Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Jan. 12-17
MONDAY, JAN. 12 BOYS BASKETBALL Clayton at Salem, 5:30 p.m. Overbrook at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m. Pennsville at Schalick, 5:30 p.m. Penns Grove at Glassboro, 5:30 p.m. Salem Tech at Wildwood, 5:30 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Glassboro at Penns Grove, 4 p.m. Salem at Clayton, 5:30 p.m. Schalick at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m. Wildwood at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m. Woodstown at Overbrook, 5:30 p.m. SWIMMING Schalick vs. Millville, YMCA of Vineland, 3 p.m. INDOOR TRACK Salem at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island, 4:30 p.m. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Salem CC at Hagerstown, 5:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, JAN. 13 WRESTLING Salem, Holy Spirit at Atlantic City, 4:30 p.m. Woodstown at Schalick, 5 p.m. Penns Grove at Cumberland, 6 p.m. Pitman at Pennsville, 6 p.m. BOWLING Salem vs. GCIT at Bolero Lanes, 4 p.m. Salem Tech vs. Kingsway at Westbrook Lanes COLLEGE BASKETBALL RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14 BOYS BASKETBALL DuPont at Salem, 5:30 p.m. Pennsville at Penns Grove, 5:30 p.m. Pitman at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m. Schalick at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Penns Grove at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m. Salem Tech at Pitman, 5:30 p.m. Woodstown at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, JAN. 15 GIRLS BASKETBALL Medford Tech at Salem Tech, 4 p.m. Pennsville at Camden Catholic, 5:30 p.m. Salem at Wildwood, 5:30 p.m. WRESTLING Salem at Palmyra, 5:30 p.m. Penns Grove at Clayton, 6 p.m. Schalick at Pennsville, 6 p.m. SWIMMING Woodstown vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 5:45 p.m. Schalick vs. Pitman at GCIT, 7:15 p.m. Salem vs. Deptford at GCIT, 7:15 p.m. INDOOR TRACK State Relays at Bennett Center, Toms River, 4:30 p.m. BOWLING Salem Tech vs. Clayton, Wood Lanes, 3:45 p.m. Salem vs. Gloucester Catholic, Westbrook Lanes, 4 p.m. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Salem CC at Northampton, 7 p.m. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Harcum at Salem CC, 5 p.m.
FRIDAY, JAN. 16 BOYS BASKETBALL Buena at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m. Gloucester Catholic at Penns Grove, 5:30 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Lindenwold at Schalick, 4 p.m. Paulsboro at Penns Grove, 4 p.m. Salem at Cumberland, 5:30 p.m. WRESTLING Girls Jamboree at Buena, 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, JAN. 17 BOYS BASKETBALL Penns Grove at Eastern, 10 a.m. Schalick at Haddon Twp., 10 a.m. Woodstown at Cedar Creek, 11:30 a.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Woodstown at Delsea, 11:30 a.m. WRESTLING Woodstown at Buena Quad Penns Grove, Overbrook, Pitman at Salem, 9 a.m. Pennsville, Collingswood, Vineland at Sterling, 10 a.m. Schalick, Haddon Twp., Pemberton at Deptford, 10 a.m. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Passaic at Salem CC, 2 p.m. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Middlesex at Salem CC, noon
3-point goals: Woodstown 5 (Hengel 2, Young 2, Waterman); Haddonfield 6 (Mulligan, Kadar, Guveiyian, Langel 2, Sinnes).
Wrestling
BUENA QUAD SCHALICK 66, BUENA 10 106: John Sutton (B) pinned Victor Fenske, 4:27 113: Nicholas Latona (S) pinned Alex Alicia, 1:23 120: E’Shion Underwood (S) pinned Logan Cossaboon, 0:32 126: Caleb Jenkins (S) won by forfeit 132: Jacob Potts (S) pinned Eric Aparicio, 0:08 138: Thomas Hann (B) maj. dec. Coliin Bittle, 12-4 144: Michael Baisch (S) pinned Zach Cohen, 5:45 150: Mason Hollywood (S) dec. Donato Vai, 7-1 157: Ayden Jenkins (S) pinned Gage Forvour, 0:37 165: Anthony Deaver (S) pinned Billy Haslam, 0:37 175: Ricky Watt (S) tech fall over Matt Cohen, 18-2 (1:56) 190: Evan Elliott (S) pinned Larry Spellman, 0:28 215: James Cook (S) maj. dec. Anthony Trainor, 9-1 285: Ezequiel Garcia-Cruz (S) pinned Mason Zaak, 0:54
CUMBERLAND 48, SCHALICK 26 120: Elvis Lima (CR) def. E’Shion Underwood, DQ 126: Kolton Sheppard (CR) pinned Caleb Jenkins, 3:30 132: Jacob Potts (S) pinned Logan Smith 138: Coliin Bittle (S) pinned Matthew Lucas 144: Anthony Aponte (CR) pinned Michael Baisch, 3:06 150: Chase Sooy (CR) pinned Mason Hollywood, 1:05 157: Ayden Jenkins (S) maj. dec. Chase Williams, 17-4 165: Anthony Deaver (S) dec. David Seeger, 15-8 175: Ricky Watt (S) dec. Gary Albert, 4-1 190: Ralph Hitchner (CR) pinned Nicholas Leonard, 3:12 215: Gerardo Felipe (S) maj. dec. Davauhn Petty, 10-0 285: Steve Williams (CR) pinned Ezequiel Garcia-Cruz, 1:20 106: Geno DiJoseph (CR) pinned Victor Fenske, 1:16 113: DeAnthony Harden (CR) pinned Nicholas Latona, 0:47
SCHALICK 43, TIMBER CREEK 27 113: Nicholas Latona (S) won by forfeit 120: E’Shion Underwood (S) tech fall over Dylan Klotz, 24-5 (1:53) 126: Noah Carr (TC) dec. Caleb Jenkins, 8-7 132: Jacob Potts (S) tech fall over Seth Redman, 17-2 (1:51) 138: Coliin Bittle (S) pinned Jaire Williams, 0:38 144: Michael Baisch (S) pinned Alexander Dang, 0:23 150: Mason Hollywood (S) dec. Benjamin Voll, 13-10 157: Ayden Jenkins (S) dec. Matt Cordova, 10-3 165: Anthony Deaver (S) dec. Quasir Pettit, 3-0 175: Ricky Watt (S) pinned Ian Chandler, 3:04 190: Elijah Green (TC) over Evan Elliott, MFFL 215: Julian McCray (TC) won by forfeit 285: Roland Green (TC) pinned Ezequiel Garcia-Cruz, 0:44 106: Jimmy Boone pinned Victor Fenske, 3:13
PENNS GROVE QUAD COLLINGSWOOD 75, PENNS GROVE 6 106: Robbie Penman (CO) pinned Jose Santiago, 2:54 113: Dominic VanZandt (CO) won by forfeit 120: Brody Marks (CO) won by forfeit 126: Kenny Olsen (CO) tech fall over Adam Gonzales, 19-2 (4:30) 132: Sean Byrd (CO) pinned Nyla West, 1:07 138: Julian Carty (CO) won by forfeit 144: Iasah Cruz (CO) pinned Abdul Muta’Ali Ibn Abdul Halim Tart, 2:29 150: Eddie Wittwer-Jordan (CO) pinned Angel Ocasio, 3:21 157: Parker Hackl-Gerenstein (CO) won by forfeit 165: Semaj Trotman (CO) won by forfeit 175: Brett Davis (CO) maj. dec. Richard Simmons, 16-4 190: Julian Maxwell (CO) won by forfeit 215: Chase Miller (CO) pinned Zaviyen Veney, 1:47 285: Antonio Cooper (PG) pinned Rocco Angelucci, 1:37
DEPTFORD 74, PENNS GROVE 0 120: Dennis Ayubzai (D) won by forfeit 126: Aiden Speigel (D)tech fall over Adam Gonzales, 17-0 132: Derek Foy (D) pinned Nyla West 138: Amir Barnes (D) won by forfeit 144: Quentin Boyce (D) dec. Abdul Muta’Ali Ibn Abdul Halim Tart, 7-3 150: Gavyn Henderson (D) pinned Angel Ocasio 157: Odesa Myers (D) won by forfeit 165: Dmitri Campbell (D) won by forfeit 175: Shawn McLaughlin (D) pinned Richard Simmons 190: Double forfeit 215: Dayne McDermott (D) pinned Zaviyen Veney 285: Daniel Maguire (D) pinned Antonio Cooper 106: John Gigante (D) pinned Jose Santiago 113: Corey Hoffman (D) won by forfeit
OVERBROOK QUAD PENNSVILLE 45, MILLVILLE 28 106: Brett Land (P) pinned Aiden Fowler, 0:43 113: Erick Davalos (P) won by forfeit 120: John Sassi (P) won by forfeit 126: Ruben Cruz (M) maj. dec. Mehki Dicks, 17-5 132: Chase Baker (P) pinned Eziar Allen, 3:43 138: Joshua Roman (M) won by forfeit 144: Vincent Grether (P) won by forfeit 150: Double forfeit 157: Patrick Tull (M) pinned Gabe Supernavage, 5:53 165: Robbie McDade (P) dec. Jared Hoffman, 8-4 175: Cristian Blyler (P) won by forfeit 190: Kyelle Corley (M) pinned Stephen Pangle, 1:52 215: Tyshawn English (M) pinned Hunter Coulbourn, 1:07 285: Jacob Hand (P) pinned Andrew Pinnock, 6:34
PENNSVILLE 52, OAKCREST 20 113: Erick Davalos (P) pinned Giovanni Taylor 120: Mason Sanchez (O) maj. dec. Earl Wynn, 12-7 126: Joseph Sanchez (O) pinned Mehki Dicks, 2:00 132: Chase Baker (P) maj. dec. Heriberto Curtidor, 14-3 138: Vincent Grether (P) pinned Keagan Santana 144: Erick Montas-Arias (O) won by forfeit 150: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Aiden Xayaphachan 157: Gabe Supernavage (P) pinned Gavin Gabriel 165: Robbie McDade (P) dec. Adrienn Aponte, 17-11 175: Malik Hughes (O) maj. dec. Cristian Blyler, 14-6 190: Stephen Pangle (P) pinned Gunnar Olivieri 215: Hunter Coulbourn (P) won by forfeit 285: Trevor Waddington (P) dec. Youssef Nosair, 1-0 106: Brett Land (P) won by forfeit
PENNSVILLE 62, OVERBROOK 8 132: Maximos Efelis (P) won by forfeit 138: Vincent Grether (P) tech fall over Jaden Marshall, 15-0 144: Dalton Ammon (P) dec. Matt Kamara, 7-2 150: Double forfeit 157: Gabe Supernavage (P) won by forfeit 165: Robbie McDade (P) won by forfeit 175: Xyon Marshall (O) tech fall over Cristian Blyler, 17-0 190: Jayden Devan (O) dec. Stephen Pangle, 6-3 215: Hunter Coulbourn (P) pinned Shyer Scarborough 285: Trevor Waddington (P) pinned Giovanni Carbarnaro 106: Brett Land (P) won by forfeit 113: Erick Davalos (P) won by forfeit 120: Earl Wynn (P) pinned Kayden Branco 126: Mehki Dicks (P) pinned Alan Marcos
CINNAMINSON DUALS LOWER CAPE MAY 62, WOODSTOWN 16 150: Gabe Tosto (L) pinned Josh Woronicak, 0:58 157: Daniel Byrne (L) pinned Tyrell West, 1:09 165: Ashton Ray (L) pinned Ricky Watts, 0:17 175: Greyson Hyland (WO) maj. dec. Shane Morrell, 14-2 190: David Douglass (L) over Asher Fitzpatrick, inj. 215: Bradley Snitcher (WO) pinned Caden Britton, 1:44 285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned John Hearon, 0:36 106: Abraham Caballero (L) pinned T.J. Conto, 0:46 113: Tristan Rosemeyer (L) pinned Jadon Middlemiss, 0:16 120: Bryce Paley (L) dec. Carson Bradway, 7-2 126: Nolan Mormello (L) pinned Hunter Allen, 1:10 132: Ryan Morgan (L) tech fall over Barry Coverly, 19-3 138: Eli Glover (L) pinned Luke Woronicak, 1:10 144: Andrew Brant (L) pinned Nehemiah Carter, 0:41
HADDONFIELD 49, WOODSTOWN 26 157: William Barker (H) tech fall over Tyrell West, 17-2 165: Hutch Rhyne (H) tech fall over Logan Warfield, 15-0 175: Greyson Hyland (WO) pinned Parker Bawidamann 190: Rafael Lyle (H) won by forfeit 215: Logan Rhea (H) maj. dec. Bradley Snitcher, 18-4 285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned John Talton 106: Michael Scocca (H) tech fall over T.J. Conto, 22-5 113: Jadon Middlemiss (WO) tech fall over Cole Spence, 16-0 120: Carson Bradway (WO) pinned Harrison Carroll 126: Ethan Shevchenko (H) pinned Keanan Houtz 132: Michael Lamb (H) pinned Barry Coverly 138: Pierce Hoffman (H) pinned Luke Woronicak 144: Nehemiah Carter (WO) dec. Charles Miller, SV-1, 6-3 150: William Dietz (H) pinned Josh Woronicak
PAULSBORO 48, WOODSTOWN 34 165: Josias Torres (P) pinned Ricky Watts, 3:11 175: Greyson Hyland (WO) pinned Malachi Harris, 1:23 190: Frank Damming (P) won by forfeit 215: Bradley Snitcher (WO) pinned Jason Yandach, 0:56 285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) won by forfeit 106: Ethan Nguyen (P) pinned T.J. Conto, 0:52 113: Jadon Middlemiss (WO) maj. dec. Ben Pacheco, 17-8 120: Will Cruz (P) won by forfeit 126: Carson Bradway (WO) pinned Patrick Hold, 0:28 132: Antonio Chila (P) pinned Luke Woronicak, 3:10 138: Barry Coverly (WO) won by forfeit 144: Ben Price (P) pinned Nehemiah Carter, 1:11 150: Julian Sosa (P) pinned Josh Woronicak, 2:23 157: Grayson Lane (P) pinned Tyrell West, 0:34
WASHINGTON TWP. QUAD WASHINGTON TWP. 75, SALEM 6 106: Frank Albright (WT) won by forfeit 113: Zylan Hetzel (WT) won by forfeit 120: Colin Hoopes (WT) pinned Zachary Tortella 126: Christian Hoopes (WT) pinned Hayden Stauble 132: Colton Hagerty (WT) pinned Hayden Stauble 138: Samuel Estrada (WT) pinned Brodie Parker 144: Giovanni Goffredo (WT) pinned Joseph Goetaski 150: Michael Horn (WT) pinned Christian VanTonder 157: Jacob Gledhill (WT) pinned Ziyon Moore 165: Gio Zurzolo (WT) pinned Jordan Brown 175: Landon Stone (WT) pinned Jaivion Sydnor 190: Kaleb Ewald (S) won by forfeit 215: Jaylen Suarez (WT) won by forfeit 285: Gunner McFall (WT) dec. Abdullah Jenkins, 2-1
Indoor track
SCTA MEET 11 Bennett Center, Toms River (Salem County top 6) BOYS 55: 5. Kyle Reitz, Woodstown 6.80 SMR: 2. Woodstown (Karson Chew, Ben Lippincott, Kyle Reitz, Josh Crawford) 3:39.54 DMR: 4. Woodstown (David Farrell, Pacey Hutton, Tortsen Duva, Jacob Marino) 11:30.22 4×800: 6. Woodstown (Jacob Marino, David Farrell, Tortsen Duva, Nicolas Law) 8:49.63 4:400: 1. Woodstown (Kyle Reitz, Karson Chew, Jacob Marino, Josh Crawford) 3:34.45 Shot put: 3. Aiden Taulane, Woodstown 43-6.5 GIRLS SHR: 4. Woodstown (Kami Casiano, Josephine Federando, Arianna Mott, Lia Covely) 38.73 DMR: 4. Woodstown (Aubree Covely, Angelina Lindenmuth, Lia Covely, Abby Marino) 14:00.60 High jump: 4. Kami Casiano, Woodstown 5-0
Triton buries Pennsville under a barrage of early 3s, Salem gets past LEAP for sixth straight win, Schalick beats Buena to get to .500; on the girls side, Schalick stifles Buena early, Kingsway handles Penns Grove
BOYS BASKETBALL Triton 65, Pennsville 53 Salem 44, LEAP 41 Schalick 64, Buena 42 GIRLS BASKETBALL Kingsway 53, Penns Grove 20 Schalick 45, Buena 16
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE — Long bus rides aren’t necessarily good for a basketball player’s legs, but the Triton Mustangs didn’t seem to have any trouble with it Friday night.
The Mustangs spent 45 minutes on the bus getting here, then came out and hit nine 3-pointers in the first half like they were layups to open a big lead on Pennsville before bringing home a 65-53 victory.
The Mustangs hit their first five 3s to open a 15-point lead and were 6-of-7 in the first quarter if you discount the heave they launched from midcourt at the buzzer. They hit three more in the second quarter and then added their 10th of the game early in the third.
At that point they were 10-of-13 from beyond the arc.
“I don’t ever expect that, but I know we have the ability to shoot well as a team,” Mustangs coach Andrew Canzanese said. “Early in the season we did and then we’ve been kind of going through a little bit of a rough patch recently.
“The other day, in Wednesday’s practice, we spent a lot of time from the ground up working on our feet. Our feet were all kinds of wrong, so we built it from the ground up and just got those shots back.
“Last night when we played Gloucester Catholic we got it back and we played more the way I knew we could and it carried into tonight, especially in the first half.”
The Mustangs (4-5) hit 10 treys in that game, too, and that energy clearly carried over to this one.
Joel Almarez-Olivares hit three in the first quarter and four in the game to finish with 14 points. Michael Revero hit one in the first quarter and led the Mustangs with 18 points. Noah Karwowski, who had five against Gloucester Catholic, and Chase Potts each had two, and Scott Cave had the other one.
The early barrage caught new Pennsville coach Ray Heine a little off guard.
“There are teams out there (that can shoot it like that), but I didn’t see that coming from them,” Heine said. “I’d seen two games they played and neither one of them I don’t think they broke 50. They certainly didn’t shoot it like that.
“We just don’t have the horses to play man-to-man. We don’t have the knowledge or the horses. We’ve got to play zone.”
Pennsville’s Mason O’Brien led all scorers with 24 points, but came off the floor limping at the end of the game. The junior guard went for 37 in a game earlier this week and is averaging 17.9 a game, but teams are starting to realize he’s the Eagles only game-changer and are starting to play him accordingly.
The 10 3-pointers were the difference in the Mustangs’ big lead. They led 58-30 going into the fourth quarter before the Eagles (1-9) cut it back against the Triton reserves.
“I appreciate the effort in the last four or five minutes when we could have kind of rolled over and just played dead,” Heine said. “We did continue to play.”
SALEM 44, LEAP 41: Big players make big plays in big games and that certainly applied to Tymear Lecator. The Salem junior guard scored 18 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished four assists as the Rams won the battle of top four teams in the South Jersey Group I power points standings.
The Rams (8-1) trailed by one at halftime, but took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Marshall Stephens had eight points and his third straight 10-rebound game. Deshaan Williams had nine points and seven rebounds. Fatah Paige had seven points and eight boards.
It was LEAP’s second game since the NJSIAA ruled Wednesday to ban the Lancers from the state playoffs as the result of a benches-clearing brawl involving players, coaches and spectators in the second quarter of their game with St. Joseph (Hammonton) Tuesday. St. Joe also was banned from the playoffs.
1000-Point Watch
PLAYER
TODAY
TOTAL
Blake Bialecki, Woodstown
DNP
858
Tymear Lecator, Salem
18 vs. LEAP
755
SCHALICK 64, BUENA 42: Freshman Julian Dickerson had the second-best game of his career, scoring 19 points to lead three Schalick scorers in double figures. He has gone for 16, 18 and 19 in his last three games and is now averaging 15.0 for the season.
Kade Macom hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points and Dylan Sheehan had 10.
SCHALICK 45, BUENA 16: The Cougars put together another big defensive first half to take control. They held their hosts to three points in the first half while building a 26-3 lead. In their five wins this season, the Cougars have held their opponents to 10 points in the first quarter and 29 in the first half.
Schalick’s Neveah Robinson led all scorers with 17 points. Willow Davis scored all nine of her points in the first half.
KINGSWAY 53, PENNS GROVE 20: Annika Dohlen came out with the hot hand, scoring 10 of her game-high 14 points in the first quarter to help the Dragons take control. Penns Grove’s Janiyah Cummings hit three 3-pointers and led Penns Grove with 11 points.
Salem’s Stephens back with his buddies, has big game in Rams’ fifth straight win; includes boys and girls basketball, wrestling, swimming, track and bowling results By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SALEM –Marshall Stephens is back playing with his basketing buddies again and he couldn’t be happier.
Stephens enjoyed his best game on the court since returning to Salem Thursday night, and it helped the Rams win their fifth in a row, 61-46 over Glassboro. He scored a career-high 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked two shots.
The 6-6 senior post, who took the nickname “Bop” from a character on Barney & Friends and has carried it since his freshman year, scored in 11 games for the Rams’ varsity as a sophomore, but moved to New York the next year and didn’t play basketball because it just didn’t feel right with all his basketball buddies back in Salem.
The coaches at Evander High School in the Bronx were after him every day to play for them. He missed it not playing and thought about it every day, but he stuck to his guns.
“Everything there was just out of place; it just didn’t feel like home,” he said. “It just didn’t feel right playing with these guys. I can play practice with y’all, I can play with you trying to get better, but as far as being on the team (he wasn’t feeling it).
“And I knew I was coming back. I’ll just wait until I come back. I was like if I come back to Salem I want to be the best I can for that program. That’s where I see myself playing and I can see myself graduating from.”
Rams coach Anthony Farmer, needing post following Antwuan Rogers’ early departure to play Division I football at Temple, welcomed Stephens back to the court when he returned and the player has been steadily getting comfortable with the game again. He had 10 points and eight rebounds in his first game back against Woodstown, which happened to be coach Anthony Farmer’s 100th career coaching win.
The game Thursday was his first since the opener scoring in double figures and his second in a row with 10 or more rebounds.
“I can say I have gotten comfortable to the point where a game could be starting and I won’t even be nervous; I’ll be excited,” he said. “I’m definitely getting there. The excitement is definitely coming back. I’m just hoping I can keep that momentum going.”
If he does, people will need to start getting his name right. In other media he’s called “Marshall Stevenson.” His name has neither a “son” nor a “v” in it. It’s S-T-E-P-H-E-N-S. You’re welcome.
He looked comfortable enough against the Bulldogs, scoring 10 points in the first quarter as the Rams opened an 18-8 lead.
“I just wanted to make my coaches proud because they told me be strong off the jump,” Stephens said. “Before the game they said we can get our seventh win and go on a championship run. I’ve got to be more physical on the back end. I’ve got guys looking at me and looking up to me, so I’ve gotta step up.”
Deshaan Williams had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Rams (7-1). Tymear Lecator had 17 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Fatah Paige, a transfer from McKean (Del.), had nine points, eight rebounds and a pair of assists in his Salem debut.
3-point goals: Glassboro 2 (Sabb); Salem 5 (McGriff, Spence, Lecator 3). Rebounds: Salem 41 (Stephens 10, Williams 8, Paige 8). Technical fouls: Santiago 2. Fouled out: Stephens, Santiago. Total fouls: Glassboro 17, Salem 19..
Photo credit: Amo Alleyne
WOODSTOWN 56, WILDWOOD 40: Blake Bialecki and Eli Caesar each hit three 3-pointers and combined for 30 points as the Wolverines won for the seventh time in their last eight games. Bialecki scored 17 points to move within 142 of 1,000 for his career.
WILDWOOD (2-4): Nolan Mawhinney 5 0-0 13, Owen Bannon 1 0-0 3, Gianni Troiano 1 1-2 3, Jordan Dozier 4 0-0 8, Eric Jordan 2 1-2 5, Vinny Sweeney 1 0-0 2, Michael Sciarra 2 0-0 6. Totals 16 2-4 40. WOODSTOWN (7-3): Eli Caesar 5 0-2 13, Lucas Fulmer 1 0-0 2, Alejandro Vazquez 2 1-2 6, Andrew White 3 2-4 6, Blake Bialecki 6 2-2 17, Frank Hoerst 1 0-0 2, Josh King 3 2-4 8. Totals 21 7-14 56.
PITMAN 51, PENNS GROVE 43: Roman Gipson hit four 3-pointers and led Penns Grove with 18 points. Joey Zubert led a balanced Pitman scoring attack with 10 points. Lucas Razze had nine points, seven assists and five steals.
PENNS GROVE (5-4): Roman Gipson 7 0-0 18, Haneef Frisby 3 1-2 7, Will Roy 4 0-0 8, Geonni Conrad 1 1-2 4, Luis Colon 0 2-4 2, Zane Thomas 1 2-4 4. Totals 16 6-12 43. PITMAN (4-6): Lucas Razze 2 4-6 8, Parker DeChristipher 3 1-2 9, Joey Zubert 2 4-4 10, Jay Craig 3 2-4 8, Jake Bowen-Ashwin 1 3-4 6, Micah Frost 3 1-2 9. Totals 14 15-22 51.
SCHALICK 60, SALEM TECH 43: Schalick 3-4, Salem Tech 1-6
1000-Point Watch
PLAYER
TODAY
TOTAL
Blake Bialecki, Woodstown
17 vs. Wildwood
858
Tymear Lecator, Salem
17 vs. Glassboro
737
GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHALICK 48, SALEM TECH 27: Nevaeh Robinson scored 19 points and Willow Davis had 14 as the Cougars got back on the winning track after having its three-game season-opening winning streak snapped last time out. Robinson scored 12 points in the second half. Davis hit three 3-pointers
3-point goals: Salem Tech 2 (Liber, Drummond); Schalick 3 (Davis 3). Total fouls: Salem Tech 7, Schalick 9.
WILDWOOD 63, WOODSTOWN 37: Addison Troiano went 11-of-15 from the foul line on the way to 21 points and Rebecca Benichou hit three 3-pointers on the way to 18 for the Warriors. Lauren Hengel led Woodstown with 11.
WRESTLING PAULSBORO 42, PENNSVILLE 32 106: Brett Land (PV) tech fall over Ethan Nguyen, 16-0 (2:33) 113: Ben Pacheco (PB) tech fall over Erick Davalos, 26-11 (5:15) 120: Will Cruz (PB) pinned John Sassi, 0:35 126: Antonio Chila (PB) tech fall over Mehki Dicks, 17-2 (5:07) 132: Maximos Efelis (PV) tech fall over Patrick Zold, 21=5 (5:22) 138: Chris Baker (PV) pinned Logan Shipman, 1:30 144: Ben Price (PB) maj. dec. Nathaniel Mason, 16-4 150: Julian Sosa (PB) pinned Travis Hagan, 4:38 157: Gabe Supernavage (PV) tech fall over Grayson Lane, 21-3 (3:10) 165: Robbie McDade (PV) tech fall over Anthony Muniz, 17-1 (5:29) 175: Josias Torres (PB) pinned Juan Velasquez Hernandez, 2:58 190: Frank Damminger (PB) pinned Cristian Blyler, 1:11 215: Jason Yandach (PB) maj. dec. Hunter Coulbourn, 12-1 285: Trevor Waddington (PV) won by forfeit
INDOOR TRACK (At The Bubble, Toms River) (Salem County Top 6 finishes) BOYS Pole vault: 3. Salvatore Longo, Schalick 11-6 GIRLS High jump: 2. Kallie Morrison, Pennsville 4-10
BOWLING LINDENWOLD 4, SALEM TECH 0: Jean Pierre Pozo rolled Salem Tech’s high game (214) and series (563). Lindenwold’s Connor Piotrowski bowled the high game of the match (233).
Pennsville holds off Woodstown, ending Wolverines’ long-standing hold on Salem County girls basketball; Salem’s girls use big fourth quarter to down Pitman; Penns Grove gets first win; Salem boys pick up big South Jersey Group I win over Pitman, and more GIRLS BASKETBALL Penns Grove 44, Overbrook 39 Glassboro 33, Schalick 15 Pennsville 47, Woodstown 46 Salem 59, Pitman 52 Clayton 62, Salem Tech 24 BOYS BASKETBALL Clayton 90, Salem Tech 42 Glassboro 63, Schalick 60 Overbrook 62, Penns Grove 45 Woodstown 56, Pennsville 24 Salem 55, Pitman 44 BOWLING Salem Tech vs. Gloucester Catholic Lindenwold girls 4, Salem 0 INDOOR TRACK Penns Grove, Schalick at Cherokee Throwdown
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – The balance of power in Salem County girls basketball shifted seismically Tuesday night.
Over the last five-plus years no one in Salem County has beaten the Woodstown girls, but that run came to an end when Pennsville jumped way out early and then held off a hard change in the fourth quarter to beat the Wolverines 47-46.
Woodstown had won 39 straight (and 46 of 47) against in-county competition before the Eagles knocked them off. Pennsville was the last county team to beat the Wolverines – way back on Feb. 22, 2020.
The win also gave the Eagles (5-2) the early upper hand in the Tri-County Diamond Division and dropped Woodstown below .500 (4-5) for the first time since dropping their 2023-24 season opener.
“I gave the girls T-shirts that were screened, ‘On a Mission,'” Pennsville coach Steve Merritt said. “We want to update our championship banner so beating Diamond Division opponents is critical. They thrashed us twice last season and if we hadn’t become so careless with the ball late a greater margin would have been salve on that wound.”
It started out to be a tight game. The teams battled to a 12-12 tie through a barrage of 3-pointers the first quarter, but the Eagles pulled away in the second quarter and extended their halftime lead to 12 entering the fourth quarter. Pennsville hit all nine of its 3-pointers in the first three quarters.
The Wolverines turned up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter and used it to fuel their comeback. They hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds to make it a one-point final.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our kids and the way they competed,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “To be down 15 and continue to believe, continue to defend and continue to play for one another says a lot about the culture we’re trying to build here.
“We didn’t hang our heads, we didn’t splinter, and we gave ourselves a chance late, which is all you can ask for in a game like that.”
Marley Wood led the Eagles with 23 points, five 3-pointers, 10 rebounds and five assists. Taylor Bass, who joined Wood in Pennsville’s 1000-Point Club on Monday, had eight points and six steals.
In seven career games against Woodstown, Wood is averaging 16.0 ppg. She had her career high (27) against the Wolverines as a sophomore.
Lauren Hengel led Woodstown with 14 points. Kyia Leyman and Mia Waterman had 12 points apiece. All of Waterman’s points came on 3s.
Smart said he wasn’t aware of the length of Woodstown’s in-county winning streak, but he wasn’t losing sleep over its ending.
“Obviously, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but there’s value in games like this when you’re building something,” he said. “Our kids are learning how to respond to adversity, how to handle pressure, and how to fight until the final horn. The resiliency is something we can build on moving forward.
“For us, this is another step in the process. We said from the beginning of the year that this year was going to be different but different can be good. We are still trying to figure some things out offensively and defensively, but we are progressing. Our standard is high and nights like this where you’re tested are part of laying the foundation for sustained success.”
SALEM 59, PITMAN 52: Freshman Dyaira Anderson scored 15 of her career-high 26 points in 21-point fourth quarter that lifted the Rams (4-2) to a victory that surpassed their win total of a year ago. She also pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds to complete her first career double-double.
Madison Dixon had 13 points. Carlysia Pierce had eight points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals.
The Rams fell behind 17-4 then went to work.
“I’m proud of the way they won tonight,” Carr said.
PENNS GROVE 44, OVERBROOK 39: The Red Devils (1-5) jumped out to a 25-13 halftime lead on the way to giving coach Daja Cook her first win with the program.
GLASSBORO 43, SCHALICK 15: Too much Kezia Brackett and too many self-inflicted turnovers conspired to send Schalick (3-1) to its first loss of the season. Brackett had 17 points and seven rebounds for Glassboro (6-3).
Glassboro
14
9
13
7-
43
Schalick
2
1
7
5-
15
Boys games
SALEM 55, PITMAN 44: Cole Sayers came off the bench and gave the Rams nine points and seven rebounds as they continue their march towards a No. 1 seed in South Jersey Group I.
Deshaan Williams was their leading scorer with 15 points. Marshall Stephens grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. Xavier McGriff had 10 points and Tymear Lecator dished eight assists.
GLASSBORO 63, SCHALICK 60: Xavier Sabb scored 34 points, but the Bulldogs barely got by the Cougars. Dylan Sheehan led Schalick with 20 points. Julian Dickerson had 14 and Kenny Bartee had 12.
OVERBROOK 62, PENNS GROVE 35: Overbrook’s Lamar Little led all scorers with 17 points. Haneef Frisby led Penns Grove with 11.
CLAYTON 89, SALEM TECH 42: The Clippers put four scorers in double figures, led by James Fritz’ 17. Keidyn Robinson led Salem Tech with 10. Larry Pompper had eight.
As previously reported by Riverview Sports News, the WJFL Diamond Division is shaken up with Glassboro, Woodstown, Penns Grove all out, Pennsville in; 76 teams in different divisions than a year ago
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
The Diamond Division of the West Jersey Football League may look a lot different than it has in the past, but it still appears to be just as strong as it’s ever been.
The ”SEC West” of Group I football is still no country for old men.
Two-time reigning state champion Glassboro may have been moved out in the latest two-year shakeup of WJFL division alignments, but there is still a lineup of heavy hitters residing there.
All six teams in the new division lineup were playoff teams in 2025. But the biggest takeaway locally is both Woodstown and Penns Grove are out, vanquished to the Independence Division. They had been Diamond Division teams since the inception of the WJFL in 2010.
“No problem for us,” Woodstown coach Frank Trautz said Monday, the day the league formally announced the alignments. “The name of the division doesn’t mean anything; they change every two years and teams are constantly moving. The goal is always the same. We want to try and position ourselves the best we can for the post season.”
The new Diamond Division has Pennsville, Schalick, Salem, Burlington City, Overbrook and Paulsboro. The new Independence Division is Penns Grove, Woodstown, Buena, Clayton, Pitman and Woodbury.
Schalick was 5-7, but played in the sectional title game for the third year in a row. Pennsville (5-5, Patriot) was a South Jersey Group I quarterfinalist and Salem (6-5) and Paulsboro (9-2) played in the Group I semifinals. Burlington City, which won an appeal to come out of the Constitution Division and replaces Gloucester in the Diamond reshuffle, was the No. 2 finisher in the South Jersey Group I UPR and No. 1 seed in the Central Jersey bracket and Overbrook (6-4, Patriot) was a playoff team in Group II.
The WJFL granted five of the 11 appeals it heard. More than 20 were said to be filed. Fifteen teams changed divisions from the pre-appeal alignment. Seventy-six of the league’s 96 teams will be playing in different divisions than they did in the 2024-25 realignment.
In the new Independence Division, only Clayton (5-5) had a non-losing record and Woodbury (3-7) was the only team that made the playoffs. Penns Grove went 0-9 and is looking for a new coach, and Woodstown went 3-7 in a season beset by injuries.
“We feel like our division will be challenging, but we must challenge ourselves to get better,” Pennsville athletics director Jamy Thomas said. “We are familiar with the teams in our division and we are getting back a few Salem County rivals.”
Teams are now awaiting word on their scheduling crossovers. The new alignments may make filling schedules easier.
It has been rare that all five Salem County teams played in the same division. Pennsville plays an annual trophy game with Penns Grove. The last time the Eagles played all four of the other Salem County teams in the same season was 2019.
“(It) would be nice if the scheduling committee added Woodstown as one of our cross-overs so we would once again play all of the Salem County schools during the regular season,” Thomas said.
The WJFL said it was hoping to have the schedules and crossovers in place by mid-January.
WEST JERSEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIAMOND: Burlington City, Overbrook, Paulsboro, Pennsville, Salem, Schalick. INDEPENDENCE: Buena, Clayton, Penns Grove, Pitman, Woodbury, Woodstown. AMERICAN: Winslow, Washington Twp., Kingsway, St. Augustine, Atlantic City, Millville. CLASSIC: Camden, Glassboro, Mainland, Cedar Creek, Holy Spirit, Ocean City. COLONIAL: Cherokee, Shawnee, Rancocas Valley, Burlington Twp., Pleasantville, Delsea. CONSTITUTION: Paul VI, Delran, Haddonfield, Seneca, West Deptford, Willingboro. CONTINENTAL: Cherry Hill East, Eastern, Lenape, Northern Burlington, Williamstown, Pennsauken. FREEDOM: Camden-Eastside, Cherry Hill West, Cinnaminson, Gloucester, Moorestown, Triton. MEMORIAL: Absegami, ACIT, Egg Harbor Twp., Hammonton, Lower Cape May, Oakcrest. LIBERTY: Bridgeton, Cumberland, Timber Creek, St. Joe’s (Hamm.), Vineland, Highland. CAPITOL: Allentown, Ewing, Hightstown, Hopewell Valley, Princeton, Trenton. VALLEY: Hamilton, Lawrence, Notre Dame, Nottingham, Robbinsville, Steinert. NATIONAL: Audubon, Bishop Eustace, Collingswood, Gateway, Haddon Heights, Sterling. PATRIOT: Bordentown, Camden Catholic, Florence, KIPP, Maple Shade, Riverside. ROYAL: Clearview, Deptford, Holy Cross, Mastery, Pemberton, WW-Plainsboro. UNITED: Gloucester Catholic, Haddon Twp., Lindenwold, Middle Twp., Palmyra, Wildwood.
Pennsville’s Bass passes 1,000-point mark in Eagles’ win over Clayton
MONDAY BASKETBALL GIRLS Pennsville 51, Clayton 38 Salem 38, Penns Grove 26 Hammonton 49, Woodstown 37 Wildwood 70, Salem Tech 12 BOYS Penns Grove 58, Salem Tech 19 Clayton 94, Pennsville 77
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – There were no outward signs in the gym before the game that something special was about to happen but everyone knew about the milestone they came to see.
It just might have taken a little longer than anticipated.
Pennsville senior Taylor Bass became the latest player to join the Salem County 1,000-Point Club Monday when she reached the milestone on a three-point play 15 seconds into the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 51-38 win over Clayton.
She became the 20th Pennsville player all time – boy or girl – to reach the milestone, the third in its girls program in two seasons and the second still active. Her 16 points against the Clippers left her with 1,008 for her career.
“There wasn’t that much anticipation if I’m lying; it was definitely very anticipated,” Bass said. “I was quite anxious I wasn’t going to get it today when everybody was able to pop out because the next game was going to be away.
“I’m glad I got it today. It was definitely killing me waiting all that time until now.”
It probably should have come last year, when senior Nora Ausland and junior Marley Wood both reached the milestone, but the early part of Bass’ career was beset by injuries. There was a thought she would get it Dec. 27, when she needed only 14 points, but was held to six by Haddon Twp.’s tenacious face guarding.
The balloons and posters came out after halftime and were stashed behind the bench, but, honestly, it was looking like the celebration might be delayed another day as foul trouble kept her on the bench for the better part of two quarters.
She picked up her third foul early in the second quarter after scoring only five points and her fourth in the first minute of the second half that put her on the bench the rest of the third quarter. She still needed three points for the milestone.
“I definitely kept getting frustrated, not with anybody else, but myself because I just kept fouling and fouling,” Bass said. “I was scared a little I wasn’t going to get it, but there was still a whole ‘nother quarter left; I knew I had it.”
She wanted to go back in even with the foul trouble, but coach Steve Merritt didn’t want to run the risk of losing his biggest threat with the game still very much in doubt.
“I told her I love you dearly and if it were up me I’d adopt you, but nobody in his right mind would put you back in the game in the third period with four fouls. Nobody,” Merritt said. “She come over and said can I go back in. I said no. There was anger, I could read that look, but I could not do it.
“I rolled the dice years ago and got lucky to get away with it but I wasn’t going to do it tonight. Not when she was that close. It was absurd.”
Bass reentered the game to start the fourth quarter with the Eagles down 38-37 and immediately went to work. The first time she got the ball she drove hard to the basket and was fouled. The layup for points 998 and 999 gave the Eagles the lead. The free throw that followed gave her 1,000 points on the dot and made it 40-38.
“I never really thought I was going to get a three-point play,” she said. “I wanted some points … because I was not having a good game. I was not playing too good today.
“I’ve never been so scared standing on the foul line (for the milestone and-one) before. I was so nervous. My hands were like shaking.”
The three-point play took the lid off everything. Bass scored eight more points in the quarter, the Eagles seemed to play more relaxed and they held the Clippers scoreless the entire quarter to win by double digits.
“It was like a weight lifted off of all of us,” Bass said. “It obviously wasn’t just me that wanted it. They wanted it for me and when I finally got it we were like OK let’s go, we all just got real excited. Our adrenaline was pushing and everything.”
“That was a very important moment and let’s celebrate that, great, but we still have another important moment ahead of it, let’s go win this thing,” Merritt said. “And they came out and played inspired defense for the first time all season. I told them if you continue to do that the game is yours.”
With Bass struggling early and sitting later, the Eagles needed to find some offense somewhere. Addi Johnson got them going early, scoring six points in the first quarter and 11 in the first half. Then with Bass sitting in third, Izzy Saulin got them back in the game scoring six points, diving for loose balls and grabbing several rebounds.
“I think I just focused in,” Saulin said.
NOTES: Bass also had seven rebounds and five steals … Wood added five points to her career total, but she also grabbed nine rebounds, dished 11 assists and blocked three shots.
Pennsville’s Taylor Bass (1) gets carried off the floor by her teammates after reaching the 1,000-point plateau Monday night.
SALEM 38, PENNS GROVE 26: MVP Madison Dixon filled up the box score with 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals and four assists and did a defensive job on Penns Grove’s hottest hand, leading the Rams to the Battle for the Bridge title at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Salem coach Kemp Carr and MVP Madison Dixon.
It was the Rams’ third win of the season, matching their win total of all of last year.
“We’re working, we’re working hard as a group,” coach Kemp Carr said. “The coaches, the players, they’re bought in …. to all the mentality type factors that weren’t there last year.”
The Rams (3-2) weren’t intimidated by the bright lights and the NBA floor.
Freshman Dyaira Anderson had 15 points, nine rebounds, a blocked shot and three steals. Carlysia Pierce had 11 rebounds and six steals.
As the game’s MVP, Dixon will have the opportunity to hand the game ball to the refs prior to the 76ers game against Milwaukee Jan. 27.
HAMMONTON 49, WOODSTOWN 37: The Wolverines (4-4) lost to an undefeated opponent for the second straight game. Gabriella Stevenson led Hammonton with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Lauren Hengel led Woodstown with 15 points.
Hammonton (7-0)
11
14
16
8-
49
Woodstown (4-4)
8
4
10
16-
37
WILDWOOD 70, SALEM TECH 12: The Warriors hit seven 3-pointers and got scoring from 12 players. Angela Wilber (14), Rebecca Benichou (11) and Joelle Murphy (11) scored in double figures.
Salem Tech (2-3)
2
2
2
6-
12
Wildwood (5-4)
31
18
14
7-
70
Boys games
PENNS GROVE 58, SALEM TECH 19: The Red Devils (5-2) got balanced scoring from 11 players and held the Chargers (1-4) to one point in the first quarter at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Jerry Wooton, Ahkeen Edwards and Luis Colon had eight points apiece. Jeremy Costacamps had seven and three others scored six apiece.
“That’s kind of what we are,” coach Damian Ware said. “No super star, just balanced across the board.”
Salem Tech (1-4)
1
4
5
9-
19
Penns Grove (5-2)
18
12
12
16-
58
CLAYTON 94, PENNSVILLE 77: Mason O’Brien scored a career-high 37 points as the Eagles enjoyed their highest scoring game in two seasons, but it still wasn’t enough to overcome the Clippers’ firepower. James Fritz led Clayton with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and five steals. Jack Venuto had 12 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Michael Bull had 10 points and six boards.
Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Jan. 5-10, highlighted by Penns Grove’s basketball doubleheader at Wells Fargo Center and Pennsville’s Taylor Bass’ bid for 1000 (both Monday), and No. 1 Salem CC’s return vs. No. 7 Union
MONDAY, JAN. 5 BOYS BASKETBALL Penns Grove vs. Salem Tech at Wells Fargo Center, 2:30 p.m. Pennsville at Clayton, 5:30 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Penns Grove vs. Salem at Wells Fargo Center, 1 p.m. Hammonton at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m. Clayton at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m. BOWLING Salem vs. Overbrook at Wood Lanes, 4 p.m. SWIMMING Schalick vs. West Deptford at River Winds, 3:45 p.m.
TUESDAY, JAN. 6 BOYS BASKETBALL Clayton at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m. Glassboro at Schalick, 5:30 p.m. Overbrook at Penns Grove, 5:30 p.m. Woodstown at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m. Salem at Pitman, 7 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Penns Grove at Overbrook, 4 p.m. Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m. Pennsville at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m. Pitman at Salem, 5:30 p.m. Salem Tech at Clayton, 5:30 p.m. BOWLING Salem Tech vs. Gloucester Catholic at Westbrook Lanes, 3:45 p.m. Salem vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes, 4 p.m. INDOOR TRACK Penns Grove, Schalick at Cherokee Throwdown COLLEGE BASKETBALL Union at Salem CC, 5 p.m. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Monroe-Bronx at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7 WRESTLING Deptford at Woodstown, 5 p.m. Schalick at Gloucester Catholic, 5 p.m. Penns Grove at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, JAN. 8 BOYS BASKETBALL Glassboro at Salem, 5:30 p.m. Penns Grove at Pitman, 5:30 p.m. Schalick at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m. Wildwood at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Pitman at Penns Grove Salem at Glassboro, 5:30 p.m. Salem Tech at Schalick, 5:30 p.m. Woodstown at Wildwood, 5:30 p.m. WRESTLING Pennsville at Paulsboro, 6:30 p.m. SWIMMING Woodstown vs. Highland at GCIT, 7 p.m. Schalick vs. Cumberland at GCIT, 8:30 p.m. INDOOR TRACK Pennsville, Schalick at Bennett Complex, 5 p.m. BOWLING Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes, 3:45 p.m.
FRIDAY, JAN. 9 BOYS BASKETBALL Buena at Schalick, 5:30 p.m. Salem at LEAP, 5:30 p.m. Triton at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Penns Grove at Kingsway, 4 p.m. Schalick at Buena, 5:30 p.m. WRESTLING Pennsville, Salem at TCC Girls Jamboree, Kingsway, 5 p.m.
SATURDAY, JAN. 10 GIRLS BASKETBALL Delsea at Pennsville, 11:30 a.m. Woodstown at Haddonfield, 1 p.m. WRESTLING Deptford at Penns Grove, 9 a.m. Woodstown at Cinnaminson, 9:30 a.m. Salem, Gloucester at Washington Twp., 10 a.m. Schalick, Cumberland, Timber Creek at Buena, 10 a.m. Pennsville, Millville, Oakcrest at Overbrook, 10 a.m. INDOOR TRACK Woodstown at Bennett Center, Toms River COLLEGE BASKETBALL Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, 2 p.m. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, 5 p.m.
Schalick’s Jones rolls in a couple big baskets in second half, while defense denies West Deptford; Salem, Woodstown win showcase games
TUESDAY’S GAMES Schalick 56, West Deptford 47 Gateway 55, Pennsville 40 Brook Ball Winter Classic Woodstown 52, Collingswood 45 Marty Derer Classic Salem 71, Rancocas Valley 45 Westhampton Tech 59, Penns Grove 41
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PITTSGROVE – Schalick basketball coach James Turner used to give the ol’ eye roll when he watched Sherrod Jones get to the basket and try to finish it off with a finger roll at the rim. He just wasn’t sure if the shot was going to have enough steam to get in the hole.
It’s not like that anymore.
Jones has gotten quite proficient at getting the shot to drop this season and it played a pivotal role in the Cougars’ 56-47 win over West Deptford Tuesday afternoon.
The senior used the move he learned from his father on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter to convert turnovers into layups to give the Cougars their first lead since early in the game. He made a outback about 30 seconds later that with the defense they would play gave them the lead for good.
“Comparing this year from last year he’s much better at finishing at the rim,” Turner said. “In years past he’d get there and get a clean shot off but you just didn’t know if they’re gonna go in. This year, just today alone, he finished very, very well.
“This year he just made it look so smooth, so effortless, and that’s a big improvement for him from last year. He’s always been able to get to the rim and now he’s able to finish.”
As much as Jones likes to dunk, the finger roll is typically his first option.
“I just feel like the finger roll is the easiest shot for me to get to,” he said. “I feel like anytime I get to the paint and there’s somebody right there I just wrap around and get that finger roll up.”
Schalick’s Sherrod Jones (3) flashes to the basket during Tuesday’s game with West Deptford. Top photo, Jones goes in for a layup.
Jones was really big in the second half. He scored 11 of his 13 points in the half and had four rebounds and two blocked shots. He had nine points in the third quarter.
“I told myself coming into the second half I was going to get a bucket,” he said. “My whole goal coming into the game was just bringing intensity to the team, hype everybody up. I started off by playing defense, getting blocks, and then the finger roll came into play.”
The Cougars (2-3) took a big step in their development in the second half and particularly the third quarter. They learned a lot about playing together.
They went into halftime trailing by one. They took the lead in the third quarter and stayed out front by holding the Eagles (1-5) without a field goal over the final 11 minutes of the game.
“That showed me how much they wanted it,” Jones said. “The first half we would play defense like we did today and it’d be great, (but) the second half people would get tired and it’d fall off. This time we played defense all the way through and we just kept going.”
The last bucket West Deptford scored came on a putback with three minutes left in the quarter. From there to the final horn the Eagles went 0-for-11 from the field with 13 turnovers. The Cougars, meanwhile, outscored them 20-8.
Freshman Orion Baldwin scored six of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter and Justin Iacona had five.
“The one thing we do have is we have really good young players who really love the game and play the game well, and those guys allow the other guys to play together,” Turner said. “When you have young kids on the team that are energetic, that play the game very well, other teammates around them will also kind of (elevate their game).
“We haven’t all played together long enough to learn from each other, so the growth that happened today was those guys learning how to play together.”
BROOK BALL WINTER CLASSIC WOODSTOWN 52, COLLINGSWOOD 45 WOODSTOWN (5-2): Eli Caesar 2 1-1 5, Blake Bialecki 3 1-2 9, Alejandro Vazquez 6 1-1 16, Josh King 3 0-0 6, Andrew White 2 1-2 5, Frank Hoerst 4 3-6 11, Lucas Fulmer 0 0-0 0, Brayden Hall 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 7-12 52. COLLINGSWOOD (0-6): Courtney Bunch 4 0-2 8, Croix Kelly 1 0-0 3, Mekhi Tingle 0 0-0 0, Zack Washington 1 0-0 3, Aaron Young 5 0-0 14, Amandi Ekezie 1 0-1 2, Gavin Wife 0 0-0 0, Jayden Diaz 4 0-0 10, Isiaha Clement 2 1-2 5. Totals 18 1-5 45.
Woodstown
16
14
12
10-
52
Collingswood
12
11
14
8-
45
3-point goals: Woodstown 5 (Bialecki 2, Vazquez 3); Collingswood 8 (Kelly, Washington, Young 4, Diaz 2). Notes: The win was Woodstown’s fifth straight. Vazquez has hit 10 3-pointers during the winning streak. Hoerst’s 11 points were a career high. He also had five rebounds and three steals.
MARTY DERER CLASSIC SALEM 71, RANCOCAS VALLEY 45 RANCOCAS VALLEY (4-2): Griffin Fair 2 0-0 4, Christian Phinisee 4 4-5 13, Jaylen Washington 2 3-4 8, Colin Seal 1 2-2 5, Chris Lee 3 1-2 7, Andre Birdsong 2 0-2 6, Amare Shelton 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 10-15 45. SALEM (4-1): Tymear Lecator 4-0-9, Deshaan Williams 8-3-19, Marshall Stevens 2-0-4, Neziah Spence 3-4-12, Xavier McGriff 6-0-13, BJ Robbins 4-1-10, Cole Sayers 1-2-4, Kyvion Parsons 1-0-2. Totals 29-10-73
Rancocas Valley
14
10
13
6-
45
Salem
18
14
22
17-
71
3-point goals: RV 5 (Phinisee, Washington, Seal, Byrdsong 2); Salem 5 (Lecator, Spence 2, McGriff, Robbins). Rebounds: Salem 35 (Williams 12, Stevens 8). Notes: The double-double was Williams’ third of the season.
WESTHAMPTON TECH 59, PENNS GROVE 41 WESTHAMPTON TECH (5-2): Tristen Dickerson 1 0-0 3, Damien Moragne 1 0-0 3, Henry Njoga 5 0-0 10, Alexander Jeanty 7 2-2 17, Jason Livingstone 4 1-2 9, Dewill Andre 2 2-2 6, Javon Ford 3 0-0 7, Christian Price 0 0-0 0, Todd Young 2 0-0 4. Totals 25 5-6 59. PENNS GROVE (4-2): Roman Gipson 2 0-0 4, Haneef Frisby 1 0-0 2, Will Roy 2 0-0 4, Mishawn Brantley 5 0-0 12, Luis Colon 2 2-2 6, Geonni Conrad 3 0-0 7, Eli Pearsall 1 0-0 2, Jeremy Costacamps 1 0-0 2, Ahkeen Edwards 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 2-2 41.
Westhampton Tech
18
14
20
7-
59
Penns Grove
8
10
11
12-
41
3-point goals: West Tech 4 (Dickerson, Moragne, Jeanty, Ford); Penns Grove 3 (Brantley 2, Conrad). Rebounds: West Tech 35 (Njoga 7, Andre 6). Notes: Dickerson had nine assists and Jeanty had six steals. It was West Tech’s third win in a row and snapped Penns Grove’s two-game winning streak.
Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Dec. 28-Jan. 3
SUNDAY, DEC. 28 GIRLS BASKETBALL Penns Grove vs. Vineland at Audubon, 11 a.m. WRESTLING Salem in Middletown South Tournament Pennsville, Schalick in Overbrook Girls Tournament
MONDAY, DEC. 29 BOYS BASKETBALL Woodstown Holiday Tournament Camden Tech vs. Camden Prep, 10 a.m. Haddon Heights at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Woodstown vs. Moorestown Friends, Haddonfield, 10 a.m. Salem at New Egypt (tournament), 1 p.m.
TUESDAY, DEC. 30 BOYS BASKETBALL Woodstown vs. Collingswood at Overbrook Classic, 10 a.m. Salem vs. Rancocas Valley at Delsea, 11 a.m. Pennsville at Gateway, 11:30 a.m. West Deptford at Schalick, noon Penns Grove vs. Westhampton Tech at Delsea, 5:30 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Maple Shade at Schalick, 10 a.m. Salem at New Egypt Tournament WRESTLING Audubon, Long Branch, Northern Burlington at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
SATURDAY, JAN. 3 BOYS BASKETBALL Cherokee at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m. Salem Tech at West Deptford, 11:30 a.m. St. Joe at Salem, 4 p.m. Maple Shade at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL Cinnaminson at Woodstown, 1 p.m. WRESTLING Woodstown at Collingswood Duals, 9 a.m. Northern Burlington, Manasquan, Holy Spirit at Salem, 10 a.m. Pennsville at Hammonton Duals, 10 a.m. Schalick, Haddon Heights, Mainland at Overbrook, 10 a.m. INDOOR TRACK Penns Grove, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia
Riverview Sports News 