Category: BASKETBALL

Meeting the milestone

Pennsville’s Ausland breaks through the 1,000-point barrier, joins her brother on the esteemed list; Glassboro girls stun Woodstown, plus all of Tuesday’s Salem County basketball action

TUESDAY GIRLS GAMESTUESDAY BOYS GAMES
Pennsville 67, Overbrook 25Overbrook 80, Pennsville 44
Penns Grove 51, Schalick 43Penns Grove 72, Schalick 50
Glassboro 52, Woodstown 44Woodstown 55, Glassboro 49
Wildwood 82, Salem 13Salem 72, Wildwood 43
Gloucester Cath. 72, Salem Tech 31Gloucester Cath. 77, Salem Tech 39

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — Nora Ausland thought she’s be able to go to bed Monday night as routinely and calm as as anyone could be on the verge of a major milestone, but the anticipation of what the next day held proved too much to sleep on.

She tossed and turned all night, and when she did nod off she dreamed of what was to come and then woke up realizing it hadn’t happened yet. The school day provided a suitable distraction, but when she got to the gym and saw the family gathering in the upper rows of the bleachers the butterflies returned.

Once she got in the game, though, the nerves gave way to normal game-day focus and she was able to settle into the game.

Then came the moment of truth. The Pennsville senior became Salem County’s newest 1,000-point scorer and joined her brother on the elite list while scoring a Pennsville career-high 28 points Tuesday as the Eagles soared past Overbrook 67-25.

She needed 13 points to reach the milestone and she hit the number on a free throw with 6:10 left in the second quarter. She hit a 3 moments earlier to get to 999. She now has 1,015 points for her career.

“It feels like a weight has been lifted off of me and I’m proud of myself that I was able to reach that even being out half of my sophomore season and a few games last year,” she said. “I’m glad I was able to do that.”

Ausland scored her first 462 points in two seasons at Salem, and missed 14 games her sophomore year because of injury. 

Ironically, she scored her 1,000th point against the team she scored her first points against and did it for the coach with whom she started her career at Salem, Steve Merritt. She scored a team-high 15 points as a freshman against Overbrook in her high school debut Dec. 17, 2021.

Her first points in that game came on a short jumper after missing on a 3-ball, her dad and trainer Mike Ausland said.

“That’s something I had no idea about; completely lost track of that,” Merritt said. “I was happy to be here, it was good fun. And she deserves it, it’s a long road. It’s a good night.”

As much as everyone wanted it to happen Tuesday, there were no special arrangements to get her the ball to make it happen. The points she was going to get were going to come within the framework of the offense.

The first time she touched the ball she dished it off to Taylor Bass for an opening 3-pointer. She didn’t score for the first time until midway through the first quarter when she gave the Eagles the lead for good. She also had 14 rebounds (for 521 in her career) and seven assists.

 Her next target on the points parade is brother Gage, who scored 1,144 points in three seasons at Salem before graduating in 2020.

“It meant a lot to me because my brother, he got it in his three years; I wanted to be like him,” Nora said. “That’s what influenced me to do that first. Now that I finally get it I feel accomplished. So now my goal is to beat him, of course.” 

“And she’ll beat me, too,” Gage said.

With Ausland safely over the 1,000-point barrier, the focus now turns on Marley Wood’s quest for the milestone. Wood, a junior, is 69 points away from the number.

If she hits it, she will be the third member of her on the list. Luke Wood, who is not playing basketball this season to focus on baseball, has 1,198 career points. Their sister Ryane, a 2022 Pennsville grad, has 1,224 points and is the school’s fourth all-time leading girls scorer.

“I’m really excited because I want to see my name up on the banner with my brother and my sister,” Marley said.

Katie Kline is Pennsville’s all-time leading scorer in girls basketball with 2,110 points. She graduated in 2004.

PENNSVILLE 67, OVERBROOK 25
OVERBROOK (4-12): Gianna Simon 3 1-4 8, Jael Pressley 5 2-3 12, Rosetta Loibman 1 0-0 3, Lelani Knight 0 2-2 2, Alani White 0 0-0 0, Kayla Reynolds 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 5-9 25.
PENNSVILLE (11-4): Taylor Bass 7 2-2 18, Marley Wood 2 3-5 8, Nora Ausland 9 8-10 28, Addie Johnston 2 0-0 5, Izzy Saulin 2 0-0 4, Jaida Burns 1 0-0 2, Sofia Belitsas 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 13-17 67.

Overbrook0000-0
Pennsville20221213-67
3-point goals: Overbrook 2 (Simon, Loibman); Pennsville 6 (Bass 2, Wood, Ausland 2, Johnston). Fouled out: Loibman. Total fouls: Overbrook 15, Pennsville 8. Officials: Brown, Hawkins, Reiners.
Pennsville’s Nora Ausland is flanked by her parents in celebrating her 1,000th career point Tuesday against Overbrook.

PENNS GROVE 51, SCHALICK 43: RaNiyah Wilson moved closer to becoming Penns Grove’s next 1,000-point scorer when she went for 31 points and was the difference against a Cougars team that gave the Red Devils a battle for four quarters.

Wilson needs 11 points to join the elite club teammate Meely Horace joined last season and is projected to get it Thursday at home against Wildwood. She has gone for 30 or more twice in the last week as she closed the gap on the milestone.

The Cougars limited the senior guard to 11 points in the first half on 5-of-19 shooting, but she got loose for 20 in the second half.

Penns Grove pulled away from a close game with eight straight points early in the second quarter, but Schalick never went away. The Cougars needed three players to match Wilson’s production. Freshman Navaeh Robinson (11), Ava Scurry (10) and Cali Fisler (10) combined for 31 points.

SCHALICK (3-10): Abby Willoughby 3 1-2 8, Cali Fisler 4 2-4 10, Ava Scurry 5 0-3 10, Olivia Vanacker 2 0-0 4, Navaeh Robinson 5 0-0 11, Olivia Lunemann 0 0-0 0, Emily Miller 0 0-0 0, Willow Davis 0 0-0 0, Carly Vicente 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 3-9 43.
PENNS GROVE (8-6):  RaNiyah Wilson 12 5-8 31, JaNiyah Cummings 5 3-4 13, Mikayla Washington 0 0-0 0, Keziah Patterson 1 0-0 3, NyAsia Numan 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 8-12 51

Schalick1091212-43
Penns Grove1114168-51
3-point goals: Schalick 2 (Willoughby, Robinson); Penns Grove 3 (Wilson 2, Patterson). Fouled out: Fisler, J. Cummings. Total fouls: Schalick 14, Penns Grove 14.

GLASSBORO 52, WOODSTOWN 44: The Bulldogs put together a big fourth quarter to upset Woodstown and hand the Wolverines their third straight loss and snapped their 38-game winning streak against TCC Diamond Division opponents.

Woodstown held a 36-32 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs went on a 20-8 tear to snap a four-game losing streak.

Kezia Brackett was Glassboro’s leading scorer with 14 points, but Sanaa Thomas scored eight of her 13 in the fourth quarter to lead its comeback.

“They were ferocious on the glass today and played great defense on our drives,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “Brackett and Thomas played with an extreme tenacity on both ends of the floor. They were able to attack the basket, grab offensive and defensive rebounds and pressure the ball.

“They had other girls make big shots when they had the chance to. Their ability to close our and defense our drives without fouling made it difficult to score. They did not give up many second chance opportunities to us.”

Megan Donelson led the Wolverines with 17 points and pulled into a tie with teammate Talia Battavio for second place on Woodstown’s all-time girls scoring list, 108 points behind the top spot. She had five of their points in the fourth quarter and 12 in the second half.

The three-game losing streak is Woodstown’s longest since early in the 2022-23 season. Tuesday’s loss sets up a potential Diamond Division championship game showdown at Pennsville Feb. 4.

“We did not execute tonight,” Smart said. “We talk about playing our style of basketball each and every night — pressure the ball, push the pace, try and get open looks — and we did not do that tonight. We tried to force some shots that were not there instead of working to get an easy shot.

“While the last three games are obviously disappointing, the great thing about basketball is we get to play another game on Thursday (at Clayton). We need to find that Woodstown Basketball that makes us who we are. We need to play with confidence. I have no doubt the girls will be up for that challenge.”

WOODSTOWN (11-5): Talia Battavio 3 4-4 12, Megan Donelson 6 2-2 17, Gianna Maiorini 1 0-0 2, Lauren Hengel 2 0-0 6, Kyia Leyman 2 1-2 5, Jala Thomas 1 0-0 2, Emma Perry 0 0-0 0, Ryann Foote 0 0-0 0, Kendall Young 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 7-8 44.
GLASSBORO (6-9): Sanaa Thomas 5 3-3 11, Kezia Brackett 7 0-0 14, Kimora Miles 1 0-0 3, Sianna Wedderburn 4 0-0 8, Lily Czubas 2 0-2 5, Grace Moore 4 0-0 9. Totals 23 3-5 52.

Woodstown911168-44
Glassboro7131220-52
3-point goals: Woodstown 7 (Battavio 2, Donelson 3, Hengel 2); Glassboro 3 (Miles, Czubas, Moore).

WILDWOOD 82, SALEM 13
SALEM (1-12): Carlysia Pierce 0 0-0 0, Nevaeh Hickman 2 1-2 6, Lyric Hayes 1 0-0 2, Zaniyah Frieson 2 0-0 5. Only four players reported. Totals 5 1-2 13.
WILDWOOD (12-2): Macie McCracken 9 0-0 20, Angela Wilber 6 2-2 19, Rebecca Benichou 4 0-0 11, Kiana D’Antuono 0 0-0 0, Cydnee Kilian 0 0-0 0, Addison Troiano 6 0-0 12, Lily Atkinson 2 0-0 6, Laila Fathi 1 0-0 3, Julia Ennis 0 0-0 0, Emma Contreras 1 1-2 3, Ellasyn Morey 0 0-0 0, Antoinette Cooper 1 0-0 2, Mollie Farrell 2 0-0 6, Janet Gonzalez 0 0-0 0. Totals 32 3-4 82.

Salem4045-13
Wildwood28251613-82
3-point goals: Salem 2 (Hickman, Frieson); Wildwood 15 (McCracken 2, Wilber 5, Benichou 3, Atkinson 2, Fathi, Farrell 2). Rebounds: Wildwood 49 (Troiano 14, McCracken 11).

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 72, SALEM TECH 31
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (13-2): Jahzara Green 6 0-0 13, Jalyn Moore 4 0-0 11, Amanda Eggers 3 0-0 7, Talia Shumate 6 0-0 12, Monet High 5 0-0 13, Ashlynn Eggers 1 0-0 3, Maya Hutchinson 3 0-0 7, Ruth Cutuli 3 0-0 6. Totals 31 0-0 72.
SALEM TECH (2-12): Shelby Liber 5 0-0 15, Rylee Doerr 3 0-0 6, Kaylin Beardsley 3 0-0 7, Tiara Bazemore 1 0-0 3, Hannah Dewitt 0 0-0 0, Jadelynn Stoffen 0 0-0 0, Amora Elaine 0 0-0 0, Lavar Scott 0 0-0 0, Shelby Drummond 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 0-0 31.

Gloucester Catholic3113208-72
Salem Tech67513-31
3-point goals: Gloucester Catholic 10 (Green, Moore 3, Am. Eggers, High 3, As. Eggers, Hutchinson); Salem Tech 7 (Liber 5, Beardsley, Bazemore). Rebounds: Salem Tech 24 (Beardsley 6).

Boys games

Salem’s Xavier McGriff has scored 56 points in the Rams’ three-game winning streak after enjoying a career night against Wildwood Tuesday. (Photo by Jalen Freeman)

SALEM 72, WILDWOOD 43: Xavier McGriff continued his recent run of strong play, going for a career-high 22 points to lead the Rams to a third straight win that got them back to .500 (8-8) after forfeiting four wins due to an ineligible player. The Rams are 5-1 since the ruling Jan. 13.

McGriff, a junior guard, has scored 56 points during the three-game winning streak. He had 21 points in his previous game against Pennsville.

“He’s been in the program three years, played JV for two years and just stuck with it,” Rams coach Anthony Farmer said. “He’s just a real hard worker, he listens, he’s good in the classroom, he’s good in the hallways, he’s good in the locker room.

“You know, the basketball gods tend to reward kids who put the work in on and off the floor and right now it’s just coming to light. I’m glad the kid’s shooting the ball well, it’s the perfect time of the season, and I hope he keeps lightin’ it up.”

Neziah Spence also had a career night, going for 18 points. Tymear Lecator had 11 points and 12 rebounds and came within two assists of a triple-double. Deshaan Williams also had a double-double (14 points/10 rebounds) and Antwuan Rogers grabbed 12 boards.

Wildwood (5-10)5101117-43
Salem (8-8)14162319-72

PENNS GROVE 72, SCHALICK 50: Playing four men down due to injury and illness, the Red Devils turned to their bench to give them a boost and it came through big to help them continue their longest winning streak since opening the 2020-21 season 8-0. It was their fifth straight win to get back to .500 (7-7) on the season.

Gionni Conrad, a part-time varsity player, came off the bench and scored all five of his points in the second quarter when the Red Devils outscored the Cougars 24-9 to take control of the game. Will Roy scored seven of his 11 in the quarter and Roman Gipson threw in eight of his team-high 17.

“Next man up mentality,” Penns Grove coach Damian Ware said.

Jameel Horace continued his run of strong play with a career-high 15 points. He has averaged 13 points over the past three games.

Schalick’s Reggie Allen led all scorers with 20 points. He is averaging 18.4 ppg over his last five games.

PENNS GROVE (7-7): Roman Gipson 7 1-4 17, Karon Ceaser 4 3-4 13, Jameel Horace 7 1-2 15, Geonni Conrad 2 1-2 5, Will Roy 5 0-0 11, Luis Colon 4 1-2 9, Caleb Fowler 1 0-0 2. Totals 30 7-14 72.
SCHALICK (4-14): Reggie Allen 8 1-3 20, Nylan Sutton 1 1-2 3, Sherrod Jones 5 0-2 11, Jamari Whitley 4 2-2 10, Kenneth Bartee 2 0-4 4. Totals 20 4-13 50.

Penns Grove13241619-72
Schalick1491710-50
3-point goals: Penns Grove 5 (Gipson 2, Ceaser 2, Roy); Schalick 4 (Allen 3, Jones).

WOODSTOWN 55, GLASSBORO 49: M.J. Hall scored 18 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, to lift the Wolverines to victory. They held off a furious Glassboro rally by going 8-for-12 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Rocco String had 13 points and Garrett Leyman 11.

GLASSBORO (6-9): Davon Barr 0 0-0 0, Xavier Sabb 3 0-4 7, Adien Harris 4 0-0 8, Tae Thomas 1 2-2 4, Kenny Smith 10 4-5 25, Alex Adeleye 1 2-2 5, Will Boggins 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 8-13 49.
WOODSTOWN (10-4): Eli Caesar 0 1-2 1, Blake Bialecki 2 3-4 9, Alejandro Vazquez 2 1-2 6, M.J. Hall 6 5-6 18, Garrett Leyman 3 1-2 8, Rocco String 6 1-2 13, Brayden Hall 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 12-18 55.

Glassboro1111522-49
Woodstown11141317-55
3-point goals: Glassboro 3 (Sabb, Smith, Adeleye); Woodstown 5 (Bialecki 2, Vazquez, M. Hall, Leyman). Fouled out: Barr, String. Total fouls: Glassboro 17, Woodstown 16.

OVERBROOK 80, PENNSVILLE 44: Lamar Little scored 27 points and the Rams hit 12 3-pointers to hand the Eagles their 12th straight loss. The Rams have won 13 in a row. Jovanni Rios led Pennsville with a career-high 17 points.

PENNSVILLE (1-14): Jovanni Rios 7 2-4 17, Mason O’Brien 2 1-6 5, Arturus Franzy 1 0-0 2, Cole Johnston 2 0-0 5, Daniel Knight 2 2-2 6, C.J. McDevitt 2 2-2 6, Gavin Spears 1 0-0 2, Laughty 0 1-2 1. Totals 17 8-16 44.
OVERBROOK (15-2): Lamar Little 11 2-3 27, Xavier Wright 2 0-0 4, Zair Green 6 1-1 18, Elvin Santiago 1 1-2 3, Bilal Robinson 5 0-0 12, Cody Harris 1 0-0 3, Jaden St. John 2 1-2 5, Gavin Cajuste 1 0-0 2, Shallom Teguia 2 0-0 6. Totals 31 5-8 80.

Pennsville810197-44
Overbrook17242423-80
3-point goals: Pennsville 2 (Rios, Johnston); Overbrook 12 (Little 3, Green 4, Robinson 2, Harris, Teguia 2).

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 77, SALEM TECH 39
SALEM TECH (0-15): Joseph Hayes 1 2-3 4, Larry Pompper 2 8-10 12, Keidyn Robinson 0 0-2 0, Logan Pace 0 2-2 2, Chase Pompper 2 1-4 6, Aiden Bobo 0 0-2 0, Raphael Busch 6 0-0 13, Sam Battiato 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 13-23 39.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (7-10): Jack Pund 6 2-4 14, Danny Zellner 6 2-2 14, Ben Cook 5 1-2 11, Gary Connelly 3 0-0 7, C.J. Mitchell 4 0-0 8, Zack Payne 3 0-0 6, Jordan Mendez 2 0-0 5, Anthony Polidoro 1 0-0 2, Andrew Ginipro 4 0-0 8, Kimani Pyram 1 0-0 2. Totals 35 5-8 77.

Salem Tech79815-39
Gloucester Catholic21151823-77
3-point goals: Salem Tech 2 (C. Pompper, Busch); Gloucester Catholic 2 (Connelly, Mendez).
SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME
SCORING LIST (GIRLS)		TODAYPOINTS
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, Woodstown12 vs. Glassboro1458
Megan Donelson, Woodstown17 vs. Glassboro1458
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 553)28 vs. Overbrook1015
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 738)31 vs. Schalick989
Marley Wood, Pennsville8 Overbrook 931

Through games of Jan. 28

Monday basketball

Ausland, Wood move closer to 1,000-point plateau, but Pennsville drops close game with Haddon Heights

MONDAY’S GIRLS GAMES
Cinnaminson 50, Woodstown 44
Gateway 57, Salem Tech 20
Gloucester City 36, Schalick 16
Haddon Heights 53, Pennsville 48
Palmyra at Salem
MONDAY’S BOYS GAME
Bordentown 51, Schalick 39

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — Nora Ausland can’t wait for Pennsville’s next game for two important reasons: she’s projected to hit the 1,000-point milestone and to put Monday’s loss to Haddon Heights behind her.

The Pennsville senior moved seven points closer to the career milestone, but the Eagles lost to the Garnets 53-48.

She now needs 13 points to become the newest member of Salem County’s 1,000-point club and join her brother Gage in the elite group. It’s expected to come Tuesday when the Eagles (10-4) host Overbrook, a team they beat by 37 in the first meeting this season.

“I’m excited (anticipating Tuesday’s game) because today was a mess,” Ausland said. “It shouldn’t have been like that at all, but you can’t change it, so tomorrow will be a better game.”

The points she gets Tuesday will come within the framework of the offense, just as they were going to happen Monday. Ausland had 10 in the earlier meeting with Overbrook and 25 against it last year.

“It is better that way,” she said, “because the more nerves, the more that I miss my shots. I try not to think about it and just let it happen when it happens.”

When it does happen, Eagles coach Steve Merritt said, it will bring a “collective sigh of relief” because it has been on everyone’s radar all season.

And after it hits, the focus will shift to Marley Wood’s pursuit of 1,000. The junior guard led the Eagles Monday with 16 points and now has 923 in her career. She hit four 3-pointers in the game and has 82 in her career.

Ausland might have been held to single digits by the Garnets, but she helped the Eagles (10-4) in a number of other ways. She had 11 rebounds and several steals and assists. She made back-to-back steals early in the third quarter that Taylor Bass turned into runout layups in a 7-0 run that drew the teams even after the Eagles trailed by 14 early in the game.

The areas that hurt them most were rebounding and 3-point defense. The Garnets (12-5) hit 10 3-pointers. Every time the Eagles got close, the Garnets hit another to keep their hosts at bay. Leading scorer Emma Harris (21 points) hit four, Brielle Connor three and CeCe Matthews (12 points) two.

“Those were two points of emphasis pre-game,” Merritt said. “We said No. 3 (Harris), No. 22 (Sami Szabo), they love 3s. No. 5 (Matthews) came out and hit a couple right away; now I’ve got three people to worry about.

“And rebounding. I said at some point during the course of the game no ball should hit the floor. We came up short in those areas.”

HADDON HEIGHTS 53, PENNSVILLE 48
HADDON HEIGHTS (12-5): Brielle Connor 3 1-1 10, Emma Harris 8 1-4 21, Allie Agin 0 0-0 0, CeCe Matthews 3 4-6 12, Zoe Fuller 0 0-0 0, Sami Szabo 1 3-6 5, Katherine Campbell 1 2-2 5. Totals 16 11-20 53.
PENNSVILLE (10-4): Taylor Bass 5 2-2 13, Marley Wood 5 2-4 16, Izzy Saulin 1 1-2 3, Nora Ausland 2 3-4 7, Sophia Belitsas 0 0-0 0, Jaida Burns 2 0-0 4, Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Addie Johnston 2 1-2 5. Totals 17 9-14 48.

Haddon Heights17131013-53
Pennsville6171312-48
3-point goals: Haddon Heights 10 (Connor 3, Harris 4, Matthews 2, Campbell); Pennsville 5 (Wood 4, Bass). Rebounds: Pennsville 20 (N. Ausland 11). Total fouls: Haddon Heights 13, Pennsville 17.

CINNAMINSON 50, WOODSTOWN 44
WOODSTOWN (11-4): Talia Battavio 2-3-7, Megan Donelson 5-2-14, Lauren Hengel 4-4-12, Kyia Leyman 4-0-8, Emma Perry 0-1-1, Ryann Foote 1-0-2. Totals 16-10-44.
CINNAMINSON (14-4): Ava Sztenderowicz 4-4-14, Ellie Tarnawski 4-1-9, Norah Quinn 2-0-4, Shiloh Moore 4-2-10, Gabby Harvey 1-3-6, Mia Sztenderowicz 2-3-7. Totals 17-13-50.

Woodstown119816-44
Cinnaminson1871114-50
3-point goals: Woodstown 2 (Donelson 2); Cinnaminson 3 (A. Sztenderowicz 2, Harvey).

GLOUCESTER 36, SCHALICK 16

Gloucester (11-5)771012-36
Schalick (3-9)2275-16

GATEWAY 57, SALEM TECH 20
SALEM TECH (2-11): Hannah Dewitt 1 0-4 2, Shelby Liber 2 0-2 4, Shelby Drummond 1 0-2 2, Lavae Scott 1 1-2 3, Rylee Doerr 2 0-0 4, Evening Amedee 0 1-2 1, Kaylin Beardsley 2 0-2 4. Totals 9 2-14 20.
GATEWAY (5-10): Bella Fini 8 2-4 21, Sydney Hughes 3 2-4 9, Jayda Catoe 1 0-0 2, Peyton Cutler 3 0-0 6, Layla DeMaise 2 0-0 5, Maggie Eliasen 0 0-0 0, Sarai Gary 0 1-2 1, Lexi Kirwin 3 0-0 7, Koby Williams 1 0-0 2, Miley Powell 2 0-0 4, Ashley Jackson 0 0-0 0, Angie Fini 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 5-10 57.

Salem Tech21044-20
Gateway14131812-57
3-point goals: Gateway 6 (B. Fini 3, Hughes, DeMaise, Kirwin). Rebounds: Gateway 38 (Catoe 8), DeMaise 6).

Boys game

BORDENTOWN 51, SCHALICK 39

Schalick (4-13)1011108-39
Bordentown (3-9)1911912-51
SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME
SCORING LIST (GIRLS)		TODAY
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, Woodstown7 vs. Cinnaminson1446
Megan Donelson, Woodstown14 vs. Cinnaminson1441
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 518)7 vs. Haddon Hts.987
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 707)DNP958
Marley Wood, Pennsville16 vs. Haddon Hts. 923

Through games of Jan. 27

This week’s schedule

Here is this week’s Salem County sports schedule for the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 2; all games 5:30 p.m. unless noted

JAN. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Haddon Heights at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Gloucester City at Schalick
Palmyra at Salem, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Gateway
Woodstown at Cinnaminson, 4 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Bordentown, 6:30 p.m.
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Woodstown at GCIT, 7 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton at Bolero Lanes

JAN. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Overbrook
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
Wildwood at Salem
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
WRESTLING
Penns Grove at Riverside, 5 p.m.
Salem, Holy Spirit at Oakcrest, 5 p.m.
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Union at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 29
WRESTLING
Clayton at Salem, 5 p.m.
Cumberland at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 6 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes
SWIMMING
Tri-County Conference Showcase at GCIT, 3:30 p.m.

JAN. 30
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Paulsboro
Wildwood at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Camden Tech at Salem
Overbrook at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Clayton, 7 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Clayton at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Wildwood
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes, 4 p.m.

JAN. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Haddon Twp.
Salem Tech at Camden Tech
Winslow at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gateway at Salem Tech
Salem vs. Medford Tech at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
WRESTLING
Clayton at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic, 7 p.m.
TRACK
Tri-County & Olympic Conference at Bennett Center, Toms River

FEB. 1
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Camden Catholic at Pennsville, 1 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Oakcrest at Pennsville, 11:30 p.m.
Schalick at Buena, 11:30 a.m.
Woodstown at Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m.
Deptford at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Clearview, Hammonton at Central Regional, 10 a.m.
Pennsville girls at Eastern, 9 a.m.
Penns Grove vs. Bordentown, Vineland, Winslow
Salem, Schalick, Palmyra at Lindenwold, 9 a.m.
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley CC, noon

FEB. 2
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Eastern, 10 a.m.

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


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