Author: almusky

Big on the boards

String joins elite 500-500 Club with 500th career rebound in Woodstown’s win, Penns Grove’s Wilson gets closer to 1,000 points, includes all of Saturday’s Salem County action

SATURDAY GIRLS GAMESSATURDAY BOYS GAMES
OLMA 35, Penns Grove 34Woodstown 74, West Deptford 32
Camden Tech 49, Schalick 38Camden Tech 80, Schalick 68
Clearview 76, Pennsville 38

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — Rocco String wasted little time joining an elite club of high school basketball players.

The Woodstown senior post went into Saturday needing just one rebound to join the 500-500 Club. It was going to be quick and if you weren’t in your seat in time you’d have missed it.

Woodstown’s Rocco String wears the Player of the Game medallion after joining the 500-500 Club with his 500th career rebound Saturday.

He snagged a missed shot by one of his teammate and laid it back in for his 500th rebound and the first points of the game in an eventual 74-32 Wolverines win over West Deptford.

“It’s a big accomplishment; I did it in two and a half years,” String said. “Once I rebounded, I was like I did it and then I kept playing because we didn’t break for a timeout.

“It was a very cool accomplishment, for sure. Not a lot of people get that.”

Not unless they’re willing to work. After all, rebounding is a blue-collar job, but String isn’t afraid to bang around on the inside. He’s only been out of double-digit rebounds once this season, and he had nine in that one.

“A lot of players forget about the third phase of basketball,” Woodstown coach Ramon Roots said. “You have offense, defense, and rebounding. With a guy like Rocco, his first priority is to rebound.

“I’m proud of his accomplishment because he works so hard and he has become a great leader. He holds guys accountable and is becoming a man. He’s going to do great things in life because he is always looking to get better. He improves day to day (and) has turned into the best big in Group 1, in my opinion.”

On the offensive end, he had a game-high 15 points, giving him 551 for his career. Truth be told, the stat that really gets him excited is blocked shots. He has more than 160 of those in his career and has been a block or two shy of a triple-double several times this season.

His putback to open the game got the Wolverines off to a great start. They shut out the Eagles in the first quarter 20-0.

WOODSTOWN 74, WEST DEPTFORD 32
WEST DEPTFORD (3-10): Shayne Halter 0 2-2 2, Kyree Eason 0 0-0 0, Thomas Cross 1 0-0 3, Aaron Benson 1 0-0 3, Anthony Martello 1 0-0 2, Curtis Pearson 1 0-2 3, Braeden Warren 0 0-0 0, Carter Watson 5 0-0 12, Michael Joseph 2 3-4 7, Cole Stanish 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 5-8 32.
WOODSTOWN (9-4): Eli Caesar 3 0-0 7, John Hood-McGindley 2 0-0 5, Blake Bialecki 4 0-0 9, Alejandro Vazquez 5 0-0 12, M.J. Hall 3 1-2 7, Josh King 1 0-0 3, Garrett Leyman 1 0-0 2, Anthony Bokolas 0 0-0 0, Andrew White 1 2-2 4, Sid Leevy 0 1-2 1, Rocco String 7 1-4 15, Brayden Hall 4 0-0 9, Connor Miller 0 0-0 0. Totals 31 5-10 74.

West Deptford014711-32
Woodstown20161820-74

3-point goals: West Deptford 5 (Cross, Benson, Pearson, Watson 2); Woodstown 7 (Caesar, McGindley, Bialecki, Vazquez 2, King, B. Hall). Total fouls: West Deptford 7, Woodstown 11.

CLEARVIEW 76, PENNSVILLE 38
PENNSVILLE (1-13): Jovanni Rios 6 0-0 12, Mason O’Brien 3 1-2 8, Logan Hitt 1 1-2 4, Cole Johnston 2 0-0 6, Danny Knight 1 0-0 3, Arturus Franz 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 2-4 38.
CLEARVIEW (7-9): Luke Andres 4 1-1 12, J.D. Steidle 2 1-3 5, Jake Flotter 2 0-0 4, Jonah Turner 5 0-0 11, George Kritikson 4 0-0 10, T.J. McGovern 1 0-0 3, Luke Zuba 1 0-0 3, Kaprice Stewart 4 1-2 10, Brady Riedel 1 1-2 4, Andrew Long 1 0-0 2, Alex Doe 3 0-0 8, Tykeem Williams 1 2-2 4. Totals 29 6-14 76.

Pennsville119126-38
Clearview21231022-76

3-point goals: Pennsville 5 (O’Brien, Hitt, Johnston 2, Knight); Clearview 12 (Andres 3, Turner, Kritikson 2, McGovern, Zuba, Stewart, Miedel, Doe 2).

CAMDEN TECH 80, SCHALICK 68
CAMDEN TECH (5-8): Salvatore Algeri 12 0-0 28, Mekhi Harper 1 0-0 2, Amari Richardson 2 3-3 7, Keysean Spencer 7 0-0 16, Xavier Figueroa 1 1-1 3, Shareef Cox 2 0-0 4, Charles Barbour 3 0-0 7, Elijah Franks 5 1-1 11, Deen Jean-Louis 1 0-0 2, Isaiah Haynes 0 0-0 0, Brandon Rivera 0 0-0 0. Totals 34 5-5 80.
SCHALICK (4-12): Reggie Allen 8 1-1 17, Jase Volovar 2 0-0 5, Nylan Sutton 8 3-6 19, Sherrod Jones 3 1-1 7, Jamari Whitley 4 1-2 11, Justin Iacona 2 1-2 6, Sean Kelly 1 0-0 3. Totals 28 7-12 68.

Camden Tech20251916-80
Schalick18181121-68

3-point goals: Camden Tech 7 (Algeri 4, Spencer 2, Barbour); Schalick 5 (Volovar, Whitley 2, Iacona, Kelly). Rebounds: Camden Tech 38 (Richardson 7, Barbour 6).

Girls games

OLMA 65, PENNS GROVE 34
PENNS GROVE (7-6): RaNiyah Wilson 10 0-2 19, Brianna Robbins 4 2-4 10, JaNiyah Cummings 1 1-4 3, Syanna Robbins 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Washington 0 0-0 0, Keziah Patterson 0 0-0 0, NyAsia Numan 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 3-10 34.
OLMA (7-9): Khalia Lewis 5 0-2 11, VonAsia Thompson 1 0-0 2, Alessia Lenten 3 0-0 8, Katelyn Coryell 2 0-0 6, Gwen O’Hara 1 0-0 2, Adriana Bristow 5 3-6 15, Muffin Bethea 5 3-4 13, Chynna Fidler 3 0-2 8, Landyn Persicano 0 0-0 0, Lucca Grungo 0 0-0 0Katie Ricchiuti 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 6-14 65.

Penns Grove86811-34
OLMA2415179-65

3-point goals: Penns Grove 2 (Wilson); OLMA 9 (Lewis, Lenten 2, Coryell 2, Bristow 2, Fidler 2). Rebounds: OLMA 38 (Lewis 13).

CAMDEN TECH 49, SCHALICK 38
SCHALICK (3-8): Navaeh Robinson 6 2-3 18, Ava Scurry 1 0-0 3, Olivia Vanacker 3 1-6 7, Cali Fisler 0 2-4 2, Willow Davis 1 2-4 4, Olivia Lunemann 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 7-17 38.
CAMDEN TECH (6-9): Kiara Miller 4 3-3 12, Ryan Jones 5 0-0 11, Vinny Fernandez 2 3-7 7, Camille Walker 1 0-2 2, Jaelyn White 2 1-4 5, Ericka Bennett 1 2-3 4, Brenna Stiles 3 2-4 8. Totals 18 11-23 49.

Schalick125615-38
Camden Tech1741612-49

3-point goals: Schalick 5 (Robinson 4, Scurry); Camden Tech 2 (Miller, Jones). Rebounds: Camden Tech 17 (Walker 7).

SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME GIRLS SCORING LISTTODAYPOINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004) 2110
Amanda Young, St. James
(1995)		 1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009) 1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021) 1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013) 1566
Talia Battavio, Woodstown1438
Megan Donelson, Woodstown1428
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 518)980
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 706)19 vs OLMA957
Marley Wood, Pennsville907

Through games of Jan. 25

Rally for the ages

Salem CC women use a big fourth-quarter rally to beat Middlesex and keep their playoff hopes alive 

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The Salem CC women’s basketball team could see their playoff hopes slipping away. Something had to happen, and it had to happen fast.

Nyaijah Jackson spoke softly but forcefully at halftime to let her teammates know things had to change. Mighty Oaks coach Brian Marsh was a little louder.

It took a little while for the message to kick in, but the Mighty Oaks ultimately put together a comeback for the ages, rallying from 19 down in the third quarter, to beat Middlesex 61-58 and keep their Region XIX playoff hopes alive.

They trailed by 19 (47-26) with 4:27 left in the third quarter and 15 to start the fourth, then outscored the Colts 26-8 in the fourth quarter to complete a sweep of this four-game scheduling block that was going to determine what their season eventually looked like.

“I knew we had it in us,” Mighty Oaks sophomore Caroline Zullo said. “We all knew we had it in us, we just didn’t show it in the first half. Second half, we decided to pull through. We felt our playoffs were slipping away, so we all collectively decided we’ve got to lock in.”

Teams have to be .500 or better overall or in the region to make the playoffs. The Mighty Oaks are now 10-8 with six games to play meaning all they have to do is find two more wins against the toughest stretch of the schedule. 

Four of the remaining games are against teams among the top five Division II teams in the region, starting with undefeated league-leading Union at home Tuesday, and the other two are against the region’s top two Division III teams.

Caroline Zullo brings the ball up here, but later in the game she hit two free throws that gave the Mighty Oaks the lead for good. (Photo by John Holt)

There wasn’t a lot good that happened to the Mighty Oaks in the first half. They missed shots, they turned it over, they allowed the Colts (8-11) to score in the paint. Middlesex scored 22 points in the paint and 12 points off Salem’s 17 turnovers in the first half.

Marsh didn’t think their playoff chances were done at halftime, but he knew things would be harder if they didn’t pick it up because it would mean making something happen on the road.

“I just wasn’t happy with the effort in the first half,” he said. “It felt like the first game at Middlesex and I said it’s up to you guys. I can’t play for you guys, it’s up to you. If you want this game, we’ve got to get our energy up.

“We’ve got to speed this game up and we’ve got to start attacking the basket. Slow’s not our game. We’ve got to play fast. We play better when we’re attacking.”

Jackson spoke up in the dressing room, too, with some colorful language she said she apologized for. But it got the point across.

From the time they were down 19, the Mighty Oaks held the Colts to 3-for-15 shooting from the floor and forced them into 13 turnovers.

After fighting all the way back they finally took the lead 59-58 on a pair of free throws by Zullo with 16.5 seconds left after the Colts turned it over at the other end.

“I felt I might have popped my shoulder out of place,” Zullo said. “I was stressing, it was hurting, so I gave myself a minute or two and took a breath. I knew we needed the foul shots down by one. I at least wanted to go one-for-one and ended up making two. I felt the pressure so I decided to cancel everything out. All right, we need this (she said to herself) and I decided to put them in.”

They sealed it with two Jackson free throws at 2.4 after she was fouled clearing the rebound off a missed Middlesex layup. The Colts never got a final shot, mishandling the inbounds pass in the backcourt as the clock expired.

Jackson led the Mighty Oaks with 18 points, 14 in the second half. Kathryn Laurence had 15 and Jakayla Jenkins had 12. Zullo finished with six points and 12 rebounds. 

“I loved it, I loved every second of it,” Jackson said of the comeback. “We gave it all we had to the final minute of the game. Working together and playing together is one of the main things that got us the win today.”

SALEM CC 61, MIDDLESEX 58
MIDDLESEX (8-11) – Yasmen Zafar 1-3 0-0 2, Alyssa Rice 3-10 2-4 8, Jalena Santiago 5-7 2-2 12, Kezia Feaster 2-12 2-4 6, Angelina Peralta-Almonte 4-10 0-0 8, Genilah Singleton 3-6 0-5 6, Julianne Reyes 2-2 0-0 5, Abria Durham 0-0 0-0 0, Reema Azouzi 1-1 0-0 2, Taijaney McCollum 3-7 3-8 9. Totals 24-58 9-23 58.
SALEM CC (10-8) – Nyaijah Jackson 5-12 8-12 18, Caroline Zullo 2-6 2-2 6, Maggie St. Clair 3-11 0-0 6, Kathryn Laurence 5-13 3-4 15, Jakayla Jenkins 5-12 1-4 12, RayNescia King 0-3 1-2 1, Dani Gustin 0-1 0-0 0, Akira Chambers 0-1 0-0 0, Alexa Hopkins 1-3 0-0 3. Totals 21-62 15-24 61.

Middlesex1323148-58
Salem CC11111326-61

3-point goals: Middlesex 1-7 (Zafar 0-1, Feaster 0-4, Singleton 0-1, Reyes 1-1); Salem CC 4-15 (Jackson 0-1, Zullo 0-1, St. Clair 0-2, Laurence 2-7, Jenkins 1-1, King 0-1, Hopkins 1-2). Rebounds: 44 (Peralta-Almonte 17, McCollum 9, Santiago 7); Salem CC 31 (Zullo 12, Jackson 9). Total fouls: Middlesex 20, Salem CC 17.

REGION XIX
WOMEN’S DIVISION II		REGION
ALL
Union12-020-0
Harcum8-315-5
Raritan Valley7-313-7
Lackawanna8-413-6
Mercer6-511-5
Salem4-810-8
Middlesex3-78-11
Essex2-94-10
Delaware Tech0-110-17
Nyaijah Jackson (1) led Salem’s comeback. She was active on both ends of the floor and scored 14 points in the second half. (Photo by John Holt)




Statement win

Salem CC men knock off No. 14 Northampton in OT behind four double-figure scorers, double-double by Spencer and several big 3s

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Mike Green has done a really nice job getting the Salem CC basketball team to a point where it’s starting to get looked at in a national light. But to break through the glass ceiling you have to beat some of those teams on the other side.

The Mighty Oaks missed a chance to do that Tuesday night just a few hours after they received some votes in the national JUCO rankings but not enough to crack the top 15. But they had their breakthrough moment Saturday, beating No. 14 Northampton 91-83 in overtime for the biggest win in Green’s 40-game run here.

It is believed to be the Mighty Oaks’ first win over a nationally ranked opponent since restarting the program in 2019.

“This puts us on the board,” freshman guard Xavier Brewington said. “We were already on the board, but after beating them, we’re gonna really get looked at, because they were ranked and we were just iffy. Now, we’re just up there. After the setback from (No. 12) Union, we came out here and had to do what we had to do.”

“At some point you’re going to have to notice the job that’s being done here,” Green said. “(Four-year) college coaches are reaching out now. We had a vote (in the poll) last week. Hopefully people continue to watch and give Salem basketball a chance because it ain’t the Salem of old. There’s some good stuff going on here.”

If the Mighty Oaks (17-5) needed any more incentive to go after this one, all they had to do was look at the box score from last February’s 89-37 pasting Green used as motivation. It’s the only box score from a previous game he still has tacked up on his board.

Unlike their game at No. 12 Union Tuesday night, the Mighty Oaks were in this one start to finish. They may have gotten down by 12 in the first half, but they didn’t let the game get away from them.

They tied it in regulation on Tamir Powell’s 3-pointer with 20 seconds left, then held their breath for overtime as J.J. Kolumber’s long 3 at the buzzer drew iron. It was Powell’s only 3 of the game.

“I had a strong feeling it was coming to me, and I knew I was going to make it because I missed every other shot before,” Powell said. “But I knew I had it in me. I knew I could make the shot, so I felt when the time was the biggest I chose it and I shot it and I made it.”

The Spartans worked the clock down for the final shot of regulation and the Mighty Oaks forced the ball into Kolumber’s hands after shutting off Nasir Ruhani on the other side of the floor, which is exactly what their scouting report said they should do.

“I think that was Tivon (Woolford) who did that,” Green said. “I think Tivon was in his gap because 24 (Ruhani) wanted to go one-on-one. That’s the scouting report. We were talking about that at halftime, like, follow the scouting report, just follow it. We made a decision that (showed) they understood the scouting report.”

Tamir Powell hit the 3-pointer for Salem that sent the game into overtime. (Photo by John Holt)

The 3-ball was big for the Mighty Oaks in overtime, too, as Brewington hit one with 3:30 left to break a 75-75 and give them the lead and then buried another with his next shot to make it 81-75 with 2:33 to go. Tivon Wollford hit one later for a nine-point lead and the Mighty Oaks closed it out with five free throws in the final 35 seconds.

They were 10-of-28 from 3-point range in the  game, 7-of-17 in the second half and overtime, and were 19-of-22 from the foul line. Brewington was 4-of-8 from behind the arc.

“We’ve got four people (who can shoot it) and I’m going to find which one of them is going to make it today,” Green said. “I knew Brewington has been struggling, but I told him in the time out I don’t need you to dribble any more, I need you to shoot that damned ball, let it fly, and right after that he ran off about three of them.”

It looked like the Mighty Oaks might have missed their chance to take down the Spartans (17-3) early in the second half when they fought back from a seven-point deficit to have a chance to take the lead since 17-16 in the first half.

Jyheim Spencer was fouled trying to throw down a dunk that would have tied the game with 12:53 left. He made the first free throw, but missed the second. Akeem Taylor rebounded the miss, but his putback blocked by Ruhani. 

The Spartans collected the loose ball and Sebastian Fermin hit two free throws at the other end and the Mighty Oaks were back to playing catch-up for the rest of the half.

“Deep back in your head you think, aw, man, it might be over,” Brewington said, “but at the same time when you have teammates and coaches looking you up … we all came together and were like we’ve got to dig down because it’s going to be a dogfight.

“They were nationally ranked, but it was all about heart. We kept saying on the bench, in the locker room, in the huddle, this game is all about heart. We had to go in there with the mentality that we have to be a dog.”

The Mighty Oaks placed four scorers in double figures and Jyheim Spencer had a double-double. Taylor led the offense with 23 points. Brewington had 21, Woolford 10 and Spencer 15 points and a career-high 19 rebounds. 

Spencer would be leading the nation (JUCO Division III) in rebounding if he had enough games to qualify. He’s now averaging 15.3 rpg in eight games since making his debut Jan. 7.

SALEM CC 91, NORTHAMPTON CC 83 (OT)
NORTHAMPTON CC (17-3) – Sebastian Fermin 6-12 2-3 17, J.J. Kolumber 1-4 0-0 2, Abdul Jackson 6-19 2-3 16, Ameer Herran 6-7 2-3 14, Lamaj Mapp 1-3 0-0 2, Ethan Ringenberger 1-1 0-0 2, Ethan Sakwa 0-0 0-0 0, Nasir Ruhani 8-13 5-7 21, Josh Washington 3-5 1-5 7. Totals 32-64 12-21 83.
SALEM CC (17-5) – Tamir Powell 2-8 2-2 7, Tyrese Fortune 3-7 2-2 8, Xavier Brewington 7-14 3-3 21, Akeem Taylor 7-18 7-9 23, Jyheim Spencer 6-6 3-4 15, Dontarius Jones 1-2 0-0 2, A.J. Jones 0-2 0-0 0, Tivon Woolford 3-5 2-2 10, Josh Ramos 1-5 0-0 3, Taje’e Jordan 1-1 0-0 2, Stefan Phillips 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-69 19-22 91.

Northampton CC413210-83
Salem CC314218-91

3-point goals: Northampton CC 5-14 (Fermin 3-8, Kolumber 0-2, Jackson 2-4); Salem CC 10-28 (Powell 1-6, Fortune 0-1, Brewington 4-8, Taylor 2-4, A. Jones 0-1, Woolford 2-3, Ramos 1-4, Phillips 0-1). Rebounds: Northampton CC 31 (Herran 10). Salem CC 39 (Spencer 19, Fortune 6). Total fouls: Northampton CC 18, Salem CC 18.

Salem’s leading scorer Akeem Taylor drives around Northampton’s Nasir Ruhani on his way to the basket Saturday. On the cover, Xavier Brewington puts up a 3 for the Mighty Oaks. (Photos by John Holt)
REGION XIX
MEN DIVISION III		REGION
ALL
Union12-016-3
Montgomery10-113-2
Philadelphia11-216-5
Camden11-313-9
Salem10-317-5
Northampton10-317-3
Brookdale10-514-6
Atlantic Cape8-611-9
RCSJ-Gloucester7-69-12
Ocean5-59-6
Passaic6-710-10
Lehigh-Carbon5-85-13
Delaware County5-96-13
Sussex5-96-15
Harrisburg Area3-104-16
Luzerne3-114-12
Thaddeus Stevens2-113-14
Bergen2-133-17
RCSJ-Cumberland0-130-19


Salem CC spring

Mighty Oaks announce ambitious schedules for baseball, softball; baseball opens on Valentine’s Day, softball in March

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The earliest scheduled season opener since they restarted the program, a 12-game Florida trip and the usual gauntlet of nationally ranked region opponents highlight Salem CC’s most ambitious 2025 baseball schedule.

“We’re excited for the schedule,” Mighty Oaks coach John Holt said. “It’s always a challenge when you’re in a conference arguably the best junior college conference in the country (with) three to four top 10 teams with three-game series.

“We’ve got to start early and prepare early and try to get some innings under our belt before we open up against the No. 3 team in the country in Brookdale (Feb. 28). We try to make our non-conference schedule as competitive as possible just so that we can keep up with the stress that is our conference schedule.”

The Mighty Oaks open the season with a doubleheader against Genesee (N.Y.) CC, a late addition to the schedule after Lehigh Carbon disbanded its program. The games slide in ahead of their Feb. 15 doubleheader with preseason D-II No. 22 Lansing (Mich.) CC, a team they were supposed to play in a multi-team event in Tennessee before that trip fell apart.

The Mighty Oaks play teams from eight different states and six teams in the various preseason JUCO national rankings.

They’ll get a taste for warm weather and hot competition on their eight-day trip to Lakeland, Fla., where they’ll play, among others, preseason D-II No. 21 Westchester CC and preseason D-III No. 6 SUNY-Niagara, whose head coach Holt recruited as a player when he coached at Burlington County.

“We’re excited to go to Florida,” Holt said. “It’s our first time back to Florida since we started this program back up. The schedule’s going to be a little more challenging, but I think the program’s ready to take that step.”

Their previous earliest season opener was Feb. 19, 2002, when they played Rockingham CC in North Carolina.

The Mighty Oaks play their home games at the Carneys Point Rec Complex. The softball team plays at the Pennsville Little League Complex.

2025 SALEM CC BASEBALL SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY
14: Genesee CC (2), TBA; 15: Lansing CC (2), noon; 17: at Bryant & Stratton (Va.) (2), noon; 28: Brookdale CC, 1:30 p.m.
MARCH
1: at Brookdale CC (2), noon; 7: at Delaware County CC, 3 p.m.; 8: Delaware County CC (2), noon; 10: Alexandria (Minn.) Tech & CC (2), 2:45 p.m.; 11: Prairie State (Ill.) (2), 1:15 p.m.; 12: Northland (Minn.) C&TC (2), 2 p.m.; 14: North Dakota State/Science, 9 a.m.; 14: Oakton (Ill.)  CC, 1:45 p.m.; 15: SUNY Niagara (2), 9 a.m.; 16: Westchester CC (2), 10 a.m.; 18: Luzerne County CC, 3:30 p.m.; 21: at RCSJ-Cumberland, 3:30 p.m.; 22: RCSJ-Cumberland (2), noon; 26: Mercer County CC, 3:30 p.m.; 28: at Montgomery County (Pa.) CC, 3:30 p.m.; 29: Montgomery County (Pa.) CC (2), noon.
APRIL
4: at Middlesex, 3:30 p.m.; 5: Middlesex (2), noon; 8: Northampton CC, 3:30 p.m.; 9: at Northampton CC, 3:30 p.m.; 11: Camden CC, 3:30 p.m.; 12: at Camden CC (2), noon; 15: at Luzerne County CC, 3:30 p.m.; 16: at Mercer County CC, 3:30 p.m.; 18: Bergen CC, 3:30 p.m.; 19: at Bergen CC (2), noon; 22: RCSJ-Gloucester, 3:30 p.m.; 23: at RCSJ-Gloucester, 3:30 p.m.; 25: at Union, 3:30 p.m.; 26: Union (2), noon.
MAY
2: at Ocean CC, 3:30 p.m.; 3: Ocean CC (2), noon; 5: at Atlantic Cape CC, 3:30 p.m.

2025 SALEM CC SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
(All dates doubleheaders)
MARCH
1: Monroe-Bronx, noon; 7: Sussex County CC, noon; 10: at Southeastern CC-Whiteville (N.C.), 1 p.m.; 11: at Wake Tech (N.C.), 1 p.m.; 12: at Fayetteville (N.C.) Tech, 3 p.m.; 20: Brookdale CC, 3:30 p.m.; 23: at Delaware Tech, noon; 25: Raritan Valley CC, 3:30 p.m.; 28: Howard CC, 11 a.m.; 29: at CC of Morris, noon; 30: Bucks County CC, noon.
APRIL
1: Lackawanna, 3 p.m.; 3: at Camden CC, 3:30 p.m.; 5: Mercer County CC, noon; 8: at Sussex County CC, 3:30 p.m.; 11: Cecil, 3:30 p.m.; 12: Delaware Tech, noon; 13: at Orange County CC, noon; 15: Bergen CC, 3:30 p.m.; 19: at Mercer County CC, noon; 22: CC of Morris, 3:30 p.m.; 24: Lackawanna, 3:30 p.m.; 26: at Raritan Valley CC, noon

Friday roundup

Woodstown falls in SJIBT, Pennsville edges Delsea in regular-season game; Woodstown pins loss on Pennsville in wrestling

FRIDAY GIRLS GAMESFRIDAY BOYS GAMES
Shawnee 53, Woodstown 38 (SJIBT)Buena 46, Salem Tech 44
Pennsville 51, Delsea 46
GCIT at Salem Tech
Buena at Salem

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — It takes really, really good defense to beat the Woodstown girls basketball team. Shawnee came in with a specific approach Friday night and played its best defensive game of the year.

The Group 3 Renegades held Woodstown to six field goals over the first three quarters and went on to a 53-38 win in the quarterfinals of the South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament. The loss snapped the Wolverines’ seven-game winning streak.

“We’ve been working, working, working (on their defense), but tonight we got rewarded for it,” Shawnee coach Mike Spera said.

Megan Donelson hit a 3-pointer and a three-point play to give Woodstown (11-3) early leads of 3-0 and 6-5, but the Wolverines only got two more baskets the rest of the half — Talia Battavio’s 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in the first quarter and Donelson’s 2-on-1 layup with Emma Perry with 1:57 left in the half. They had just two field goals and six points in the third quarter as Shawnee stretched its lead to 37-23 after 24 minutes.

The Renegades focused on clamping down Battavio and Donelson and held the two 1,400-point scorers to 16 combined points through three quarters; they did combine for all 15 of Woodstown’s points in the fourth. Battavio finished with 15 and Donelson had 17.

“I thought in the first half we came out a bit soft,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “We weren’t boxing out, we weren’t finding our girl, we weren’t playing aggressive defense. At halftime we challenged the girls. I don’t think the score will show it, but I think they came out and played a lot tougher (in the second half).”

Even though the Renegades are just .500 on the ledger (8-8), the schedule they’ve played leading up to the game prepared them for the Wolverines.

“They’re a .500 team record wise, but they’re definitely talent-wise, skill-wise, not a .500 team,” Smart said. “They’ve played some of the toughest teams in South Jersey each and every week and compete on a high level. They have size, they have strength, they have girls with high basketball IQs and it kind of stifled us for a little bit.”

In addition to their tight defense, the Renegades often got behind the Woodstown defense for at least eight back-door layups that helped extend their lead. Olivia Gasik (18), Maggie Lutz (16) and Noelle Thomas were often the recipient of those crisp entry passes and they combined for 40 points. Gasik had 12 in the second half.

“It’s something we’ve been working on,” Spera said. “We want to reverse the ball, cut hard, share it on offense. Sometimes we over-dribble, but I thought tonight we did a really good job of cutting to the basket and finding our cutters. Made some good passes.”

Shawnee, the No. 3 seed in the West bracket, advances to the SJIBT Elite Eight, which will be reseeded Monday. Woodstown, the 2-seed in the West, plays in a consolation game at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 against Eastern at Eastern.

SHAWNEE 53, WOODSTOWN 38
SHAWNEE (8-8): Abbie Caputo 0 0-0 0, Gianna Dunn 1 0-0 2, Juliana Whalen 0 0-0 0, Olivia Gasik 8 1-2 18, Lily Purfield 3 0-0 9, Maggie Lutz 3 0-0 6, Noelle Thomas 3 0-0 6, Misha Sorino 0 2-2 2. Totals 21 5-6 53.
WOODSTOWN (11-3): Talia Battavio 4 5-7 15, Kendall Young 0 0-0 0, Emma Perry 1 2-2 4, Lauren Hengel 0 2-4 2, Gianna Maiorini 0 0-0 0, Megan Donelson 6 2-3 17, Kyia Leyman 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 11-16 38.

Shawnee1391516-53
Woodstown98615-38
3-point goals: Shawnee 6 (Gasik, Purified 3, Lutz 2); Woodstown 5 (Battavio 2, Donelson 3). Rebounds: Shawnee 24 (Lutz 8); Woodstown 16 (Donelson 6, Hengel 5, Leyman 5). Total fouls: Shawnee 16, Woodstown 13. Officials: Ruiz, Folkes.

PENNSVILLE 51, DELSEA 46: After giving up its nine-point halftime lead by the end of the third quarter, the Eagles “knuckled down” in the fourth and hit 5 of 8 free throws to pull away from their hosts. The Eagles were 8-of-11 from the line in the second half. 

Nora Ausland and Marley Wood hit big shots in the field and at the line in the fourth quarter and finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Taylor Bass was Pennsville’s leading scorer with 16 points. Ausland grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds.

The Eagles trailed 45-44 with 1:20 to play. Wood and Ausland both hit buckets over the next 30 seconds to give them ahead for good.

Delsea’s Angelina Rodriguez hit a free throw at 24.6 to make it a two-point game. A series of turnovers, fouls and missed free throws over the next 16 seconds intensified the drama. Delsea’s Juliana Baez hit one of two free throws with eight seconds left to make it a one-point game. Ausland hit a free throw with six seconds to go and then two more with two seconds left to bring the final margin.

Wood’s points pushed her over 900 for her career. Ausland moved within 20 points of 1,000 and is projected to reach the milestone in one of the next two games.

“Reaching 1,000 points has always been something I set out to do since I can remember,” Ausland said. “Basketball has always been in my life with my brother (Gage) playing (and) my Dad coaching and training. I got to watch all his games, watched my Dad train him and I fell in love with the game.

“After watching Gage score his 1,000 (at Salem), I knew I was going to do the same. My brother is the best player I have ever seen play and I wanted to do what he did. Now, I want to beat his total (1144). I can’t wait to get my 1,000 and it’s great that it worked out to be home with all my teammates. I wouldn’t be able to reach my goal without my teammates. I just want to get 1,000 so it can be over.”

When it happens she will be the 109th player in Salem County to reach the milestone and 43rd girl. She could be the first of three players to reach the milestone this season. Wood is currently at 908 points and Penns Grove’s RaNiyah Wilson has 938.

Baez hit five 3-pointers – three in Delsea’s third-quarter comeback — and led the Crusaders with 16 points. 

PENNSVILLE (10-3): Taylor Bass 5 4-5 16, Marley Wood 4 3-4 12, Nora Ausland 5 3-6 14, Jaida Burns 3 0-0 6, Addie Johnston 1 0-0 3, Izzy Saulin 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 10-15 51.
DELSEA (6-10): Nicole Norris 3 0-0 7, Angelina Rodriguez 2 1-2 6, Juliana Baez 5 1-4 16, Kayleigh Bandt 0 1-2 1, Ayress Maitland 5 5-9 15, Kaiah Braxton 0 0-0 0, Peyton Parker 0 1-2 1. Totals 15 9-19 46.

Pennsville8151216-51
Delsea862210-46
3-point goals: Pennsville 5 (Bass 2, Wood, N. Ausland, Johnston); Delsea 7 (Norris, Rodriguez, Baez 5). Total fouls: Pennsville 14, Delsea 15.
SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME GIRLS SCORING LISTTODAYPOINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004) 2110
Amanda Young, St. James
(1995)		 1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009) 1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021) 1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013) 1566
Talia Battavio, Woodstown15 vs. Shawnee1438
Megan Donelson, Woodstown17 vs. Shawnee1428
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 518)14 vs. Delsea980
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 657)DNP938
Marley Wood, Pennsville12 vs. Delsea907

Through games of Jan. 24

Boys game

BUENA 46, SALEM TECH 44
SALEM TECH (0-14): Chase Pompper 1 0-0 2, Ayden Myers 0 0-0 0, Joseph Hayes 6 3-5 18, Larry Pompper 3 6-11 12, Alex Thomas 0 2-2 2, Luke Kroll 1 1-2 4, Logan Pace 1 0-0 2, Chase Ayars 1 1-2 3, Keidyn Robinson 0 1-2 1. Totals 13 14-24 44.
BUENA (5-8): Josue Cuadrado 5 1-4 11, Carlo Spreng 1 4-4 7, Jevon Alexander 3 1-6 8, Troy Gregory 2 0-1 4, Shamel Rivera-Collazo 2 2-4 6, Richie Wilson 1 0-0 3, Elwood Taylor 3 1-2 7. Totals 17 9-21 46.

Salem Tech (0-14)618128-44
Buena (5-8)211195-46
3-point goals: Salem Tech 4 (Hayes 3, Kroll); Buena 3 (Spreng, Alexander, Wilson). Rebounds: Salem Tech 36 (L. Pompper 11, Kroll 8, Ayars 8); Buena NA.

Wrestling

WOODSTOWN 65, PENNSVILLE 10
138: Gabe Supernavage (P) pinned Louie Scholl, 2:25
144: Angel Hernandez (WO) won by forfeit
150: Thomas Lacy (WO) won by forfeit
157: Brett Rowand (WO) won by forfeit
165: Laitton Roberts (WO) pinned Juan Velasquez, 0:35
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) tech fall over Joseph Halstead, 19-3 (5:59)
190: Paul Banff (WO) dec. Connor Ayars, 4-2
215: Walter Carter (WO) won by forfeit
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned Trevor Waddington, 1:12
106: Hunter Allen (WO) pinned Jariel Colon, 1:00
113: Brett Land (P) maj. dec. over Jadon Middlemiss, 13-0
120: Carson Bradway (WO) pinned Mekhi Dicks, 1:40
126: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Vincent Ciccantelli, 0:55
132: Alex Torres (WO) dec. Nathaniel Mason, 17-14

Region XIX standings

Here are the men’s and women’s Region XIX basketball standings; games through Jan. 23

MEN’S DIVISION III
(x-based on percentages)		REGION
GB
ALL
Union14-0 (1.000)—16-3
Montgomery10-1 (.909)2.512-2
Northampton10-2 (.833)317-2
Salem CC12-3 (.800)2.516-5
Philadelphia9-3 (.750)415-5
Camden9-5 (.643)512-9
Brookdale8-5 (.615)5.512-6
Atlantic Cape9-6 (.600)5.511-8
RCSJ-Gloucester7-5 (.583)69-11
Passaic8-7 (.533)6.510-9
Ocean5-5 (.500)79-6
Delaware County5-8 (.385)8.56-12
Sussex5-9 (.357)96-14
Lehigh Carbon4-8 (.333)94-13
Luzerne3-10 (.231)10.54-11
Harrisburg Area2-9 (.182)10.53-16
Bergen2-13 (.133)12.53-15
Thaddeus Stevens1-10 (.091)11.51-14
RCSJ-Cumberland0-14 (.000)140-19

THURSDAY’S GAMES
Salem 99, Williamson Trades 55
Union 87, Rockland 83
Essex at Atlantic Cape, ppd.
Orange County 85, Lackawanna 64
Montgomery 68, Southern Maryland 39
Central Penn 108, Harrisburg Area 97
Lancaster Bible JV at Thaddeus Stevens
Sussex 85, Ulster 80
Monroe (Bronx) 101, Bergen 71

DIVISION II WOMENREGALL
Union11-019-0
Lackawanna8-313-5
Harcum7-314-5
Raritan Valley7-313-7
Mercer6-511-5
Middlesex3-68-10
Salem CC3-89-8
Essex2-83-9
Morris0-00-0
Delaware Tech0-110-17

THURSDAY’S GAMES
Passaic 2, Lehigh Carbon 0
Montgomery 76, RCSJ-Cumberland 37
Monroe (Bronx) at Essex
Camden 69, Brookdale 48
Lackawanna 101, Orange County 46
Northampton 85, Ocean 53
RCSJ-Gloucester 68, Philadelphia 53

Cover photo by John Holt

Avoiding the trap

Mighty Oaks get back on track after loss to Union, avoid the pitfall of a game stuck between two nationally ranked region opponents

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The game had all the earmarks of a trap, but the Salem CC basketball team refused to fall into it.

Sandwiched between games against two nationally ranked Region XIX rivals, the Mighty Oaks faced a non-region opponent Thursday they had already beaten once this season. It was the kind of matchup that, if they weren’t focused or still wallowing in their loss at No. 12 Union on Tuesday, could have been a disaster.

No worries here. The Mighty Oaks were as focused and dominant as they’d been in a game all season. They nearly broke the scoreboard and they did break Williamson School of Trades 99-59.

It was a good cleanse going into Saturday’s Black-Out home game with No. 14 Northampton (17-2), the team directly ahead of the fourth-place Mighty Oaks in the Region XIX standings.

“They (Williamson) gave us a hell of a game at their home, so we knew not to take them lightly,” Mighty Oaks coach Mike Green said. “You have to respect your opponent, but also you have to respect yourselves, so you want to be at your best playing against anybody. 

“It’s about having your guys prepared mentally. There ain’t no light games. You only have 56 games guaranteed here, you don’t have time to be taking any games off. And now we’re getting coaches in the stands, recruiters in the stands, so you want to be at your best at all times.”

They have another potential trap game next week when they play Luzerne (currently 4-11) between CC of Philadelphia, currently fifth in the Region XIX standings, and current region No. 2 Montgomery County CC.

Thursday’s game against the Mechanics (12-8) started with Jyheim Spencer throwing down an alley-oop pass from Xavier Brewington and the Mighty Oaks (16-5) were off and running.

Salem CC guard Tivon Woolford pulls up for a shot in Thursday’s game against Williamson School of Trades. (Photo by John Holt)

They put four scorers in double figures, got everybody appreciable minutes and everybody who played scored. They scored from everywhere, hitting 10 3-pointers as a team and getting 48 points in the paint. They are currently tenth in the nation (JUCO Division III) in scoring and fourth in made 3-pointers per game.

“This is how we want to play, man,” Green said. “The numbers are exactly how we want to play.”

Tivon Woolford led the 3-point parade. He tied his career-high with three in the first half and finished going 4-for-6 from behind the arc in a 14-point game. His first 3 gave Salem its first 10-point lead, his second made it 31-18 and his third put them up 38-22 shortly before halftime.

His shooting percentage behind the arc is better this year than it was as a freshman, but he was only 1-for-8 in his previous four games and hadn’t hit more than one in the previous 10 (5-for-23).

“My time was to come,” Woolford said. “Lately my shot hasn’t been falling. I guess today was a lucky day for me to knock the shot down.

“Every day before a game I wake up thinking I’ll have a good game and thinking I’ll do great every shot I can. In warmups it wasn’t falling, but in the game it was falling, so I guess it worked out. I can’t wait for the next one to show I can keep shooting. I want to show everybody I can really shoot, for real.”

When the Mighty Oaks weren’t hitting from the outside, they were attacking the basket. Bigs Spencer, leading scorer Akeem Taylor (16), Stefan Phillips and Taje’e Jordan combined for 39 points and were 18-of-35 from the field.

“We’re much bigger than everybody else and we can all play inside-out so everybody just goes inside,” Spencer said. “Coach is like ‘Go inside.’ Every time we play team smaller than us we just go straight inside. That’s really the game plan – everything inside. Make them foul us, hit foul shots.”

SALEM CC 99, WILLIAMSON TRADES 59
WILLIAMSON TRADES (12-8): A’Jaad White 0-1 0-0 0, Robert Wiley 7-19 6-6 23, Ronald Johnson 6-11 3-4 15, Jordan Draine 4-6 0-0 9, Semaj Cherry 4-10 2-4 10, Amir McIntosh 0-1 0-0 0, Dakiah Barlow 0-2 0-0 0, Ahmad Garvin 0-0 0-0 0, Nadir Ali 1-4 0-1 2. Totals 22-54 11-15 59.
SALEM CC (16-5): Tyrese Fortune 2-6 2-4 7, Xavier Brewington 4-8 3-3 12, Akeem Taylor 8-15 0-0 16, Stefan Phillips 4-7 0-0 8, Jaheim Spencer 4-7 1-3 9, Dontarius Jones 4-7 1-2 10, Tamir Powell 0-5 0-0 0, A.J. Jones 3-4 2-3 9, Tivon Woolford 4-7 2-2 14, Josh Ramos 3-7 0-0 8, Taje’e Jordan 2-6 2-2 8. Totals 38-80 13-19 99.

Williamson Trades2534-59
Salem CC4059-99
3-point goals: Williamson Trades 4-10 (Wiley 3-5, Draine 1-2, Cherry 0-1, McIntosh 0-1, Barlow 0-1); Salem 10-24 (Fortune 1-2, Brewington 1-4, Taylor 0-1, Spencer 0-1, D. Jones 1-2, Powell 0-2, A. Jones 1-1, Woolford 4-6 Ramos 2-5). Rebounds: Williamson Trades 31 (White 9, Ali 6); Salem 45 (Spencer 15, Brewington 6). Fouled out: Powell. Total fouls: Williamson Trades 15, Salem 20.

Cover photo of Taje’e Jordan battling down low by John Holt

Court proceedings

Penns Grove delivers down the stretch to win wild one at Clayton; Bialecki, Woodstown bounce back at Gloucester Catholic; 3 county girls move closer to 1,000, and more

THURSDAY GIRLS GAMESTHURSDAY BOYS GAMES
Penns Grove 58, Clayton 41Penns Grove 83, Clayton 78
Schalick 24, Pitman 19Pitman 78, Schalick 52
Pennsville 71, Salem 18Salem 80, Pennsville 41
Overbrook 42, Salem Tech 41Woodstown 78, Gloucester Catholic 31

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CLAYTON — They didn’t quite get to the number coach Damian Ware suggested when he reminded his players of the test they were going to face, but it was the track meet he predicted. And Jameel Horace was there for them at the finish line.

Horace converted three layups in the final 40 seconds after a go-ahead 3-pointer by B.J. Robbins and Penns Grove escaped the fast pace at Clayton with an 83-78 victory Thursday for their fourth win in a row.

Ware told his team the night before to be prepared to score 100. They might have done it, too, if they hadn’t gotten complacent with a big lead and turned it over so much in the second half that allowed the Clippers to rally.

The Red Devils led by 20 in the second half and 15 to start the fourth quarter, but behind its all-gas, no-brakes approach Clayton came all the way back and tied the game at 74 with 1:05 to play.

Robbins hit his big 3-pointer with 56 seconds left and that put the Red Devils (6-7) up for good.

“That was a huge shot by him, the biggest shot of the game,” Ware said. “He’s been stepping up lately and he’s really coming around. He’s starting to take the bull by the horns in clutch moments and get the job done.”

The Clippers got a layup to make it 77-76 with 42.6 second left and that’s when Horace became Jameel-on-the-spot. He scored on a run-out layup out of a timeout. Karon Ceaser made a steal on the next play and sent Horace off on another run out. Clayton hit a layup to make it 81-78 and then Horace scored again down low inside 15 seconds to seal it.

Horace finished with 14 points. Ceaser led Penns Grove with 26 points. Roman Gipson had 22 and Robbins had 15. Clayton’s Demetris Williams led all scorers with 27 points.

“This is a game where we grew up a little bit,” Ware said. “It could have easily gone from a tie game to Clayton being up four, but we made the plays at the end of the game to win the game. 

“We made the game-winning plays and that’s one of the things we’ve been stressing all season – to make game-winning plays in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter is winning time, so you’ve got to make the plays that are solid and that’s kind of what we did in that last minute or so. We figured out how to win a game in the clutch today.”

PENNS GROVE 83, CLAYTON 78
PENNS GROVE (6-7): B.J. Robbins 6 0-0 15, Roman Gipson 8 4-6 22, Karon Ceaser 12 1-2 26, Antoine Robinson 1 0-0 2, Jameel Horace 7 0-0 14, Will Roy 1 0-0 2, Luis Colon 1 0-0 2. Totals 36 5-8 83.
CLAYTON (6-7): Princeton Sackor 4 4-8 12, Nazir Davis 6 0-0 12, Demetris Williams 13 1-1 27, Josiel Figueroa-Marrero 1 0-0 2, James Fritz 3 1-1 7, Jackson Venuto 4 0-0 10, Nasir Carter 2 0-0 4, Isaiah Aviles 2 0-0 4. Totals 35 6-10 78.

Penns Grove24252014-83
Clayton21151824-78
3-point goals: Penns Grove 6 (Robbins 3, Gipson 2, Ceaser); Clayton 2 (Venuto 2).

SALEM 80, PENNSVILLE 41: Xavier McGriff scored a career-high 21 points and Tymear Lecator scored 19 with six assists and a career-high seven steals to lead the Rams.

McGriff’s night was highlighted by 6-for-9 shooting from the field with three 3-pointers. His previous career high was 14 against West Tech earlier this season. Lecator’s night was highlighted by a career-high five 3-pointers. He made four in a row at one point.

A’Zhone Burden had seven points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Antwuan Rogers grabbed 10 rebounds.

WOODSTOWN 78, GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 31: Wolverines junior Blake Bialecki had an eventful day. He scored a career-high 28 points on the strength of 6-for-9 shooting from 3-point range and then after a quick change in the gym and drive back to Woodstown was installed as a member of the National Honor Society.

“It was definitely a very fun day,” he said.

Bialecki hit three 3s without missing in the first half as the Wolverines opened a 39-16 lead and three in the fourth quarter. His previous career high was 26 points against Salem Tech. He hit seven 3-pointers in that game. 

“This one definitely felt better because it was against a better team and it was kind of must-win game for us after taking a tough loss yesterday,” he said. “It was a game we knew we needed.”

The Wolverines (8-4) matched their season-high with 12 3-pointers as a team. The win was a big rebound for them after a tough loss at Penns Grove the day before.

“We definitely bounced back,” Bialecki said. “It was the best response I’ve ever had in this sport personally.”

In addition to their second-highest scoring output of the season, the Wolverines did a masterful job defensively on Jack Mustaro, holding the Rams’ all-time leading scorer to just seven points. It was only the second time in 50 games Mustaro has been held out of double digits and the first time since Rancocas Valley held him to seven in December 2023.

“We had a game plan for Mustaro and we executed it really well,” Bialecki said. “We didn’t have (a dedicated) someone just deny him. We played our normal defense but if he came into a person’s zone, they denied him, if he went to another person’s zone, they denied him, and if he went to another person’s zone, they denied him. It was more of a team effort. It wasn’t just one guy guarding him.”

WOODSTOWN (8-4): Eli Caesar 2 0-0 4, Garrett Leyman 3 0-0 7, Rocco String 5 4-6 14, Brayden Hall 1 2-2 4, Connor Miller 2 0-0 6, Alejandro Vazquez 2 0-0 6, Blake Bialecki 10 2-4 28, M.J. Hall 3 0-0 7, Sid Leevy 1 0-0 2. Totals 29 8-12 78.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (6-9): Jordan Mendez 1 0-0 2, Gary Connelly 1 0-0 2, Ben Cook 1 3-4 5, Danny Zellner 3 2-2 8, Jack Pund 1 2-3 5, Jack Mustaro 2 2-2 7, Carlos Mendez 1 0-0 2, Andrew Ginipro 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 9-13 31.

Woodstown20191722-78
Gloucester Cath.124105-31
3-point goals: Woodstown 12 (Leyman, Miller 2, Vazquez 2, Bialecki 6, M. Hall); Gloucester Catholic 2 (Pund, Mustaro).

PITMAN 78, SCHALICK 52: Reggie Allen poured in 27 points to match his season and career high, but the Cougars came up short and dropped their fourth straight. Nylan Sutton also scored in double figures for the Cougars (15).

Michael Fisicaro hit four of Pitman’s 11 3-pointers and led four Panther scorers in double figures with 21 points. Aiden Stranahan, a senior playing his first year of varsity with the Panthers, scored 20 points. Elijah Crispin had 15 points and Hudson Rue had a double-double with 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

SCHALICK (4-11): Nylan Sutton 6 3-4 15, Sherrod Jones 1 0-0 2, Reggie Allen 11 1-2 27, Justin Iacona 2 0-0 4, Zaeshawn Mills 1 2-3 4. Totals 21 6-9 52.
PITMAN (10-2): Hudson Rue 2 0-0 4, Elijah Crispin 5 4-6 15, Greg Petersen 4 0-0 11, Michael Fisicaro 7 3-3 21, Aidan Stranahan 9 0-0 20, Parker DeChristopher 0 0-0 0, Oliver Spier 1 0-0 2, Dane Collum 1 0-0 3, Lucas Razze 0 0-0 0, Joey Zubert 0 2-2 2. Totals 29 9-11 78.

Schalick10111516-52
Pitman1728249-78
3-point goals: Schalick 4 (Allen 4); Pitman 11 (Crispin, Petersen 3, Fisicaro 4, Stranahan 2, Collum).

Girls games

PENNSVILLE 71, SALEM 18: Nora Ausland, shut out for the first time in her two years at Pennsville in her last game, got back in the scoring column and put up 24 in her first game against her old team to move within 34 points of 1,000 for her career.

Ausland started her high school career at Salem under current Pennsville coach Steve Merritt before transferring to the Eagles last season. She scored 462 points in two seasons with the Rams and her game Thursday put her over 500 for her time at Pennsville.

On her current pace, she’s projected to reach the milestone at home Jan. 28 against Overbrook.

Marley Wood hit four 3-pointers and scored 17 points and needs 105 to become the third member of her family to reach 1,000. Izzy Saulin added 11 points to the win.

The Eagles (9-3) shutout Salem in the first quarter 22-0. The Rams (1-11) were coming off their first win of the season. Carlysia Pierce, who had 24 points and 10 rebounds in the win, was Salem’s leading scorer Thursday with seven points.

SALEM (1-11): Carlysia Prince 3 0-0 7, Lyric Hayes 0 0-0 0, Dakirah Gray 0 0-0 0, Madison Dixon 0 0-0 0, Marcela Villalpando 1 0-0 2, Neveah Hickman 1 0-0 3, Timmiyah Simmons 2 0-0 6, Wendine Charles 0 0-0 0, A’Lonni Allen 0 0-0 0, Taleah Elliott 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 0-0 18.
PENNSVILLE (9-3): Taylor Bass 2 0-0 5, Marley Wood 5 3-4 17, Izzy Saulin 5 1-4 11, Nora Ausland 11 0-0 24, Sofia Belitsas 2 0-0 4, Jaida Burns 1 0-0 2, Addie Johnston 0 0-0 0, Ashlyn Fredo 1 0-0 2, Kylie Harris 1 0-0 2, Kylie Weist 0 0-0 0, Callie Ausland 2 0-0 4, Tatianna DePina 0 0-0 0. Totals 30 4-7 71.

Salem0378-18
Pennsville22151618-71
3-point goals: Salem 4 (Prince, Hickman, Simmons 2); Pennsville 7 (Bass, Wood 4, N. Ausland 2). Total fouls: Salem 5, Pennsville 3

PENNS GROVE 56, CLAYTON 41: RaNiyah Wilson scored 30 or more points for the second straight game and closed the gap to 1,000 career points to less than 100 points. Wilson scored 30 points against the Clippers and now has 938 for her career.

It was her third 30-point game this season and sixth since coming to Penns Grove last season.

She’s on pace to hit the milestone on Jan. 30 at home against Wildwood.

Brianna Robbins also scored in double figures for Penns Grove with 17 points. She and Wilson combined for all 11 of the Red Devils’ points in the first quarter and all their points in the third as they extended a 23-20 halftime lead.

CLAYTON (8-4): Rainelle Blocker 6 6-11 18, Janice Blair 2 1-2 5, India Bryant 3 2-4 10, Ava Delaney 3 2-2 8, Rosa Pereira 0 0-0 0, India Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 11-19 41.
PENNS GROVE (7-5): Mikayla Washington 1 1-2 3, Keziah Patterson 0 0-0 0, JaNiyah Cummings 2 0-2 4, Syanna Robbins 0 0-0 0, Brianna Robbins 8 1-2 17, RaNiyah Wilson 13 0-0 30. Totals 24 4-8 56.

Clayton812813-41
Penns Grove11121716-56
3-point goals: Clayton 2 (Bryant 2); Penns Grove 4 (Wilson 4). Fouled out: B. Robbins. Total fouls: Clayton 6, Penns Grove 13.

SCHALICK 24, PITMAN 19: Olivia Vanacker and Cali Fisler combined for 10 of their 15 points in the third quarter and the Cougars held their opponents to four points in the second half to snap a three-game losing streak.

The Cougars (3-7) trailed 15-8 at halftime, then outscored the Panthers 14-3 in the third to take the lead.

“We made a small adjustment offensively at halftime and the girls came out and executed it perfectly,” Schalick coach John Whalen said. “Defensively, we didn’t change anything. We ran our base zone defense and pressed the majority of the game.

“The girls got much more comfortable in the second half and were able to play with more aggression and confidence.”

Vanacker and Fisler led the Cougars with eight and seven points, respectively. In the third quarter, Whalen said, “both did a great job attacking space and getting quality looks.”

PITMAN (4-9): Audrey Duffield 3, Lauren Streck 1, Jessica Bretz 6, Bella Pramov 5, Kendall Bennett 4.
SCHALICK (3-7): Abby Willoughby 2 0-0 5, Naveah Robinson 0 2-4 2, Ava Scurry 1 0-0 2, Olivia Vanacker 4 0-2 8, Cali Fisler 3 1-5 7, Emma O’Neill 0 0-0 0, Olivia Lunemann 0 0-0 0, Willow Davis 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 3-11 24.

Pitman (4-9)7831-19
Schalick (3-7)26142-24

OVERBROOK 42, SALEM TECH 41: Demajae White scored a career-high 12 points and Shelby Liber and Shelby Drummond each had 11, but the Chargers just came up short. Liber, a freshman, hit three 3-pointers for Salem Tech.

SALEM TECH (2-10): Hannah DeWitt 1 1-2 3, Shelby Liber 4 0-0 11, Shelby Drummond 4 2-4 11, Demajae White 6 0-0 12, Trata Trata 1 0-0 2, Amora Delaine 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 3-6 41.
OVERBROOK (4-10): Rosetta Loibman 3 0-0 7, Gianna Simon 3 0-0 8, Jael Pressley 8 6-8 22, Lelani Knight 2 0-0 5, Kayla Reynolds 0 0-0 0, Ahlani White 0 0-0 0, Talia Wiggins 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 6-8 42.

Salem Tech136319-41
Overbrook910914-42
3-point goals: Salem Tech 4 (Liber 3, Drummond); Overbrook 4 (Loibman, Simon 2, Knight).

 

SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME GIRLS SCORING LISTTODAY
POINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004) 2110
Amanda Young, St. James (1995) 1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009) 1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021) 1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013) 1566
Talia Battavio, WoodstownDNP1423
Megan Donelson, WoodstownDNP1411
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 504)24 vs. Salem
966
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 657)30 vs. Clayton
938
Marley Wood, Pennsville17 vs. Salem895

Through games of Jan. 23

It’s his time

Sophomore point guard Robbins directs second-half comeback that lifts Penns Grove over Woodstown; roundup includes Wednesday’s wrestling and track results

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE – Winning Time is B.J. Robbins’ time.

Whenever the Penns Grove basketball team gets to the point in a game when it’s time to seal the deal, the Red Devils usually put the ball in Robbins’ hands and let him do his thing. And that’s handle the ball, direct the offense and keep them sharp.

The sophomore did his thing flawlessly in the last quarter and a half Wednesday and helped the Red Devils rally to beat Woodstown 70-56.

It extended their season-best winning streak to three games and elevated them to a first-round host position in the current South Jersey Group I power points standings despite a 5-7 record.

“I told Brandin when it’s winning time you are the guy who is going to control the game and that’s kind of what he did at the end of the game,” Red Devils coach Damian Ware said. “He controlled the game, dribbled the ball out, made some great passes to his teammates for assists and we got the easy layups out of it.”

Winning time as defined by Ware is the fourth quarter when the Red Devils are ahead and looking to put the game away, but Robbins got a jump on it in the third quarter when the Red Devils needed somebody to lead the charge back.

Woodstown (7-4) opened the second half with a 12-3 run that threatened to break the game open. But the Red Devils weren’t worried because in the time out Ware called there to settle things down he reminded his players three of the baskets were run-out layups because they were over-pressuring the ball and it allowed the Wolverines to leak out.

The other two buckets in the run were 3-pointers by Alejandro Vasquez, who wrapped the Wolverines’ first eight points of the half around a 3 by Robbins.

If the Red Devils just tightened that up and cut out the offensive rebounds, Ware told them, those things wouldn’t happen and they would wind up winning by double digits. That’s exactly what happened.

The Red Devils (5-7) came out of the time out, did the things Ware reminded them of, and went on a 20-6 run to a feisty end of the quarter to take the lead. At least three times in the run Robbins dazzled the defenders trying to trap him at midcourt with a dazzling display of dribbling before zipping off a sharp pass down low to Jameel Horace who put them up and in.

“I just trusted my teammates,” Robbins said. “I knew they believed in me.”

“The main thing with Brandin is playing aggressive and getting him downhill,” Ware said. “We’ve been working with him all season to be more aggressive. I actually took him out the lineup a couple times, worked him in and out, because he wasn’t giving me what I needed. We had a couple conversation and I told him what we needed and he said ‘I’m ready coach. I got it.’ Ever since then he’s kind of taken the mantle of being more aggressive.”

Robbins finished with 13 points and six assists against the Wolverines. In his last two games he has scored 24 points and dished 14 assists. Roman Gipson led Penns Grove with 19, 13 in the second half. Karon Ceaser had 17. Ceaser is averaging 17.7 ppg during the winning streak and 17 in his last four games.

“He controlled it,” Woodstown coach Ramon Roots said of Robbins. “He just controlled it throughout the whole game and in the second half, like good coaches do, they put it in their point guard’s hands.

“He’s definitely a tough player. He’s a floor general. We tried to bother him the best way we could, but he didn’t really turn the ball over down the stretch. He did a very good job controlling the game and controlling the ball. That’s why I preach to my guys we just can’t turn over the ball (and) put ourselves in a hole.”

Rocco String led Woodstown with 18 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots. Vasquez finished with a career-high 16. He’s averaging 12.5 ppg over his last four games.

“He’s been shooting it well, shooting it with confidence,” Roots said of Vasquez.

PENNS GROVE 70, WOODSTOWN 56
WOODSTOWN (7-4) – Eli Caesar 1 2-3 3, Blake Bialecki 2 3-4 8, Alejandro Vasquez 6 0-0 16, M.J. Hall 2 0-0 5, Garrett Leyman 2 0-0 4, Anthony Bokolas 0 0-0 0, Rocco String 9 0-2 18, Brayden Hall 0 1-2 1. Totals 22 6-11 56.
PENNS GROVE (5-7) – Karon Ceaser 7 1-1 17, B.J. Robbins 3 5-6 13, Will Roy 3 1-2 7, Jameel Horace 5 0-1 10, Luis Colon 0 0-0 0, Roman Gipson 7 3-7 19, Antoine Robinson 2 0-0 4. Totals 27 10-17 70.

Woodstown14111813-56
Penns Grove10182319-70

3-point goals: Woodstown 6 (Bialecki, Vasquez 4, M. Hall); Penns Grove 6 (Ceaser 2, Robbins 2, Gipson 2). Rebounds: Woodstown 33 (String 9, M. Hall 6, Caesar 6); Penns Grove 20 (Caeser 5, Robinson 5). Technical fouls: Horace, M. Hall. Fouled out: M. Hall, Garrett. Total fouls: Woodstown 16, Penns Grove 22.

Wrestling

WEDNESDAY’S MATCHES
Gloucester Catholic at Salem

SCHALICK 65, CLAYTON/GLASSBORO 5
126: Luke Silva (S) won by forfeit
132: Ryan Miller (S) tech fall over Antonio Mendez, 19-0 (3:47)
138: William Camp (CG) maj. dec. over Michael Baisch, 17-3
144: Colin Bittle (S) pinned Matthew Kamara, 1:35
150: Koen Martin (S) over Steven Benkert, SV-1 6-3
157: Riley Papiano (S) dec. Brodie Carey, 4-1
165: Eric Sulik (S) pinned Kenneth Johnson, 4:36
175: Ricky Watt (S) won by forfeit
190: Evan Elliott (S) pinned Jeffrey Smith, 3:28
215: Gerardo Felipe (S) pinned Michael Nichols, 2:43
285: Kasalon Carr (CG) dec. Julian Reid, 5-0
106: Emma Cain (S) won by forfeit
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) pinned Joshua Wentz, 1:29
120: E’Shion Underwood (S) pinned Cayden Wentz, 1:18
NOTE: Clayton/Glassboro penalized 2 team points (misconduct)

TIMBER CREEK 46, PENNSVILLE 27
157: Mason Dickerson (TC) won by forfeit
165: Ryan Kuriger (TC) won by forfeit
175: Zyeir Green (TC) pinned Joseph Halstead, 2:19
190: Amir Reason-Dallas (TC) tech fall over Connor Ayars, 19-4
215: Elijah Green (TC) won by forfeit
285: Trevor Waddington (P) dec. Roland Green, 3-1
106: Jariel Colon (P) won by forfeit
113: Brett Land (P) pinned Dylan Bass, 1:52
120: Matthew Steele (TC) tech fall over Mekhi Dicks, 19-4
126: Christopher Daniels (P) dec. Ayden Zarnosky, 9-4
132: Nathaniel Mason (P) pinned Dylan Kennison
138: Gave Supernavage (P) dec. Matt Cordova, 11-4
144: Eric Rambaran (TC) won by forfeit
150: Joey Walker (TC) won by forfeit

WOODSTOWN 72, OVERBROOK 9
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) pinned Angel Martinez, 0:58
190: Paul Banff (WO) pinned Davian Santiago, 2:46
215: Walter Carter (WO) pinned Cooper Himes, 5:53
285: Tomas Sanchez (O) dec. Bradley Snitcher, 10-3
106: Hunter Allen (WO) pinned Jacob Sole, 0:14
113: Kayden Branco (O) pinned Jadon Middlemiss
120: Carson Bradway (WO) pinned Michael Mahon, 2:18
126: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Kevyn Reed, 0:34
132: Alex Torres (WO) pinned Alan Marcos, 1:02
138: Louie Scholl (WO) won by forfeit
144: Angel Hernandez (WO) won by forfeit
150: Thomas Lacy (WO) pinned Karter Reed, 2:20
157: Brett Rowand (WO) won by forfeit
165: Laitton Roberts (WO) pinned Oscar Calderon, 1:39

Track

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
SJTCA Meet No. 13
at Ott Center, Philadelphia

Salem’s Anthony Parker posted qualifying marks for the New Balance Nationals later this year in Boston when he won the long jump (22-0.5) and finished second in the 55 hurdles (7.64). Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield won the girls 3200.

(Salem County Top 6 finishers)
GIRLS
3200: 1. Jordan Hadfield, Schalick, 10:56.66
Pole vault: T-3. Megan Morris, Pennsville, 9-6
BOYS
400: 3. David Stewart, Schalick, 50.30
55 hurdles: 2. Anthony Parker, Salem, 7.64
Long jump: 1. Anthony Parker, Salem, 22-0.5
Triple jump: 5. DaviYonn Jackson, Salem, 42-11.25

SJTCA Meet No. 14
at Bennett Center, Toms River

Woodstown’s Josh Crawford had a big day. He won the boys 800, finished second in the 400 and helped the Wolverines’ 4×400 relay team finish second. Woodstown’s Kami Casiano won the girls high jump and Pennsville’s Molly Gratz won the girls pole vault.

(Salem County Top 6 finishers)
GIRLS
400: 3. Jaime Deal, Woodstown, 1:02.11
1600: 6. Samantha Sterner, Woodstown, 5:55.01
4×400: 4. Woodstown (Sarah Seiden, Lia Coverly, Kayla Ayars, Jaime Deal), 4:32.23
High jump: 1. Kami Casiano, Woodstown, 5-0
Pole vault: 1. Molly Gratz, Pennsville, 7-6
BOYS
400: 2. Josh Crawford, Woodstown, 52.04
800: 1. Josh Crawford, Woodstown, 2:03.97
4×400: 2. Woodstown (Cole Lucas, Karson Chew, Anthony Costello, Josh Crawford), 3:41.15


Mixed test results

Salem CC men have chance to make a statement, but come up short at region-leading Union; women fought out a win over Delaware Tech

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CRANFORD – The Salem CC basketball team had a chance to make a real statement in Region XIX and beyond Tuesday night, but just dug too big a hole to escape.

Just hours after receiving some national notoriety, the Mighty Oaks faced the top team in the region. They fell behind by more than 25 points in the second half and although they rallied to close the gap they fell to No. 12 Union College 87-77.

“It was a test and we failed it – D-plus,” Salem coach Mike Green said as the team made its way back to Carneys Point. “I’m (not happy) because that, I believe, was our chance at the GSAC title. It’s pretty much out of reach now.”

The loss, which snapped a six-game winning streak, dropped the Mighty Oaks (15-5 overall, 12-3 in Region XIX and 9-3 in GSAC) two games behind the Owls (15-3/14-1/10-1) in the GSAC. It also dropped them into fourth place in the Region XIX Division III standings.

The Mighty Oaks already have clinched a spot in the region playoffs, and now are playing for the highest seed possible. They still have to play the two other teams directly ahead of them.

Earlier in the day, the Mighty Oaks were included in the JUCO Division III poll for the first time since they brought back the program. While they didn’t break into the top 15, they were listed among the other teams receiving votes. 

Using the way those teams were listed as a guide, the Mighty Oaks would have been No. 18.

“Good to see someone notice the work we have been putting in,” Green said shortly after the poll was released. “We just have to keep our heads down and continue to work. We have big goals.”

The Mighty Oaks were on the way to justifying that consideration, leading their nationally ranked hosts by five eight minutes into the game. But over the next four and a half minutes the Owls went on a 17-1 run to take control of the game. Jeremiah Saint Jean and Kanye Brown combined for 11 of the first 13 points in the run.

Saint James finished with 14 points (all in the first half) and 15 rebounds. Brown had 12 points. Joseph Gargiulo was the Owls’ leading scorer with 20 points, all in the second half.

All five Union starters scored in double figures and were a combined 28-for-41 shooting from the floor. The Owls shot 63 percent from the field as a team in their close-quarters gym.

“Our ballhandlers were really shaky tonight, which destroyed our offense and put too much pressure on our defense” Green said.

The Owls led by 16 at halftime and stretched the margin to 27 midway through the second half. But then it was Salem’s turn to make a run. The Mighty Oaks put together a 26-9 charge to get within 10, 78-68, with 2:07 to play.

But they could never get it closer.

“I had to coach as if it was PlayStation – burn timeouts, draw up counters and rotate players,” Green said. “Our ballhandlers didn’t show up.”

The Mighty Oaks’ offense was led Akeem Taylor (27 points) and Tamir Powell (20), but no one else scored in double figures. They combined for 31 points in the second half. Jyheim Spencer was held to eight points, but grabbed 17 rebounds.

UNION 87, SALEM CC 77
SALEM CC (15-5) – Akeem Taylor 11-21 3-5 27, Tamir Powell 6-15 5-6 20, Tyrese Fortune 4-6 0-1 9, Jyheim Spencer 3-12 2-5 8, A.J. Jones 3-8 1-3 7, Josh Ramos 2-5 0-0 6, Tajee Jordan 0-1 0-0 0, Tivon Woolford 0-4 0-0 0, Dontarius Jones 0-1 0-0 0, Xavier Brewington 0-2 0-0 0, Stefan Phillips 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-76 11-20 77.
UNION (15-3) – Jayden Bates 4-9 5-7 16, Nicolas Acosta 5-8 4-8 14, Joseph Gargiulo 8-10 2-2 20, Kanye Brown 4-5 2-2 12, Jeremiah Saint Jean 7-9 0-0 14, David McKnight 4-9 1-2 11, Craig West 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-51 14-21. 

Salem CC2948-77
Union4542-87
3-point goals: Salem CC 8-24 (Taylor 2-4, Powell 3-8, Fortune 1-1, A. Jones 0-2, Ramos 2-5, Woolford 0-2, D. Jones 0-1, Brewington 0-1); Union 9-20 (Bates 3-5, Gargiulo 2-5, Brown 2-5, McKnight 2-5). Rebounds: Salem CC 38 (Spencer 17); Union 47 (Acosta 13, Saint Jean 15). Fouled out: Brown. Total fouls: Salem CC 19, Union 21.

JUCO DIVISION III RANKINGS
(Week 8, Jan. 21)
1. Riverland CC (20-0) 105 (9 first-place votes); 2. Mohawk Valley (14-0) 98; 3. Duchess CC (14-0) 91; 4. Joliet JC (15-4) 84; 5. Montgomery County (Pa.) CC (10-2) 77; 6. Herkimer (11-3) 70; 7. Sandhills CC (13-6) 63; 8. Northern Essex CC (16-2) 56; 9. Quincy (13-2) 49; 10. Dallas-Richland (13-7) 42; 11. Minnesota State C&TC (16-2) 35; 12. Union (14-3) 28; 13. Minnesota West C&TC (16-4) 15; 14. Northampton CC (16-2) 14; 15. Hostos CC (16-4) 4.
Receiving votes: Dallas-North Lake, Genesee CC, Salem CC, CC of Philadelphia, SUNY Adirondack, Patrick & Henry CC, Virginia Peninsula CC.

Salem CC women ‘win ugly’

NEWARK, Del. – Salem CC women’s basketball coach Brian Marsh reached back to the wisdom of one his all-time favorite college coaches to describe his team’s 79-71 win at Delaware Tech.

“(Former Temple coach) John Chaney has a quote that says ‘I’d rather win ugly than lose pretty,’ so that’s how I take it,” Marsh said. “It was a game that tested us, for sure.”

No matter how it looked it was a win nonetheless and a mighty important one. It extended the Mighty Oaks’ winning streak to three as they continue their march to a Region XIX playoff berth, it put them over .500 for the season and it allowed them to match their win total of last year’s revival season with games remaining to play.

Teams .500 or better either in region or overall play make the region tournament. The Mighty Oaks (9-8) have seven games left, meaning they only have to win three of them to make the playoff field. Two of those remaining games are against the top two teams in the region, including the No. 4 team in the country.

“I think they’re starting to understand the magnitude of the games that we’re playing,” Marsh said. “I told them the expectations are higher, so I’m going to expect more out of you, and I think they’re starting to understand what they need to do every day at practice and in games.”

Del Tech didn’t play like a first-year team still looking for its first win. The Spirit were scoring and hitting shots at an unexpected clip in the first half and led the Mighty Oaks 45-40 at the break.

“I just talked to the team and said this is a game we have to win on the road,” Marsh said. “It was more an energy and effort thing again.
 
“They gave us a run for our money. It was a gut check or a pride check. How are we going to handle this one on the road? Are we going to step up? I thought we toughed it out in the second half and came out with the win.”

Nyaijah Jackson led the Mighty Oaks with 21 points and five assists. Maggie St. Clair had 14 points, Pennsville’s Caroline Zullo 12 and Kathryn Laurence 10. 

SALEM CC 79, DELAWARE TECH 71  

Salem CC (9-8)26142118-79
Delaware Tech (0-17)2124197-71