Category: BASKETBALL

Happy Hengel

Friday’s girls roundup: Woodstown junior comes to game in good mood, has career night as Wolverines get back on track

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville 57, Overbrook 20
Penns Grove 50, Schalick 14
Salem Tech 36, Camden Academy Charter 32
Wildwood 77, Salem 27
Woodstown 62, Glassboro 39

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Lauren Hengel came to the gym Friday in a good mood. That was a good sign for the Woodstown girls basketball team looking to get back on the winning track.

Hengel came into the game with confidence and it translated to a big game as she helped the Wolverines beat Glassboro 62-39 to snap a two-game losing streak.

The 5-8 junior scored a career-high 14 points on the strength of 5-for-7 shooting from the floor and a pair of 3-pointers. She also had two rebounds and two steals. She scored 10 points in the third quarter.

Hengel gave the Wolverines a trio of double-figure scorers for the first time this season, joining Talia Battavio (19) and Megan Donelson (15). Battavio and Donelson combined for seven of Woodstown’s 11 3-pointers in the game. Hengel had two. Donelson scored all of her points in the first half.

“Lauren was amazing today,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “She came in today with a big smile on her face. She’s a big Notre Dame fan, so I think she just had a positive mindset (after watching the Irish beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to reach the CFP semifinals).

“We’ve always known that Lauren is a phenomenal basketball player. This whole season our big thing (with everyone except Battavio and Donelson) is confidence. They are phenomenal basketball players and a lot of times they’re open for great shots and they’re not confident to take it. Lauren today was confident with every single shot she took. She stepped into it. She made some big plays for us. She was fearless and smart at the same time, which really helped us.”

The Wolverines (5-2) came into the game having been swept in their appearance in the Haddon Twp. Holiday Tournament. They started out on a road towards three in a row Friday, falling behind the Bulldogs 9-2 in the first two minutes, but then Smart called the time out that turned their game around.

“We challenged the girls at practice this week to box out,” Smart said. “We were going for rebounds, but we weren’t finding a girl, being physical and boxing out. Glassboro at the beginning of the game kind of punched us in the mouth a little bit, we called time out and responded very well.

“Instead of just turning around looking for the ball off the back end of a shot, we were finding a girl, we were physical, we were letting the ball hit the ground one or two times and then attacking it. Basketball is a contact sport, a physical sport, so let’s find a girl, let’s box her out and then go attack that rebound. I think that set the tone for the whole game for us.”

With that mindset they climbed back in the game and eventually led 17-14 at quarter’s end. They stretched the lead to 14 at halftime and 23 after three quarters.

During the run, Battavio and Donelson hit a couple 3s, Kyia Leyman had a strong putback and Hengel had a bucket.

Somewhere in there was Smart’s favorite play of the game that summed up the approach to the day. Gianna Maiorini was battling under the boards and although she didn’t get this particular rebound she boxed out her man for a good five or six seconds which allowed a teammates to swoop in and secure the rebound.

The Wolverines grabbed 32 rebounds as a team. Eleven players had at least one, which was more than the number of players who scored points for them. Leyman and Donelson each had six boards. Maiorini had five.

The win extended Woodstown’s winning streak over TCC Diamond Division rivals to 34 in a row.

WOODSTOWN 62, GLASSBORO 39
GLASSBORO (2-4) – Sanaa Thomas 2 0-0 5, Tamia Smith 4 3-11 11, Kezia Brackett 5 4-10 15, Kimora Miles 0 1-2 1, Sianna Wedderburn 2 1-2 5, Grace Moore 1 0-0 2, NiJha Norzon Clark 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 9-25 39.
WOODSTOWN (5-2) – Talia Battavio 5-18 6-7 19, Megan Donelson 4-11 3-4 15, Gianna Maiorini 1-4 0-0 2, Kyia Leyman 1-1 0-0 2, Lauren Hengel 5-7 2-3 14, Emma Perry 1-3 0-0 2, Kendall Young 1-1 0-0 3, Jaia Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Mia Waterman 0-2 0-0 0, Brynley Ecret 2-2 0-0 5, Kailyn Kennedy 0-0 0-0 0, Lizzy Daly 0-0 0-0 0, Talia Guardascione 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-50 11-14 62.

Glassboro 147612-39
Woodstown17181511-62
3-point goals: Glassboro 2 (Thomas, Brackett); Woodstown 11-28 (Battavio 3-11, Donelson 4-8, Hengel 2-4, Perry 0-1, Young 1-1, Waterman 0-2, Ecret 1-1). Rebounds: Woodstown 32 (Donelson 6, Leyman 6). Total fouls: Glassboro 12, Woodstown 18.

SALEM TECH 36, CAMDEN ACADEMY CHARTER 32: Shelby Drummond and Demajae White scored 11 points apiece and the Chargers (2-3) dominated the backboards to snap a three-game losing streak and double their win total of a year ago. 

According to the game’s statistical report, the Chargers cleared 76 rebounds. White had 24, Kaylin Beardsley 14 and Rylee Doerr had 12. Drummond had nine. The Chargers are now 2-3 for the season. They won once all last season.

SALEM TECH (2-3) – Shelby Liber 1 0-0 2, Hannah Dewitt 1 0-2 2, Lavae Scott 0 0-0 0, Demajae White 4 3-3 11, Shelby Drummond 4 0-0 11, Rylee Doerr 1 0-2 2, Kaylin Beardsley 2 2-2 8. Totals 13 5-9 36.
CAMDEN ACAD. (3-2) – Yomeidy DeLaRosa 3 2-8 8, Leslie Ramirez 1 0-0 2, Aishaara Davis Bonilla 2 0-3 4, Skylar Goods 1 0-0 2, Nyeema Torres 5 2-5 16. Totals 12 4-12 32.

Salem Tech107811-36
Camden Academy71294-32
3-point goals: Salem Tech 5 (Drummond 3, Beardsley 2); Camden Acad. 4 (Torres 4).

PENNSVILLE 57, OVERBROOK 20: Taylor Bass led three double-figure scorers with 19 points and Marley Wood had a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists as the Eagles (3-2) went over .500 for the first time in coach Steve Merritt’s tenure. Nora Ausland had 10 points, eight rebounds and four steals for the Eagles.

PENNSVILLE (3-2) – Taylor Bass 8 0-0 19, Marley Wood 5 0-0 12, Nora Ausland 5 0-0 10, Jaida Burns 3 1-2 7, Addison Johnston 0 1-1 1, Izzy Saulin 1 0-0 2, Sofia Belitas 0 0-0 0, Ashlyn Fredo 0 0-0 0, Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 2-3 57.
OVERBROOK (1-6) – Gianna Simon 6 2-2 16, Rosetta Loebman 0 0-0 0, Lelani Knight 0 0-0 0, Ahlani Knight 0 0-0 0, Kayla Reynolds 0 0-0 0, Lily LaFountain 0 0-0 0, Talia Wiggins 1 1-2 4, Kiya Townsend 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 3-4 20.

Pennsville192486-57
Overbrook32411-20
3-point goals: Pennsville 5 (Bass 3, Wood 2); Overbrook 3 (Simon 2, Wiggins).

WILDWOOD 77, SALEM 27
WILDWOOD (6-0) – Macie McCracken 12 4-4 33, Angela Wilber 2 2-2 6, Rebecca Benichou 6 4-8 18, Cydnee Killian 1 0-0 2, Kiana D’Antuono 0 0-0 0, Addison Troiano 2 3-6 7, Sarah Djellal 0 1-2 1, Laila Fathi 1 2-2 5, Julia Ennis 1 0-0 2, Emma Contreras 0 0-0 0, Ellasyn Morey 0 0-0 0, Antoinette Cooper 1 0-0 2, Lily Atkinson 0 0-0 0, Mollie Farrell 0 1-2 1. Totals 26 17-26 77.
SALEM (0-5) – Carlysia Pierce 3 1-1 8, Nevaeh Hickman 2 0-0 4, Lyric Hayes 0 1-3 1, Zaniyah Frieson 2 0-0 4, Shyla Parsons 1 0-2 2, Timmiyah Simmons 2 0-0 6, Triscia Wilson 1 0-0 2. Totals 11 2-4 27. 

Wildwood26161619-77
Salem7929-27
3-point goals: Wildwood 8 (McCracken 5, Benichou 2, Fathi); Salem 3 (Pierce, Simmons 2). 

PENNS GROVE 50, SCHALICK 14
PENNS GROVE – RaNiyah Wilson 9 6-7 28, Brianna Robbins 2 2-4 6, Ialliyah Cummings 3 3-7 9, Keziah Patterson 3 0-0 6, Sianna Robbins 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Washington 0 1-2 1. Totals 17 12-20 50.
SCHALICK (1-3) – Abby Willoughby 0 0-0 0, Cali Fisler 0 0-0 0, Nevaeh Robinson 2 0-2 5, Ava Scurry 2 0-0 4, Willow Davis 0 0-0 0, Emily Miller 0 0-0 0, Olivia Lunemann 1 0-0 2, Carl Vicente 0 0-0 0, Olivia VanAcker 0 0-2 0, Vic Basich 0 1-2 1, Kyleigh Cutler 0 0-0 0, Emma O’Neill 1 0-0 2. Totals 6 1-6 14.

Penns Grove10121018-50
Schalick3704-14
3-point goals: Penns Grove (Wilson 4); Schalick 1 (Robinson). Total fouls: Penns Grove 10, Schalick 16.

Active scorers watch

SALEM COUNTY SCORING LISTPOINTS
Talia Battavio, Woodstown1332
Megan Donelson, Woodstown1295
1000-POINT WATCH
Nora Ausland, Pennsville
(Salem 462/Pennsville 413)		875
Marley Wood, Pennsville782
x-RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove
(Kingsway 251/Penns Grove 492)		743
Through games of Jan. 3; x-Does not include 12/27 game vs. Deptford

Total package

Friday boys roundup: Frisbee, Robinson getting comfortable in their new surroundings back home in Penns Grove; story will be updated

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Gloucester Catholic 85, Salem Tech 42
Overbrook 72, Pennsville 26
Penns Grove 69, Schalick 37
Salem 65, Wildwood 48
Woodstown 57, Glassboro 39

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE – Haneef Frisbee and Antoine Robinson looked into the future last year and knew they were going to play somewhere different this basketball season. They didn’t know quite where at the time, but they did know they were going to go there together.

Where one decided to go, the other one would, too. That’s just the way they roll. Ultimately, the two Salem Tech teammates decided there was no place like home. They came back to their roots in Penns Grove to give the Red Devils the benefit of their size and length.

It’s taken some time getting used to a new school, a new team, a new floor, but Friday night they were the most comfortable they’ve been in their new surroundings all season and helped the Red Devils rout Schalick 69-37 in Rudy Baric Gym.

Frisbee, a lean 6-2 junior forward, had nine points, 10 rebounds and a couple steals. Robinson, a thick 6-1 junior guard, had eight points and six rebounds. 

“We were definitely more comfortable than we have ever been,” Frisbee said.

Frisbee was hot early, scoring six of the Red Devils’ first eight points and grabbing five of his rebounds in the quarter. Robinson gave them a steadier game, spreading his production across all four quarters.

It’s not like they’re coming into a totally new environment. The two players are originally from Penns Grove and played there all the way through middle school. They went to Salem Tech for the academy there and naturally joined the basketball team.

Frisbee had 381 points, 292 rebounds and 77 blocked shots in 49 career games with the Chargers. Robinson had 365 points, 107 rebounds and 46 assists in 44 career games.

But two tough seasons in the win-loss column had them reassessing their choices and prospects for playing at the next level and they came – together – to Penns Grove to enroll in its Early College program.

“We came as a package,” Robinson said. “We thought about it hard, we even talked to our parents about it to bring them along and we made the decision to come to Penns Grove High School.”

“Twan’s basically my brother,” Frisbee said. “I put my trust in him wherever I go. Wherever I am I can always count on him to be there, like my right hand man. He’s not my brother, but I consider him like a brother.”

The bonus is the basketball team benefits from their size and length, elements that were missing with the graduation of last year’s class. 

In the five games they’ve played at Penns Grove, Robinson has 27 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists and 10 steals. Frisbee 31 points, 25 rebounds and six blocked shots.

Penns Grove coach Damian Ware didn’t know they were coming until Frisbee’s grandmother told him, but he knew of them. He had seen them play in middle school and, of course, when the Red Devils played Tech the last two years. The players already knew them from going to middle school together.

So with that familiarity, the transition was a little smoother than most. Now, it was a matter of getting them up to speed with the way the Red Devils play.

“As far as the play on the floor they have a lot to learn because they didn’t understand what we do here compared to what they did at their other school,” Ware said. “Haneef has played with great energy since Game 1, but he’s fouled out of three of our five games. Antoine’s thing is just understanding the speed of our game and how we play. Here, we move.

“That’s the thing with Antoine. When he picks up the pace of the game he’s going to be great. By the end of the season I guarantee he’ll be one of the studs in South Jersey, for sure.”

Penns Grove’s Roman Gipson led all scorers with 19 points. 

PENNS GROVE 69, SCHALICK 37
SCHALICK (1-6) – Reggie Allen 2 3-5 7, Nylan Sutton 0 0-0 0, Justin Iacona 2 0-0 5, Sherrod Jones 2 0-0 5, Jase Volovar 2 0-0 6, Sean Kelly 1 1-2 4, Jamari Whitley 1 3-5 6, Jacob Schalick 1 2-2 4, Guage Cramer 0 0-0 0, Nick Aswell 0 0-2 0, Ryan Horner 0 0-0 0, Kade Macom 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 9-16 37.
PENNS GROVE (2-3) – Karon Ceaser 2 2-4 7, Brandin Robbins 1 2-2 5, Will Roe 1 0-0 2, Jameel Horace 3 1-2 8, Luis Colon 1 0-0 2, Roman Gipson 8 3-6 19, Geonni Conrad 1 1-2 3, Antoine Robinson 4 2-2 10, Caleb Fowler 2 0-0 4, Haneef Frisbee 4 1-2 9, Mishawn Brantley 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 12-20 69.

Schalick 69715-37
Penns Grove1914279-69
3-point goals: Schalick 6 (Volovar 2, Iacono, Jones, Whitley, Kelly); Penns Grove 3 (Ceaser, Robbins, Horace). Rebounds: Schalick 16 (Sutton 8); Penns Grove 34 (Frisbee 10, Robinson 6, Gipson 6, Horace 6). Total fouls: Schalick 18, Penns Grove 13.

SALEM 65, WILDWOOD 48: Tymere Lecator scored 22 points and Deshaan Williams and Antwuan Rogers both had double-doubles to lead the Rams (6-1) to their third straight win. It’s their second three-game winning streak of the season.

Williams, a 6-2 sophomore transfer from Cumberland, had a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds and got the game ball for his effort. He had 11 rebounds twice las a 5-11 freshman ast year for the Colts. 

Rogers had 10 points and 14 boards, his third double-double in seven games this season. Lecator had seven rebounds and seven assists to go with his points. Xavier McGriff had 10 points.

WOODSTOWN 57, GLASSBORO 39: Blake Bialecki scored 19 points, Rocco String 16 and Elijah Caesar added a career-high tying 11 as the Wolverines (3-2) won their third straight. Bialecki and String both had double-doubles with Bialecki grabbed 11 rebounds and String snaring a career-high 20. String also blocked seven shots.

WOODSTOWN (3-2) – Rocco String 7 2-6 16, Garrett Leyman 0 1-2 1, Blake Bialecki 7 2-2 19, M.J. Hall 2 0-0 4, Alejandro Vazquez 2 0-0 6, Eli Caesar 5 0-0 11. Totals 23 5-10 57.
GLASSBORO (1-5) – Xavier Sabb 5 4-8 16, Davon Barr 1 0-0 2, Maurice Davis 2 4-6 8, Kenny Smith 3 0-2 8, Tashean Thomas 2 0-0 4, Aiden Harris 0 0-0 0, Will Boggans 0 0-0 0, Marley Crowl 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 8-16 39.

Woodstown 2017911-57
Glassboro713613-39
3-point goals: Woodstown 6 (Bialecki 3, Vazquez 2, Caesar); Glassboro 5 (Sabb 3, Smith 2). Total fouls: Woodstown 14, Glassboro 12.

OVERBROOK 72, PENNSVILLE 26
OVERBROOK (5-2) – Zair Green 10, Xavier Wright 7, Lamar Little 14, Bilal Robinson 4, Elvin Santiago 4, J.R. Stanley 3, Jaden St. John 6, Rashon Jones 5, Jayden Wilkerson 4, Gavin Cajuste 3, Cody Harris 9, Jason Boyd 3.
PENNSVILLE (1-4) – Mason O’Brien 4-1-10, Jovanni Rios 3-1-7, Perry Meranti 0-0-0, Cole Johnston 0-0-0, Shiloh Jefferson 1-0-2, Daniel Knight 1-0-2, C.J. McDevitt 1-1-3, Jacob Miller 1-0-2. 

Overbrook 22241313-72
Pennsville9728-26
3-point goals: Pennsville 2 (O’Brien 2).

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 85, SALEM TECH 41
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (3-5) – Carlos Mendez 6 2-2 15, Jack Mustaro 10 7-7 31, Jack Pund 2 2-4 6, Danny Zellner 3 0-0 6, Ben Cook 3 0-4 6, Kybron Ricks 2 2-4 6, Zack Payne 0 0-0 0, Gary Connelly 1 0-0 2, Jordan Mendez 0 0-0 0, Kimani Pyram 1 2-2 5, C.J. Mitchell 3 0-0 6, Anthony Polidoro 1 0-0 2. Totals 32 15-23 85.
SALEM TECH (0-7) – Connor Dougan 5 3-4 15, Joseph Hayes 2 2-4 8, Larry Pompper 4 4-7 13, Logan Pace 0 0-4 0, Alex Thomas 3 0-1 6, Aiden Bobo 0 0-2 0. Totals 14 9-22 42.

Gloucester Catholic26171715-85
Salem Tech131586-42
3-point goals: Gloucester Catholic 6 (C. Mendez, Mustaro 4, Pyram); Salem Tech 5 (Dougan 2, Hayes 2, Pompper).

Salem County stats

Here are the Salem County high school basketball statistical leaders through Jan. 1, disclaimer: stats based on games inputted by schools to state reporting service

Boys

SCORING

PLAYER, SCHOOLGPFGFTPTSAVG
Tymear Lecator, Salem6382811819.7
Mason O’Brien, Pennsville414105914.8
Blake Bialecki, Woodstown417155814.5
Nylan Sutton, Schalick41875313.3
Jovanni Rios, Pennsville41264411.0
Rocco String, Woodstown41954310.8
Brandin Robbins, Penns Grove41554010.0
Reggie Allen, Schalick4114369.0
Antwuan Rogers, Salem6237538.8
Roman Gipson, Penns Grove4135358.8
Neziah Spence, Salem6205528.7
Karon Ceaser, Penns Grove4133328.0
Sherrod Jones, Schalick3102248.0
C.J. McDevitt, Pennsville335227.3
Joseph Hayes, Salem Tech593267.2
Deshaan Williams, Salem61414427.0
Xavier McGriff, Salem6173427.0

REBOUNDING

PLAYER, SCHOOLGPTOTAVG
Rocco String, Woodstown46115.3
Antwuan Rogers, Salem6569.3
Darrelle Johnson, Salem5326.4
Deshaan Williams, Salem6386.3
Haneef Frisbee, Penns Grove4256.3
Antoine Robinson, Penns Grove4205.0
Garrett Leyman, Woodstown4205.0
Jovanni Rios, Pennsville4205.0

3-POINT GOALS
14: Tymear Lecator, Salem
10: Neziah Spence, Salem
9: Blake Bialecki, Woodstown
8: Joseph Hayes, Salem Tech
6: Brayden Hall, Woodstown
5: Reggie Allen, Schalick; Xavier McGriff, Salem; Brandin Robbins, Penns Grove

BLOCKED SHOTS
25: Rocco String, Woodstown
6: Haneef Frisbee, Penns Grove
5: Deshaan Williams, Salem

ASSISTS
39: Tymear Lecator, Salem
17: Neziah Spencer, Salem
14: Alejandro Vazquez, Woodstown; Brandin Robbins, Penns Grove

STEALS
27: Karon Ceaser, Penns Grove
16: Tymear Lecator, Salem
12: Blake Bialecki, Woodstown; Brandin Robbins, Penns Grove
10: Xavier McGriff, Salem; Darrelle Johnson, Salem; Jovanni Rios, Pennsville; Antoine Robinson, Penns Grove

Girls

SCORING

PLAYERS, SCHOOLGPFGFTPTSAVG
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove22144824.0
Talia Battavio, Woodstown6431711919.8
Megan Donelson, Woodstown636199916.5
Nora Ausland, Pennsville42265814.5
Marley Wood, Pennsville 41865012.5
Brianna Robbins, Penns Grove2932311.5
Naveah Robinson, Schalick31313311.0
Carlysia Pierce, Salem41674310.8
Taylor Bass, Pennsville4144358.8
Ava Scurry, Schalick3102227.3
JaNiyah Cummings, Penns Grove261136.5
Keziah Patterson, Penns Grove250136.5
Nevaeh Hickman, Salem4110256.3
Willow Davis, Schalick371196.3
Olivia Vanacker, Schalick260126.0
Shelby Drummond, Salem Tech371155.0

REBOUNDING

PLAYER, SCHOOLGPTOTAVG
Rylee Doerr, Salem Tech4358.8
Ava Scurry, Schalick3237.7
Olivia Vanacker, Schalick2157.5
Naveah Robinson, Schalick3227.3
Shelby Drummond, Salem Tech3217.0
JaNiyah Cummings, Penns Grove2136.5
Kyia Lehman, Woodstown6386.3
Cali Fisler, Schalick3186.0
Lauren Hengel, Woodstown6335.5
Megan Donelson, Woodstown6335.5
Abby Willoughby, Schalick3165.3
Jaida Burns, Pennsville4205.0
Marley Wood, Pennsville4205.0
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove2105.0

3-POINT GOALS
16: Talia Battavio, Woodstown
8: Megan Donelson, Woodstown
6: Naveah Robinson, Schalick
4: Carlysia Pierce, Salem; Willow Davis, Schalick

BLOCKED SHOTS
7: Rylee Doerr, Salem Tech
6: Kyia Leyman, Woodstown
5: Cali Fisler, Schalick

ASSISTS
22: Megan Donelson, Woodstown
19: Marley Wood, Pennsville
16: Talia Battavio, Woodstown
11: Navaho Robinson, Schalick
10: Gianna Maiorini, Woodstown; Nora Ausland, Pennsville
8: Shelby Drummond, Salem Tech
7: Rylee Doerr, Salem Tech; Abby Willoughby, Schalick

STEALS
38: Megan Donelson, Woodstown
18: Lauren Hengel, Woodstown
16: Talia Battavio, Woodstown
15: Naveah Robinson, Schalick
13: Gianna Maiorini, Woodstown; Taylor Bass, Pennsville
10: Nora Ausland, Pennsville; Shelby Drummond, Salem Tech; Abby Willoughby, Schalick
7: Kaylin Beardsley, Salem Tech; Kendall Young, Woodstown; Ava Scurry, Schalick
6: Lizzy Daly, Woodstown; Emma Perry, Woodstown; Marley Wood, Pennsville

Salem County schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the remainder of this week and the first full week of the new year

JAN. 2
BOWLING
Salem vs. Lindenwold at 30 Strikes
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester City at Wood Lanes

JAN. 3
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Overbrook
Penns Grove at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
Wildwood at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Glassboro
WRESTLING
Penns Grove in Bohemia Manor (Md.) Tournament
Schalick at Egg Harbor Twp.
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Timber Creek at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Schalick vs. Glassboro at GCIT, 8:30 p.m.

JAN. 4
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Cumberland, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cumberland at Pennsville, 11:30 a.m.
Eastern at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Hammonton Duals
Penns Grove, Paul VI, Willingboro at Audubon
Haddon Heights, Mainland, Overbrook at Schalick
Salem, Burlington City, St. Joe at Pitman
Woodstown in Collingswood Duals
INDOOR TRACK
Salem, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia

JAN. 5
WRESTLING
Schalick at Williamstown Tournament
Pennsville girls at Williamstown Tournament

JAN. 6
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Haddon Twp., 7 p.m.
Pennsville at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Schalick at Buena
BOYS BASKETBALL
Buena at Schalick
Camden Tech at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Woodstown
WRESTLING
Paul VI at Pennsville
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. West Deptford at River Winds
Woodstown vs. Lower Cape May

JAN. 7
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pitman
Schalick at Glassboro
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Clayton
BOWLING
Salem vs. Kingsway at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Camden County at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Camden County at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 8
WRESTLING
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Salem at Cumberland
Woodstown at Deptford
SWIMMING
Salem at Lower Cape May
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Schalick at Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Salem
Penns Grove at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Salem Tech
Triton at Pennsville
Wildwood at Woodstown
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Penns Grove
Salem at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Schalick
Woodstown at Wildwood
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Kingsway at Wood Lanes
SWIMMING
Schalick at Camden County Tech
Salem vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 8:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Highland at GCIT
TRACK
Penns Grove at Cherokee
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 10
BOYS BASKETBALL
LEAP at Salem
Pennsville at Clayton
WRESTLING
Collingswood at Schalick

JAN. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Delsea at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Camden Catholic, 11:30 a.m.
St. Joseph at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
Schalick at Collingswood
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Oakcrest, Overbrook at Millville
Penns Grove at Deptford
Salem at Cherokee
Schalick, Cumberland, Timber Creek at Buena
Woodstown in Cinnaminson Duals
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Middlesex, noon

Tough battle

Woodstown girls suffer rare second straight loss, won’t use growing pains in new situation as an excuse, vow to work to improve

By Riverview Sports News

WESTMONT – Woodstown’s girls have two of the most dynamic scorers in South Jersey, but the Wolverines they needed to have more involved in the offense and were upset by Pennsauken 55-44 Tuesday in the consolation game of the Haddon Twp. Holiday Tournament.

Talia Battavio and Megan Donelson led all scorers with 17 points apiece, but the Wolverines (4-2) got only 10 points from three other scorers. Sianni Hill and Kimora Truitt scored 14 points apiece for Pennsauken, but the Lady Indians (3-2) had two players with at least eight.

The Wolverines also had a tough shooting day, going 2-for-25 from 3-point range that dropped their overall proficiency to 26 percent.

“Today was a tough battle for us,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “Pennsauken was a physical team who rebounded the basketball very well. They pushed the ball in transition and made some big shots.

“We took some good shots today, but they just didn’t fall. At times we were trying to force things and playing tight. We must remember to play loose and have fun because when we do that, we play our best.”

Donelson and Kyia Leyman had 10 rebounds apiece for Woodstown, but Pennsauken grabbed 43 total rebounds and converted numerous third and fourth opportunities. Hill had 12 boards, while Mayeline Rodriguez and Aliza Allen had nine each.

After Tuesday, Battavio (1313) and Donelson (1280) now are both in the top 10 of Salem County’s all-time leading scorers in girls basketball.

The Wolverines have lost two in a row after opening the season 4-0. They lost two in a row in February last year then bounced back to reach the South Jersey Group I championship game.

They return to action Friday against Glassboro where they look to extend another streak – their winning streak in the TCC Diamond Division. They have won 33 straight against Diamond Division opponents (FYI, it’s 31 straight against Salem County foes).

“The last two games were tests for us that pointed out a lot of things that we need to work on,” Smart said. “People will call this growing pains, that we have a lot of girls who are playing varsity minutes for the first time or that a new system takes some time to get used to. We aren’t going to use that as an excuse.

“We are going to take this time to evaluate things that we are doing well and things that need to be improved. The great part about basketball is the season doesn’t end in December. While the days seem to be flying by, we still have a lot of season left.

“If we are the same team in February that we were at the beginning of the season, we wouldn’t be satisfied. We have said it all season: As a team we need to focus on being the best 2024-25 Woodstown girls basketball team we can be. Predictions, seeding and personal honors aren’t what this team is concerned with. We are concerned with getting better each and every day.”

HADDON TWP. HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
CONSOLATION GAME
PENNSAUKEN 55, WOODSTOWN 44
WOODSTOWN (4-2) – Talia Battavio 7-30 1-2 17, Emma Perry 0-1 1-2 1, Lauren Hengel 1 1-4 3, Megan Donelson 5-17 7-9 17, Kyia Leyman 3-6 0-2 6, Gianna Maiorini 0-3 0-2 0. Totals 16-61 10-16 44.
PENNSAUKEN (3-2) – Kimora Truitt 3 6-12 14, Mayeline Rodriguez 2 2-2 6, Sianni Hill 6 2-4 14, Aliza Allen 2 2-6 8, Hadley Rodriguez 4 0-0 9, Doriana Mateo 2 2-2 4, Kinya Dawson 0 0-0 0.. Totals 19 14-26 55.

Woodstown 8111510-44
Pennsauken9161713-55
3-point goals: Woodstown 2-25 (Battavio 2); Pennsauken 3 (Truitt 2, H. Rodriguez). Rebounds: Woodstown 36 (Donelson 10, Leyman 10). Technical fouls: Donelson. Fouled out: Donelson, M. Rodriguez. Total fouls: Woodstown 16, Pennsauken 19.

Watch the Ram car, please

Salem coach Farmer calls key time out in second quarter to keep game from getting away, Rams respond with a run that carries them to Wildwood sweep

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WILDWOOD — The Salem basketball team was on the verge of another second quarter dry spell that had been haunting it all season. Actually, it was the continuation of a first-quarter drought that spilled over, but coach Anthony Farmer had seen enough to know he had seen too much.

He was going to nip this problem before it became a real disaster.

Millville had taken an early 14-point Salem lead all the way down to two with 6:48 left in the second quarter and Farmer called a much-needed 30-second timeout to stall the Thunderbolts’ momentum and talk his Rams back on track.

The tactic worked. The Rams went on a quick 8-2 run out of the break and then tacked on eight straight points later that pushed them to an 11-point halftime lead that was never threatened again. They went on to win 64-48 to sweep their two-game stay in the Boardwalk Classic.

The Rams (5-1) typically have been sharp at the start of games this season, but those quick starts have been followed by clunky second and third quarters that made the games interesting.

Farmer had to give them another reminder early in the third quarter after the Bolts (2-6) pulled within nine and the Rams responded again. The message, the players said was simple: Just wake up.

“It’s become a pattern for us you want to address to make the kids aware; you’re trying to get their attention,“ Farmer said. “That’s what that was about, really just making a timely decision, a timely call, to regroup the kids and get them back under control.

“It’s being young, honestly. You don’t have a guy like Ant (his son, Anthony Farmer) to calm everybody down, calm, cool, collected, get everybody involved. We’re young, we get sped up. We’ve got to be able to get under control, run your offense, know when it looks raggedy and settle down, and right now we’re not there.”

Xavier McGriff sharpens his focus before taking the floor in the Boardwalk Classic. He had eight points, 13 rebounds and six steals in Salem’s two wins at the showcase. (Photo by Jalen Freeman)

Tymear Lecator and Neziah Spence got the Rams off to a hot start again, combining for the team’s first 14 points in a 16-2 opening run. Interestingly, the Bolts staged their rally after coach Michael LaTorre called his own 30-second timeout with 3:33 left in the first quarter.

Lecator had another big game in the Wildwood Convention Center, finishing with 27 points, tying his season high, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

He scored 46 points in the Rams’ two games here, hit three 3s in each game, is now averaging 19.7 through the Rams’ first six games of the season.

Antwan Rogers, whose layup kick-started the second-quarter recovery, had nine points and 10 rebounds. Xavier McGriff had eight points, including a 3-pointer that ignited the third-quarter run, six boards and four steals. Spence had 10 points.

“I like this court a lot,” Lecator said. “I like how it’s spacious, there’s a lot of room for me to work, and I like how my shot feels on the court, good grip, soft rims. I just like playing here. That’s the key to my success. It gives off a college-type environment.”

There was a lot fire for the game from Salem’s perspective. Farmer is from Millville. Several of the Salem players, like Lecator, have connections in the Millville/Vineland/Bridgeton community. Rams’ forward Darrelle Johnson, Lecator’s cousin, played at Millville last year. 

Johnson would’ve liked to have had a big game with a couple dunks against his former mates, but didn’t get the chance going scoreless in six-plus minutes of action. You knew it was special to him. He never looked Millville’s way during pre-game warmups or introductions but LaTorre embraced him in the post-game handshake line without drawing much reaction.

It all added to the intensity of the day.

“Any time you kind of get somebody from my hometown you always want to go out there and get the best of them,” Lecator said. “I don’t want them to get the best of me because I go back home and everybody I hang around hears about it, so I just knew I had to come out here and play good so I can go back home and I’ve got something to brag about.” 

BOARDWALK CLASSIC
SALEM 64, MILLVILLE 48
SALEM (5-1) – Tymear Lecator 9 6-6 27, Antwan Rogers 4 1-1 9, Deshaan Williams 1 4-4 6, Xavier McGriff 3 0-0 8, Neziah Spence 4 0-0 10, Joe Tunis 2 0-0 4, Darrelle Johnson 0 0-0 0, Harlem Parsons 0 0-0 0, Kyaire Parsons 0 0-0 0, Giovanni Tuvale 0 0-0 0, Donovan Weathers 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 11-11 64.
MILLVILLE (2-6) – Jaden Days 2 3-5 7, Tahshawn Jones 0 0-0 0, Divonte Smith 2 0-2 5, Caiden Allen 0 0-0 0, Mike Bullock 0 0-0 0, Bryant Nelson 1 6-8 9, Cayden Pierce 3 0-0 8, Alex Doss 1 0-0 2, James Jackson 1 0-0 2, Zhamere Redding 6 0-0 13, Zhymir Tull 0 0-0 0, Noah Thompson 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 9-15 48.

Salem16181812-64
Millville617916-48
3-point goals: Salem 7-16 (Lecator 3, McGriff 2, Spence 2); Millville 5 (Smith, Nelson, Pierce 2, Redding). Rebounds: Salem 39 (Rogers 10). Total fouls: Salem 15, Millville 15.
Salem’s Darrelle Johnson goes in for a steal against his former Millville teammates in Tuesday’s Boardwalk Classic game.

Hard learning

Red Devils don’t mind ‘playing up’ if it helps them get better in the long run

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WILDWOOD – Penns Grove coach Damian Ware could have been all sulky and mad after the kind of loss his Red Devils took from St. Augustine Monday night in the Boardwalk Classic, but he wasn’t.

There’s a reason he brings his teams here to play teams the likes of the Hermits and if it takes absorbing a 62-32 or similar loss from time to time in the name of getting better, he’s willing to do that.

The Hermits had their way in so many aspects of the game in the Wildwood Convention Center, especially in the first half, but Ware took it for what it was worth. You can’t get better in the long run if you don’t see better along the way.

“That’s why we want to matchup against teams like this, so we see teams like this,” Ware said. “We won’t see teams like this is the division or in the conference or in Group 1. We always want to take this trip down here because we always match up with a better team at a different level, so it’s good for us to get that experience.

“I feel like we got what we wanted, we just didn’t make shots and when they got their shots they made them. That’s really our biggest thing, putting the ball in the basket, right now. Our defense is good enough. We give up 62 points to a St. Augustine team, that’s not too bad because they can easily drop 80 or 90 on somebody at any time.

“In the grand scheme of things this was a stepping stone and a teaching tool. We’ll take this film, we’ll break it down, we’ll watch it with the kids and we’ll show them where we need to improve and what we need to do to get better and then we’ll move on from there.”

When the Red Devils (1-3) look at the film again they’ll see St. Augustine controlled the game from the start. The Hermits scored the first 11 points of the game – the first eight by Rory Friel – led 23-3 midway through the second quarter and 29-10 at halftime.

Friel, a 6-5 senior, had 10 points and five rebounds in the first quarter and finished with 18 and eight in the game. Olumide Okebiorun, the Hermits’ other 6-5 starter, had eight points and six boards.

The Red Devils scored only six points in the first 14 and a half minutes of the game and they all came from Roman Gipson. The 6-0 junior got his team on the board with a 3-pointer from the right corner with 3:00 left in the first quarter, rolled in a layup with 3:49 left in the first half and added a free throw 30 seconds later.

That was the extent of it until Brandin Robbins hit a layup with 1:28 left in the half and Luis Colon hit two free throws 7.3 seconds before halftime.

“The main thing I’m telling them at halftime is we’re getting what we want, we got the shots we want, but one thing we’ve got to do is a better job of getting organized in our half-court,” Ware said. “That’s where we’re kind of learning and still growing and our youth is still not really there yet.

“In the full court we’re pretty good, but in the half court we’ve got to get better.”

They were much better in the second half. The Red Devils didn’t win the half, but they did score more points and played the Hermits even in the fourth quarter. KaRon Ceaser scored all seven of his points in the second half.

“I was happy with how we started in the third quarter and when we started playing downhill,” Ware said. “That’s what I’m trying to get these guys to do, play downhill, because we play side-to-side too much.

“That’s the main thing, getting these guys to understand how hard you actually have to play to win at a high level.”

ST. AUGUSTINE 62, PENNS GROVE 32
ST. AUGUSTINE (3-3) – Phillip Brunozzi 1 0-0 3, Jaleo Wakefield 1 4 0-0 9, D.J. Mosley 0 0-0 0, Brayson Thurber 1 0-0 2, Jaden Hollingshead 0 0-0 0, Rory Friel 8 2-3 18, Olumide Okebiorun 2 4-5 8, Nic Companaro 0 0-0 0, Luke Maransky 2 0-0 6, Joe Peacock 0 0-0 0, Aaron Jones 1 0-0 2, Jacob Plenn 1 0-0 2, C.J. Melillo 1 1-2 4, Johnny Godfrey 1 0-0 2, Kyle Helphenstine 2 0-0 4, Richie Cruz 1 0-0 2. Totals 25 7-10 62.
PENNS GROVE (1-3) – KaRon Ceaser 3 0-0 7, Brandin Robbins 1 0-0 2, William Roy 1 0-0 2, Jameel Horace 0 0-0 0, Luis Colon 0 3-4 3, Roman Gipson 3 1-2 8, Geonni Conrad 0 0-0 0, Antoine Robinson 0 0-0 0, Caleb Fowler 1 0-0 2, Davine Banks 0 4-4 4, Haneef Frisbee 2 0-1 4, Mishawn Bradley 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 8-11 32.

St. Augustine15141716-62
Penns Grove37616-32
3-point goals: St. Augustine 5 (Brunozzi, Wakefield, Maransky 2, Melillo); Penns Grove 2 (Ceaser, Gipson). Rebounds: St. Augustine 28 (Friel 8, Okebiorun 6); Penns Grove 18 (Frisbee 4). Total fouls: St. Augustine 11, Penns Grove 12.



Schalick falls

Gloucester puts three scorers in double figures, hands Cougars fifth straight loss

By Riverview Sports News

GLOUCESTER – Keegan Cohan hit five 3-pointers and scored 21 points to lead three Gloucester scorers in double figures in a 63-44 win over Schalick Monday.

Ryan James had 14 and Marcus Flagg 10 for the undefeated Lions (5-0).

Nylan Sutton led Schalick with 15 points. Reggie Allen had 13.

The Cougars have lost five in a row after winning their season opener.

SCHALICK (1-5) – Reggie Allen 5 2-3 13, Nylan Sutton 7 1-3 15, Jase Volovar 1 0-0 2, Justin Iacona 1 0-0 3, Sean Kelly 1 2-2 4, Jacob Schalick 0 0-0 0, Nick Ashwell 1 0-0 2, Jamari Whitley 2 0-0 5. Totals 18 5-8 44.
GLOUCESTER (5-0) – Ryan James 5 3-3 14, Keegan Cohan 8 0-0 21, Marcus Flagg 5 0-0 10, Kadon Harris 4 0-0 8, Jake Smith 4 1-4 9, Cole Little 0 1-2 1, Trevin Burkhardt 0 0-0 0, Brian Vazquez 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 5-9 63.

Schalick 1112912-44
Gloucester19141614-63
3-point goals: Schalick 3 (Allen, Iacona, Whitley); Gloucester 6 (James, Cohan 5). Rebounds: Gloucester 29 (Smith 9).

Boardwalk bonding

Rams head to the boardwalk to do some overnight team building, start trip with win over Oakcrest

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WILDWOOD – There’s nothing like a win to get a bonding experience off to a good start.

For the second year in a row, Anthony Farmer has booked his Salem basketball team into an overnight trip, but this year’s trip got off to a better start.

Last year they went north and lost their first game to a team from Massachusetts in Bayonne. Monday, they checked into the Wildwood Convention Center before checking into their overnight accommodations in Egg Harbor and beat Oakcrest in the Boardwalk Classic 54-37.

“It’s always much better to win,” Farmer said. “When I’ve got to take the school a bill back for $2,000 some W’s better show up on there.”

The trip, funded by the booster club, is all about team building and enhancing the culture of the program. And It may be a little more important for this year’s team as it moves forward. 

Last year’s group was loaded with seniors who had been playing with each other a while. This year’s team, while returning several players from that squad, are still a little bit of a work in progress, as the flow of the game bore out.

Last year, although the Rams were relatively close to New York, they didn’t venture into the city after losing to Charlestown (Mass.) by 20, but had dinner together and went bowling to get closer. They won by four the next night. Monday, the team was headed to the Borgata buffet in Atlantic City and then back to the hotel for some bonding.

“It just brings everybody closer and helps us build a bigger bond going into the season,” said guard  Tymear Lecator, a freshman on the trip last year. “I looked forward to it even more now because I like chillin’ with my guys and we’re going to be with each other all night, so it’s going to be fun.”

“We try to do things a little different here,” Farmer said. “Not many programs get an opportunity to go spend the night and bond out of town. The chance to go have dinner and sit down as a team, as a family, is big. It’s a culture. One that we’ve built that we’re proud of.”

The Rams (4-1) had a good start and a good finish, but the in between was a little clunky.

Lecator and Neziah Spence got off to a hot start. They hit five 3-pointers between them in the first quarter and scored the Rams’ first 21 points of the game as they got out to a 23-8 lead. Lecator had 15 points in the first quarter and finished with 19 in the game with six assists. Spence had 13 points, two off his career high.

In addition, Derrelle Johnson had 12 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals. And Deshaan Williams had six points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.

“I was just locked in,” Lecator said. “We were coming off a loss (to West Tech in Delsea’s Marty Derer Showcase), so I had to come here with a different mentality. So, I just came here ready to kill. I talked to him (Spence) before the game so he was on the same time I was on and we just went in and went crazy.” 

The Rams weren’t as efficient in the middle two quarters and the Falcons (0-5) actually cut the margin to eight with 1:51 left in the third after back-to-back 3s by Levar Price wrapped around a turnover. Price hit four 3s in the game and led the Falcons with 15 points.

Farmer called time immediately and the Rams started turning things around. They held the Falcons without a field goal for most of the fourth quarter while steadily rebuilding a comfortable lead.

“We got off to a good start, but we have to get better,” Farmer said. “It’s a young group so learning how to play for four quarters is going to be a key and obviously we’re finding out the second and third quarter is a little lull for us so we’ve got something to work on to get better over time.

“We know what we’re capable of and the guys know what’s at stake. We’ve created a culture here where winning matters, so they know the expectations. It’s just sustaining that, and when you’re finding out that your opponent may be of lesser caliber you have to impose your will for four quarters and not take your foot off the gas. And we’re not there yet.”

A little bonding trip is a good way to start.

They wrap up the boardwalk bonding trip Tuesday with a 10 a.m. game against Millville (2-5).

SALEM 54, OAKCREST 37
SALEM (4-1) – Donovan Weathers 0 0-0 0, Xavier McGriff 0 0-0 0, Neziah Spence 5 0-0 13, Tymear Lecator 7 2-3 19, Deshaan Williams 2 2-4 6, Derrell Johnson 6 0-2 12, Antwan Rogers 2 0-0 4, Harlem Parson 0 0-0 0, Giovanni Tuvale 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 4-9 54.
OAKCREST (0-5) – Adriece Diggs 3 2-4 8, Levar Price 4 3-4 15, Zicri Forest 2 0-0 4, Maison Webster 1 0-0 2, Kyle Bosket 0 0-0 0, Kevin Walker 0 0-0 0, Jayden Collins 2 0-0 4, Steven Johnson 0 0-0 0, Gabe Ramos 1 2-2 4, Edwin Noel 0 0-0 0, Kiayon McCullough 0 0-0 0, Prince Plamer 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 7-10 37.

Salem 2391012-54
Oakcrest88147-37
3-point goals: Salem 6 (Lecator 3, Spence 3); Oakcrest 4 (Price 4). Technical fouls: D. Johnson. Total fouls: Salem 14, Oakcrest 13.

On the cover: Salem’s Tymear Lecator looks for a passing lane around Oakcrest’s Levar Price in the first half of their Boardwalk Classic game Monday.



Salem CC stats

Here is where the Salem CC basketball teams rank in the national JUCO stats through Dec. 29; both Mighty Oaks teams return to action Jan. 7 at home against Camden County College

MEN (D3)VALRKWOMEN (D2)VALRK
Record10-4Record4-6
Scoring84.416Scoring68.853
FG Pct.41.953FG Pct..39843
3PT Pct.33.3243PT Pct.27.854
FT Pct.69.914FT Pct.56.6112
Rebounds42.918Rebounds38.482
Assists16.329Assists17.517
Turnovers12.419Turnovers15.318
Opp. Scoring74.135Opp. Scoring70.4110
Opp. FG Pct.39.816Opp. FG Pct..37186
Opp. 3P74-26041Opp. 3P45-18769
Opp. Rebounds39.149Opp. Rebounds41.3106
Opp. Turnovers12.468Opp. Turnovers20.252

Pictured players: Josh Ramos (11) is third in 3-pointers (43); Rodney Shelton is sixth in blocked shots (31). Additionally, Stefan Phillips is fourth in FT percentage (.900, 36-40).