Category: BASKETBALL

Stealing one

Woodstown girls come up with late steal and layup, last-second free throws to complete comeback against Pennsville; Schalick, Salem both fall in the South Jersey Group I opening round

SJ GROUP I GIRLS TOURNAMENT
Friday’s games
Woodbury 48, Burlington City 10
Palmyra 40, New Egypt 23
Glassboro 60, Cape May Tech 15
Audubon 54, Salem 35
Woodstown 51, Pennsville 47
Gateway 43, Schalick 21
Monday’s games
Woodbury at Haddon Twp.
Palmyra at Glassboro
Woodstown at Audubon
Gateway at Wildwood

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — There’s a power in sports even stronger than the will to keep a rival from beating you three times in the same season. It’s the will to keep a legacy alive.

That’s the power that drove the Woodstown girls team Friday night.

The Wolverines have made deep playoffs runs so regularly in recent years it’s almost an expectation. They haven’t lost a first-round playoff game since 2019, and if they had any say in it weren’t about to start in what many would consider a rebuilding year. They did face their biggest challenge to that legacy Friday and found a way to keep it alive.

Emma Perry’s dramatic steal and layup with 13 seconds left snapped a 47-all tie and Lauren Hengel hit two free throws in the final second to send the Wolverines past sixth-seeded Pennsville 51-47 in the opening round of the South Jersey Group I playoffs.

“It was big for us because our team the past four years we’ve had a very good program,” senior forward Lauren Hengel said. “It’s not even about losing about them the past two games but keeping the tradition alive of a good, solid Woodstown girls basketball team. For the players who went before us and the older girls that we played with the past four years and the younger girls who are coming up, showing them what it means to play for Woodstown.

“No one’s really brought it up with us because they didn’t want to stress us out, but we knew. We knew this is Woodstown basketball. Show up for your school, for the tradition, for the girls before you and keep it going.”

The 11th-seeded Wolverines (12-15) lost to the Eagles (16-8) twice during the regular season and were in danger of being the first Woodstown team in a long time to lose to the same team three times in one season trailing by seven with 3:39 to play.

It was at that point Pennsville star Marley Wood picked up her fifth foul and her departure changed so much of what the Eagles could do on both ends of the floor.

The Wolverines chipped away and finally got it tied at 45 on Hengel’s 3-pointer from the right corner right after Kyia Leyman kept the possession alive by banging a loose ball off a Pennsville defender out of bounds.

“I didn’t have time to think, “ Hengel said. “That that was just me doing what I love and playing basketball, not even thinking and just taking the shot. I was practicing in our gym before we left trying to fix my shot and get it just right before the game. It was a big deal to me.”

The game was tied again at 47 and stayed that way until 13 seconds remained when Pennsville set up for a routine inbounds play at midcourt opposite of the benches.

The Eagles wanted to get the ball into Taylor Bass and give her a chance to push to the basket and either get a shot or, depending on how the Wolverines played it, kick out for a 3-pointer, but Perry threw a wrench into all that. She ran up on Bass to knock the inbounds pass away (and Bass along with it) and after a frozen few seconds to realize there was no foul, Perry scooped up the loose ball and drove in alone for the go-ahead layup. 

“I knew she was coming right to the ball so I kind of cheated out a little bit and was able to get there and took it out of her hands,” Perry said, admitting there was contact on the turnover. “The play was supposed to be for me to stay back but I just remember cheating out a little bit. I knew there wasn’t that much time left and anything I could do to get my hand on the ball I was trying to do it. I try to pop out and get steals as much as I can, but that was definitely a highlight.”

“She’s insane,” Hengel said of Perry. “She has some crazy footwork and she’s a pest on defense. I just think that was just huge and nobody deserved that play more than her.”

“It was a big play by her, but there were big plays made by everybody all game and that’s what I’m so proud of,” coach Matt Smart said. “For the most part the girls played extremely hard. That’s kind of what we preach in practice all week and that’s what they preach to each. They knew what they had to do win this game and then we went out and accomplished it.”

There was still time on the clock to get an equalizer or maybe a game-winner, but the Eagles lost the ball out of bounds attacking the basket with 2.8 seconds left. When the Wolverines put the ball back in play Hengel was fouled immediately and went to the line for her game-sealing free throws.

Hengel got Woodstown going early while the Eagles were still settling into the game and led the Wolverines with 15 points. Kendall Young had 14, Leyman 12 and Perry 10. 

Pennsville’s Wood led all scorers with 20 points and finished her high school career as the Eagles’ second all-time leading girls scorer with 1352 points and 12th all-time in Salem County. Bass had 11 points and finished with 1237, tied for 19th on the all-time county girls list.

The Wolverines now play at third-seeded Audubon in the quarterfinals Monday.

“It just feels nice to not be done playing basketball,” Smart said.

Top photo: Woodstown’s Emma Perry (13) knocks away an inbounds pass intended for Pennsville’s Taylor Bass leading to her tie-breaking layup late in the fourth quarter that sent the Wolverines to playoff victory.

WOODSTOWN 51, PENNSVILLE 47
WOODSTOWN (12-15): Lauren Hengel 6 2-4 15, Emma Perry 5 0-0 10, Kyia Leyman 5 2-5 12, Kendall Young 5 3-4 14, Talia Guardascione 0 0-4 0, Gina Murray 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 7-13 51.
PENNSVILLE (16-8): Taylor Bass 3 4-5 11, Marley Wood 5 9-12 20, Addie Johnston 1 1-2 4, Izzy Saulin 6 0-0 12, Jaiden Wilson 0 0-0 0, Jaida Burns 0 0-0 0, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 14-19 47.

Woodstown1581117-51
Pennsville8131016-47
3-point goals: Woodstown 2 (Hengel, Young); Pennsville 3 (Bass, Wood, Johnston). Rebounds: Woodstown 26 (Leyman 14); Pennsville 11 (Wood 4). Fouled out: Wood, Burns. Total fouls: Woodstown 14, Pennsville 17.

GATEWAY 43, SCHALICK 21: Down 12 with 90 seconds left in the third quarter, Schalick coach John Whelan figured it was time to roll the dice. He rolled out something the Cougars hadn’t practiced – a full-court man defense – with the aim of getting his team back in the game. 

It worked for a while. The Cougars cut the deficit in half with about six and a half minutes left, but the Gators regrouped and made the plays to open it back up.

The Cougars were without Ava Scurry, the county’s leading shot-blocker by a wide margin, and guard Emmalyn Weir was excused in the third quarter for a school event. The Gators also clamped down on leading scorer Neveah Robinson, holding her without a field goal and to only two points.

“But our girls battled to the end and I am extremely proud of all they accomplished this season,” Whelan said.

Indeed. The Cougars made an 11-win turnaround from the season before and enjoyed their winningest season since 209. They won their first three games of the season and were never below .500 at any point.

Sophomore guard Liv VanAcker had three assists in the game set the Cougars’ single-season record with 91.

GATEWAY 43, SCHALICK 21
SCHALICK (17-8): Cali Fisler 2 2-4 6, Emmalyn Weir 2 1-2 6, Willow Davis 1 2-2 5, Nevaeh Robinson 0 2-2 2, Liv VanAcker 0 0-2 0, Jaelynn Jarmon 1 0-0 2. Totals 6 7-12 21.
GATEWAY (17-10): Sydney Hughes 0 2-3 2, Jayda Catoe 5 0-2 10, Peyton Cutler 4 0-0 8, Layla DeMaise 3 2-2 8, Lucy Matthews 4 3-6 13, Koby Williams 0 0-0 0, Lexie Kirwin 1 0-0 2, Caitlin Gettings 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 7-14 43.

Schalick5394-21
Gateway98818-43
3-point goals: Schalick 2 (Weir, Davis); Gateway 2 (Matthews 2). Rebounds: Gateway 29 (Cutler 7, DeMaise 7); Schalick 23 (VanAcker 8, Robinson 6, Fisler 5).

AUDUBON 54, SALEM 35: Emma Speyerer scored 22 points and two of her Green Wave teammates also scored in double figures. Dyaira Anderson had a double-double for the Rams (12 points and 12 rebounds).

The loss brought a close to Kemp Carr’s first season as the Rams’ coach. His team produced the program’s winningest season since 2022-23, made a six-win improvement over the year before and was .500 as late as Feb. 17.

AUDUBON 54, SALEM 35
SALEM (9-11): Carlysia Pierce 5 3-6 3, Dyaira Anderson 5 2-12 12, Saniyah Moore 1 0-0 2, Jaryn Weathers 0 2-2 2, Timmiyah Simmons 1 0-0 2, Kaliyah Taylor 2 0-2 4, Madison Dixon 0 0-2 0. Totals 14 7-24 35.
AUDUBON (19-8): Emma Speyerer 10 2-4 22, Kylie Canada 1 0-0 2, Giavanna Heller 8 0-1 16, Sophia Homa 3 4-6 10, Mylia Madden 1 0-0 3, Jules Heck 0 1-4 1, Acen Bangle 0 0-0 0, Clara Poponi 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 7-15 54.

Salem781010-35
Audubon1610217-54
3-point goals: Audubon 1 (Madden). Rebounds: Audubon 18 (Heck 4).

Salem County sweep

All three Salem County teams in South Jersey Group I boys playoffs won opening round games, two to collide in quarterfinals, Penns Grove gets second home game; upsets abound

SJ GROUP I BOYS TOURNAMENT
Friday’s games
Salem 67, Riverside 42
Woodstown 67, Paulsboro 49
Glassboro 64, Burlington City 61 (OT)
KIPP 46, Wildwood 41
New Egypt 42, Haddon Twp. 36
Penns Grove 43, Pitman 33
Audubon 45, Woodbury 41
Palmyra 66, Gateway 53
Monday’s games
No. 8 Woodstown at No. 1 Salem
No. 12 Glassboro at No. 4 KIPP
No. 14 New Egypt at No. 6 Penns Grove
No. 10 Audubon at No. 2 Palmyra

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — Alejandro Vazquez was watching the Salem Community College playoff game with his Woodstown teammates Thursday night when the conversation turned to the Wolverines’ road in their own playoffs.

The Woodstown senior said he planned to give more than 100 percent in the Wolverines’ playoff opener against Paulsboro and even more in an anticipated second-round matchup with rival Salem.

Vazquez delivered on his first promise Friday, hitting four 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 22 points in leading the Wolverines to a 67-49 win. The stage is at least set for him to fulfill the second promise as his team now draws top-seeded Salem Monday night.

“He just hit shots; he played big tonight,” Woodstown coach Ramon Roots said. “Andro was the first person in the gym. I told them come in at 3:30 and he was there at 3:15 getting his shots up. He was the first one in the gym, took the basketballs out. He was locked in right from the beginning.”

The Red Raiders clamped down on Woodstown gunner Blake Bialecki, but the Wolverines found offense elsewhere. In addition to Vazquez’ big game, freshman Frankie Hoerst had a career-high 16 points and Elijah Caesar had 11.

“In their zone they keyed on Blake,” Roots said. “They were in the 1-3-1, 1-2-2, they were physical with Blake. Blake made the right read and Andro just came and hit shots. Frankie played well, rebounded the ball, kicking it out. It was just a group effort.

“And we played at good pace. We took our time. We didn’t get sped up. We just played a good brand of basketball.”

Vazquez was really big in the third quarter when the Wolverines pulled away. He had 11 points in the quarter and Woodstown outscored its visitors 17-6 to carry a 46-29 lead into the fourth quarter. Paulsboro made a push and got within 10 in the fourth quarter but then Woodstown “made the right plays at the right time and made it difficult for them” to get any closer.

The next round promises to be even more intriguing. Roots was Salem coach Anthony Farmer’s assistant before taking the Woodstown job and every game between the teams since except the first one, which was Roots’ first game as head coach, has been a battle. Earlier this year the Wolverines had the ball down by three with five seconds left, but lost the possession to a curious carry call.

“I think we’re at a good space right now,” Roots said. “I think that Clearview game kind of helped us get back on track. You know, we went on that three-game skid, so that game got us back on track. We feel Paulsboro and Salem play similar styles, and I think Paulsboro did a good job preparing us for Salem, but Salem in the No. 1 team, they’re the favorite as they should (be), but I like our chances. If we play the right way and just control the ball, not get sped up and just play our pace I think we have a good chance.”

WOODSTOWN 67, PAULSBORO 49
PAULSBORO (11-4): Khalil Streater 5 0-0 10, Malakai McKenzie 7 1-3 18, Jeremiah Carr 6 1-1 14, LaShawn Clay 1 0-0 3, Majal Robinson 2 0-0 4, Jeff Taylor 0 0-0 0, Jakai Bennett 0 0-2 0, Dayvon Kersey 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 2-6 49.
WOODSTOWN (17-11): Elijah Caesar 4 1-2 11, Jalen Markward 1 1-2 3, Andrew White 2 0-0 5, Lucas Fulmer 0 0-0 0, Blake Bialecki 1 2-2 4, Frank Hoerst 6 4-4 16, Alejandro Vazquez 7 5-6 22, Josh King 2 0-2 4. Totals 23 15-20 67.

Paulsboro1211620-49
Woodstown15141721-67
3-point goals: Paulsboro 5 (McKenzie 3, Carr, Clay); Woodstown 7 (Caesar 2, White, Vazquez 4). Fouled out: White. Total fouls: Paulsboro 17, Woodstown 11.

PENNS GROVE 43, PITMAN 33: The Red Devils followed a road map that will a team a lot of games. They put together a balanced offense and played tight defense.

The Red Devils, enjoying their winningest season since 2019-20 following this plan, didn’t have a player score more than nine points, but they spread the wealth among eight scorers. Haneef Frisby and Roman Gipson headed the effort with nine points apiece.

“We followed the gameplay to a T,” coach Damian Ware said. “We knew they had good shooters and we could not let them get open looks. Guys did their job and only allowed three 3-pointers to a team that can hit 10 to 15 if you’re not locked in.”

With New Egypt’s upset of third-seeded Haddon Twp., the Red Devils (17-11) get another home game and will host 14th-seeded Warriors (12-14) Monday night.

PITMAN (11-16): Lucas Razze 1-0-3, Parker DeChristopher 3-3-9, Joey Zubert 5-1-12, Jay Craig 1-0-2, Jake Bowen-Ashwin 3-0-7. Totals 13-4-33.
PENNS GROVE (17-11): Roman Gipson 4-1-9, Geonni Conrad 3-0-7, Will Roy 2-3-7, Haneef Frisby 3-3-9, Mishawn Brantley 1-0-2, Jameel Horace 2-1-5, Carson Pearsall 1-0-2, Luis Colon 1-0-2. Totals 17-8-43.

Pitman76119-33
Penns Grove1310614-43
3-point goals: Pitman 3 (Razze, Zubert, Bowen-Ashwin); Penns Grove 1 (Conrad).

SALEM 67, RIVERSIDE 42: The top-seeded Rams settled into the tournament with an expected win over a 16-seed, but considering some of the other results in the bracket they likely feel fortunate to have avoided the upset.

Three Rams scored in double figures and three others had 10 rebounds to lead the attack. Neziah Spence led the offense with 16 points, while Fatah Paige had 13 and 1,000-point scorer Tymear Lecator had 11. Deshaan Williams, Cole Sayers and Marshall Stephens grabbed 10 rebounds apiece.

The win earned Salem coach Anthony Farmer his second 20-win season with the Rams (21-8) and his first since the debut campaign.

SALEM 67, RIVERSIDE 42
RIVERSIDE (12-15): Cameron Brown 11 1-2 25, Andrew Weaver 4 3-4 13, Justin Porter 0 0-0 0, Jeremiah Boston 2 0-0 4, Brett Grinnan 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Ali-Lewis 0 0-0 0, Gabriel Sanchez 0 0-0 0, Lewi Bin Isreal 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 4-4 42.
SALEM (20-5): Tymear Lecator 5 0-0 11, Neziah Spence 7 0-0 16, Darrelle Johnson 1 0-0 2, BJ Robbins 4 0-0 9, Deshaan Williams 3 0-0 6, Cole Sayers 2 0-0 4, Marshall Stephens 3 0-0 6, Fatah Paige 5 0-0 13. Totals 30 0-0 67.

Riverside751317-42
Salem1981624-67
3-point goals: Riverside 4 (Brown 2, Weaver 2); Salem 4 (Lecator, Spence 2, Robbins). Rebounds: Riverside 30 (Brown 10); Salem 49 (Williams 10, Sayers 10, Stephens 10).




Built to win

Top-ranked Mighty Oaks use a big second half to get past Ocean, will play for North Atlantic District title Saturday at Northampton

REGION XIX TOURNAMENT
North Atlantic District A
Salem CC 80, Ocean 60
Montgomery 85, Camden 65
North Atlantic District B
Brookdale 73, Union 62
Northampton 72, Bergen 64
Saturday’s district finals
At Northampton
Salem CC vs. Montgomery, 3 p.m.
Northampton vs. Brookdale, 6 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT — In playoff basketball, a lot like in golf, they don’t ask you how, they just ask how many.

It really doesn’t matter what it looks like wire-to-wire at this time of year as long as you win and advance to the next round.

Salem CC wasn’t at its top-ranked sharpest for a good part of its Region XIX playoff game Thursday night, but the Mighty Oaks were playing like the winningest team in the country when it counted most and got past Ocean 80-60 to earn a spot in the North Atlantic District A title game Saturday and a shot at a guaranteed return trip to the JUCO Division III national tournament.

The Mighty Oaks (30-1) will play Montgomery County (20-4) for one of two district titles up for grabs at Northampton Saturday. A win in that game not only will get them a second straight district crown, but the likely No. 1 seed in the national tournament.

“It’s the way you build a team,” Salem coach Mike Green said. “We’ve got so many players that try to wear you down and bring the next group in.

“The first half I didn’t think our bench played well. The second half they did what they were supposed to, so we looked even better. That’s how we are by design. We want to have a lot of different weapons. First half, they (Ocean) did what they were supposed to. They’re a good team, very talented, so we expected their best shot. I know that team is good, but I also know my guys, too.”

Ocean (16-13), the No. 8 seed, gave Salem a battle for 27 minutes and for a time it seemed if the Mighty Oaks didn’t get it together they’d have be in for some anxious days awaiting the tournament selection committee’s four at-large bids to the nationals. But, just as they have many times this season, they flipped the switch and won the game going away.

They had put 100 on this team twice this season, but trailed 50-49 with 13:03 to go in the second half. Playing in front of the biggest home crowd of the year, they came out of a timeout there and ran out the Vikings 31-10 the rest of the game.

During that stretch, the Mighty Oaks held the visitors to 3-for-21 shooting and turned them over seven times.

Saaid Lee and Nayeem Johnson combined for five steals in the early part of the run, including one where Lee dove and stripped Ocean’s AJ Lemons at midcourt and got it to Jarrell Little for a layup-and-one that gave them a nine-point lead.

“That was a big energy play,” Lee said. “I feel like that changed the momentum of the game.”

“The first half we were kind of slow – we turned the ball over a little too much – but the second half we came out with the right energy and we got the job done. I just saw we needed intensity and my job as point guard is to pick the intensity up and make sure everybody’s at 100 percent, so I just tried to lead by example.”

“All week we were preaching defense,” freshman Idris Rines said. “Ocean’s the second-leading (scoring) team behind us, so we knew we just had to defense. We executed that end of it, we just kept turning the ball over.”

The Mighty Oaks foreshadowed the run late in the first half when they held the Vikings to seven straight empty possessions to fuel a 9-0 run that gave them a 31-23 lead 3:55 before halftime. But the Vikings collected themselves and answered with their own 9-0 run to retake a 32-31 lead with 1:33 left.

When Ocean flowed into the dressing room up 34-33, it marked only the second time since Jan. 1 the Mighty Oaks had trailed at the half. The other time was in their loss to Brookdale.

“Every team we play we’re going to get their best shot,” Rines said. “Everybody wants to beat the No. 1 team in the country, like who wouldn’t. Us losing to Brookdale was a big loss, but I don’t think we would be at this point if we didn’t get punched in our face like that. That was a big wake-up call for us. That’s what’s helping us right now.

“We’re good at facing adversity. Once a team start sgetting up on us we don’t rush and fold and stuff like that. We keep our heads and we have a lot of trust in each other. That’s why we like this team.” 

Nasseem Wright led the Mighty Oaks with 18 points and 10 rebounds despite missing a big chunk of the turnaround with foul trouble. Little had a team-high 19 points, plus eight rebounds and six assists. Stefan Phillips, playing his final home game with the program, had 11 points and Lee had 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Johnson scored all seven of his points in the second half. Rines finished with eight points and seven boards

SALEM CC 80, OCEAN 60
OCEAN (16-13):.Myles Marabuto 5-10 4-4 16, Jamari Smith 5-22 6-9 16, Kai Barckley 0-3 0-0 0, Aiden Sosinov 4-13 3-6 11, James Gibbons 2-4 1-2 6, AJ Lemons 2-5 0-0 4, Omar Hadid 0-1 0-0 0, Aiden Falduto 0-0 0-0 0, Jeremy Grospe 0-3 0-0 0, Mattox Watson 1-1 0-0 3, Mason Krey 2-5 0-0 4. Totals 21-67 14-21 60.
SALEM CC (30-1): Jerrell Little 7-14 1-5 19, Saaid Lee 3-8 4-5 10, Zyaire Gibson 2-5 0-0 5, Nasseem Wright 8-10 1-3 18, Stefan Phillips 4-5 2-6 11, Jahseir Sayles 0-2 0-0 0, Qua Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Nayeem Johnson 2-7 3-4 7, Idris Rines 2-4 4-4 8, Mike Goodwin 1-1 0-2 2. Totals 29-56 15-29 80.

Ocean3426-60
Salem CC3347-80
3-point goals: Ocean 4-23 (Marabuto 2-6, Smith 0-1, Barckley 0-3, Sosinov 0-2, Gibbons 1-2, Lemons 0-3, Hadid 0-1, Grospe 0-2, Watson 1-1, Krey 0-2); Salem CC 7-21 (Little 4-9, Lee 0-2, Gibson 1-4, Wright 1-1, Phillips 1-1, Sayles 0-1, Johnson 0-1, Rines 0-2). Rebounds: Ocean 33 (Smith 10, Sosinov 10); Salem CC 43 (Wright 10, Rines 7, Little 8). Total fouls: Ocean 19, Salem CC 19.
Salem’s Jarrell Little reaches in to pick the pocket of Ocean guard Jamari Smith in the second half of Thursday night’s Region XIX/North Atlantic District playoff game. Top photo: Zyaire Gibson comes out to disrupt the shot of Ocean’s Myles Marabuto.



This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Fev. 23-28; all events subject to the weather; first-round South Jersey Group I basketball tournament games now on Friday


WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Region XIX/North Atlantic District A Tournament
Ocean at Salem CC

THURSDAY, FEB. 26
BOWLING
NJSIAA Top 100, Lucky Strikes, North Brunswick

FRIDAY, FEB. 27
BOYS BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Tournament
Riverside at Salem, 5 p.m.
Paulsboro at Woodstown, 5 p.m.
Glassboro at Burlington City, 6:30 p.m.
Wildwood at KIPP, 6 p.m.
New Egypt at Haddon Twp., 7:30 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Audubon at Woodbury, 5:30 p.m.
Gateway at Palmyra, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Tournament
Paulsboro at Haddon Twp.
Burlington City at Woodbury
New Egypt at Palmyra
Cape May Tech at Glassboro
Salem at Audubon, 5 p.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 5 p.m.
Schalick at Gateway, 5 p.m.
Clayton at Wildwood
BOWLING
Group I Championship
At Lucky Strikes, North Brunswick
Salem vs. Kinnelon, 9 a.m.
Middlesex vs. Rutherford, 9 a.m.
Title match to follow
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Ocean at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 28
INDOOR TRACK
NJSIAA Group I Championship, Toms River
WRESTLING
NJSIAA District Tournament
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Region XIX/North Atlantic District A&B finals, Northampton CC
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Ocean (2), noon

Salem County leaders

Here are the Salem County boys and girls basketball stats leaders for the 2025-26 season; minimum 50 percent of team games, stats contingent on accuracy of reports to state service

Boys

SCORING (based on avg.)PTSAVGFG FTGP
Mason O’Brien, PV23616.86844614
Tymear Lecator, Sal36416.551187622
Blake Bialecki, Wo36413.481185527
Dashaan Williams, Sal27211.83926023
Julian Dickerson. Sch25711.68954122
Roman Gipson, PG30111.151222927
Eli Caesar, Wo2529.69903226
Dylan Sheehan, Sch1899.45783320
Geonni Conrad, PG2539.37993127
Danny Knight, PV1599.3534617
Neziah Spence, Sal1999.05585422
Andrew White, Wo2148.56823125
Alejandro Vazquez, Wo2278.41712527
Chase Pompper, ST1627.71652621
Will Roy, PG2087.7090927
Kade Macom, Sch1697.68671522
Aiden Bobo, ST1517.55611920
Carson Pearsall, PG1317.28502018
Sherrod Jones, Sch1227.18521317
Raphael Busch, ST1297.17541918
Orion Baldwin, Sch1456.90532221
Lucas Fulmer, Wo986.53341125
Xavier McGriff, Sal1396.32462022
Haneef Frisby, PG1296.14551821
Fatah Paige, Sal966.0042216
Josh King, Wo1505.56632127
Marshall Stephens, Sal1205.455822
Luke Kroll, ST605.4522511
BJ Robbins, Sal1005.263919
Darrelle Johnson, Sal815.0626616
Jameel Horace, PG755.0045415
3-POINTERSTOTAL
Blake Bialecki, Wo70
Tymear Lecator, Sal42
Alejandro Vazquez, Wo41
Julian Dickerson, Sch32
Neziah Spence, Sal30
Roman Gipson, PG28
Eli Caesar, Wo28
Geonni Conrad, PG24
Mason O’Brien, PV22
Kade Macom, Sch20
Orion Baldwin, Sch17
Will Roy, PG17
Lucas Fulmer, Wo17
Xavier McGriff, Sal15
Carson Pearsall, PG13
REBOUNDING (based on avg.)TOTAVGGP
Dylan Sheehan, Sch1979.8520
Dashaan Williams, Sal1868.0923
Raphael Busch, ST1407.7818
Marshall Stephens, Sal1677.5922
Haneef Frisby, PG1557.3821
Andrew White, Wo1606.4025
Fatah Paige, Sal925.7516
Josh King, Wo1425.2627
Mishawn Brantley, PG1385.1127
Frank Hoerst, Wo1015.0520
Tymear Lecator, Sal984.4522
Darrelle Johnson, Sal704.3816
Blake Bialecki, Wo1154.2627
Julian Dickerson, Sch863.9122
Aiden Bobo, ST713.5520
Sherrod Jones, Sch593.4717
Eli Caesar, Wo903.4626
Jalen Markward, Wo683.4020
Jameel Horace, PG503.3315
Cooper Willoughby, Sch693.2921
Xavier McGriff, Sal723.2722
Kade Macom, Sch703.1822
Alejandro Vazquez, PG843.1127
Roman Gipson, PG802.9627
Mason O’Brien, PV412.9314
FREE THROWS (min. 1 FTA per GP)FTMFTAPCT.
Blake Bialecki, Wo5564.859
Neziah Spence, Sal5466.818
Tymear Lecator, Sal7699.768
Eli Caesar, Wo3243.744
Julian Dickerson, Sch4156.732
Josh King, Wo2129.724
Alejandro Vazquez, Wo2535.714
Dylan Sheehan, Sch3448.708
Mason O’Brien, PV4666.697
Kade Macom, Sch1523.652
Xavier McGriff, Sal2031.645
Andrew White, Wo3150.620
Deshaan Williams, Sal60105.571
Chase Pompper, ST2658.483
Raphael Busch, ST1940.475
Orion Baldwin, Sch2248.458
Sherrod Jones, Sch1330.433
Aiden Bobo, ST1946.413
Luke Kroll, ST516.312
ASSISTSTOTSTEALSTOT
Tymear Lecator, Sal113Geonni Conrad, PG62
Roman Gipson, PG97Julian Dickerson, Sch52
Alejandro Vazquez, Wo86Roman Gipson, PG48
Blake Bialecki, Wo79Will Roy, PG47
Orion Baldwin, Sch64Josh King, Wo45
BJ Robbins, Sal56
Julian Dickerson, Sch53Alejandro Vazquez, Wo41
Will Roy, PG49Blake Bialecki, Wo41
Eli Caesar, Wo43Orion Baldwin, Sch40
Geonni Conrad, PG37Dylan Sheehan, Sch39
Dylan Sheehan, Sch34Eli Caesar, Wo37
Carson Pearsall, PG31Chase Pompper, ST36
Lucas Fulmer, Wo28Haneef Frisby, PG35
Josh King, Wo27Jalen Markward, Wo34
Jalen Markward, Wo27Luis Colon, PG33
Darrelle Johnson, Sal26Sherrod Jones, Sch31
Chase Pompper, ST25Neziah Spence, Sal28
Andrew White, Wo23Carson Pearsall, PG26
Sherrod Jones, Sch22Xavier McGriff, Sal26
Mason O’Brien, PV20Andrew White, Wo25
Ayden Myers, ST20Lucas Fulmer, Wo21
Neziah Spence, ST20
Luis Colon, ST20
BLOCKED SHOTSTOT
Marshall Stephens, Sal42
Mishawn Brantley, PG29
Aiden Bobo, ST22
Raphael Busch, ST20
Andrew White, Wo19
Haneef Frisby, PG18
Dylan Sheehan, Sch12
Sherrod Jones, Sch12
Frank Hoerst, Wo12
Kade Macom, Sch10

Girls

SCORING (based on avg.)PTS.AVG.FGFTGP
Taylor Bass, PV34414.961383823
Marley Wood, PV27913.29976121
Dyaira Anderson, Sal22213.0617
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch30012.501182824
Keziah Patterson, PG27212.3622
JaNiyah Cummings, PG23410.6422
Lauren Hengel, Wo26110.041012026
Addie Johnston, PV2189.48821123
Carlysia Pierce, Sal1629.0018
Kendall Young, Wo2298.81912726
Kyia Leyman, Wo1787.74761723
Madison Dixon, Sal1217.5616
Shelby Drummond, ST1057.5014
Shelby Liber, ST997.0714
Willow Davis, Sch1547.00512622
Mikayla Washington, PG1456.5922
Ava Scurry, Sch1296.14561721
Emma Perry, Wo1435.72591125
Amora Delaine, ST795.6414
Rylee Doerr, ST505.569
Liv VanAcker, Sch1105.00383122
Timmiyah Simmons, Sal504.5511
Jaryn Weathers, Sal634.5014
Cali Fisler, Sch873.95302622
Jaida Burns, PV783.9036820
Jaiden Wilson, PV823.7329822
Izzy Saulin, PV813.68371022
Talia Guardascione, Wo793.04252426
3-POINTERSTOTAL
Addie Johnston, PV41
Lauren Hengel, Wo34
Taylor Bass, PV30
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch29
Willow Davis, Sch25
Marley Wood, PV24
Shelby Liber, ST21
Kendall Young, Wo17
Jaiden Wilson, PV16
Madison Dixon, Sal16
Keziah Patterson, PG15
Shelby Drummond, ST13
REBOUNDING (based on avg.)TOTAVGGP
Dyaira Anderson, Sal24514.4117
Rylee Doerr, ST11412.679
Mikayla Washington, PG2129.6422
Ava Scurry, Sch1999.4821
Lauren Hengel, Wo2318.8826
Amora Delaine, ST1238.7914
JaNiyah Cummings, PG1908.6422
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch2028.4224
Marley Wood, PV1667.9021
Kyia Leyman, Wo1727.4823
Carlysia Pierce, Sal1347.4418
Kendall Young, Wo1365.2326
Liv VanAcker, Sch1105.0022
Triscia Wilson, Sal544.9111
Madison Dixon, Sal774.8116
Cali Fisler, Sch1054.7722
Taylor Bass, PV1084.7023
Jaryn Weathers, Sal634.5014
Jaida Burns, PV884.4020
Emma Perry, Wo1064.2425
Izzy Saulin, PV863.9122
Evening Amedee, ST223.679
Shelby Drummond, ST513.6414
Jaiden Wilson, PV713.2322
Timmiyah Simmons, Sal353.1811
Tiara Bazemore, ST443.1414
Keziah Patterson, PG693.1422
Rachel Reed, ST313.1010
Talia Guardascione, Wo803.0826
FREE THROWS (min. 1 FTA per GP)FTMFTAPCT.
Marley Wood, PV6199.616
Talia Guardascione, Wo2443.558
Taylor Bass, PV3871.535
Kendall Young, Wo2751.529
Willow Davis, Sch2657.456
Shelby Liber, ST818.444
Emma Perry, Wo1125.444
Ava Scurry, Sch1739.436
Liv VanAcker, Sch3173.425
Amora Delaine, ST1740.425
Cali Fisler, Sch2662.419
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch2869.406
Rylee Doerr, ST820.400
Lauren Hengel, Wo2051.392
Kyia Leyman, Wo1747.362
ASSISTSTOTSTEALSTOT
Marley Wood, PV148Carlysia Pierce, Sal84
Liv VanAcker, Sch88Taylor Bass, PV80
Lauren Hengel, Wo64Keziah Patterson, PG78
Kendall Young, Wo61Kendall Young, Wo74
Taylor Bass, PV50Liv VanAcker, Sch73
Emma Perry, Wo48Willow Davis, Sch67
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch48Cali Fisler, Sch67
Carlysia Pierce, Sal48Lauren Hengel, Wo61
Addie Johnston, PV39JaNiyah Cummings, PG53
Cali Fisler, Sch38Ava Scurry, Sch50
Madison Dixon, Sal37Emma Perry, Wo49
Talia Guardascione, Wo32Marley Wood, PV44
Willow Davis, Sch30Addie Johnston, PV43
Keziah Patterson, PG29Nevaeh Robinson, Sch38
JaNiyah Cummings, PG29Madison Dixon, Sal36
Shelby Liber, ST27Mikayla Washington, PG35
Jaiden Wilson, PV26Talia Guardascione, Wo34
Shelby Drummond, ST24Jaiden Wilson, PV33
Jaida Burns, PV20Shelby Drummond, ST30
Dyaira Anderson, Sal20Izzy Saulin, PV28
Kaliyah Taylor, Sal20Amora Delaine, ST28
BLOCKED SHOTSTOTAL
Ava Scurry, Sch85
JaNiyah Cummings, PG50
Rylee Doerr, ST31
Mikayla Washington, PG28
Kyia Leyman, Wo27
Amora Delaine, ST20
Carlysia Pierce, Sal18
Dyaira Anderson, Sal18
Lauren Hengel, Wo17
Marley Wood, PV16
Cali Fisler, Sch12
Keziah Patterson, PG11
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch11

Back to No. 1

After finishing its regular season with the best record in the country, Salem CC returns to No. 1 in JUCO Division III basketball rankings

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The Salem CC men’s basketball team heads into postseason play back as the No. 1 team in the country.

The Mighty Oaks were returned to the top spot in the JUCO Division III rankings after completing their regular season with the best record in the country (29-1).

They jumped Dallas College Richland (now No. 4) and Riverland CC (now No. 5).

‘Ii’s a good selling point for recruits,” Mighty Oaks coach Mike Green said. “We already had the target, it’s not really a bigger one because we’ve been that all year long. It’s just good. It looks good on paper. It looks good to these guys who worked all year for it.”

The Mighty Oaks held the top spot for six weeks before falling to No. 3 after suffering their only loss of the season at Brookdale, ironically a game whose prep was interrupted by a snowstorm.

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Green said. “Even if we’ve got to go outside we’re going to practice. Snow, weather, we’ve got to do it.”

Since the loss, however, they have nailed down the overall No. 1 seed in the upcoming Region XIX tournament and will open postseason play Wednesday or Thursday with a home game against Ocean CC, a team they put 100 on twice during the season.

“I think they responded well, I think they responded well in that game as well,” Green said. “There were a couple games I didn’t think we looked as sharp, but I think the last two or three were like we’re probably supposed to look.”

A win over Ocean will send the Mighty Oaks to Northampton CC Saturday to play either Camden or No. 8 Montgomery for an automatic bid to the national tournament in Herkimer, N.Y.

The No. 1 ranking also will make it difficult to deny them one of four at-large bids to the nationals if they lose along the way.

“It gives people something to think about,” Green said. “That’s another thing that’s the beauty of ending the No. 1 team. It gives the committee something to think about regardless of what happens.

“It’s a tiny bit of security. It also allows you if you go ahead and win the championship you’ve gotta be pretty much the No. 1 overall seed.”

JUCO DIVISION III RANKINGS
1. SALEM CC (29-1), 2. Northern Essex (27-3), 3. Dallas-Eastfield (20-8), 4. Dallas-Richland (20-8), 5. Riverland (26-2), 6. Dallas-North Lake (19-10), 7. Dutchess (23-4), 8. Montgomery County (19-4), 9. Northampton (24-4), 10. Ridgewater (20-5), 11. Virginia Peninsula (21-6), 12. North Country (24-3), 13. Genesee (20-7), 14. Union (22-8), 15. Herkimer (18-6).

Also receiving votes: Brookdale, Anoka-Ramsey, Joilet.

Cougars come up short

Schalick falls in finals of Tri-County Girls Postseason Bracket, last-second shot hits twice and falls away, includes weather update and results from Saturday’s Salem County sports calendar

TRI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT
BOYS
Championship Bracket
Cumberland 40, Kingsway 37
Postseason Bracket
Triton at Washington Twp.
GIRLS
Championship Bracket
Gloucester Catholic 65, Wildwood 26
Postseason Bracket
Deptford 33, Schalick 31

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE — It was about three hours after the final horn and Schalick girls basketball coach John Whelan still hadn’t gotten completely over the game.

His top-seeded Cougars rallied from nine with 56 seconds left, eight with 34 to go, and had a good look to tie. But Nevaeh Robinson’s shot bounced twice around the goal before falling away, allowing Deptford to escape with a 33-31 victory in the Tri-County Conference Postseason Bracket championship game.

It was 33-24 with under a minute to play. The Cougars (17-7) got free throws from Ava Scurry and Liv VanAcker to start the comeback. Scurry then hit a bucket and Emmalyn Weir nailed a 3-pointer to make it a two-point game. 

The Spartans (13-14) put the ball in play under their basket with 2.5 seconds left. Robinson stole the inbounds pass, got to the rim and her shot hit the backboard and then the front of the rim before falling away.

It was that kind of game for the Cougars.

“We just could not put the ball in the basket,” Whelan lamented. “It wasn’t for really a lack of anything else other than that.

“It just wouldn’t go in. Didn’t matter, layup, jump shots. We had several roll around the rim and come out. We did cost ourselves some possessions with some unforced turnovers, that hurt us a little bit, but ultimately it just wasn’t our day in terms of getting the ball to go in the hoop.”

The Cougars held an 18-14 halftime lead behind balanced scoring and their typically tight defense, but went cold in the third quarter and were outscored 11-2. Deptford’s Chaylin Morine scored seven of her team-high 11 points in the quarter. Schalick’s only points came on Willow Davis’ only basket of the game.

Scurry led all scorers with 12 points and blocked three shots to tie her 2024 single-season school record. Robinson had eight points and nine rebounds to reach 300 points and 200 boards for the season. VanAcker had 12 rebounds and five steals, and had two assists to move within one of tying that single-season school record.

DEPTFORD 33, SCHALICK 31
DEPTFORD (13-14): Colana Tymes 2 0-0 5, Kylie Galantic 2 1-4 6, Zakyah Babb 0 0-2 0, Chaylin Morine 3 5-8 11, Kendall Evans 3 2-2 8, Sanai Green 1 0-2 2, Jazlynn Diaz 0 1-4 1, LeAsia Chandler 0 0-0 0, Camille Bristo 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 9-22 33.
SCHALICK (17-7): Cali Fisler 0 1-2 1, Ava Scurry 5 2-4 12, Willow Davis 1 0-2 2, Nevaeh Robinson 2 1-2 6, Liv VanAcker 0 2-8 2, Emmalyn Weir 0 0-0 0, Jaelynn Jarmon 1 0-0 3, Emma O’Neill 2 0-0 5. Totals 11 6-18 31.

Deptford68118-33
Schalick99211-31
3-point goals: Deptford 2 (Tymes, Galatic); Schalick 3 (Robinson, Jarmon, O’Neill). Fouled out: Morine, Scurry. Total fous: Deptford 16, Schalick 16.

Indoor track

Due to the impending storm, the NJSIAA Group I & 4 indoor track championship meet in Toms River has been pushed back to Feb. 28. Salem County qualified for 28 individual spots and three relays to the meet, including Woodstown sectional champions Josh Crawford (400, 800), Kami Casiano (girls high jump) and the boys 4×400 relay.

Wrestling

POINT PLEASANT BEACH QUAD
PENNSVILLE 65, EWING 0
106: Brett Land (P) tech fall over Bryce Wittkop, 17-2
113: Greyson Robbins (P) won by forfeit
120: Maximos Efelis (P) maj. dec. Gibril Huq, 12-2
126: Mihki Dicks (P) pinned Makai Hill, 2:59
132: Chase Baker (P) pinned Joseph Lichtmann, 1:02
138: Nathaniel Mason (P) won by forfeit
144: Gabe Supernavage (P) won by forfeit
150: Vincent Grether (P) tech fall over Rocky Richardson, 16-0
157: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Tristan Amaru, 1:13
165: Robbie McDade (P) won by forfeit
175: Cristian Blyler (P) dec. Danny Umana-DelaRosa, 8-3
190: Stephen Pangle (P) won by forfeit
215: Andy Hibare (E) pinned Joseph Halstead, 5:00
285: Cephus Horton (E) dec. Trevor Waddington, 8-1

PENNSVILLE 61, PT. PLEASANT BEACH 17
113: Greyson Robbins (P) pinned Max Esposito, 2:30
120: Henry Ventresca (PPB) pinned Maximos Efelis, 1:53
126: Brandon Stizza (PPB) tech fall over Mihki Dicks, 19-3 (5:45)
132: Chase Baker (P) dec. Gavin Sramowicz, 11-4
138: Nathaniel Mason (P) pinned Dante Pezzello, 2:19
144: Gabe Supernavage (P) tech fall over Jaxon Bowers, 16-0 (5:00)
150: Vincent Grether (P) pinned Davin Marquez, 4:27
157: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Mattix Sickel, 1:49
165: Robbie McDade (P) tech fall over Gage Boyle, 17-1 (5:00)
175: Gael Santiago (PPB) pinned Cristian Blyler, 3:42
190: Stephen Pangle (P) pinned Wyland Grant, 4:23
215: Hunter Coulbourn (P) pinned CJ Engelhardt, 4:34
285: Jacob Hand (P) pinned Allan Micheletti, 3:13
106: Brett Land (P) won by forfeit

College basketball

The third-ranked Salem CC men’s basketball will host Ocean CC in its Region 19/North Atlantic District tournament semifinal Wednesday after the Vikings eliminated Philadelphia 76-63 in a play-in game Saturday. The game originally was scheduled for Tuesday, but region officials pushed the game back out of an abundance of caution for the impending snowstorm.

The Mighty Oaks (29-1), the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, beat the Vikings twice during the regular season, 113-90 and 100-78.

The winner of the Salem-Ocean game will meet the Camden-Montgomery winner Saturday at Northampton for the auto bid to the national tournament March 11-14 in Herkimer, N.Y.

Playing for a title

Schalick girls earn a spot in the TCC Postseason Bracket title game, host Deptford Saturday morning; includes TCC Tournament scores and Salem County consolation games

TCC GIRLS TOURNAMENT
Postseason Bracket
Schalick 47, Salem 33
Deptford 54, Clayton 39
Championship Bracket
Gloucester Catholic 60, Clearview 29
Wukdwiid 69, Glassboro 64 (3 OT)
Consolation games
Washington Twp. 44, Woodstown 20
Pennsville 57, Cumberland 35
TCC BOYS TOURNAMENT
Championship Bracket
Kingsway 52, Overbrook 41
Cumberland 57, Williamstown 54
Postseason Bracket
Triton 53, GCIT 51
Washington Twp. 55, Pitman 40
Consolation games
Woodstown 77, Clearview 50

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE — John Whelan held his breath a little bit when the Tri-County Conference officials were seeding their annual tournament and he let out a small sigh of relief when they finished their business.

Whelan’s Schalick girls basketball team was having one of their best seasons in a while, but its power points on Super Bowl Sunday left it on the bubble of making the TCC Championship Bracket reserved for the the league’s 12 heaviest hitters or the Postseason Bracket with what was left.

A power point here or there or a team jump-seeding its neighbor in the standings and a lot of things could change. When it all shook out, the Cougars fell on the Postseason Bracket side of the line — the No. 1 seed, if fact — and now, instead of facing an upper seed in the first round of the upper bracket with the expected consequences, they have a chance to win a championship.

The Cougars earned a spot in the Postseason Bracket championship game Thursday night when they dumped Salem 47-33. They now host Deptford (12-14) for the title Saturday at 10 a.m.

“It’s exciting,” Whelan said. “The girls deserve it. They’ve earned it. They put the work in all season, in the offseason in here, every practice, in the weight room, so it’s kind of come full circle for us. It’s exciting times to have this opportunity.”

In the past, the TCC split its tournament into three divisions – the top 8 (A), the eight in the middle of pack (B) and the also-rans (C),. This year they decided to expand the upper bracket to reward the league’s four division winners that sometimes didn’t make the A Bracket with first-round byes

They seeded it straight on the power points among the conference’s 23 teams – with the exception of the division winners who earned the top four seeds – and went to a 12-team upper and 11-team lower bracket. 

The Cougars came in at No. 13, despite having as many or more wins than seven teams in the Championship Bracket at the time of the seeding, meaning they were the first team out and the whole Postseason Bracket went through them. They were the winningest team in the bracket by five wins.

“You always want to strive to play for that higher competition, but we fell where we fell,” Whelan said. “The 1 seed, that would be extra home games for us. We approach it the same way we would any other bracket or championship or any other game. This is just as important to us as it would be if we were in the other bracket.

“It definitely gave us an opportunity to be where we are, for sure. Some of the upper-tier teams is something we’re striving to work towards and we’re making good strides. This is definitely a bracket with good competition, as seen in the past two games, and we’ll see again Saturday. This is the start of our post-season.” 

Nevaeh Robinson led Schalick with 14 points and nine rebounds. Cali Fisler had a career-high 13 points, including 7-of-8 from the free throw line. She was 5-for-6 in the fourth quarter, undermining the Rams’ strategy for getting back in the game. 

The Cougars were 18-of-27 from the line for the game, while the Rams were 13-of-29.

“We talked about the importance of free throws, especially in a playoff game,” Whelan said. “We knew it was going to be physical and we prepared for that mentally and physically. We spent a lot of time with free throws (in practice) and to their credit they knocked them down.”

“I just was really confident this game,” Fisler said. “I knew what I could do at line. I knew my percentages overall have not been very good this season, but I knew what I could do, so I stayed calm despite the noise they were trying to make and I just did what I do.”

Point guard Liv VanAcker got the Cougars through some of the more chaotic moments of the fast-paced game and dished seven assists to move within four of Abby Chomo’s single-season school record (89). Ava Scurry blocked four more shots, leaving her four shy of her single-season record (85).

“It was chaotic, yes, but our team is very good with chaos,” VanAcker said. “At first we start off a little shaky, but we get our groove after a while.”

DyAira Anderson led Salem with 14 points and 20 rebounds. Carlysia Pierce had 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Rams forced Schalick into numerous turnovers early and led 5-4 after a turnover-filled first quarter, but they were negatively impacted throughout by missing too many shots in close and struggling at the free throw line.

“You’ve gotta have the ball go through the circle.,” Salem coach Kemp Carr said. “You can’t get four and five shots at the basket, two feet, and you don’t make it. It’s not so much what they did more than what we didn’t do. We just didn’t execute what we needed to execute. You’ve gotta make shots.”

SCHALICK 47, SALEM 33
SALEM (9-10): Madison Dixon 3 0-2 6, DyAira Anderson 3 8-13 14, Carlysia Pierce 3 5-14 11, Jaryn Weathers 0 0-0 0, Tricia Wilson 1 0-0 2, Kaliyah Taylor 0 0-0 0, Samiyah Moore 0 0-0 0, Zanyah Frieson 0 0-0 0, Timmiyah Simmons 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 13-29 33
SCHALICK (17-6): Cali Fisler 3 7-8 13, Ava Scurry 4 0-0 8, Willow Davis 1 2-2 5, Nevaeh Robinson 5 2-5 14, Liv VanAcker 0 5-8 5, Vicky Basich 0 0-0 0, Emmalyn Weir 0 2-2 2, Jaelynn Jarmon 0 0-0 0, Emma O’Neil 0 0-2 0. Totals 13 18-27 47.

Salem571011-33
Schalick4161215-47
3-point goals: Schalick 3 (Davis, Robinson 2). Rebounds: Salem 55 (Pierce 12, Anderson 20); Schalick 26 (Scurry 5, Robinson 9, VanAcker 6). Technical fouls: Fisler. Fouled out: Pierce, Scurry. Total fouls: Salem 22, Schalick 20.

PENNSVILLE 57, CUMBERLAND 36: Marley Wood scored 10 of her game-high 24 points in the second quarter as the Eagles pulled away from this TCC Championship Bracket consolation game. Jaiden Wilson added a career-high 12 points Next up for the Eagles is a Wednesday date with Woodstown in the South Jersey Group I tournament.

CUMBERLAND (10-14): Ellie Bodine 4 3-4 11, Lizzy Pfliegar 5 0-0 13, Addie Weist 1 0-0 3, Ny Gay 0 0-0 0, Kamila Ramos 0 0-0 0, JaLynn Brown 0 0-0 0, Julianna Rivera 0 0-0 0, Aleevia Fennal 2 0-0 4, Hydra Loatman 0 0-0 0, Peyton Johnson 0 0-0 0, Amely Pina 1 0-0 2, Mikaylah Picconi 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 3-4 35.
PENNSVILLE (16-7): Taylor Bass 2 1-4 6, Marley Wood 9 4-5 24, Addie Johnston 4 0-0 9, Izzy Saulin 3 0-0 6, Jaiden Wilson 5 0-0 12, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0, Kylie Weist 0 0-0 0, Reagan Sipps 0 0-0 0, Angelina Wagner 0 0-0 0, Addison Hitt 0 0-0 0, Makayla Griffith 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 5-9 57.

Cumberland691010-35
Pennsville14151216-57
3-point goals: Cumberland 4 (Pfliegar 3, Weist); Pennsville 6 (Bass, Wood 2, Johnston, Wilson 2). Fouled out: Gay. Total fouls: Cumberland 9, Pennsville 7.

WASHINGTON TWP. 44, WOODSTOWN 20
WOODSTOWN (11-15): Kendall Young 2, Emma Perry 10, Lauren Hengel 4, Kyia Leyman 2, Talia Guardascione 2.
WASHINGTON TWP. (16-9): Frankie Begley 1 2-2 4, Shyla McLean 3 0-0 9, Julianna Cassidy 1 0-0 2, Elena Dabrowski 2 0-0 6, Aubrey Mack 6 1-2 13, Jade Mazzuca 1 0-0 2, Tessa Reilley 2 0-0 4, Lena Giannini 2 0-0 4. Totals 18 3-4 44.

Woodstown24104-20
Washington Twp.717812-44
3-point goals: Washington Twp. 5 (McLean 3, Dabrowski 2).
Schalick’s Ava Scurry (C) denies Salem’s Kaliyah Taylor entry into the lane during their TCC Postseason Bracket semifinal game Thursday night.

Boys game

WOODSTOWN 77, CLEARVIEW 50: Blake Bialecki led a balanced scoring attack with 18 points that featured five 3-pointers, as the Wolverines snapped a three-game losing streak that tied the longest in coach Ramon Roots’ two-year tenure. Bialecki had 11 points in the first quarter fueled by three 3s. Andrew White had 15 points, 13 in the third quarter, and Alejandro Vazquez had 10.

CLEAVIEW (10-17): Jonah Turner 3 1-2 7, Georgia Kritikson 3 1-1 8, Mike Pellecchia 3 1-2 8, Darren Riddick 4 0-0 9, Alex Whitwork 2 0-0 6, TJ McGovern 1 0-0 3, Logan Poletti 1 0-0 3, David Carter 2 0-0 6, Ethan Munch 0 0-0 0, Patrick Furfari 0 0-0 0, Jake Bernstein 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 3-5 50.
WOODSTOWN (16-11): Elijah Caesar 4 0-2 8, Jalen Markward 0 0-0 0, Andrew White 7 1-2 15, Trey Markward 1 0-0 2, Lucas Fulmer 1 0-0 2, Blake Bialecki 6 1-2 18, Bryce Ayars 0 0-0 0, Frank Hoerst 4 0-2 8, Connor Miller 2 2-2 6, Alejandro Vazquez 3 3-3 10, Brian Booker 1 0-0 2, John Hood-McGinley 0 0-0 0, Josh King 3 0-0 6. Totals 32 7-13 77.

Clearview13141112-50
Woodstown22132121-77
3-point goals: Clearview 9 (Kritikson, Pellecchia, Riddick, Whitworth 2, McGovern, Poletti, Carter 2); Woodstown (Bialecki 5, Vazquez). Total fouls: Clearview 8, Woodstown 11.


Of course, No. 1

Salem CC pulls down overall No. 1 seed in region/district tournament, two wins away from auto bid to nationals

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

Salem CC, as expected, pulled down the overall No. 1 seed and one of two top seeds in the Region 19 tournaments that will send teams to the JUCO Division III national tournament and will play one home game to get a shot at the trip.

The once-beaten, third-ranked Mighty Oaks (29-1) are the No. 1 seed in the North Atlantic A district tournament and will play either Ocean CC (15-12) or CC Philadelphia (14-12) in Dupont Fieldhouse in their tournament opener Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The winner advances to district championship game at Northampton CC Saturday to play either seventh-ranked Montgomery (19-4) or Camden (17-12) for the automatic berth to the national tournament in Herkimer, N.Y. 

“I haven’t seen anything yet, but that’s the reward you get for handling business all year long,” Mighty Oaks coach Mike Green said. “i kind of wish the No. 1 seed gets to host as well. I think that would be a good thing for the league; it makes it a lot more interesting through the regular season. But No. 1 seed is the work we put in, you get rewarded for it at the end, but you’ve still got to go out there and win games.”

By placing in the A District bracket, the Mighty Oaks avoid No. 10 Northampton, No. 14 Union and Brookdale, the team that handed them their only loss – all 20-win teams. Northampton, as the No.2 overall seeds, tops the North Atlantic B field.

Green isn’t selling anyone short.

“It doesn’t really matter,” he said. “I think the league is tough top to bottom. Like Ocean is a very dangerous team. Montgomery is a dangerous team. Bergen. All those teams that were flirting with .500 down there are really dangerous teams.”

If they lose somewhere along the way officials familiar with the selection process told Riverview Sports News they are still expected to receive an at-large bid to the nationals for their season’s body of work. They had the best overall regular-season record in Division III, were ranked No. 1 for six weeks before losing to Brookdale, won the GSAC by a wide margin and are among the highest scoring teams in the nation.

They lead the country in total points and shooting percentage, are second in assists per game and third in points per game. Five scorers average in double figures. Saaid Lee is ranked third individually in assists. Zyaire Gibson is second in 3-pointers.

REGION 19 BASKETBALL BRACKET
North Atlantic A
Saturday’s game
Philadelphia at Ocean
Tuesday’s games
Philadelphia-Ocean winner at Salem CC
Camden at Montgomery
Feb. 28
At Northampton CC
Championship game, 3 p.m.

North Atlantic B
Tuesday’s games
Union at Brookdale
Bergen at Northampton
Feb. 28
At Northampton
Championship game, 6 p.m.

Eye on the prize

Schalick girls have goal to win their TCC Tournament bracket, take first step with win over Pitman, get Salem next in semifinal showdown, includes South Jersey Group I girls tournament pairings


GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Tournament
Championship Bracket
Delsea at Gloucester Catholic
Clearview 54, Timber Creek 28
Glassboro 44, Kingsway 30
Wildwood 44, Washington Twp. 38
Consolation game
Woodstown 45, Triton 36
Postseason Bracket
Schalick 43, Pitman 32
Salem 34, Williamstown 27
Clayton 52, GCIT 50
Deptford 61, Penns Grove 25

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE — If there’s a bracket to be played there’s a bracket to be won, doesn’t matter if it’s Championship, Postseason or the 3-on-3 tournament down at the local rec.

Knowing there’s a title to claim at the end of the week, Schalick played what coach John Whelan called one of its better overall games of the year, jumped on Pitman early and rolled to a 43-32 win in the quarterfinals of the Tri-County Conference Tournament Postseason Bracket. The bracket’s No. 1 seed now hosts Salam in Thursday’s semifinals.

“We definitely have our goal set on winning,” Whelam said. “We played probably, I would say, the best team ball that we’ve played all year. We moved the basketball really well, we made the extra passes, (got) better quality shots.

“It’s starting to click a little more. You’ve seen it the last handful of games where we’ve been moving the ball better. Our offense has looked so much better, and then we continue to stay tough on the defensive end.”

The Cougars held their visitors to single digits points in every quarter, while opening quarter leads of 17-6, 27-15 and 37-24. leads of 17-6 and 27-15 in the first half.

Nevaeh Robinson “had a rhythm going” early for the Cougars and scored all 17 of her points in the first half. When the Panthers recognized the havoc she was causing and switched to a box-and-one on her, Willow Davis kept the offense clicking. Davis scored eight points in the third quarter and 11 of her 14 in the second half.

“We were moving the ball well enough to where we didn’t feel like we needed to really change our offense regardless of the box-and-one,” Whelan said. “Willow stepped up in the second half and hit a lot of shots.”

Robinson also had 11 rebounds, Cali Fisler and Ava Scurry each had 10, and Liv Vanacker had nine. Vanacker also had five assists and Scurry blocked four shots.

SCHALICK 43, PITMAN 32
PITMAN (4-15): Colette Rollins 1 0-0 3, Jocelyn O’Brien 1 0-0 2, Marlee Adams 2 3-5 7, Kendall Bennett 3 0-0 6, Emery Sharpnack 2 3-3 7, Audrey Duffield 2 0-2 5, Bella Pramov 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 6-10 32.
SCHALICK (16-6): Cali Fisler 3 1-2 7, Ava Scurry 1 2-2 4, Willow Davis 5 1-2 14, Nevaeh Robinson 7 0-0 17, Olivia Vanacker 0 1-2 1, Vicky Basich 0 0-0 0, Emmalyn Weir 0 0-0 0, Jaelynn Jarmon 0 0-2 0, Emma O’Neill 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 5-10 43.

Pitman6998-32
Schalick1710106-43
3-point goals: Pitman 2 (Rollins, Duffield); Schalick 6 (Davis 3, Robinson 3). Rebounds: Schalick 41 (Fisler 10, Scurry 10, Robinson 11, Vanacker 9). Total fouls: Pitman 12, Schalick 15

SALEM 34, WILLIAMSTOWN 27: The Rams stretched an eight-point halftime lead to double digits, withstood a second-half rally by the Braves that got it to a one-point game and then pulled away to set up a semifinal showdown with Schalick.

“That’s a big win,” Salem coach Kemp Carr said. “It’s a Group 4 school, it’s a big team and it’s a postseason bracket, so we see it as a big deal for us. We’re excited for tonight.”

The Rams (9-9) played bang-up defense in the first half, holding the Braves (5-17) to only one field goal and five points in the first half. They stretched their halftime lead to 10 in the third quarter, but the Braves went on a run that cut it to one, 28-27, with about three minutes left before the Rams changed defenses and retook control.

“We showed some resiliency, something that we’ve really been working on, to not let that bother us, to keep playing through the clock,” Carr said. “We used a timeout to settle the girls down and we came out and got a basket that next possession.”

Dyaira Anderson led the Rams with a game-high 17 points and 18 rebounds. Carlysia Pierce had eight points, six rebounds and nine steals.

Salem and Schalick played once during the regular season with the Cougars taking a 37-33 win on the road.

SALEM (9-9): Madison Dixon 0 1-2 1, Dyaira Anderson 7 3-3 17, Carlysia Pierce 3 2-4 8, Jaryn Weathers 1 1-2 3, Kaliyah Taylor 2 1-3 5. Totals 13 8-14 34.
WILLIAMSTOWN (5-17): Milana Riccardi 0 0-0 0, Rylee Fair 1 0-0 2, Savanna Rolls 2 1-2 5, Peyton Wright 1 2-6 4, Nyah Chatelier 0 1-2 1, Harper Carney 1 0-0 2, Liz Yodess 1 0-0 2, Ava Byorick 1 0-2 2, Jidli Francis 1 2-2 4, Maren Riccardi 0 0-0 0
Celiyah Waters 1 1-2 4, Colette Hicks 0 1-2 1. Totals 9 8-18 27.

Salem310138-34
Williamstown32139-27
3-point goals: Williamstown 1 (Waters). Total fouls: Salem 14, Williamstown 17.

DEPTFORD 61, PENNS GROVE 25: The Spartans brought the Red Devils back to earth behind double-doubles from Chaylin Marine and Kendall Evans. Marine had 21 points and 12 rebounds (plus five steals), while Evans had 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Red Devils reached the quarterfinals of the Postseason Bracket with a victory over Overbrook in the opening round.

CONSOLATION GAME
WOODSTOWN 45, TRITON 36: Kyia Leyman and Kendall Young both enjoyed double-doubles as the Wolverines bounced back from their Championship Bracket opening-round loss to Kingsway. Leyman scored a career-high 18 points to lead all scorers and grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots. Young had 10 points and 12 rebounds with three assists and five steals.

WOODSTOWN (11-14): Lauren Hengel 2 1-2 5, Emma Perry 1 0-0 3, Kyia Leyman 9 0-0 18, Kendall Young 3 3-4 10, Kailyn Kennedy 1 0-0 2, Talia Guardascione 2 1-2 5, Kamiya Brunson 2 0-0 4, Jaelyn McDonald 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 5-8 47.
TRITON (36): Melannie Noel 7 2-4 16, Gianna Endt 1 1-1 4, Kaidan Henry 1 0-2 3, Gianna Loftis 2 5-8 9, Akeera Reid-Streater 1 0-0 2, Chloe O’Connor 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 8-15 36.

Woodstown1661013-45
Triton911133-36
3-point goals: Woodstown 2 (Perry, Young); Triton 2 (Endt, Henry). Rebounds: Woodstown 41 (Young 12, Hengel 11, Leyman 10).

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
Feb. 25 Games
Paulsboro at Haddon Twp.
Burlington City at Woodbury
New Egypt at Palmyra
Cape May Tech at Glassboro
Salem at Audubon
Woodstown at Pennsville
Schalick at Gateway
Clayton at Wildwood
Feb. 27 Games
(Game at higher seed)
Paulsboro-Haddon Twp. vs. Burlington City-Woodbury
New Egypt-Palmyra vs. Cape May Tech-Glassboro
Salem-Audubon vs. Woodstown-Pennsville
Schalick-Gateway vs. Clayton-Wildwood