Category: PENNS GROVE

Shannon shows second side

SJ Group I girls: Pierman powers Woodstown past Penns Grove and into semifinals; Pennsville falls to top-seeded Woodbury in Trapp’s final game as coach; includes Tri-County Diamond, Classic all-stars

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I
GIRLS QUARTERFINALS
Woodbury 68, Pennsville 34
Woodstown 43, Penns Grove 32
Audubon 43, Maple Shade 35
Wildwood 51, Glassboro 40
THURSDAY’S SEMIFINALS
No. 4 Woodstown at No. 1 Woodbury, 4:30 p.m.
No. 6 Audubon at No. 2 Wildwood

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News 

WOODSTOWN — Coaches and teammates describe Shannon Pierman’s demeanor in her every day comings and goings as sweet, quiet, stoic, reserved, nice. They’re always the dangerous ones.

Cross her on the basketball court and that all changes.

Like that thing that happens whenever the Hulk gets mad, get under Pierman’s skin and she switches into beast mode and people better get out of the way.

The Woodstown senior’s personality changed dramatically in the fourth quarter Tuesday and by all accounts on both sides of the scorer’s table she was the difference in her team taking down Penns Grove 43-32 in the South Jersey Group I girls quarterfinals.

“She’s quiet, mature, but, man, don’t mess with her,” Wolverines coach Kara Straughn said. “She is our leader. She’s a constant. She’s so mature, so stoic, just quiet, but, man, if you come at her or somebody she cares about, it’s like she’s ready to go, but calmly.

“She’s emotionally mature. She knows when to give and take. She gets overshadowed by the other two (1,000-point scorers Talia Battavio and Megan Donelson), but she is our foundation. She keeps us together.”

The Wolverines (20-6) advance to play at top-seeded Woodbury in the semifinals Thursday. It will be against a Thundering Herd team without their best player, as point guard Maya Braxton-Young was ejected for a flagrant foul in her team’s quarterfinal win over Pennsville and by rule will not play.

Pierman got angry, too, but her ire had its limits. She had all her points and a double-double in the fourth quarter alone, dominating a 16-0 run that gave the Wolverines control of the game. Perhaps most out of character, she bowed up and went nose-to-nose with Zoey Ceasar in the lane after being fouled by the Penns Grove post going after an offensive rebound.

There was nothing calm about the response when the Wolverines’ foundation got rocked to her core. It seemed egregious enough to bring a technical foul, but instead she received only a warning for taunting. What followed it was vintage Pierman.

She made both free throws to extend the Wolverines lead and then wrapped seven more points around a Lauren Hengel basket before the Lady Devils ended their drought on Meely Horace’s runner with 2:42 to play. By then, Woodstown was up 41-27.

The decisive run actually got started with Battavio’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 6:33 left in the game. It was the Wolverines’ only 3 of the game. The junior guard added a basket on the next possession and then it was basically all Pierman, all starting with the confrontation with Ceasar.

“For a second I let the anger get to me,” Pierman admitted. “I heard her saying some stuff to me. I let it get the best of me for a second, but then I started thinking it’s my last home game I’ve got to get it together.

“I’d like to think I’m nice, I’m reserved. Usually I’m very good at keeping my cool and I try to be a good, kind person. That’s kind of just out of nowhere. I’m trying to go up and I just hear talking in my ear and I get fouled and my emotions got the best of me.”

“Out of all five of (her players on the floor) she was the one I least expected (to erupt),” Straughn said. “Obviously you don’t want them to be unsportsmanlike, but I’m proud of her for standing up for herself and standing up for her team. They’re a family and they’re going to protect each other and protect themselves. But like I said she knows when to put it on and cool off.”

Pierman finished with 10 points and 17 rebounds. It was her 11th double-double of the season and tenth in her last 13 games.

The win gave the Wolverines a third-straight 20-win season and fourth in the last five years, It also extended long winning streaks against Tri-County Conference Diamond Division (32) and Salem County opponents (29).

Penns Grove, the No. 12 seed, came into the game primed to pull off an upset and had things going its way in the first half. The Lady Devils held the Wolverines to only four points through the first 13 minutes of the game and once they established the lead successfully took the air out of the ball further frustrating their hosts.

Woodstown eventually started taking chances against the ploy and drew even at 13 with less than a minute left in the half before RaNiyah Wilson scored the last two buckets of the half to send the Lady Devils into the locker room with a four-point halftime lead.

Wilson led Penns Grove with 10 points. Horace had nine and finished her career with 1,063 points. Caesar was force in the paint early in the game and scored seven of her nine points in the first quarter.

The lead changed hands four more times before Woodstown went on the run the decided the game.

“I’m very proud of the girls,” Penns Grove coach Jennifer Denby said. “I’m glad that they came to play and let them know that they can play with anybody.”

WOODSTOWN 43, PENNS GROVE 32
PENNS GROVE (14-10) – RaNiyah Wilson 3 4-8 10, Meely Horace 4 0-0 9, Brianna Robbins 2 0-0 4, Zoey Caesar 4 1-5 9, Amani Taylor 0 0-0 0, Syanna Robbins 0 0-2 0, Semijah Hines 0 0-0 0, JaNiyah Cummings 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 5-15 32.
WOODSTOWN (20-6) – Talia Battavio 6 5-7 18, Megan Donelson 5 1-2 11, Gianna Maiorini 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Baber 0 0-0 0, Shannon Pierman 2 6-8 10, Lauren Hengel 2 0-0 4, Emma Perry 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 12-17 43.

Penns Grove1348 7  – 32
Woodstown491218 – 43
3-point goals: Penns Grove 1 (Horace); Woodstown 1 (Battavio). Rebounds: Woodstown 28 (Pierman 17). Total fouls: Penns Grove 16, Woodstown 19. Officials: Carolyn Jackson, Crystal Marshall, Chris Seher.
3-point goals: Penns Grove 1 (Horace); Woodstown 1 (Battavio). Rebounds: Woodstown 28 (Pierman 17). Total fouls: Penns Grove 16, Woodstown 19. Officials: Carolyn Jackson, Crystal Marshall, Chris Seher.
Pennsville girls basketball coach Sam Trapp greets her players leaving the floor for the last time with her at the helm. (Photo by Chris Watson)

Eagles fall in Trapp’s finale

WOODBURY – Sam Trapp knew it was going to be emotional when she made the emotional announcement to her team five weeks ago, but is anyone ever really prepared for when the last game finally comes?

The Pennsville girls basketball coach knew her final game was coming at some point in this South Jersey Group I playoff season and it arrived Tuesday night when the Eagles were eliminated by top-seeded Woodbury in the quarterfinals 68-34.

Next month, Trapp will be leaving the school where she has been head soccer and basketball coach the last three years to become the athletics director at Triton Regional.

“I have so many emotions right now,” she said. “It’s just hard to know this is the last time you’ll be courtside. You start coaching because you’re so passionate about what you do, you’re so excited about the sport, you have a love for the sport and you love to see these kids grow and develop.

“Through that you just want to see so many great accomplishments and milestone. Of course, every coach dreams of being on the big stage and winning the big game and putting the trophy over your head.

“I just thought back to all those moments of what we’ve accomplished and what I was hoping we’d accomplish. We fell short today, but that doesn’t take away from the things that I’ve done and the hard work that I’ve put in and just how proud I am of what we have accomplished. I didn’t want to overly focus on this was the end, but grateful for all that’s happened throughout it.”

The game was manageable for about a quarter and a half. The Eagles trailed by seven after the first quarter, but the Thundering Herd steadily stretched the lead. It did get testy in the second half when Herd standout Maya Braxton-Young was ejected for a flagrant elbow against Pennsville’s Nora Ausland, a foul that likely will have her suspended for Thursday’s semifinal game with Woodstown.

Braxton-Young finished with 17 points to lead three Herd scorers in double figures. Abby Bush (16) and Dasani Talley-Dorrman (13) combined for 15 points in the fourth quarter. 

Ausland led Pennsville with 11 points and will go into next season needing 195 points for 1,000. Tri-County Diamond Division first-teamer Marley Wood had nine points and she’ll need 280 next season for the milestone.

Trapp never had a losing season in her three years with the basketball team. She was 15-11 each of her first two years and was hoping for better this season, but a series of midseason injuries limited this year’s team to 14-14. The Eagles were 8-5 after she told the team her plans on Jan. 26. Her last official function with the team is its awards night March 11.

“It didn’t shake out the way we had hoped and dreamed at the start of the season, but like I told the girls afterward we fought hard to get an 8-seed,” Trapp said. “We made that our goal so we could get a home playoff game; we did that. We got a win more than we did last season as far as the playoff run goes.

“They’re a great bunch of girls who have a lot of potential to be a solid program again next year if they stay healthy and keep working in the offseason. All you can really ask and hope for is that when it’s not going the way we hoped to turn it around and set new goals and keep working hard for those and I think we did just that.”

WOODBURY 68, PENNSVILLE 34
PENNSVILLE (14-14) – Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Nora Ausland 5 1-2 11, Taylor Bass 1 0-0 2, Karsen Cooksey 0 0-0 0, Bella Farina 2 0-2 4, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0, Izzy Saulin 4 0-0 8, Avery Watson 0 0-0 0, Marley Wood 3 3-4 9. Totals 15 4-8 34.
WOODBURY (18-10) – Abby Bash 6 3-4 16, Nyla Ivey 2 1-6 5, Maya Braxton-Young 6 4-5 17, Dasani Talley-Dorrman 4 5-5 13, Emerald Sills 3 1-3 7, Janessa Robinson 2 0-0 4, Melannie Noel 3 0-0 6, Zoe Bell 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 14-23 68.

Pennsville10888  –34
Woodbury17151719 –  68
3-point goals: Woodbury 2 (Bash, Braxton-Young). Ejection: Braxton-Young. Total fouls: Pennsville 16, Woodbury 13.

All-Tri-County Conference

DIAMOND DIVISION
FIRST TEAMSCHOOLSECOND TEAMSCHOOL
Tamia SmithGlassboroMeely HoracePenns Grove
Kezia BrackettGlassboroRaNiyah WilsonPenns Grove
Talia BattavioWoodstownNora AuslandPennsville
Megan DonelsonWoodstownShannon PiermanWoodstown
Marley WoodPennsvilleZahaisha NevisOverbrook
CLASSIC DIVISION
FIRST TEAMSCHOOLSECOND TEAMSCHOOL
Rainelle BlockerClaytonJordyn JonesClayton
Jules DiFebboGlou. Cath.Talia ShumateGlou. Cath.
Jahzara GreenGlou. Cath.Miya VillariPitman
Macie McCrackenWildwoodSophia WilberWildwood
Angela WilberWildwoodRebecca BenichouWildwood





Salem survives

SJ Group I boys: Rams finally get past Glassboro, earn a spot in semifinals; Penns Grove gets out to fast start, but falls to top-seeded KIPP; also includes TCC Diamond, Classic all-star teams

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I
BOYS QUARTERFINALS
KIPP Cooper Norcross 64, Penns Grove 59
Wildwood 49, Audubon 38
Salem 62, Glassboro 55
Pittman 47, Paulsboro 37
THURSDAY’S SEMIFINALS
No. 4 Wildwood at No. 1 KIPP Cooper Norcross, 5:30 p.m.
No. 3 Salem at No. 2 Pitman, 5:30 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM – Anthony Farmer and the Salem Rams have been trying to beat Glassboro for nearly a decade now. They finally got the Bulldogs on the biggest stage.

Salem ended a seven-game losing streak to the Bulldogs Tuesday night with a 62-55 victory in the quarterfinals of the South Jersey Group I boys tournament. The Rams’ last win in the series was in the 2014-15 season opener. All of the previous eight games were in the regular season. The majority of the losses were by double-digits.

“Those guys have been a tough out,” Farmer said. “They’ve had our number. It was good to get the most important one.”

The Rams (18-8) didn’t have history on their mind when they took the floor Tuesday as much as doing what it took to get where they want to go. They took control of the game early, weathered a storm in the third quarter and held on through the fourth.

“You can’t change the past, so, honestly, we’ve got a one-track mind,” Farmer said. “We know what we’re trying to get to. This is about us and how we continue to come together and make the right plays at the right moment and be one step ahead. We at this time it’s survive and advance, so we’re preparing like everything is our last.”

The difference in the game was the play of Jabez DeJesus and Anthony Farmer. DeJesus scored a team’ high 21 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked a couple shots. Farmer, the coach’s son, scored 17 points. Ramaji Bundy added 10 points.

Both DeJesus and Farmer were confirmed as Tri-County Conference Classic Division first-team all-stars earlier in the day.

“Those guys are no secret,” Farmer said. “I think we have one of the top backcourts is South Jersey, no doubt. They’ve been consistent all year long. They’re the reason we’re the third seed and in the position we’re in. Those guys are seniors and they’ve just been doing what they’ve been doing.”

The win sets up a showdown with second-seeded Pitman in the semifinals Thursday night. The Panthers have gotten them twice this year, none more painful than the one in late December in which the Rams jumped out to a big early lead only to lose by two at the end.

“This is what high school basketball is about,” Farmer said. “This is why you play the game, why I coach the game. I coach the game for the kids, for them to have experiences like this that they’ll talk about forever.

“I want them to go seize the moment. Once again, it’s more about us and where we’re trying to go. Obviously they got us twice and we understand that as well. Once again, this one means the most.”

SALEM 62, GLASSBORO 55
GLASSBORO (13-13) – Xavier Sabb 11 3-9 25, Charles Graves 5 4-5 17, Arnton Suggs 2 0-0 4, Michael Dougherty 1 1-2 4, Josh Buff 1 0-0 3, Tashean Thomas 0 0-0 0, Aden Harris 1 0-0 2, Jayce Guays 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 8-15 55.
SALEM (18-8) – Anthony Farmer 6 3-4 17, Ramaji Bundy 3 4-6 10, Jabez DeJesus 6 9-11 21, Paul Weathers 2 0-0 5, Tymear Lecator 2 0-2 5, Marshall Stephens 1 0-0 2, Donovan Weathers 0 0-0 0, Antwone Rodgers 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 16-23 62.

Glassboro61616 17 – 55
Salem12229 19 – 62
3-point goals: Glassboro 5 (Graves 3, Dougherty, Buff); Salem 4 (Farmer 2, P. Weathers, Lecator). Rebounds: Salem 30 (P. Weathers 10, DeJesus 9). Fouled out: Graves. Total fouls: Glassboro 21, Salem 16.

KIPP Academy 64, Penns Grove 59

CAMDEN – When Penns Grove coach Damian Ware saw Willie Slocum and Camren Thompson hit 3-pointers early in the game he had to think this just might just be the Red Devils’ night to pull an upset. But he also knew there was a lot of basketball to play.

Slocum and Thompson combined to hit just one 3-pointer this season – and Slocum hadn’t hit any – but there they were, playing in a game to extend their careers, each hitting one from beyond the arc to help the Red Devils forge an early 10-point lead.

The good fortune didn’t last, however. Karon Ceaser and Slocum both got in foul trouble that cost them valuable minutes in the first half and top-seeded KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy began its long march to the foul line that proved the difference in scuttling the Red Devils’ season.

“Going into the game I expected to win, so it was not a big surprise we were up,” Ware said. “We had an opportunity to win the game going into it, we had a chance and I felt good about it, but we just didn’t have enough to pull it out.”

The Titans (21-8) took 31 free throws in the game compared to only seven for a Red Devils team that likes to attack the basket. They made 16 with leading scorer Meleake Kelly (18 points) going 8-for-14 and Tahmir Dixton (15) going 5-for-10.

Slocum wound up hitting two 3s in the game and finished with 10 points. Roman Gipson was the Red Devils’ leading scorer with 16 points, while Giomar Conrad and Thompson had 13 apiece.

KIPP ACADEMY 64, PENNS GROVE 59
PENNS GROVE (11-15) – Brandon Roberts 1 0-0 2, Roman Gipson 7 0-1 16, Giomar Conrad 5 2-2 13, Karon Ceaser 0 0-0 0, Willie Slocum 4 0-0 10, Mekhi Ballard 1 3-3 5, Camren Thompson 6 0-1 13, Mr Peterson 0 0-0 0, Jameel Horace 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 5-7 59.
KIPP ACADEMY (21-8) – Tahmir Dixon 5 5-10 15, Jeremiah Shelton 7 1-2 16, Meleake Kelly 5 8-14 18, TaJohn Chamblis 1 0-0 2, Juan Arce 1 2-3 4, Nasir Rodriguez 3 0-0 7, Howard Maddison 1 0-2 2. Totals 23 16-32 64.

Penns Grove1912820 – 59
KIPP Academy12221614 – 64
3-point goals: Penns Grove 6 (Gipson 2, Conrad, Slocum 2, Thompson); KIPP 2 (Shelton, Rodriguez), Technical fouls: Kelly. Fouled out: Slocum, Thompson. Total fouls: Penns Grove 25, KIPP 13.

All-Tri-County Conference

DIAMOND DIVISION
FIRST TEAMSCHOOLSECOND TEAMSCHOOL
Charles GravesGlassboroClinton SuggsGlassboro
Shaun MillsOverbrookRocco StringWoodstown
Giomar ConradPenns GroveBlake BialeckiWoodstown
Luke WoodPennsvilleXavier SabbGlassboro
Nic JohnsonOverbrookReggie AllenSchalick
CLASSIC DIVISION
FIRST TEAMSCHOOLSECOND TEAMSCHOOL
Elijah CrispinPitmanMichael FisicaroPitman
Jack MustaroGloucester Cath.Jordan FusikWildwood
Anthony FarmerSalemTrey BattleGloucester Cath.
Junior HansWildwoodSonny MyersPitman
Jabez DejesusSalemStephen DevanneyPitman


This week’s schedule

Here is this week’s sports schedules for teams in Salem County for the week of Feb. 25-March 2

Sunday

WRESTLING
NJSIAA Girls Regionals, Pennsauken

Tuesday

BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Tournament
Girls
No. 8 Pennsville at No. 1 Woodbury, 4:30 p.m.
No. 12 Penns Grove at No. 4 Woodstown, 5:30 p.m.
No. 6 Audubon at No. 3 Maple Shade, 5:30 p.m.
No. 7 Glassboro at No. 2 Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Boys
No. 9 Penns Grove at No. 1 KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, 5:15 p.m.
No. 5 Audubon at No. 4 Wildwood, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Glassboro at No. 3 Salem, 5 p.m.
No. 10 Paulsboro at No. 2 Pitman, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday

BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Tournament
Girls
Pennsville-Woodbury vs. Penns Grove-Woodstown
Audubon-Maple Shade vs. Glassboro-Wildwood
Boys
Penns Grove-KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy vs. Audubon-Wildwood
Glassboro-Salem vs. Paulsboro-Pitman
WRESTLING
NJSIAA State Championship, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City

Friday

COLLEGE BASEBALL
Ocean CC at Salem CC (Carneys Point Rec), 3 p.m.
WRESTLING
NJSIAA State Championship, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City

Saturday

BASKETBALL
Girls
South Jersey Group I championship
Boys
South Jersey Group I championship
WRESTLING
NJSIAA State Championship, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Ocean CC (2), noon

Red Devils take charge

Penns Grove stands its ground to score mild upset in opening round of South Jersey Group I tournament; Salem pulls away from New Egypt, Wildwood shuts down Woodstown

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
THURSDAY’S GAMES
No. 1 KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy 61, No. 16 Burlington City 40
No. 9 Penns Grove 54, No. 8 Woodbury 46
No. 5 Audubon 61, No. 12 LEAP Academy 44
No. 4 Wildwood 46, No. 13 Woodstown 25
No. 3 Salem 83, No. 14 New Egypt 52
No. 6 Glassboro 64, No. 11 Riverside 41
No. 10 Paulsboro 52, No. 7 Palmyra 46
No. 2 Pitman 80, No. 15 Pennsville 60
TUESDAY’S GAMES
No. 9 Penns Grove at No. 1 KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy
No. 5 Audubon at No. 4 Wildwood
No. 6 Glassboro at No. 3 Salem
No. 10 Paulsboro at No. 2 Pitman

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODBURY – All season long Penns Grove coach Damian Ware has been asking his players to take some for the team and sacrifice their body for the greater good. He’s gotten the occasional taker, but with the season on the line Thursday night the Red Devils stood and delivered.

The ninth-seeded Red Devils took three charges in the second half that changed the game and propelled them to a 54-46 victory over eighth-seeded Woodbury in the opening round of the South Jersey Group I boys basketball tournament.

The Devils trailed by one at halftime, but Willie Slocum and Camren Thompson took charges in the third quarter and Giomar Conrad took one in the fourth and that, Ware said, set the tone for the rest of the game.

“I told the kids that was really the key to the game, taking charges on these guys, because they are driving team, they like to drive and most of them are going to put their head down and try to get to the basket,” Ware said. “Once you start taking charges teams are going to hesitate on that drive, they’re not going to drive it as aggressively.

“The only guy who has taken charges all season was Willie; he had about 12 of them. The next person had one or two. I’ve been trying to get them to do it all season and finally they stepped up and did it in the second half today when it counted.”

Conrad led the Red Devils (11-14) with 21 points, 11 in the second half. Mekhi Ballard had 13 on three 3-pointers and 4-for-4 second-half free throw shooting. The Devils outscored their hosts 17-9 in the fourth quarter to pull away from a tie game.

It was the third year in a row they’ve won a first-round playoff game and the sixth straight year they’ve won a first-round game when they were in it.

The win keeps them alive and on the road, to play top-seeded KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy in the second round Tuesday.

The Thundering Herd (14-14), coached by 2022-23 Penns Grove assistant Mark DiRugeris, had three scorers in double figures, led by Troy Lindsay’s 15 points. 

NO. 9 PENNS GROVE 54, NO. 8 WOODBURY 46
PENNS GROVE (11-14) – Brandon Robbins 1 0-2 2, Roman Gipson 1 0-1 2, Giomar Conrad 8 3-6 21, Karon Ceaser 3 3-9 9, Willie Slocum 0 0-0 0, Mekhi Ballard 3 4-4 13, Camron Thompson 2 1-2 5, Luis Colon 0 0-0 0, Mr Peterson 1 0-0 2, Jameel Horace 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 11-24 54.
WOODBURY (14-14) – Jasuan Solomon 6 0-0 12, Dorian Dunbar 2 0-0 4, R.J. Heigler 4 3-4 12, Troy Lindsay 7 0-2 15, Amoro Sacko 1 0-0 3, Isaiah Duleavy 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 3-6 46.

Penns Grove10141317 –54
Woodbury1411129 –46
3-point goals: Penns Grove 5 (Conrad 2, Ballard 3); Woodbury 3 (Heigler, Lindsay, Sacko). Technical fouls: Slocum. Fouled out: Slocum, Dunbar. Total fouls: Penns Grove 13, Woodbury 21.

SALEM 82, NEW EGYPT 52: This is the time of the year when a team’s seniors and top players are expected to step up and deliver.

New Egypt rallied in the third quarter to make it a two point game, but the Rams pulled away with a 31-point fourth quarter. Anthony Farmer had 11 of his game-high 29, including 5-for-5 from the foul line, in the fourth quarter. Paul Weathers and Jabez DeJesus combined for 11 in the quarter.

Weathers finished with another double-double, 18 points and 11 rebounds. DeJesus had nine points and seven rebounds. Tymear Lecator had eight points and eight assists.

“Any coach will tell you wins are hard to come by,” Salem coach Anthony Farmer said. “You never want to take them for granted; you can’t get complacent. That’s something that’s hard to teach young kids who think that because they look better on paper or the record may be better, but, man if you don’t bring it you can lose. We’re happy to get another win. Survive and advance.”

New Egypt14729 11 –52
Salem16181831 –83

WILDWOOD 46, WOODSTOWN 25: The fourth-seeded Warriors held Woodstown scoreless in the second quarter and to only 15 points in the second half.

Jordan Fusik led Wildwood with 12 points. Brian Cunniff and Junior Hans added 11 each. Blake Bialecki led the Wolverines with 11 points.

NO. 4 WILDWOOD 46, NO. 13 WOODSTOWN 25
WOODSTOWN (11-13) – Blake Bialecki 4 0-0 11, M.J. Hall 2 0-0 4, Max Webb 0 0-2 0, Garrett Leyman 1 0-0 2, Rocco String 1 0-0 2, Manny Ortega 0 0-0 0, Alejandro Vazquez 0 1-2 1, Anthony Bokolas 1 1-2 3, Connor Sanderson 0 2-4 2, Zaire Caesar 0 0-0 0, Elijah Caesar 0 0-0 0, Lucas Fulmer 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 4-12 25.
WILDWOOD (15-12) – Brian Cunniff 4 3-4 11, Junior Hans 4 1-4 11, Jordan Fusik 4 0-0 12, Ryan Troiano 3 0-1 6, Lukas Basile 1 0-0 3, Harley Buscham 1 0-0 2, James Wyers 0 1-2 1, Josh Pintella 0 0-0 0, Jordan Dozier 0 0-0 0, Nolan Mawhinney 0 0-0 0, Trevor Troiano 0 0-0 0, R.J. Blanda 0 0-0 0, Vinny Sweeney 0 0-0 0, Gianni Troiano 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 5-11 46.

Woodstown (11-13)10069 –25
Wildwood (15-12)177157 –46
3-point goals: Woodstown 3 (Bialecki 3); Wildwood 7 (Hans 2, Fusik 4, Basile).

Eagles keep it going

Pennsville girls turn up defense in fourth quarter to keep their season going and their coach around a while longer

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
THURSDAY’S GAMES
No. 1 Woodbury 81, No. 16 Salem 26
No. 8 Pennsville 59, No. 9 Gateway 55
No. 12 Penns Grove 48, No. 5 Palmyra 37
No. 4 Woodstown 67, No. 13 Cape May Tech 28
No. 3 Maple Shade 32, No. 14 Pitman 18
No. 6 Audubon 44, No. 11 Clayton 30
No. 7 Glassboro 74, No. 10 Burlington City 28
No. 2 Wildwood 77, No. 15 Paulsboro 27
TUESDAY’S GAMES
No. 8 Pennsville at No. 1 Woodbury
No. 12 Penns Grove at No. 4 Woodstown
No. 6 Audubon at No. 3 Maple Shade
No. 7 Glassboro at No. 2 Wildwood

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Sam Trapp was waiting at the end of the line to give each one of her starters their special handshake like she always does during the pregame introductions. When she got to Bella Farina’s turn to come through, the Pennsville girls basketball coach raised her arms as if to place a crown on her senior center’s head.

Before Farina could get away, she whispered to her coach a comment that brought a tear to Trapp’s eye.

“This isn’t going to be the last time.”

When the game ended, the coach raced out to midcourt to embrace her senior and delivered a message of her own.

“We’re not done yet.”

The Trapp farewell tour extended for at least one more game Thursday night after the eighth-seeded Eagles rallied to beat Gateway 59-55 in the opening round of the South Jersey Group I tournament.

The win sends the Eagles (14-13) to top-seeded Woodbury for a quarterfinals matchup Tuesday. It also guarantees Trapp a .500 record in her final season with the Eagles. Late last month she announced she was stepping down at the end of the season to become to new athletics director at Triton Regional.

“I’m ecstatic,” Trapp said. “(Pennsville athletics director) Jamy (Thomas) and I have a little inside joke that he calls me ‘Doc Rivers’ because I didn’t make it out of the first round last year. I had to prove a point.

“But moreso I wanted to prove to these girls just how good they are. I think sometimes they can doubt themselves, get down on themselves, but they’re so much better than they even know they really truly are. 

“They showed it. They played so well together tonight and they worked so hard together at the end and they found a way to win it. That’s what we continue to do. We found a way to win it and we continue to work together. I love it.”

The Eagles are 8-4 since Trapp revealed her plans to the players after their Jan. 26 game with Haddon Heights. The remaining time they have with their coach was very much on the players’ minds during the game. And for a while in the second half it looked as if their run together would end in Trapp’s final game on her home floor.

The Eagles trailed the Gators by nine late in the third quarter, but about that time Trapp implored her players to “pick it up on defense” and that suggestion was all it took to flip the switch.

They went to the half-court press at the start of the fourth quarter and it produced a 14-0 run that was part of a larger 18-3 spree that put them up six with 2:40 to play. The 14-0 run started with three straight steals – one by Taylor Bass and two by Farina – that were quickly converted into points. 

There were five takeaway altogether in the spree, three missed shots and a held ball that went in Pennsville’s favor. Nora Ausland provided 10 of the points when they converted.

“I know she’s sad about it being her last home game and I just didn’t want it to add the pressure of being her last game ever here,” Ausland said. “That was definitely a factor in trying to win this game.“

“It’s always a good feeling knowing you go from kind of dead to so much energy and you get that comeback and that win,” Bass said. “I definitely think we deserved it.”

“I think we all played really hard today for her and our seniors,” Marley Wood said. “Bella’s a big part of our team and we didn’t want it to be her last game, either.”

The flurry might have gotten them the lead, but the Eagles still had work to do. The Gators got within two on Angie Zagone’s 3-pointer with 25 seconds left and then one on two Zagone free throws with 12.6 seconds left. 

Wood hit the first of two free throws with 11.7 left. She missed the second and Pennsville lost the rebound out of bounds at 9.8. Gateway’s Bella Fini drove into traffic trying to get the tying basket and maybe a foul, but Bass knocked the ball away and was fouled when she collected it.

She hit two free throws with 2.5 seconds left to seal it.

“There was definitely a lot of feelings involved (going to the line),” Bass said. “We definitely wanted this win to carry on. We went out first round last year. We wanted to come back, prove that we’re better. We haven’t had the best season statistically because we lost all of our players, but tonight proved we’re better.”

Ausland (21) and Wood combined for 41 points to lead Pennsville’s offense. Bass had 11. Zagone led all scorers with 27 points to finish her career as the Gators’ second all-time leading scorer. 

NO. 8 PENNSVILLE 59, NO. 9 GATEWAY 55
GATEWAY (16-10) – Tabby Bay 0 0-0 0, Gabby Gasis 2 0-0 6, Sydney Hughes 0 0-2 0, Angelina Zagone 8 8-12 27, Molly Sholders 8 0-0 16, Bella Fini 2 2-3 6. Totals 20 10-17 55.
PENNSVILLE (14-13) – Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Nora Ausland 7 5-7 21, Taylor Bass 4 3-3 11, Sofia Belitsas 0 0-0 0, Karsen Cooksey 0 0-0 0, Bella Farina 2 3-4 7, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0 Izzy Saulin 0 0-0 0, Marley Wood 7 4-10 20. Totals 20 15-24 59.

Gateway8191612 –55
Pennsville11131421 – 59
3-point goals: Gateway 5 (Gasis 2, Zagone 3); Pennsville 4 (N. Ausland 2, Wood 2). Total fouls: Gateway 15, Pennsville 14.
Pennsville’s Taylor Bass is about to corral a ball she knocked away in traffic and sink two free throws to seal her team’s South Jersey Group I tournament win over Gateway. On the cover, outgoing Eagles coach Sam Trapp hugs center Bella Farina after securing the victory to extend their season.

WOODSTOWN 67, CAPE MAY TECH 28: It took the Wolverines a quarter to shake off the rust of not playing for eight days, but once they settled in, they got back to playing in a manner to which they are accustomed. It was a four-point game after one quarter, then the home team steadily pulled away.

Cape May Tech came out in a triangle-and-two against Woodstown’s Talia Battavio and Megan Donelson, but as other teams have discovered throughout the season, the Wolverines have a lot of weapons at their disposal.

Battavio and Donelson once again were their leading scorers with 18 and 16, respectively, but the Wolverines got 13 from post Shannon Pierman and sophomore Lauren Hengel gave them a career-high 10 off the bench.

“We have solid players who step up when our leading scorers get taken out in the offense,” Woodstown coach Kara Straughn said. 

Hengel has scored 16 points in her last two games after scoring 37 in her previous 21 games this season. 

“She’s just put in a lot of work; she wants so badly to elevate her game,” Straughn said. “She’s going to be a good player and I think games like the last two are starting to give her a little more confidence. She plays well on both ends of the floor and she wants to be good, which helps a lot.”

The Wolverines (18-6) now host Penns Grove in a second-round game Tuesday, but first they’ll try to complete a third-straight undefeated TCC Diamond Division slate Friday against Overbrook.

NO. 4 WOODSTOWN 67, NO. 13 CAPE MAY TECH 28
CAPE MAY TECH (10-17) – Amanda Daino 3 1-6 7, Emma Drumm 5 2-7 14, Anna Delaney 3 0-0 7, Marley Wetzel 0 0-0 0, Emma Oravits 0 0-0 0, Marisa Daniels 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 3-13 28.
WOODSTOWN (18-6) – Talia Battavio 7 1-2 18, Megan Donelson 5 5-5 16, Gianna Maiorini 0 1-2 1, Alyssa Baber 2 0-0 5, Shannon Pierman 5 3-3 13, Lauren Hengel 4 2-2 10, Emma Perry 2 0-0 4, Brae DiGregirio 0 0-0 0, Lizzy Daly 0 0-0 0, Jala Thomas 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 12-14 67. 

Cape May Tech14446 –28
Woodstown18162112 –67
3-point goals: Cape May Tech 3 (Drumm 2, Delaney); Woodstown 5 (Baber, Donelson, Battavio 3). Rebounds: Woodstown 27 (Pierman 8, Perry 6). Assists: Woodstown 19 (Pierman 6, Battavio 5, Donelson 4).

PENNS GROVE 48, PALMYRA 37: The 5-12 games in the NCAA Tournament tend to produce the most upsets and it did in the South Jersey Group I girls tournament Thursday.

RaNiyah Wilson scored 30 points for the third time this season and led the 12th-seeded Lady Devils (14-9) to their seventh win in the last eight games and the only opening-round win among the bracket’s road teams.

Earlier this season, her first with the Lady Devils since transferring from Kingsway, Wilson went for 33 against Woodstown and 30 against Salem. She is averaging nearly 17 points a game.

Penns Grove now travels to Woodstown for its third meeting of the season with the Wolverines in Tuesday’s second round.

NO. 12 PENNS GROVE 48, NO. 5 PALMYRA 37
PENNS GROVE (14-9) – Meely Horace 1 0-0 2, RaNiyah Wilson 12 5-10 30, Brianna Robbins 2 1-4 5, JaNiyah Cummings 3 1-2 7, Zoey Caesar 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 7-16 48.
PALMYRA (16-9) – Kiley Hines 1 0-0 2, Cadence Anderson 8 7-8 24, Anna Paszkiewicz 1 0-0 2, Amanda Gilmore 1 0-0 2, Angelina Sauls 1 1-2 4, Ava Sims 1 0-0 3. Totals 13 8-10 37.

Penns Grove7111218 –48
Palmyra127108 – 37
3-point goals: Penns Grove 1 (Wilson); Palmyra 3 (Anderson, Sauls, Sims).

WOODBURY 81, SALEM 26: The Thundering Herd (17-10) flexed their muscle as the top seed and held Salem scoreless in the first quarter. Maya Braxton-Young led four Herd scorers in double figures with 23 points.

Ava Rodgers led Salem (8-16) with eight points and nine rebounds. Ryann Foote had six points, seven rebounds and six steals. Marjziah Bundy didn’t score, but had six rebounds and four blocked shots.

The Herd, which was 2-7 at one point this season, now hosts eighth-seeded Pennsville in Tuesday’s second round.

NO. 1 WOODBURY 81, NO. 16 SALEM 26
SALEM (8-16) – Ryann Foote 3-1-6, Ava Rodgers 4-0-8, Nevaeh Hickman 2-0-5, Zaniyah Freison 1-0-2, Ameriyona Hunter 2-0-5, Marjziah Bundy 0-0-0, Lyric Hayes 0-0-0. Totals 11-1-26.
WOODBURY (17-10) – Nyla Ivey 2-2-10, Janessa Robinson 2-0-4, Abby Bash 3-1-8, Dasani Talley-Dorman 4-4-12, Melannie Noel 6 0-0 14, Zoe Bell 1-0-2, Maya Braxton-Young 8-7-23, Emerald Sills 3-2-8. Totals 29-16-81.

Salem01196 –26
Woodbury3125178 –81
3-point goals: Salem 3 (Foote, Hickman, Hunter); Woodbury 3 (Bash, Noel 2). Rebounds: Salem 35 (Rodgers 9, Foote 7).


Salem County spring

Here is the day-by-day 2024 spring sports schedules for high school and college teams in Salem County; to include or update your schedule, email al.muskewitz@gmail.com; all games 4 p.m. unless noted; x-scrimmage

SALEM COUNTY DAY-BY-DAY

MARCH 1
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Ocean CC at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

MARCH 2
BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Girls Championship
South Jersey Group I Boys Championship
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Ocean CC (2), noon

MARCH 3
INDOOR TRACK
NJSIAA Meet of Champions

MARCH 4
COLLEGE BASEBALL 
Salem CC vs. Cairn JV at Myrtle Beach, 9 p.m.

MARCH 5
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC vs. Penn State Kensington (MB), 7:30 p.m.

MARCH 6
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC vs. Rochester C&T (MB), 2 p.m.
Salem CC vs. DuPage (MB), 6:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC vs. Southeastern (2) (MB), 1 p.m.

MARCH 7
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC vs. Muskegon CC (MB), 3 p.m.
Salem CC vs. Bay (MB), 6 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC vs. Fayetteville (2) (MB), noon

MARCH 8
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC vs. Rays Collegiate (MB), 11 a.m.
Salem CC vs. Manhattanville (MB), 4 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC vs. Harford (MB), 3 p.m.
Salem CC vs. Henry Ford (MB), 5 p.m.

MARCH 9
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC vs. Westmoreland County (2) (MB), 9 a.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC vs. Madison (MB), 9 a.m.
Salem CC vs. USC-Sumter (MB), 11 a.m.

MARCH 10
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC vs. Prairie (MB), 9 a.m.
Salem CC vs. Potomac State (MB), 11 a.m.

MARCH 12
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Delaware County CC, 3 p.m.

MARCH 14
Pi Day

MARCH 15
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Northampton CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Northampton CC at Salem CC (2), noon

MARCH 16
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Cecil (2), noon

MARCH 18
BOYS TENNIS
x-Mainland at Woodstown

MARCH 19
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Lehigh Carbon CC (2), 3 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
x-Schalick at Cumberland
x-Pennsville at St. Augustine

MARCH 20
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
SUNY-Orange at Salem CC (2), 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
x-West Deptford at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
x-Millville at Schalick

MARCH 21
BASEBALL
x-Woodstown at Clearview, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL
x-Cedar Creek at Schalick
x-Woodstown at Gloucester City
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland (2), 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Triton, Valley Brook CC
BOYS TENNIS
x-Woodstown at Palmyra

MARCH 22
BASEBALL
x-Pennsauken Tech at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
x-Kingsway at Woodstown
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Brookdale CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
x-Millville at Pennsville, 4 p.m.

MARCH 23
SOFTBALL
x-Pennsville at Buena
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Brookdale CC at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC (2), noon

MARCH 24
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Northampton at Salem CC (2), noon

MARCH 25
BASEBALL
x-Cumberland at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
x-Millville at Schalick
SOFTBALL
x-Pennsville at GCIT
BOYS TENNIS
x-St. Augustine at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at OLMA
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Millville at Woodstown

MARCH 26
BASEBALL
x-Pleasantville at Penns Grove
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Lehigh Carbon CC, 3 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC (2), 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Schalick at Gateway
x-Woodstown at Millville
TRACK
Camden Co. Tech at Pennsville

MARCH 27
BASEBALL
x-Cumberland at Schalick
x-Deptford at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL
x-Cumberland at Schalick
x-Deptford at Woodstown
x-Paulsboro at Pennsville
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Lehigh Carbon CC at Salem CC, noon
GOLF
Pennsville vs. Gloucester Catholic, Westwood GC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
x-Pennsville at Delsea, 3:45 p.m.

MARCH 28
BASEBALL
x-Clayton at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
x-Penns Grove at Clayton
GOLF
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL

MARCH 29
BASEBALL
x-Paulsboro at Schalick
SOFTBALL
Millville at Pennsville
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Sussex (2), 1 p.m.
GOLF
Woodstown at Delran, Golden Pheasant GC

MARCH 30
BASEBALL
x-Woodstown vs. GCIT, Deptford MS, 10 a.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
x-Washington Twp. at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at Absegami, 10 a.m.

APRIL 1
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Schalick at Woodstown
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Schalick at Woodstown
GIRLS GOLF
Delsea vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown

APRIL 2
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Clayton
SOFTBALL
Clearview at Woodstown
OLMA at Schalick
Pennsville at Clayton
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Mercer County CC, 3 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Mercer County CC (2), 3 p.m.
GOLF
Washington Twp. girls at Schalick, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick boys vs. West Deptford, River Winds GC
Pennsville vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOYS TENNIS
Cunberland at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.

APRIL 3
BASEBALL
Schalick at Millville
SOFTBALL
Ocean City at Woodstown
TRACK
Pennsville at Glassboro
Schalick at Woodstown
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Paul VI, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Clearview at Woodstown
BOYS TENNIS
Middle Twp. at Pennsville

APRIL 4
BASEBALL
Salem at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Pitman at Schalick
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Salem
Woodstown at Penns Grove
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC (2), 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Schalick boya vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC
Pennsville vs. West Deptford, Riverwinds GC, 3:30 p.m.
TRACK
Schalick at Pennsville
BOYS TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.

APRIL 5
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Schalick at Clearview
COLLEGE BASEBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Pennsville vs. Penns Grove, Sakima GC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Delsea at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Haddon Heights
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Paul VI

APRIL 6
BASEBALL
Schalick at Gloucester City, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Cedar Creek, 11 a.m.
SOFTBALL
Camden Catholic at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Raritan Valley at Salem CC (2), noon
TRACK
Pennsville at Deptford Twp. Relays, 9 a.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Washington Twp. at Woodstown, 10 a.m.

APRIL 7
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Middlesex (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Bucks (2), 1 p.m.

APRIL 8
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Salem
Schalick at Clayton
Woodstown at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Schalick
Pennsville at Woodstown
Salem at Penns Grove
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run GC
Overbrook vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL, 3:30 p.m.
Pennsville boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Triton at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Clayton at Penns Grove
Delran at Schalick
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Cedar Creek, 2:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Haddonfield

APRIL 9
BASEBALL
Woodstown at Clayton
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Northampton (2), 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Pennsville vs. Clayton, Pitman CC, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick girls vs. Clearview, Westwood GC
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
TRACK
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Schalick at Glassboro

APRIL 10
BASEBALL
Gloucester at Woodstown
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Schalick at Glassboro
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Woodstown at Haddon Heights
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Montgomery County CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Bucks at Salem CC (2), 4:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.
Cumberland at Pennsville
Schalick at Overbrook
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at West Deptford

APRIL 11
BASEBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
Woodstown at Cumberland
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Vineland, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Millville
GOLF
Pennsville vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick girls vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Mainland

APRIL 12
BASEBALL
Delsea at Pennsville
Schalick at Haddon Heights
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Delsea
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Bergen CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Millville vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Pitman at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Delsea, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Wildwood
Schalick at Clayton
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Haddon Heights

APRIL 13
BASEBALL
Woodstown at West Deptford, 10 a.m.
Schalick at Paulsboro
SOFTBALL
West Deptford at Pennsville
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Bergen CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Morris at Salem CC (2), noon
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Egg Harbor Twp., 10 a.m.
TRACK
Pennsville at West Deptford Relays, 9 a.m.

APRIL 14
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Cecil at Salem CC (2), noon

APRIL 15
BASEBALL
Woodstown at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Buena at Schalick
Pennsville at Paulsboro
GOLF
OLMA vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Wildwood boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
Deptford at Schalick
GIRLS LACROSSE
Eastern at Woodstown

APRIL 16
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Schalick
Wildwood at Pennsville
Woodstown at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Cumberland, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove
Schalick at Glassboro
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Williamstown

APRIL 17
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Millville
SOFTBALL
Williamstown at Woodstown
GOLF
Kingsway girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Schalick boys vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC
Woodstown vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:30 p.m.
TRACK
Overbrook at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Delran at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Vineland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Kingsway at Woodstown

APRIL 18
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Pennsville
Schalick at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Pitman
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Wildwood, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick
GOLF
Penns Grove vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL, 3:30 p.m.
Overbrook vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:45 p.m.

APRIL 19
BASEBALL
Gloucester City at Schalick
Wildwood at Woodstown
Williamstown at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
Schalick at Gloucester City
Woodstown at Wildwood
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Camden CC, 3 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Overbrook, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Millville
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Egg Harbor Twp.

APRIL 20
BASEBALL
Schalick at Eastern, 10 a.m.
Pitman at Woodstown, 11 a.m.
Pennsville in Oakcrest Tournament
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Camden CC at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna (2), noon
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Lower Cape May, 10 a.m.

APRIL 21
BASEBALL
Pennsville in Oakcrest Tournament
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Ocean at Salem CC (2), noon

APRIL 22
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Glassboro
Pitman at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Clayton
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Pitman
Woodstown at Clayton
GOLF
Williamstown girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Overbrook boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 3:30 p.m.
TRACK
Overbrook at Schalick, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Clayton at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Schalick at Pitman
BOYS LACROSSE
Oakcrest at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Clearview, 6 p.m.

APRIL 23
BASEBALL
Schalick at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Hammonton
West Deptford at Woodstown
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Luzerne County CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Kingsway at Woodstown
TRACK
Woodstown at Pennsville

APRIL 24
BASEBALL
Clayton at Pennsville
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Audubon
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Glassboro
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Montgomery County CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Washington Twp., Wedgewood CC
Woodstown vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Wildwood at Schalick

APRIL 25
BASEBALL
Delran at Woodstown, 4:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Camden CC at Salem CC (2), 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Pennsville vs. Triton, Valleybrook CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Bridgeton at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Sterling

APRIL 26
BASEBALL
Mainland Coaches vs. Cancer
Schalick vs. Cape May Tech
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Union at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Bergen (2), 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Haddonfield at Woodstown

APRIL 27
BASEBALL
Woodstown at Haddonfield, 10 a.m.
SOFTBALL
Woodstown at Williamstown, 9 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Union (2), noon

APRIL 28
BASEBALL
Mainland Coaches vs. Cancer
Pennsville vs Cedar Creek, 9 a.m.

APRIL 29
BASEBALL
Wildwood at Schalick
SOFTBALL
Schalick at Wildwood
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Delaware County CC at Salem CC, 3 p.m.
GOLF
Clearview girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Clearview vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Washington Twp. at Schalick

APRIL 30
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Anne Arundel CC (2), 2 p.m.
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Delsea, White Oaks CC
BOYS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Wildwood at Schalick

MAY 1
BASEBALL
Bridgeton at Schalick, Elmer LL, 6 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Schalick at Cumberland
BOYS TENNIS
Schalick at GCIT
TRACK
Penns Grove at Woodstown

MAY 2
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Pleasantville
GOLF
Pennsville, Schalick, Woodstown in Carl Arena Tournament, Valleybrook CC, 8 a.m.

MAY 3
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Cedar Creek vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.

MAY 4
COLLEGE BASEBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC (2), noon
TRACK
Pennsville in SJTCA Meet, Rancocas Valley, 1 p.m.

MAY 6
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Woodstown at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Glassboro
GOLF
GCIT vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Glassboro at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Triton, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Bridgeton

MAY 7
SOFTBALL
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic
GOLF
Schalick boys vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 6:30 p.m.

MAY 8
BASEBALL
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Schalick
Wildwood at Pennsville
Woodstown at Overbrook
GOLF
Cumberland girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Northern Burlington boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 4:15 p.m.
Middle Twp. vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 4:30 p.m.
TRACK
Salem County Championships, Pennsville, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Delsea at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Pitman, 3:45 p.m.
Clayton at Schalick
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Kingsway, 6 p.m.

MAY 9
BASEBALL
Woodstown vs. Schalick, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Woodstown vs. Schalick, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m.
GOLF
Schalick vs. Deptford, Pitman GC
BOYS TENNIS
Clearview at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Woodstown
Williamstown at Penns Grove

MAY 10
BASEBALL
Haddon Heights at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Clayton
Woodstown at Salem
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Overbrook
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Woodstown
Wildwood at Penns Grove
GOLF
Woodbury vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick girls vs. OLMA, White Oaks CC
BOYS LACROSSE
Clearview at Woodstown
BOYS TENNIS
GCIT at Pennsville

MAY 11
BASEBALL
Lee Ware Tournament
Woodstown vs. Cherry Hill East
Paulsboro vs. Camden Catholic
GIRLS LACROSSE
Lower Cape May at Woodstown, 10 a.m.

MAY 13
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Salem
Schalick at Cumberland
SOFTBALL
ACIT at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
Woodstown at Cinnaminson
GOLF
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick
BOYS TENNIS
Cinnaminson at Schalick
Pennsville at West Deptford
Woodstown at Clearview
BOYS LACROSSE
Egg Harbor Twp. at Woodstown

MAY 14
BASEBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Pitman
Woodstown at Glassboro
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Overbrook at Schalick
Pitman at Pennsville
BOYS TENNIS
Buena at Woodstown
Glassboro at Schalick
GIRLS LACROSSE
Mainland at Woodstown

MAY 15
BASEBALL
Buena at Woodstown
GOLF
Schalick vs. Kingsway, River Winds GC
BOYS TRACK
Tri-County Showcase, Delsea, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Schalick at Triton
Woodstown at Pitman

MAY 16
BASEBALL
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Schalick
Wildwood at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Salem
GOLF
Schalick vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC
BOYS TENNIS
Wildwood at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove

MAY 17
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Pennsville
Woodstown at Penns Grove
Delran at Schalick, 4:15 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Woodstown
GOLF
Pennsville at Delran, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Overbrook at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.

MAY 18
GIRLS LACROSSE
West Deptford at Woodstown, 10 a.m.

MAY 20
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at West Deptford
GOLF
Salem-Cumberland County Tournament, Centerton CC, 8 a.m.
Haddon Heights vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Deptford Twp. at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick

MAY 21
TRACK
Pennsville at Schalick, 3:30 p.m.

MAY 23
BASEBALL
NJSIAA Round 1

MAY 28
GOLF
Tri-County Conference Showcase, Pitman GC, 8 a.m.

MAY 29
BASEBALL
NJSIAA Round 2

MAY 31
BASEBALL
NJSIAA Round 3
TRACK
NJSIAA Sectionals, Pennsauken

This week’s schedule

Here is the sports schedule for teams in Salem County for the week of Feb. 19-24

Monday

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Men
Camden County College at Salem CC, 6 p.m.

Tuesday

BASKETBALL
Boys
Wildwood at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m.
Girls
LEAP Academy at Salem, 5:30 p.m.

BOWLING
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
Boys Quarterfinals
Maple Shade at Gloucester, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Camden Catholic, Westbrook Lanes4 p.m.
Doane Academy at Clayton, 4 p.m.

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II TOURNAMENT
Boys Quarterfinals
Cinnaminson at Manchester Twp., 3 p.m.
Pennsauken Tech at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Medford Tech at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Girls Quarterfinals
Salem Tech at Manchester Tech, 3 p.m.
Pemberton at Barnegat, 3 p.m.

Wednesday

BOWLING
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
Boys semifinals
Maple Shade-Gloucester winner at Donovan Catholic, 3 p.m.
Girls semifinals
Salem at New Egypt, Thunderbowl Lanes, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday

BASKETBALL
Girls
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
No. 16 Salem at No. 1 Woodbury, 5:30 p.m.
No. 9 Gateway at No. 8 Pennsville, 5:30 p.m.
No. 12 Penns Grove at No. 5 Palmyra, 4 p.m.
No. 13 Cape May Tech at No. 4 Woodstown, 5:30 p.m.
No. 14 Pitman at No. 3 Maple Shade, 5:30 p.m.
No. 11 Clayton at No. 6 Audubon, 4 p.m.
No. 10 Burlington City at No. 7 Glassboro, 3:30 p.m.
No. 15 Paulsboro at No. 2 Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Boys
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
No. 16 Burlington City at No. 1 KIPP Cooper Academy, 6 p.m.
No. 9 Penns Grove at No. 8 Woodbury, 4 p.m.
No. 12 LEAP Academy at No. 5 Audubon, 5:30 p.m.
No. 13 Woodstown at No. 4 Wildwood, 6 p.m.
No. 14 New Egypt at No. 3 Salem, 5 p.m.
No. 11 Riverside at No. 6 Glassboro, 5:15 p.m.
No. 10 Paulsboro at No. 7 Palmyra, 5 p.m.
No. 15 Pennsville at No. 2 Pitman, 5:30 p.m.

Friday

BASKETBALL
Girls
Overbrook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.

BOWLING
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II TOURNAMENT
Boys semifinals
Manchester Twp. at Seneca
Salem Tech at Overbrook

WRESTLING
Region tournaments

Saturday

BOWLING
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II TOURNAMENT
Boys championship at Laurel Lanes

WRESTLING
Region tournaments

District wrestling

Woodstown district champion Hyland among 15 Salem County wrestlers advancing to region tournaments

By Riverview Sports News

Woodstown sophomore Greyson Hyland won a district championship Saturday to lead a group of 15 Salem County wrestlers from two districts advancing to region wrestling championships.

Hyland scored a 6-1 decision over Gateway/Woodbury’s Brandon Bourdon to win the 175 division in District 31. Hyland won his first two matches by major decision and decision. Bourdon pinned his first two opponents.

Woodstown advanced seven wrestlers to the regionals. Travis Balback (120), Alex Torres (132), Zach Bevis (165) and Mateo Vinciguerra (215) were district runnerups.

Schalick/Cumberland advanced five wrestlers. Daniel Lloyd (138) and Ayden Jenkins (144) were district runnerups.

Pennsville advanced two wrestlers with Sky Eppes (150) finishing second at 150.

Penns Grove’s Clinton Bobo advanced out of District 29 as runnerup in 175. 

DISTRICT 31
TEAM SCORES: Delsea 287, Gateway/Woodbury 153, Schalick/Cumberland 125, Woodstown 121.5, Vineland 89, Pennsville 62, Millville 50, Buena 27, Cedar Creek 26, Gloucester Catholic 18.

REGION QUALIFIERS
106: Greyson Pettit, Delsea; Josh Kinchen, Vineland; Caleb Jenkins, Schalick/Cumberland.
113: Amari Vann, Delsea; Christian Snyder, Gateway/Woodbury; DeAnthony Harden, Schalick/Cumberland
120: Gage Summers, Delsea; Travis Balback, Woodstown; Aidan Barbato, Gateway/Cumberland.
126: Blaise Verdino, Delsea; Dante Gismondi, Gateway/Woodbury; Patrick Tull, Millville.
132: Zavier Stokes, Delsea; Alex Torres, Woodstown; Jayden Cinkowski, Vineland.
138: Chase Rossi, Gateway/Woodbury; Daniel Lloyd, Schalick/Cumberland; Matt Montalto-Summers, Delsea.
144: Michael Stokes, Delsea; Ayden Jenkins, Schalick/Cumberland; Brett Rowand, Woodstown.
150: Jamar Dixon, Delsea; Sky Eppes, Pennsville; Noah Ubil, Gateway.
157: Andres Cortes, Gateway/Woodbury; Charlie Muzzarelli, Buena; Lionel Powell, Vineland.
165: Riley Boos, Delsea; Zach Bevis, Woodstown; Donte Nocito, Gateway/Woodbury.
175: Greyson Hyland, Woodstown; Brandon Bourdon, Gateway/Woodbury; Noah Cruz, Vineland.
190: Salvatore Marchese, Delsea; Aamir Dunbar, Cedar Creek; Elias Lussi, Pennsville.
215: Alex Grippo, Delsea; Mateo Vinciguerra, Woodstown; Jayden Jones, Millville.
285: Jose Berrios, Delsea; Marcus Offer, Millville; Frank Leon-Keenan, Gloucester Catholic.

DISTRICT 29
TEAM SCORES: Washington Twp. 246, Kingsway 216, Clearview 144.5, Pennsauken 114.5, Deptford 64, Pitman 58, Clayton/Glassboro 48.5, Penns Grove 40, Lindenwold 10.

REGION QUALIFIERS
106: Jason Meola, Kingsway; Dylan Hetzel, Washington Twp.; Carter Greco, Clearview.
113: Colton Hagerty, Washington Twp.; Ryan Preziosi, Kingsway; Eoin Curran, Deptford.
120: Christian Hoopes, Washington Twp.; Lucas Silvestre, Pennsauken; Brady McCollough, Clearview.
126: Ramon Alfonso Arroyo, Kingsway; Adriano Platt, Pitman; Anthony Morales, Clearview.
132: Conrad Raynor, Clayton/Glassboro; Aiden Hardy, Washington Twp.; Andrew Jamieson, Pennsauken.
138: Michael Horn, Washington Twp.; Elijah Beatty, Clearview; Jaylen Huertas, Deptford.
144: Tommy DiPietro, Kingsway; Stephen Borrelli, Clearview; Chaz Melton, Washington Twp.
150: Chase Helder, Kingsway; Jackson Hoopes, Washington Twp.; Kole Reiss, Clearview.
157: Benjamin Dryden, Kingsway; Raymond McFall, Washington Twp.; Tyler Trovato, Clearview.
165: Cole DeNick, Kingsway; Chase Rollins, Pitman; Adrian Alqutawna, Clearview.
175: Piotr Bochenski, Washington Twp.; Clinton Bobo, Penns Grove; Joseph Leone, Kingsway.
190: Luke Van Schenk Brill, Kingsway; Christopher Lamonthe, Pennsauken; Aaron Veytsman, Clearview.
215: Andrew Osborn, Washington Twp.; Kameron Hoskins, Pennsauken; Ryland Angel, Kingsway.
285: Luciana Mazzeo, Clayton/Glassboro; Mitchell Lando, Washington Twp.; Shane Davilla, Pennsauken.

Penns Grove falls short

Lady Devils fall to Glassboro in Tri-County Conference girls B Flight title game; Gloucester Catholic, Overbrook win other girls titles Friday, Timber Creek takes last boys crown

TRI-COUNTY CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
FRIDAY CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
GIRLS
A Flight
Gloucester Catholic 53, Clearview 46
B Flight
Glassboro 32, Penns Grove 26
C Flight
Overbrook 46, Cumberland 37
BOYS
A Flight
Timber Creek 62, Delsea 59

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

GLASSBORO – Kezia Brackett had confidence in her shot from the minute she stepped on the floor Friday.

The Glassboro freshman guard hit shot after shot in pre-game warmups, then carried it over to the game with three 3-pointers in the first half when they were the only shots her team was getting against Penns Grove.

Brackett hit four 3-pointers in the game and finished with 24 points as the Bulldogs took down the Lady Devils 32-26 for the girls B Flight title in the Tri-County Conference Tournament.

“I thought it was very important for me to make my shots,” Brackett said. “During warmups I was kind of hot, so once my coach realized I was hot during warmups, they were feeding me the ball instantly.

“They were playing really good defense, but once I came off that screen set by SiSi (Sianna Wedderburn), it was there.”

The second-seeded Bulldogs (16-7) were playing without injured 1,000-point scorer Tamia Smith, so they needed everyone else to pick up the slack. Brackett just took it all on. She hit two 3s in the first quarter, including one at the buzzer, to give her team a lead it never lost. She hit another in the second quarter and then opened the second half with a 3 to give her team its biggest lead of the game.

“We had a very big effort from Kezia today,” Glassboro coach Monte Willis said. “I said prior to the game one of the keys to the game was we had to be efficient. When we had an opportunity to knock down an open shot or hit an open layup, we had to make it count.”

The way both teams played defense made it difficult for either to get a lot of shots. They spent much of their time moving the ball around the arc looking for something to break.

Where the Lady Devils, seeded eighth in the flight, had the best of it in the closing minutes of their semifinal win over Pennsville, they didn’t have such luck Friday.

After RaNiyah Wilson’s layup drew them even at 22 with 7:47 left, the Lady Devils (13-9) only scored four more points in 19 possessions the rest of the game – a 3-pointer by Wilson and a free throw by Brianna Roberts. They hit only one of their last 15 shots and when they missed they rarely got a second chance.

“I just think we got beat on the boards; they beat us on the boards,” Penns Grove coach Jennifer Denby said. “Give credit to them. They were the better team.”

“We believe we’re a very good defensive team, too,” Willis said. “We believe we have the athletes on the outside to be able to man up on anybody. We just came out there and we just wanted it.”

TRI-COUNTY CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
GIRLS B FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
GLASSBORO 32, PENNS GROVE 26
PENNS GROVE (13-9) — RaNiyah Wilson 4 1-2 11, Meely Horace 1 0-0 3, Brianna Robbins 1 4-10 6, Zoey Caesar 3 0-2 6, Amani Taylor 0 0-0 0, Semijah Hines 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 5-14 26.
GLASSBORO (16-7) — Sanaa Thomas 0 5-10 5, Kezia Brackett 8 4-4 24, Kimora Miles 0 0-0 0, Anye Davis 0 0-0 0, Sianna Wedderburn 1 1-4 3, Scarlett Saicic 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 10-23 32.

Penns Grove5696 —26
Glassboro1057 10 —32
3-point goals: Penns Grove 3 (Wilson 2, Horace); Glassboro 4 (Brackett 4). Rebounds: Penns Grove 33 (Robbins 8, Caesar 7, Horace 7); Glassboro 31 (Wedderburn 12, Brackett 7). Technical fouls: Thomas. Total fouls: Penns Grove 15, Glassboro 13.

Cover photo: Glassboro’s Kezia Brackett (5) launches one of her 3-pointers against the defense of Penns Grove’s RaNiyah Wilson.

Winning the end game

Penns Grove holds up best down the stretch, edges Pennsville for a shot at the Tri-County B Flight championship

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – As the games increase in importance and intensity the deeper teams go in the season, it’s more important than ever they learn to handle their end-game business.

The Penns Grove girls did that the best Wednesday, winning the final two minutes of the game, and it earned them a 41-38 victory over Pennsville in the Tri-County Tournament B Flight semifinals.

The eighth-seeded Red Devils (13-8) now travel to second-seeded Glassboro for the B Flight championship presumably Friday, while Pennsville (12-13) will host Pitman in the third-place game Thursday at 4 p.m.

The game was tight throughout with neither team leading  by more than five points in the second half or by more than two for most of the fourth quarter. The lead changed hands on four straight possessions in the fourth until the Red Devils pulled away at the end.

Nora Ausland’s 3-pointer with 2:03 to play gave Pennsville a 36-35 lead, but it would be the last time the Eagles would lead in the game. Penns Grove scored the next six points – four from the free throw line – to seize the win.

“They did come through on that part,” Penns Grove coach Jennifer Denby said. “That last minute or so, clutch time, is showing them they can play. It should be giving them confidence at this time for the playoffs.”

The game was played under a heavy security presence in an effort to deter a repeat of last week’s game between the teams when the gym was cleared in the third quarter due to the unruliness of some fans. There were at least five Pennsville police officers in the gym, Penns Grove security personnel stationed at each end of the Red Devils’ bench and the athletics directors from both schools on hand. Five individuals reportedly were barred from attending the rematch.

The game went off without incident, even when things were at their most intense on the floor.

Brianna Robbins’ layup with 1:36 left put Penns Grove up for good 37-36. Pennsville traveled on the next possession and moments later had their calming influence Marley Wood foul out. RaNiyah Wilson missed a layup that would have extended the Red Devils’ lead, but the Eagles’ clearing pass went right to Zoey Caesar standing alone at the opposite free throw line for another turnover.

Penns Grove’s Meely Horace hit two free throws with 26 seconds left to make it 39-36. A scramble for a loose ball at the other end of the floor produced a held ball that went to Penns Grove and Wilson hit two more free throws with 13 seconds left to make it a five-point game.

Ausland made two free throws with one second left, but all they did was create the final margin.

“It was the difference today,” Pennsville coach Sam Trapp said of the end-game situation. “We went over these things yesterday. We talked about how to inbound, about changing, putting the pressure on them so they couldn’t just hold the basketball this time. 

“It is unfortunate that there were some costly mistakes, It’s high-pressure, it’s high-intensity, they’re going to make mistakes. Our biggest thing there was we didn’t foul quick enough to stop the clock enough to get the ball back. It’s a young team, they’re learning these situations, we’re teaching them in practice, and (today) will just help us learn them even better for the future and the playoffs starting next week.”

Penns Grove never trailed in the first half and led by as many as seven before Pennsville rallied. The Eagles took their first lead 22-20 on Ausland’s layup with 4:35 left in the third quarter, but the Red Devils retied it at 25 and it stayed tight the rest of the game.

Wilson (19) and Horace combined for 32 points for Penns Grove. Ausland led Pennsville with 12. 

Penns Grove has won six in a row since February began and seven of its last eight. The Red Devils won seven in a row in January last season.

PENNS GROVE 41, PENNSVILLE 38
PENNS GROVE (13-8) – RaNiyah Wilson 7 2-4 19, Meely Horace 5 2-2 13, Brianna Robbins 1 1-2 3, Zoey Caesar 1 0-0 2, Amani Taylor 1 0-0 2, JaNiyah Cummings 0 0-0 0, Arianna Dowe 1 0-0 2, Syanna Robbins 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 5-8 41.
PENNSVILLE (12-13) – Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Nora Ausland 4 3-5 12, Taylor Bass 2 1-2 5, Karsen Cooksey 0 0-0 0, Bella Farina 4 0-1 8, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0, Izzy Saulin 2 0-0 5, Marley Wood 3 2-4 8. Totals 15 6-12 38.

Penns Grove144914 –41
Pennsville7911 11 –38
3-point goals: Penns Grove 4 (Wilson 3, Horace); Pennsville 2 (N. Ausland, Saulin). Rebounds: Penns Grove 28 (Wilson 7, Robbins 8); Pennsville 28 (Bass 8, Saulin 7, Farina 7). Fouled out: Wood. Total fouls: Penns Grove 10, Pennsville 14.