstown at Salem
Schalick at Pitman
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Pennsville, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester Catholic, Westwood GC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Delsea, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Timber Creek at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick
TRACK
Schalick at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
GIRLS TRACK
Pennsville at Glassboro
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Mainland

APRIL 16
BASEBALL
Bridgeton at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Millville
SOFTBALL
Sterling at Schalick
TENNIS
Cumberland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Woodstown at Lenape, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Mainland at Woodstown
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Mercer at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

APRIL 17
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Woodstown
Middle Twp. at Salem
Salem Tech at Atlantic City
SOFTBALL
Cape May Tech at Salem
Woodstown at Cumberland
TENNIS
Pitman at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Delsea, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Millville
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Camden, 3 p.m.

APRIL 18
BASEBALL
Schalick at Haddon Twp., TBD
Salem at Gloucester, 10 a.m.
Sterling at Woodstown, 11 a.m.
TRACK
Woodbury Relays
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Camden at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Sussex, noon

APRIL 20
BASEBALL
Salem Tech at Pilgrim Academy
SOFTBALL
Buena at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at LEAP, 3:45 p.m.

APRIL 21
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Salem Tech at Clayton
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Overbrook, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Wildwood, Union League National, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick
TRACK
Penns Grove at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GCIT at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Bergen at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Morris, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 22
BASEBALL
Overbrook at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Overbrook
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Bergen, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 23
SOFTBALL
LEAP at Penns Grove
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Pitman, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Sterling, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Schalick at Haddon Heights
TRACK
Clayton at Salem
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Brookdale, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 24
BASEBALL
Buena at Salem
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Winslow
SOFTBALL
Lower Cape May at Salem
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 25
BASEBALL
Schalick at Vineland, 10 a.m.
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Highland, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Raritan Valley at Salem CC, noon

APRIL 27
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Pitman
Salem at Gateway
Salem Tech at Bridgeton
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pitman at Pennsville
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Pennsville, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Cumberland, TBA, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Triton, Valleybrook CC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Clearview, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Wildwood at Pennsville
TRACK
Schalick at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
GIRLS TRACK
Overbrook at Pennsville
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Washington Twp., 5:30 p.m.

APRIL 28
BASEBALL
Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Bridgeton
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
West Deptford at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Clayton at Schalick
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Timber Creek at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Williamstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
West Deptford at Woodstown

APRIL 29
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Woodstown
Pitman at Penns Grove
Salem at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Salem
Penns Grove at Pitman
Woodstown at Pennsville
Schalick at Wildwood, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Pitman, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run CC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at Clayton, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Triton, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Schalick

APRIL 30
BASEBALL
Schalick at Clearview
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Bridgeton
Winslow at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Washington Twp.
TRACK
Salem County Championships, Pennsville, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Camden Co. Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Wildwood, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Ocean City

MAY 1
BASEBALL
Gloucester at Woodstown
Lindenwold at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Salem
SOFTBALL
Camden Tech at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Lindenwold
TENNIS
Deptford at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at BCIT, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Maple Shade at Woodstown
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Union at Salem CC

MAY 2
BASEBALL
Schalick at Timber Creek
Woodstown at Audubon, 11 a.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Highland, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Union (2), noon

MAY 4
BASEBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech
Salem at Pennsville
Delran at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.
Bridgeton at Schalick, 6 p.m.
SOFTBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Triton
West Deptford at Pennsville
Cinnaminson at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
NJSIAA Playoffs, Cream Ridge CC
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Kingsway, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Woodstown at Overbrook, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Woodstown in Haddonfield Invitational, 5 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Highland, 3:45 p.m.

MAY 5
BASEBALL
Clayton at Pennsville
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Wildwood
Schalick at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Penn Tech at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Clayton
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem at Pitman
Woodstown at Maple Shade
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Gloucester Catholic, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Highland, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Bridgeton at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Highland, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Wildwood, 4:15 p.m.
TRACK
TCC Showcase, Delsea, TBD

MAY 6
SOFTBALL
Millville at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Washington Twp., The Birches, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Burlington Twp. at Pennsville
Woodstown at Millville
TRACK
TCC Showcase, Delsea, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Haddonfield at Woodstown

MAY 7
BASEBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Wildwood
Penns Grove at Schalick
SOFTBALL
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Overbrook
Wildwood at Pennsville
BOYS GOLF
Carl Arena Tournament, Ramblewood GC, TBD
TENNIS
Pennsville at GCIT, 3:45 p.m.
Washington Twp. at Schalick
BOYS LACROSSE
Triton at Woodstown

MAY 8
BASEBALL
Schalick at Collingswood
SOFTBALL
Schalick at Absegami
TRACK
TCC Showcase, Delaea

MAY 9
BASEBALL
Lee Ware Tournament, Woodstown, 10 a.m., noon
SOFTBALL
Woodstown at Williamstown, 10 a.m.

MAY 10
BASEBALL
Schalick at Salem
SOFTBALL
Salem vs. Schalick, Elmer LL, 6 p.m.
TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville

MAY 11
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Wildwood
Woodstown at Clayton
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Woodstown
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Atlantic City
Wildwood at Penns Grove
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Lower Cape May, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Timber Creek, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Woodstown at West Deptford, 5 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Washington Twp., 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Millville at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Triton

MAY 12
BASEBALL
Bridgeton at Salem Tech
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Buena, 3:45 p.m.
Deptford at Woodstown
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. OLMA, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Middle Twp., 4:15 p.m.

MAY 13
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem at Wildwood
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Deptford
Schalick at Glassboro
Wildwood at Salem
Woodstown at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Delsea at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Pitman, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Timber Creek, 3:45 p.m.

MAY 14
BASEBALL
Clayton at Salem Tech
GCIT at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
Bridgeton at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Glassboro
Delran at Schalick, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Delsea, White Oaks CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Riverside at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Timber Creek

MAY 15
BASEBALL
Mainland at Schalick
Oakcrest at Woodstown
Penns Grove at LEAP
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
SOFTBALL
Bridgeton at Salem
Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech
Clearview at Pennsville
LEAP at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Overbrook at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Pitman
TRACK
NJSIAA Sectionals, Pennsauken, 2 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Triton at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.

MAY 16
BASEBALL
Woodstown at Buena, 10 a.m.
Pennsville at Cedar Creek, 11 a.m.
TRACK
NJSIAA Sectionals, Pennsauken, TBD
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Camden Catholic, 11 a.m.

MAY 18
BASEBALL
Haddon Heights at Schalick
Salem at Camden Academy Charter
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Salem
Haddonfield at Salem Tech, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Salem/Cumberland Championship, Centerton CC, 8 a.m.
Woodstown vs. Deptford, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Salem/Cumberland Championship, Centerton CC, 8 a.m.
TENNIS
Schalick at Haddon Twp.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Highland at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Haddon Heights

MAY 19
BASEBALL
Clayton at Penns Grove
Gloucester at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Schalick
Pitman at Woodstown
Salem at Glassboro
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Salem
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Woodstown at Pitman
BOYS LACROSSE
Bishop Eustace at Woodstown

MAY 20
SOFTBALL
Atlantic Tech at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.
Schalick at Cedar Creek
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Clearview at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Timber Creek at Woodstown

MAY 21
BASEBALL
Mainland at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Gloucester County Christian
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Winslow
Salem Tech at Camden Co. Tech

MAY 26
BOYS GOLF
TCC Showcase, Pitman GC, 8 a.m.
GIRLS GOLF
TCC Showcase, Pitman GC, 8 a.m.




Prolific offense

Salem CC softball sets records for runs in doubleheader sweep to wrap up southern swing; baseball swept in getaway DH

SALEM CC SOFTBALL
Salem CC 16-27, Anne Arundel 6-4
SALEM CC BASEBALL
Surry 12-6, Salem CC 1-3

By Riverview Sports News

ARNOLD, Md. – The Salem CC softball team continued to light up the scoreboard, sweeping Anne Arundel 16-6 and 27-4 Sunday to complete its spring break southern swing 4-0.

The Mighty Oaks (8-4) rapped out 34 hits in the two games – 12 for extra bases – and hit three homers in each game. They scored 29 runs on 22 hits (for extra bases) in their sweep of Chesapeake College Saturday.

Seven of their eight wins this season have been run-rule victories. They are averaging 12.2 runs a game – 16.9 in their wins – and have hit 13 home runs. They are hitting .405 overall, .455 in their wins.

“We are starting to get in the rhythm we were hoping to get into when we were getting prepared for the spring, so it’s very good to start seeing it come along,” Mighty Oaks coach Angel Rodriguez said. “Our players are picking each other up each AB.”

The Mighty Oaks scored 13 runs in the first inning of the nightcap on the way to setting a single-game program record for runs, eclipsing the old mark of 24 set in an April 2023 game against Ocean. The 43 runs they scored in the doubleheader is also a single-game record, topping the 42 they put on Raritan Valley in 2024.

Jalyn Rambally and Lilly Peverelle had the biggest days for the Mighty Oaks. Rambally went 6-for-10 with two homers (in the opener), two doubles and six RBIs. Peverelle went 8-for-11 with a homer, two doubles and five RBIs. J.J. Aguirre went 5-for-7 and Megan Koski had six RBIs in the doubleheader. Emme Witter homered for her third straight game in the nightcap.

Rambally opened the first game with a leadoff homer and closed the scoring with a grand slam in the seventh. Koski and Jordyn Busch both hit grand slams in the nightcap.

The 30-win team two years ago that beat top-seeded Mercer in the opening round of the Region 19 tournament was similarly prolific. That team scored 354 runs in 44 games (8.04 per game) and hit 34 homers. This year’s team is on pace to hit 49 homers (45 games).

“I think this one is just as comparable, if not better,” Rodriguez said. “We have a lot more of a team mentality currently. Not that the team from a few years ago weren’t that way, this squad finds ways to building off each other and hold each other more accountable.”

The Mighty Oaks get back to it at home Friday against Bucks County, a team they’ve run-ruled all six times they’ve played since 2023.

“The trip, like most, brings out the best in players and the team bonding,” Rodriguez said. “It was a very successful trip. Looking forward to the second-half push.”

Baseball

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Salem CC baseball team ended their spring break trip on a seven-game losing streak after being sweep by Surry CC 12-1 and 6-3 Sunday. They went 2-9 on the week-long trip.

“We’re still working through some growing pains as a young team,” coach John Holt said. “Fatigue played a factor as we have played a lot of baseball, but we still need to fine tune some things as I feel we are playing catch up on skills with the lack of reps outside.”

The Mighty Oaks (4-11) were scheduled to play Northampton Monday, but the game has been postponed. The teams will play a doubleheader in Bethlehem Tuesday.

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of March 15-22; all games weather permitting; x-scrimmage

MONDAY, MARCH 16
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Northampton at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17
BASEBALL
x-Gateway at Salem Tech
SOFTBALL
x-Paulsboro at Penns Grove
x-Salem Tech at Pennsauken Tech
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at Absegami
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Northampton (2), noon

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
BASEBALL
x-Millville at Pennsville
x-Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
SOFTBALL
x-Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech
x-Middle Twp. at Schalick
TENNIS
x-Millville at Pennsville
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Delran at Woodstown

THURSDAY, MARCH 19
BASEBALL
x-Bridgeton at Salem
x-Schalick at Paulsboro
SOFTBALL
x-Gateway at Woodstown
x-Salem at Bridgeton
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Delsea, Wild Oaks GC
TENNIS
x-West Deptford at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Riverside

FRIDAY, MARCH 20
BASEBALL
x-Atlantic Tech at Salem
Pennsville at West Deptford
SOFTBALL
x-Salem at Lower Cape May
x-Salem Tech at Schalick
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Atlantic Cape at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Bucks at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape (2), noon

SUNDAY, MARCH 22
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, noon

Big 3 for third

Salem CC finishes third in national tournament after beating DC-North Lake on Rines’ late 3-pointer; Gibson makes all-tournament team

JUCO DIVISION III TOURNAMENT
At Herkimer, N.Y.
Saturday’s Games
Fifth-place game
Richland 70, Joliet 66
Third-place game
Salem CC 76, Dallas North Lake 75
Championship game
Northern Essex 68, Dallas Richland 62

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

HERKIMER, N.Y. – Idris Rines didn’t just hit the shot of the game, it was the shot of Salem CC’s record-breaking year. No, it did not win a championship. It did more than that. It salvaged a season.

The Mighty Oaks came here to the JUCO Division III national tournament to win a national championship. That dream was dashed Friday night, but Rines made sure they made good on coach Mike Green’s overnight boast of going home with something when he delivered a pure 3-pointer from the top of the key with 17 seconds left to bring them a 76-75 win over third-seeded Dallas College North Lake.

Back-to-back losses to end the season would’ve been a bummer for a team that had the best record in the country coming into this JUCO Division III national tournament. Instead, thanks to Rines’ shining moment, just like last year, the Mighty Oaks (32-3) are one of the few college basketball teams in America that will end their season with a win.

By beating the Blazers (23-12), they finished third in the national tournament, two spots higher than they did when they won on Saturday here a year ago.

“You want to go out winning, man,” Green said. “You want to go out smiling. You don’t want to be in here all sad. Our guys answered the bell.

“You come down here to win everything, you lose one and then you kind of get sidetracked. Try to tell those boys to fight. They worked way too hard to leave here with nothing. The light switched on.”

Stefan Phillips (25), one of Salem CC’s three sophomores and the only player back from last year’s tournament team, is all smiles as he holds the third-place trophy from the national tournament. (NJCAA photo). Top photo, Idris Rines lets fly the 3-pointer that won the game.

The play that produced the winning basket was supposed to be Rines setting a back screen for Nayeem Johnson to get a layup. But when he saw how much room the defense had left him, he called for the inbounds pass from Nasseem Wright and let it fly. He finished with nine points and six rebounds.

“That wasn’t my first game-winner, but that might have been like the biggest game-winner,” Rines said. “I had a couple in high school, but nothing like a championship game-winner.

“MG trusted me. The play wasn’t designed for that, but we just executed it. And that might have been our biggest execution play out of a timeout. We struggled all year executing out of timeouts.

“The biggest thing was sending our sophomores out with their last game and winning it. We wanted to come out of here with something. We knew we didn’t win the (district) and once we lost that we thought we had nothing, but third place gets a trophy and we’d love to send Mike (Goodwin), Stef (Phillips) and Nayeem (Johnson) off with something. Once MG told us we had an idea we could win something we just knew we had to.”

Asked if he ever saved a season before, he said, “not like this.”

“We all knew it was going in,” said guard Zyaire Gibson, the Mighty Oaks’ true 3-point specialist. “We practice that shot every day. Wide open. He had it. I heard coach Mike Green say ‘Shoot it!’ and we knew it was good.”

Rines had something of a reputation as a 3-point shooter in high school despite a 6-5 frame that would hint otherwise and he showed his worth from beyond the arc with the Mighty Oaks from the very first game at Atlantic Cape. He hit a clutch one in that game and shot it at 30.1 percent for the season. His two Saturday gave him 31 for the year.

“He’s versatile,” Green said. “He’s a guard in a forward’s body. He’s just so much stronger than everybody so we post him. Everything we told him before the season what we were going to do with him we did it and he bought into it.”

The Mighty Oaks had to play a little defense after Rines’ basket but Nayeem Johnson said “that was the easy part.” Because of all the foul trouble they had in the second half, they knew they had to stay disciplined, and they pulled it off.

Johnson came off his man to help Jarrell Little close off Elijah Black’s drive down in the lane with the clock winding down and then stepped out to challenge Zach Thompson’s off-balanced 3 at the buzzer that missed everything.

Nayeem Johnson (11) made his first start in a Salem CC uniform in place of injured point guard Saaid Lee. He was the Mighty Oaks’ second-leading scorer in the game and was in on the last two defensive plays that preserved the victory. (NJCAA photo)

The Mighty Oaks had a lot going against them. They played without injured point guard Saaid Lee, their two leading scorers (Little and Wright) were in heavy foul trouble, North Lake was in the double bonus midway through the second half and Salem hadn’t taken a free throw yet, and they were down 10 with 9:57 to play.

They brought it back with a 10-2 run to made it 60-58 with 8:25 to go. They tied it on a three-point play by Rines at 8:08 and took a 64-62 lead on Nayeem Johnson’s three-point play on either side of the 8:00 media timeout. It went back and forth the rest of the game.

Romiel Carter gave the Blazers a 75-73 lead on a free throws with 24.5 seconds left and Green called time with 19.2 to set the stage for Rines’ winning 3.

“We definitely matured during the season,” Gibson said. “We talk about adversity all year. We’ve had games, certain teams that weren’t supposed to be in it as long that stayed in it and we had to fight and fight and fight. Today we made sure we didn’t harp on yesterday’s loss and we came together as the game went on and we made sure everyone was still on the same page. We kept executing and as MG preaches execute plays, we made shots and got stops and we got back in the game and won it.

“We came out at halftime and told each other this is our last 20 minutes playing with each other for this season. For our sophomores we’re going to send them home on a good note. We’re walking home with a trophy – trophies – and they feel good. Everybody’s walking out of here with a smile, nobody has their head down, it feels great.” 

Gibson made the all-tournament team for his body of work in the event. He had 39 points and seven 3-points in three tournament games. He 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the consolation game.

Little was their leading scorer with 18 points despite playing the last 17 minutes with four fouls. Johnson, making his first start in a Salem uniform, had 17 points.

ACORNS: Top-seeded Northern Essex won the championship game, beating Dallas College Richland, 68-62. Richland was bidding to become the lowest seeded team (10th) to win the national championship … With his 597 points this season, Little is now 16th on the Mighty Oaks’ all-time scoring list. Wright (557) is tied for 21st and Lee (5-7) is tied for 29th … The national tournament the next two years will be played in Rochester, Minn.

This story will be updated.

SALEM CC 76, DALLAS NORTH LAKE 75
SALEM CC (32-3): Jarrell Little 6-15 3-3 18, Zyaire Gibson 4-11 2-3 11, Nasseem Wright 2-6 2-2 6, Nayeem Johnson 4-12 9-11 17, Stefan Phillips 4-6 2-2 13, Jahseir Sayles 0-2 0-0 0, Qua Smith 1-2 0-0 2, Idris Rines 3-9 1-1 9, Mike Goodwin 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-63 19-22 76.
DALLAS NORTH LAKE (23-12): Santana Spivey 2-8 0-0 5, Jordan Edwards 5-8 6-8 16, Elijah Black 2-8 0-0 4, Zach Thompson 2-7 8-12 12, Romiel Carter 8-16 6-8 22, Zaedyn Owens 0-8 2-4 2, JaDen Stiggers 4-7 2-2 12, Damian Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Ngozi Ofili 0-0 0-0 0, Marco Assirifix 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 24-63 24-34 75.

Salem CC3739-76
Dallas North Lake3837-75
3-point goals: Salem CC 9-22 (Little 3-6, Gibson 1-7, Johnson 0-1, Phillips 3-3, Sayles 0-2, Rines 2-3); North Lake 3-15 (Spivey 1-6, Black 0-1, Thompson 0-2, Owens 0-3, Stiggers 2-3). Rebounds: Salem CC 39 (Gibson 8, Wright 7, Rines 6); North Lake 47 (Carter 14). Total fouls: Salem CC 23, North Lake 20.
Zyaire Gibson was Salem CC’s representative on the all-tournament team for his steady play and body of work in the tournament. (NJCAA photo)

Dream dashed

Salem CC basketball will play for third place in the national tournament after losing to top-seeded Northern Essex in Division III semifinals; Knights’ Robinson scores 39

JUCO DIVISION III TOURNAMENT
At Herkimer, N.Y.
Friday’s Games
Joliet 102, Genesee 100 (OT)
Riverland 97, Ridgewater 89
Northern Essex 88. Salem CC 85
Dallas Richland 67, Dallas North Lake 59
Saturday’s Games
Fifth-place game: Joliet vs. Riverland, noon
Third-place game: Salem CC vs. Dallas North Lake, 2 p.m.
Championship game: No. 1 Northern Essex vs. No. 10 Dallas Richland, 5 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

HERKIMER, N.Y. – The Salem CC basketball team hasn’t felt the pain of defeat very often this season, but each one hurt worse than the last. The one Friday cut deepest of all.

The Mighty Oaks had their dream of winning a national championship shattered on a snowy night here when they suffered an uncharacteristically mistake-prone 88-85 loss to top-seeded Northern Essex in the semifinals of the JUCO Division III national tournament.

The fourth-seeded Mighty Oaks (31-2) have lost only three games this year and all carried some significance. The first, to Brookdale, ended their season-opening 22-game winning streak and knocked them from No. 1 in the country. The second, to Montgomery County, cost them the district championship, an automatic bid here and maybe even the No. 1 seed. Friday’s loss ended their dream of winning their first national championship.

“We made the same mistakes against Montco we made tonight,” Salem coach Mike Green said. “(Giving up) offensive rebounds when it mattered the most, no stops when it mattered the most. (The loss to) Montco hurt more than anything, the championship and the way my guys played. At least they went out and competed today. It’s unfortunate. So close, but so far.

“I thought we played well enough to win. We just didn’t guard and turned the ball over.”

The most frustrating element of the loss was once the Mighty Oaks did fall behind every time they would get close, the Knights (32-3) answered to turn them away, either by creating an empty possession through a turnover or missed shot or answering with points of their own.

They got within 52-50, Alex Johnson hit buckets on consecutive possessions to push it back to 56-50. They closed to 61-59, Jacob Mercedes answered with a basket. They drew within 62-61 with 12:00 left then missed three straight shots and Jayvon Depina made them pay with a 3-pointer. They tied it at 66, then the Knights went on a 9-0 run through the 8:00 media timeout while the Mighty Oaks went through six straight empty possessions. It was like that the whole second half.

“Their pressure really wasn’t nothing,” Nasseem Wright said. “Our team is young, so like none of us want to make mistakes and that causes us to make mistakes. I don’t want to discredit their team, but it was moreso like we were just giving away possessions. We’d come down and score and then we’d give up a backdoor layup. That’s not anything they did, that’s on us by not guarding our man. We were literally giving them those possessions. 

“If they were outright better than us it’s like I won’t be able to accept (the loss) but I’ll be able to see from it. I can’t see it now because I don’t think none of these teams are better than us. I just feel like we’re literally just giving away championships by not being disciplined. Those same things we’ve been dealing with throughout the whole season versus lesser teams who aren’t playing for anything, it didn’t really harm us. But now when you’ve got guys who are coming out there, they might not be the better team, but they’re going to play as hard as ever because they’re playing for something, those mistakes are going to come back and bite you. 

“Those same mistakes you can’t do because it’s not about skill at the end of the day, it’s about who’s going out there willing to die on the court. That’s something we didn’t do. We didn’t die on the court. We didn’t leave it all on the floor. That’s not like us. It happened in the Brookdale game, which was a loss, it happened in the Montco game, which was a loss, and it happened today.”

Northern Essex’ Joan Vidal (12) lunges to knock the ball away from Salem’s Nayeem Johnson. (NJCAA photo)

The Mighty Oaks were charged with 21 turnovers and gave up 36 points in the paint. They let sophomore guard Alex Johnson get loose for 39 points. It’s the most points the Mighty Oaks have given up by one player since Sussex’ P.J. Ross went for 39 against them near the end of Green’s first season. Johnson was 12-of-23 from the field and 15-of-19 from the free throw line. 

Alejandro Delgado, the Region 21 Player of the Year, had 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots, including one of a Saaid Lee layup with 11.7 seconds left that kept Salem once again from getting within two.

“My guys didn’t follow the scouting report,” Green said. “They did it their way and so you give up 40 points to one guy. Let right-handed drivers go right-handed drive. That’s the game: 20 turnovers, 39 points to a right-handed driver.”

Their own top scorers, Jarrell Little and Wright, both fouled out in the final two minutes. They finished with nine and eight points, respectively, the only time this season they’ve been held to single digits in the same game. Lee wound up as their leading scorer with 23 points, two shy of his career high. He was 6-of-9 from the field, hit all three of his 3-pointers and all eight of his free throws.

The freshman point guard hit a deep 3-pointer over Johnson with 5.9 seconds left to draw his team within 87-85. Johnson hit a free throw at the other end with 4.6 seconds left to make it a three-point game and Green called his final time out immediately after the shot went through to set up a game-tying play.

They just wanted to get any shot, but Lee tripped shortly after crossing mid-court and may have had a case for a blocking foul against the Knights, but was called for traveling. Lee defended the inbounds pass to Johnson and replays looked as if the ball went out off Johnson’s hands, but the officials awarded the ball to the Knights with four-tenths of a second left and they simply passed it in with the Mighty Oaks standing near their bench to end the game.

“I pulled it,” he said of the turnovers. “I feel horrible.”

The Mighty Oaks can still leave here on a positive note if they beat third-seeded Dallas North Lake in Saturday’s 2 p.m. consolation game. It would allow them to end the season with a win, just not the win they came here to get.


NORTHERN ESSEX 88, SALEM CC 85
SALEM CC (31-3): Jarrell Little 3-11 2-4 9, Saaid Lee 6-9 8-8 23, Zyaire Gibson 4-5 3-3 14, Nasseem Wright 4-10 0-2 8, Stefan Phillips 1-3 0-0 3, Jahseir Sayles 0-1 0-0 0, Qua Smith 1-1 5-6 7, Nayeem Johnson 6-13 3-4 15, Idris Rines 3-5 0-0 6. Totals 28-58 21-27 85.
NORTHERN ESSEX (32-3): Alex Johnson 12-23 15-19 39, Joan Vidal 2-3 1-2 5, Yunosuke Matsuda 2-7 0-0 5, Christian Sanders 3-4 4-6 11, Alejandro Delgado 6-12 2-4 15, Jayvon Depina 1-5 0-0 3, Cristian Moscat 0-4 2-2 2, Johnarieus Davis 2-4 0-0 4, Jacob Mercedes 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 30-64 24-33 88.

Salem CC4243-85
Northern Essex4939-88

3-point goals: Salem CC 8-19 (Little 1-5, Lee 3-3, Gibson 3-4, Wright 0-1, Phillips 1-2 Sayles 0-1, Johnson 0-1, Rines 0-2); Northern Essex 4-13 (Johnson 0-2, Matsuda 1-1, Sanders 1-1, Delgado 1-2, Depina 1-4, Moscat 0-2, Davis 0-1). Rebounds: Salem CC 41 (Wright 9, Smith 7, Johnson 7); Northern Essex 32 (Delgado 7, Moscat 7). Fouled out: Little, Wright. Total fouls: Salem CC 26, Northern Essex 19,

Salem’s Saaid Lee launches (and hits) a deep 3-pointer with 5.9 seconds left to bring the Mighty Oaks within two of Northern Essex in Friday’s national semifinal game. Lee was the Mighty Oaks’ leading scorer with 23 points.

Top photo: Northern Essex guard Alex Johnson brings the ball up against Salem CC Friday. Johnson scored a career-high 39 points as the Knights downed the Mighty Oaks 88-85 to advance to the JUCO Division III national title game. (NJCAA photo)


Wolverines Top 15

Woodstown relay finishes 13th at New Balance Nationals, runs personal best

BOSTON – Woodstown’s 4×800 relay team was hoping for a finish that would get them All-American status. The Wolverines didn’t quite get there, although they made a good run at it, but they did run a personal best.

The relay team of Jacob Marino, Karson Chew, David Farrell and Josh Crawford finished 13th out of 104 teams at the New Balance Indoor Nationals here Thursday night, but they ran a PR of 7:55.26.

They were running third overall after finishing second in their heat to Plymouth Whitemarsh, but were bumped down by the final heat. Union Catholic TC won the event in meet record time of 7:35.05, the fastest time in the country this year.

Crawford and Chew return Saturday to run in the boys 800.

New field of dreams

Salem CC finalizes purchase of property that will become the football team’s practice facility and hub for all of its outdoor sports

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT — The Salem Community College football program had a practice facility in theory for the last month or so, but now the Mighty Oaks have a practice facility.

The school announced Thursday it had finalized the purchase of a six-acre plot of land adjacent to the Carneys Point Rec Complex to serve as the practice facility for its new football program and future hub for all of its outdoor sports. The purchase price was $115,000 to be paid over a 10-year mortgage..

“Obtaining this practice site was crucial to our football program,” college president Mike Gorman said. “The cooperation and support of the Carneys Point Township Committee past and present made this step possible.”

School officials still have to walk the grounds for a better assessment of its use, but football coach Jay Accorsi said he hoped to have the roughly two dozen players already on campus on the field for spring practice in April.

In time, the plan is to construct a building on the site to serve training, storage and other needs.

“It really means a lot for the department as a whole because we’re going to be able to consolidate our outdoor sports into one location,” athletics director Bob Hughes said. “But specifically for football, it allows us to move forward with the tangible parts of building this program.

“Coach Accorsi has been great about adjusting and moving and going with the flow, for the lack of a better term. This is allow us to have firm ideas of where things will be, what will be in places. We don’t know when we’ll have them yet, but we’ll have a much more solid and firm idea of what it is exactly we’ll be able to have.”

The college’s board of trustees approved bringing football to campus in November and it formally launched the program in January with the introduction as Accorsi as the head coach. The former Rowan head coach had been serving as the consultant during the exploration of starting a football program and was named interim head coach in the run up to the official launch.

The program has only two coaches on staff to date – Accorsi and Joe Dougherty – but Accorsi recently got approval to hire two more assistants. He hopes to have those positions filled by April and has had “large interest by a lot coaches” to join the staff.

The plan is to play an eight-game schedule this fall with home games being played in county high school stadiums. The opponents include a home-and-home set with Sussex County, the only other junior college in New Jersey playing football, and single games with Erie CC, Hudson Valley CC, Nassau CC, Thaddeus Stevens, Army Prep and Navy Prep. The formal schedule with dates and venues is expected to be announced soon.

Finding a suitable practice facility was perhaps the biggest obstacle to getting the program off the ground. The school had considered four properties before settling on the site known as Twins Field. The property sits just beyond the outfield fence of where the Mighty Oaks play their home baseball games. 

“When Mike sent me the email that we finally closed I really excited,” Accorsi said. “It was like of like a breath of fresh air and relief because we’ve been talking about that field and facility for such a while that it’s good to finally have it done. 

“I’m super excited. That was the one piece that kind of finalized the whole situation here for starting football. To have that finally completed it’s awesome. It’s great.”