Category: PENNSVILLE

Back in the game

Pennsville girls coach Merritt returns to the court after two-year hiatus, Hall of Fame coach ‘nervous’ for the return, but it felt ‘almost as if I never stopped’

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – So, it wasn’t a “real” game in the sense it wouldn’t count against his already substantial coaching record. But the coaching was very real and the man doing it was loving every minute of being back at it.

Steve Merritt was back in the game, on the bench calling the shots for the first time in two years directing the Pennsville girls basketball team in a season-opening scrimmage with Millville under real game conditions.

The result wasn’t what the Eagles wanted – they lost 34-32, falling behind on a layup with 39 seconds to play – but there was a lot of learning on both sides.

The Hall of Fame coach looked comfortable, even if he was up half the night anticipating the 4 p.m. return. 

“Woke up at 2, couldn’t go back to sleep,” he said describing his day. “Woke up at 4, couldn’t go back to sleep. Woke up at 6, took the dog out for a run. Got here at 2 and sat in the parking lot.

“Just keyed up, ready to go. Just so excited about it. Nervous as hell, but looking forward to it. Once we got going I realized how much I had missed it. It was just a lot of fun.”

Merritt last coached the Salem girls in 2022. In 19 seasons with the Rams he went 257-220 with three South Jersey Group I girls basketball titles, back-to-back state runner-up finishes and four 20-win seasons. All told, he has won nearly 500 games across multiple sports.

Pennsville athletics director Jamy Thomas coaxed the 72-year-old out of retirement after Sam Trapp left for the AD’s job at Triton Regional in March. Merritt was approved by the Pennsville school board in July and the next month he was inducted into the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame.

“I think he’s a great coach and I think this season is going to go amazing,” junior guard Taylor Bass. “You come to practice and I’ve noticed that I haven’t really wanted to check my phone or check my watch to see what time I’m going to leave. I enjoy being here and I enjoy playing basketball.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing basketball, but for some reason this just feels more … fun.”

Pennsville girls coach Steve Merritt checks in with the scorekeepers prior to coaching his first game in two years Monday night. On the cover, Merritt makes a point during a first-quarter timeout.

Once Monday’s game started Merritt’s vision narrowed to the degree he lost all sense of his physical surroundings and focused solely on the action unfolding on the court.

Before the game he checked the two scorebooks like the basketball referee he used to be. When Millville scored its first basket of the game on an open layup on the low block he immediately called a time out. In the final minute of the first quarter he dictated a note to his assistant after a turnover led to another open layup that gave Millville the lead.

During the first JV quarter he wanted a timeout with the Eagles leading 11-3, but the refs didn’t hear him. The Eagles proceded to get a steal and a layup and he waved off the stoppage. In the fourth quarter he switched the players’ alignment on the foul line and they came away with the rebound.

“It felt almost as if I had never stopped,” Merritt said. “It almost seemed a continuation of where I was before.

“It was what I thought it would be. It was more than I hoped it would be. It was enlightening because I know what we have to work on.”

The Eagles played without senior Nora Ausland, who needs one more practice before she can play, and fell behind 23-20 at halftime. They were at their best in the third quarter when they outscored Millville 10-2 to carry a five-point lead into the fourth.

But things went south in the final eight minutes and they scored only two points in the quarter – Jaida Burns’ layup with 2:24 left that tied the game at 32. It stayed that way until Millville’s Jaylynn Jones drove an open right side to put Millville up 24-32 with 39 seconds left. Pennsville worked for the tying basket, but Marley Wood lost the dribble in traffic with 12.8 left and the Eagles never got another shot.

“I think fatigue set in and we panicked a bit,” Merritt said.

The Eagles have another scrimmage Thursday before Merritt’s return engagement gets going for “real” Dec. 18. They’re certainly not easing into it. The Eagles open their season against defending South Jersey champion Wildwood.

At least it’s at home.

Millville 34, Pennsville 32

Millville 111229-34
Pennsville911102-32

This week’s schedule

Here is the schedule for Salem County sports teams for the week of Dec. 9-14; events start at 4 p.m. unless noted, x-scrimmage

DEC. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Gloucester City at Salem Tech
x-Millville at Pennsville
x-Pleasantville at Penns Grove
x-Salem at Paulsboro
x-Schalick at Oakcrest
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Atlantic Tech at Salem
x-Cedar Creek at Schalick
x-Penns Grove at Lindenwold

DEC. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove, Winslow at Highland
x-Woodstown at Moorestown Friends
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Moorestown Friends at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. ACIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Ocean County, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Morris, 5 p.m.

DEC. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Paulsboro at Schalick
x-Schalick at Bridgeton
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Salem at Hammonton
x-Schalick at Winslow
x-West Deptford at Salem Tech
BOWLING
Salem vs. West Deptford at Bolero Lanes

DEC. 12
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Cumberland at Pennsville
x-Schalick at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Mastery Charter at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.
x-Pennsville at Cumberland
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp., 5:30 p.m.
x-Lower Cape May at Schalick
x-Salem at Vineland
x-Woodstown at Gateway
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Highland at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Williamson Trades, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bucks County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Hammonton at Woodstown

DEC. 14
BOYS BASKETBALL
Red Devil Classic, Penns Grove
Glassboro vs. Lindenwold, 10:30 a.m.
Salem vs. Woodbury, 4:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Red Devil Classic, Penns Grove
Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 12:30 p.m.
Glassboro vs. Woodbury, 2:30 p.m.
WRESTLING
Schalick Holiday Tournament, 9 a.m.
Woodstown in Delaware Valley Tournament
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Brookdale CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna, noon

Getting to know …

Nora Ausland, Pennsville’s puzzle master

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Every athlete looks forward to that special year that’s their senior high school season, but Pennsville girls basketball player Nora Ausland has a lot more than one reason to be excited about the year ahead.

AUSLAND

One last chance to play the game she’s dedicated her life to is only part of it. She has the chance to finish her high school career for the coach she started it with at another school, she’s on the verge of becoming a 1,000-point scorer and later in the year she’ll get to play in an NBA arena.

Along the way she may even rekindle the spark for a sport she loves but has been muted a little over the past two seasons, perhaps rekindle it to the point of wanting to play on the next level.

The final adventure started for Ausland Tuesday afternoon, but before taking part in her first preseason practice she spent some a few minutes with Riverview Sports News talking about her hopes and expectations for the year ahead and putting together the puzzle that has made her the player she has become.

RIVERVIEW SPORTS NEWS: Today was your first day of practice for your senior season. There’s a lot going on in the Pennsville girls basketball program this year. What are you hopes and expectations for your senior year?

NORA AUSLAND: I hope I can reach my 1,000 points this season, which would be exciting for me, and I hope we can all learn to play together and learn to grow so we have a good season this year.

RSN: How much have you been anticipating your senior season?

NA: I didn’t think I would be so excited or so scared, but now that I’m here I’m like a little excited to play.

RSN: You’ve got a lot going on – a new coach, going for 1,000 points, playing in an NBA arena late in the season – so how interesting a year will it be?

NA: I think it’s the coolest season I’ve had yet. I forgot we were going to the NBA court (they play Clayton in the Wells Fargo Center Feb. 11), and I get to score my 1,000 and have another chance to play and have fun.

RSN: How excited were you when Coach Merritt got the job. You played for him your freshman year at Salem. Are you excited to be with him again?

NA: I was very excited when I found out he had the job because freshman year was one of my best years yet and it was one of my favorite years, so I’m glad he’s back and that he’s here to coach us and help us.

RSN: How was your experience with him that one year and what’s he going to bring to your program that may be different than what’s been here before?

NA: Freshman year was one of my best year. Not only does he like tell us what to do he helps us figure out what to do and figure out how to do it and he helps people who aren’t as skilled to learn the skill, which is why I like him so much. A few of our girls need to grow more and learn more, so I’m glad he’s back.

It was fun playing for him because it wasn’t like you’d just practice, practice, practice, we would have fun. At the end of it he would allow us to shoot for fun, so it was fun. He can be (a tough guy) if you’re not paying attention or goofing off, but usually no.

RSN: Have you ever been served by him at the ice cream stand? (Merritt helps out at Hudock’s Custard Stand in Salem during ice cream season).

NA: I have not. I didn’t go there this year at all.

Nora Ausland (yellow shirt) and her Pennsville basketball teammates listen to new coach Steve Merritt talk about the season ahead. Ausland started her high school career playing for Merritt at Salem.

RSN: How was your first year at Pennsville last year and how quick was the adjustment?

NA: I’m glad everyone accepted me because I was a new student and a new player on a new team. I’m friends with everyone. The coaching really messed me up last year. It was different. I wasn’t used to that.

The transfer was fine. A bunch of people came up to me and talked to me and invited me to do stuff, which is nice, so I could fit in. Coming here was a great idea.

RSN: I know you’re on the verge of 1,000 points. (She needs 193 points to become the eighth Pennsville girls with 1,000 and needs 98 rebounds for 500 of those). How big a goal is that for you?

NA: It wasn’t even something that was in my that I could do, but after my freshman year and I got as many points as I did I realized that wow I can actually do this. But my sophomore year when I broke my foot, I was gone for half a season, really worried me because I didn’t know if I’m going to be able to do that. But last year and this year it’s going to be a good year so I’ll definitely be able to get that.

RSN: Did your brother getting it inspire you to want to do it? (Gage Ausland graduated from Salem in 2020 with 1,144 points at Salem and is 32nd on the Salem County boys scoring list.)

NA: I guess my dad influenced me the most. He’d always tell me to work hard, don’t give up, when you’re in the game actually try, don’t sit there and be whatever. I want to try this year. I want to get my 1,000th point.

RSN: If you play to last year’s scoring average (13.8 ppg), 1000 would come Jan. 23 at home against Salem. If you play to your career average (12.8), it would come Jan. 28 at home against Overbrook. Would you rather get it against your old team, the Wells Fargo Center or it doesn’t matter as long as you get it? 

NA: It doesn’t really matter where it happens, once I get it I’ll be happy for myself, but having it in the Wells Fargo Center would be pretty cool. That would be nice.

RSN: How did you learn about the team playing in the Wells Fargo Center? How much are you looking forward to the experience and what’s the biggest arena you’ve ever played in before?

NA: My dad told me. I guess he got the schedule and then he told me about it and I was like, that’s really cool.

I don’t think I’ve ever played in a big arena, just high school gyms. I’ve been in the Salem Community College gym, but that’s pretty much it. Playing in the Wells Fargo Center definitely will be like a once-in-a-lifetime thing, especially this young. I’m very excited. I’m very nervous, too. That’s a lot of pressure.

RSN: You’re a basketball-only player, don’t do anything else but play basketball. What’s it like dedicating yourself to one sport all year round?

NA: It feels good knowing that I can get better every year and work all the time all year round and not have another sport in my way in doing something that I actually want to do. Having only one sport, I think that’s good for me. It’s basketball, I grew up on basketball. It’s the only sport I like.

RSN: What’s the neatest basketball experience you’ve ever had?

NA: Probably my freshman year, our first round of the playoffs. We were the higher seed and we were told we were going to lose, but we actually won that game. It was a really fun experience. (Seventh-seeded Salem beat Schalick 34-27 and Ausland had 15 points, 18 rebounds and six blocked shots).

RSN: Earlier this month a lot of seniors signed to play college sports. Were you one of them or have you committed to college going forward? Basically, where’s your recruiting stand?

NA: I don’t want to play in college. The past two years, sophomore and junior years, the coaches made me lose my love for basketball.

Maybe I can get the spark back this year. I probably can because I have Merritt as a coach. I hope I can.

RSN: So what are your plans beyond high school?

NA: I’m going to go to Salem Community College for however long it is to get my Associate’s in accounting and then go to Rowan to do my accounting classes.

RSN: When did you make that decision to not play college basketball?

NA: Last year. It was hard (and she starts tearing up as she thinks about it). I always said I want to go to the WNBA, blah, blah, blah, but the past two years just messed with me. 

RSN: Let’s wrap up with some fun stuff. What do you do off the basketball court?

NA: I don’t do much. I just go to school and then to practice and then go home. I don’t do much.

I do puzzles.

RSN: See, there’s something. What’s the biggest puzzle you’ve put together?

NA: A 2,000-piece. It was a picture of Las Vegas. I have like 10 puzzles all done and I hang them up on my wall. I like the challenge of it.

The first one I did I started in eighth grade and then I just stopped doing it because I couldn’t do it, and then I picked it back up again my sophomore year. The Las Vegas one took me four days. My 100-piece ones or 1000-piece ones took me like a day or two.

Salem winter sports

Here is the complete 2024-25 Salem County winter sports schedule; look for the weekly schedule on the website starting in December; x-scrimmage

NOV. 23
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Atlantic Cape CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Essex County at Salem CC, noon

NOV. 26
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Camden County, 7 p.m.

DEC. 3
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Thaddeus Stevens, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Union, 5 p.m.

DEC. 6
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Schalick vs. Woodstown at GCIT, 8:30 p.m.

DEC. 7
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp., noon
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bergen CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Raritan Valley CC at Salem CC, noon

DEC. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Gloucester City at Salem Tech
x-Millville at Pennsville
x-Pleasantville at Penns Grove
x-Salem at Paulsboro
x-Schalick at Oakcrest
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Atlantic Tech at Salem
x-Cedar Creek at Schalick
x-Penns Grove at Lindenwold

DEC. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove, Winslow at Highland
x-Woodstown at Moorestown Friends
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Moorestown Friends at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. ACIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Ocean County, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Morris, 5 p.m.

DEC. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Paulsboro at Schalick
x-Schalick at Bridgeton
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Salem at Hammonton
x-Schalick at Winslow
x-West Deptford at Salem Tech
BOWLING
Salem vs. West Deptford at Bolero Lanes

DEC. 12
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Cumberland at Pennsville
x-Schalick at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Mastery Charter at Salem Tech
x-Pennsville at Cumberland
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp.
x-Lower Cape May at Schalick
x-Salem at Vineland
x-Woodstown at Gateway
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Highland at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Williamson Trades, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bucks County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Hammonton at Woodstown

DEC. 14
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove Showcase
Glassboro vs. Lindenwold
Salem vs. Woodbury, 4:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove Showcase
Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
Glassboro vs. Woodbury
WRESTLING
Schalick Holiday Tournament
Woodstown in Delaware Valley Tournament
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Brookdale CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna, noon

DEC. 16
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Pennsville at Palmyra
x-Woodstown at Kingsway
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Clearview at Woodstown
x-Palmyra at Pennsville
Buena at Salem Tech
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. West Deptford at Riverwinds

DEC. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Cape May Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cape May Tech at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
INDOOR TRACK
Salem at Bennett Center, Toms River
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 18
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville
Salem at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Penns Grove
Schalick at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville
Clayton at Schalick
Penns Grove at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Salem
TRACK
Pennsville Polar Bear Meet
BOWLING
Salem in Holiday Showcase at Laurel Lanes, Maple Shade

DEC. 19
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Deptford at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Salem vs. Triton at GCIT, 8:15 p.m.
WRESTLING
Palmyra, Salem at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Timber Creek at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton, Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
WRESTLING
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational 

DEC. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic, 1:30 p.m.
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Penns Grove vs. Timber Creek, 2:15 p.m.
SJIBT Tournament
Highland at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia

DEC. 22
WRESTLING
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament

DEC. 23
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Woodstown vs. Holy Spirit, 7:30 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Pennsville, noon
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Mainland 

DEC. 26
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Washington Twp.

Boardwalk Classic 
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs Millville, 1 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick at West Deptford Tournament

DEC. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Buena
Penns Grove at Audubon Tournament
Woodstown in Haddon Twp. Tournament

Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Delsea, 9:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Buena
Salem vs. Westampton Tech at Deslea, 5 p.m.
Salem Tech in ACIT Holiday Tournament
Schalick at West Deptford Tournament
Woodstown at New Egypt Tournament
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Overbrook Tournament
Penns Grove, Schalick at Clayton Tournament

DEC. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Audubon Tournament
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech in ACIT Holiday Tournament
Woodstown at New Egypt Tournament
TRACK
Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia
WRESTLING
Audubon, Long Branch, Northern Burlington at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Cumberland Duals
Schalick at Clayton Tournament

DEC. 30
BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Gloucester City, 11:30 a.m.

Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Oakcrest, 2:45 p.m.
Penns Grove vs. St. Augustine, 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Woodstown in Haddon Twp. Tournament
BOYS BASKETBALL
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Millville, 10 a.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JAN. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Wildwood
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Overbrook
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Schalick at Vineland YMCA
TRACK
Pennsville at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island

JAN. 14
WRESTLING
Cumberland, Salem at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Pitman
Schalick at St. Joe (Hamm.)
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Harcum at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 15
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Woodstown
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Pitman
Woodstown at Schalick
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Haddon Heights at Camden County Tech
WRESTLING
Woodstown at Middle Twp.

JAN. 16
WRESTLING
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Schalick
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, 8:15 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape, 6 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Anne Arundel CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester City
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Woodstown
Haddon Twp. at Pennsville
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown in NSIAA Relays, Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem at Lenape, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville vs. Collingswood, Sterling, Vineland
Penns Grove, Salem, Overbrook at Pitman
Deptford, Haddon Twp., Pemberton at Schalick, 9 a.m.
Buena, Haddon Heights, Pennsauken at Woodstown
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Passaic County CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Essex County, noon

JAN. 20
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove vs. Burlington City at Woodbury, 12:30 p.m.

JAN. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOWLING
Salem vs. ACIT at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Collingswood at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Union College, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, 6 p.m.

JAN. 22
WRESTLING
Clayton at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Timber Creek at Pennsville
Woodstown at Overbrook
TRACK
Pennsville, Woodstown at Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 23
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
Overbrook at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Salem
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Pitman
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Schalick at GCIT, 7:15 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Williamson Trades at Salem CC, 4 p.m.

JAN. 24
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Buena at Salem
Pennsville at Delsea, 7 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Buena
WRESTLING
Woodstown at Pennsville

JAN. 25
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at OLMA, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Camden County Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Schalick, 11:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Clearview, 11:30 a.m.
West Deptford at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Salem, Timber Creek, Lower Cape May at Haddon Heights
Schalick, Holy Spirit, Toms River North at Vineland
Woodstown, Hillsborough, West Essex at Watchung Hills
SWIMMING
Salem at Invitational, GCIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Northampton CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, noon

JAN. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester City at Schalick
Palmyra at Salem
Salem Tech at Gateway
Woodstown at Cinnaminson
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Gloucester City
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Woodstown at GCIT, 7 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes

JAN. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Overbrook
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
Wildwood at Salem
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Union at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 29
WRESTLING
Clayton at Salem
Cumberland at Woodstown
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes

JAN. 30
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Paulsboro
Wildwood at Penns Grove
Winslow at Salem
Woodstown at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Wildwood
Salem at Camden County Tech
Salem Tech at Camden County Tech
TRACK
Salem in TCC Showcase, Bennett Center

JAN. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Camden County Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gateway at Salem Tech
WRESTLING
Clayton at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
TRACK
Pennsville, Woodstown at Bennett Center, Toms River

FEB. 1
BOYS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Clearview, Hammonton at Central Regional
Penns Grove vs. Bordentown, Vineland, Winslow
Salem, Schalick, Palmyra at Lindenwold
TRACK
Woodstown in SJTCA at Bennett Center
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley CC, noon

FEB. 3
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at West Deptford
Salem at Audubon
BOYS BASKETBALL
Buena at Pennsville
Riverside at Penns Grove
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Ocean Breeze Complex, Staten Island
BOWLING
Salem vs. Hammonton at DiDonato Bowling Center

FEB. 4
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Pennsville at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Salem at Pitman
Schalick at Glassboro
Woodstown at Pennsville
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Montgomery County (Pa.) CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
CC or Morris at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 5
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Gateway
Penns Grove at Clearview
BOWLING
Salem, Salem Tech in TCC Showcase at 30 Strikes

FEB. 6
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Wildwood
WRESTLING
Woodstown, Williamstown at Hammonton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 7
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Millville
WRESTLING
Salem at Winslow
BOWLING
NJSIAA Playoffs

FEB. 8
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Cumberland at Schalick, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at West Deptford, 11:30 a.m.
Absegami at Salem, noon
WRESTLING
Burlington City, Egg Harbor Twp., St. Joe (Hamm.) at Pennsville
Woodstown, Williamstown at Hammonton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Harrisburg Area CC, noon

FEB. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Schalick at Winslow
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Triton
Salem at Winslow
Schalick at Maple Shade
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island
WRESTLING
Playoffs Rounds 1 & 2

FEB. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pennsville vs. Clayton at Wells Fargo Center
Salem Tech at Pitman
Woodstown at Schalick
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Woodstown
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 12
WRESTLING
Haddon Heights at Pennsville

FEB. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Pitman
Penns Grove at Salem
LEAP Academy at Schalick
Woodstown at Salem Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pitman at Pennsville
Salem at Penns Grove
Salem Tech at Woodstown
Schalick at Pennsauken Tech

FEB. 14
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Triton at Schalick
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
WRESTLING
Schalick, Burlington Twp., Maple Shade at Cherry Hill West
Sectional Finals

FEB. 15
WRESTLING
Central Regional, Delran, Haddon Heights at Woodstown
Pennsville at Hightstown
Penns Grove, Gloucester Catholic at Lindenwold
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Bennett Center, Staten Island
Woodstown in NJSIAA Sectionals at Bennett Center
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Sussex County CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Lackawanna at Salem CC, 1 p.m.

FEB. 18
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
Deptford at Penns Grove
TCC Showcase
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Montgomery County  (Pa.) CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase

FEB. 22
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase

FEB. 23
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Bennett Center, Staten Island

MAR. 2
TRACK
Meet of Champions, Ocean Breeze, Staten Island

WJFL Patriot Stars

Pennsville’s first playoff team since 2019 placed four players on the WJFL Patriot Division all-star team as voted upon by the coaches last week and recently approved by the athletic directors — OL Jacob Hand, 1,000-yard rushing RB Rylan Hardy, DB Malik Rehmer and LB Connor Ayars. Former Penns Grove player Bryce Wright, a transfer to West Deptford this season, was picked as a first-team LB. Division winner Camden Catholic had nine players on the first team.

WJFL PATRIOT DIVISION OFFENSE
OLRyan BurkeOverbrook
OLLars StegnerCamden Catholic
OLJacob HandPennsville
OLSal FilfeWest Deptford
OLChris NeffPaulsboro
QBMike MoritzCamden Catholic
RBNymir DailyCamden Catholic
RBRylan HardyPennsville
WR/TEYon AndersonCollingswood
WR/TEJeremiah CarrPaulsboro
WR/TESean WeideCamden Catholic
KMatthew KilicCamden Catholic
ATHTeriq MooreOverbrook
ATHKyair HarveyPaulsboro
WJFL PATRIOT DIVISION DEFENSE
DLJonah JordanAudubon
DLJoel AmegatherCamden Catholic
DLJarred HazelPaulsboro
DLEric ScottPaulsboro
DBTommy QuinnAudubon
DBJoshua CollierCamden Catholic
DBMalik RehmerPennsville
DBZamir DavisWest Deptford
LBSean O’ReillyCamden Catholic
LBConnor AyarsPennsville
LBCaden LubyCollingswood
LBBryce WrightWest Deptford
PLogan GilbertAudubon
ATH Bryce ClarkCamden Catholic

Wearing ’em down

Woodstown keeps the ball on the ground, runs past Pennsville to reach Central Jersey Group I finals

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I
Friday’s Semifinals
Woodstown 21, Pennsville 6
Shore 17, Woodbury 7
Nov. 15 Championship
(2) Shore at (1) Woodstown

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Back in the day when Woodstown football was at its best, the Wolverines would run over, run around and run through opponents to get where they wanted to go. Sometimes it’s good to go back to the past to find the way forward.

The Wolverines went back to their roots Friday night, just pounding play after play on the ground and that strategy carried them past county rival Pennsville 21-6 in the Central Jersey Group I semifinals.

They wound up with 213 yards on 39 time-consuming carries and now will host unbeaten Shore Regional for the sectional championship next week.

“Running has been part of Woodstown football for a very long time – it’s been run, run, run,” running back Alex Torres said. “Then we’ve had amazing quarterbacks come through here and we’ve been in the pass game. They couldn’t stop the run, so we just kept running and we were putting the ball down their throat.”

“It was just working,” quarterback Garrett Leyman said. “We knew we could pound the ball down their throats. We got some long drives in and capitalized.”

Their longest drive of the night actually sealed the game. They put together a 10-minute, 16-play, 90-yard drive that started in the third quarter and ended in the fourth and was capped by Torres’ third short-yardage touchdown of the game. There were 15 running plays in the drive.

The Wolverines threw only four passes in the game. Pennsville coach Mike Healy figured to see a lot of run from them, but nothing quite like that.

“I expected them to be very run heavy; I didn’t think it was going to be that much, but they were having success,” he said. “There was one drive in the third into fourth quarter they just kept getting yards. We knew they could run the ball, we knew they’re tough up front. We still feel like we’re tough up front, too, there were just a couple things kind of went their way.”

The Wolverines (9-1) showed right off the bat they meant business when it came to running the football. Torres took the first snap of the game for 26 yards. In fact, the first play of each of their first six possessions in the first half went for 26, 10, 2 (touchdown), 5, 20 (a pass) and 52 yards.

“We want to establish the run and we want to run the ball,” Woodstown coach Frank Trautz said. “And if we’re able to do that and feel like we’re getting what we need to get to, then that’s going to be the plan; we’ll stick with it.”

“I’ve got to give props to our line,” Leyman said. “They were out there grinding. It was a hard-fought win for them, too.”

Woodstown’s Alex Torres (6) bursts through a big hole in the line for one of his three touchdowns against Pennsville. (Photo by Ellen Sickler)

Once again the Wolverines got big games from their next men up – Torres and Leyman.

Torres, drawing the start at running back ahead of Bryce Belinfanti for the second week in a row, rushed for 111 yards on a career-high 23 carries and scored all three Woodstown touchdowns on short-yardage runs (2, 3, 2). It was his second straight 100-yard game and third of his career.

The Wolverines continue to go slow with the ankle Belinfanti rolled in the Glassboro game. The senior was back in the game Friday, but got most of his time against the Eagles on defense. He did get one carry — late in the third quarter – and picked up a first down with it. He still needs 10 yards for his second straight 1,000-yard season rushing.

“I just knew I couldn’t let my team down,” said Torres, who had 152 yards rushing in the playoff opener against KIPP. “I knew that I worked all summer for this and as soon as they brought me up I knew it was my time to show what I can do and I definitely did. As soon as they said my name I knew I had to put everything out there for my team.”

Leyman, meanwhile, continues to hold the reins at quarterback and he rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries. Most of his yards came on a 52-yard burst that set up Torres’ second touchdown.

It was reminiscent of his days as a running quarterback as an eighth grader, the last time he played the position before being thrust into the role at Salem (with great success) following the shoulder injury to starter Jack Holladay in the Haddon Heights game Oct. 12.

“It definitely reminded me of eighth grade,” he said. “I feel like that’s my strong suit, my running game. I know I just had to do it.”

The Wolverines are hopeful of a full return for both injured players – Belinfanti, Trautz said, is “almost 100 percent,” almost to the point the Wolverines could have used him on offense Friday they needed to, and Holladay is “getting closer” – but they’re also confident they can continue to succeed with these next men up as the go deeper into the playoffs.

“One hundred percent,” Trautz said. “These aren’t backup players who are playing. These are guys who have played a million varsity game for us. If we need to, we’re ready to roll with them and we’re very confident in what they can do.”

“It just shows how dominant we can be,” Leyman said. “We have guys all over the place who can step in and play when their number is called.”

Pennsville came out ready to go. The Eagles put together a five and a half minute, nine-play, 86-yard drive on their first possession with Robbie McDade hooking up with Malik Rehmer on a 53-yard pass play for the game’s first score. But the Eagles missed the extra point.

They held the lead until a muffed punt later in the quarter set up Woodstown at 2. Torres scored his first touchdown on the next snap and Jake Ware’s extra point gave the Wolverines the lead for good.

Woodstown’s Bump Carter (71) is in hot pursuit of Pennsville quarterback Robbie McDade. Carter sacked McDade for a big loss late in the fourth quarter. (Photo by Ellen Sickler)

Woodstown 21, Pennsville 6

PVILLEWOOD
61st Downs11
17-75Rushing39-213
6-14-1C-A-I2-4-0
77Passing41
2-2Fum-lost2-0
4-28.5Punts5-31.6
1-5Penalties5-35
Pennsville6000-6
Woodstown 7707-21

SCORING SUMMARY
P-Malik Rehmer 53 pass from Robbie McDade (kick failed), 3:29 1Q
WO-Alex Torres 2 run (Jake Ware kick), 1:11 1Q
WO-Alex Torres 3 run (Jake Ware kick), 1:03 2Q
WO-Alex Torres 2 run (Jake Ware kick), 7:18 4Q

Playoff head-to-head

Here are the records of Salem County teams in head-to-head playoff matchups since 2003.

TEAMPGSALPVLWOOSCHTOTAL
Penns Grove—2-10-11-13-06-3
Salem1-2—1-01-01-14-3
Pennsville1-00-1—1-2NA2-3
Woodstown1-10-12-1—1-04-3
Schalick0-31-1NA0-1—1-5

Emotional openers

Penns Grove heartbroken after Pitman scores game-winner in final minute; top seeds Schalick, Woodstown win handily; Pennsville shut out

SJ GROUP I BOYS SOCCER
Tuesday’s First-Round Games
Schalick 7, Cape May Tech 0
Pitman 2, Penns Grove 1
Audubon 5, Gateway 1
Haddon Twp. 6, Pennsville 0
Palmyra 7, Woodbury 1
Riverside 4, Glassboro 2
Wildwood 5, Maple Shade 0
Woodstown 7, Clayton 1
Friday’s Quarterfinals
(8) Pitman at (1) Schalick
(5) Audubon at (4) Haddon Twp.
(6) Riverside at (3) Palmyra
(7) Wildwood at (2) Woodstown

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITMAN – The nature of playoff sports is such that one minute you’re planning for an extended stay and the next your whole world comes tumbling down.

The way Tuesday’s South Jersey Group 1 playoff game was playing out, Penns Grove boys soccer coach Mano Massari was prepared for overtime and even had his penalty kicks shootout strategy lined up should it come to that.

It all looked like it was going that way. Then Pitman punched in a goal off a corner kick in the final minute of regulation and all those plans came crashing to the ground.

Jaiden Ammons nudged a corner kick from Jake Bowen-Aswin through a crowd in the box and past Penns Grove keeper Dwayne Guzman to give the Panthers a 2-1 win. Inside the final minute was the best estimate on the time of the game-winner since Alcyon Park has no working scoreboard clock.

“79th minute” is the way it read in the scorebook.

Whether it was one minute, one second or one hour, it was as crushing a defeat as Massari has endured in his soccer career as a player or a coach.

“It was 100 percent the toughest loss of our season,” he said. “It’s crushing. It’s crushing to watch my guys drop to the ground and cry. It’s tough. A lot of these guys, this is all they’ve got. 

“This team, they’re family. My guys go through a lot outside of school and they deal with a lot. When I tell you this team really is a family, I mean it, man. It’s heartbreaking to watch them go through that.”

Massari described the game as an “absolute all-out war.” The ninth-seeded Red Devils (8-10) grabbed a 1-0 lead on freshman Juan Ortiz’ fifth goal of the season in the 49th minute. Bowen-Ashwin tied it for the Panthers (10-8-1) nine minutes later.

It stayed that with until the final minute of regulation. 

The decisive kick came from Penns Grove’s left defensive corner. Bowen-Ashwin sent the ball into the box. Guzman came off the line and took a swipe at it with his left arm, but Ammons was crashing the goal and deflected it back into the net. It was similar to an overtime goal he scored at Pennsville in September.

“I really wasn’t expecting it to land on my head,” Ammons told Brian Tortella of SJGloryDays. “I just closed my eyes and prayed for the best. Somehow, it landed on my head and it went in.”

“I have a little team, they’re not the biggest guys in the world,” Massari said. “I have two guys above 5-8, 5-9 and they (Pitman) made a play in the box and they buried it. … It just wasn’t in our cards today I guess.”

With the win, Pitman moves on to play at top-seeded Schalick in the quarterfinals Friday.

SCHALICK 7, CAPE MAY TECH 0: The Cougars wasted no time getting on the scoreboard and it touched off a six-goal barrage in the first half that carried the bracket’s top seed to an easy first-round victory over the 16.

Luke Price stole the ball just outside of his 18, took it the length of the field and beat the keeper only 25 seconds into the match. He scored twice more in the final 10 minutes of the half to complete his second hat trick of the season.

“Coming off a tough win versus Cumberland we needed to walk the next team off the field no matter the rank,” Price said. “As coach said in our pre-game, ‘Energy from the start, everyone,’ so I knew we needed to get off to a great start.

“(The first goal) brings me back to my freshman year scoring a 31-second goal. It’s great to score that first goal quick.”

But the Cougars didn’t stop there. Mike Nelson made it 2-0 on a header off an Anthony Sepers cross, followed by goals from Oscar Hernandez and Reyli Reyes. J.T. Fleming scored in the second half.

“We tried to focus on being sharp and executing today and really from the first minutes of the game they were fairly locked in,” Cougars coach Joe Mannella said. “As good of an effort as you can expect first round. 

“I was worried about guys doing some things they couldn’t get away with in a different game. But everybody played well, executed and stuck to what we do and we did it well. It was really all we could have hoped for today.”

The Cougars (18-2) now host eighth-seeded Pitman in Friday’s quarterfinals.

WOODSTOWN 7, CLAYTON 1: Adrian Ibarra and Bryce Ayars gave Woodstown a comfortable 2-0 halftime lead, but the Wolverines erupted for five goals in the second half to completely take control of the game.

Ibarra, Ayden Ellis, Ben Lippincott, Sid Leevy and freshman Josh Olbrich notched the goals in the second half. For Ibarra, his two goals left him with 48 for his career. 

“Obviously we became more efficient with our shooting, with our percentages, but we were moving better without the ball,” Wolverines coach Darren Huck explained of the second-half uprising. “We were crashing the net more and really getting lots of movement and bodies inside the 18.

“In the first half we were getting some quality looks, but we were getting a little bit wide here and there and we weren’t creating enough confusion in the final third. We definitely did that in the second half.”

And the better movement created some luck. Ellis’ goal came after he beat the goalie, hit the back post and the rebound richocheted off the keeper’s back and into the goal.

Leevy’s goal was a brilliant 19-yard free kick around the defensive wall just inside the post to answer the Clippers’ goal. Olbrich’s goal came on a penalty kick and made him the 291st player in school history to score a varsity goal.

It was a legacy goal of sorts. Olbrich’s father, brother and sister are all enshrined on the recently unveiled Woodstown Soccer Wall of Fame.

“We had good balance today,” Huck said.

The second-seeded Wolverines (15-4) now host Wildwood in Friday’s quarterfinals.

SJ GROUP 2 BOYS SOCCER
Haddon Heights 7, Salem Tech 0

VOLLEYBALL
SJ GROUP 2 VOLLEYBALL
Seneca 2, Salem Tech 0 (25-2, 25-11)

Off and running

Woodstown wakes up in second half to pull away in South Jersey Group I girls soccer playoff opener, Schalick posts runaway victory, Pennsville drops close one

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I PLAYOFFS
Monday’s First-Round Games
Gateway 3, Clayton 2 (SO 5-4)
Riverside 2, Pennsville 1
Haddon Twp. 8, Buena 0
Woodstown 6, Wildwood 0
Palmyra 5, Maple Shade 0
Glassboro 3, Pitman 2 (OT)
Schalick 9, Cape May Tech 0
Thursday’s Quarterfinals
(8) Gateway at (1) Audubon
(5) Riverside at (4) Haddon Twp.
(6) Palmyra at (3) Woodstown
(7) Glassboro at (2) Schalick

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Kieran Keyser isn’t the type of coach to yell and scream on the sidelines, but this time warranted getting a little loud.

Keyser’s third-seeded Woodstown girls soccer team was locked in a scoreless tie at halftime of their South Jersey Group I playoff opener with Wildwood, a team it had beaten by seven goals early in the season. The Wolverines were having the best of the play and had a couple good scoring chances, but just couldn’t finish the ball.

Keyser had his say at the break and it was obvious the Wolverines got the message. Talia Battavio found the back of the net in the first five minutes of the second half and the Wolverines went on to score six goals in a 6-0 win.

The Wolverines (13-4-2), unbeaten in their last seven games and 10-1-2 in their last 13, now host Palmyra (15-4) in the quarterfinals Thursday.

“I had to light a fire under them,” Keyser said. “We’ve never had a game where we’ve been outhustled and outworked; we were for 40 minutes.

“Maybe because we beat them 8-1 in the second game of the season I think our girls thought this is an easy win. We had moments of greatness in the first half, don’t get me wrong, but we couldn’t convert. We came out flat.”

Battavio scored twice in the second half, giving her 17 for the season and 64 for her career – one shy of fourth on the Wolverines’ all-time scoring list. Gina Murray, Blair Baldi, Bailey Arnold-Peters and Emma Morgan had the other goals.

“They answered the call,” Keyser said. “I said we need to do this and they started doing it. I was proud of them. It should’ve been an easy win for us and in the end it was but at halftime there was a lot of tension in the air. We figured it out.”

SCHALICK 9, CAPE MAY TECH 0: Quinn Berger scored the first of her two goals in the opening minute of the game and it opened the door to an eight-goal first half and the second-seeded Cougars’ 11th straight opening-round win.

“It’s always good to get the morale going, especially going into the playoffs,” Schalick coach Will Kemp said. “The girls stepped up big time today. It was the type of match we needed to get through.”
 
Abby Willoughby scored three goals, giving her 22 for the season, Olivia Devoe scored twice and Cali Fisler and Liv Vanacker each had one. Willoughby and Vanacker each had two assists.

“The girls handled business, definitely,” Kemp said. “They know where we are in the season. Their intensity was great. Their ability to kind of control the game on their own, they stepped into that really big this time. They were really together today.”

The Cougars (13-5) now host Glassboro (9-5-3) in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

RIVERSIDE 2, PENNSVILLE 1: Natalie Tkacs scored a goal in the first half Larissa Santos DaSilva scored what proved to be the game-winner off a pass from Tkacs in the second half.

This week’s schedule

The South Jersey Group I & II playoffs in boys soccer, girls soccer, field hockey and volleyball get underway this week. Here is the weekly sports schedule for teams in Salem County for the week of Nov. 4-9

NOV. 4
GIRLS SOCCER
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
(9) Clayton at (8) Gateway, 2 p.m.
(12) Pennsville at (5) Riverside, 3 p.m.
(13) Buena at (4) Haddon Twp., 4 p.m.
(14) Wildwood at (3) Woodstown, 2 p.m.
(11) Maple Shade at (6) Palmyra, 2 p.m.
(10) Pitman at (7) Glassboro, 2 p.m.
(15) Cape May Tech at (2) Schalick, 3 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT 
(16) Audubon at (1) Shore
(9) Florence at (8) Salem, 2 p.m.
(12) Lower Cape May at (5) Gloucester
(13) Haddon Twp. at (4) Haddon Heights
(14) Maple Shade at (3) West Deptford
(11) Bordentown at (6) Gateway, 4 p.m.
(10) Collingswood at (7) Woodstown
(15) South Hunterdon at (2) Schalick, 2 p.m.

NOV. 5
BOYS SOCCER
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
(16) Cape May Tech at (1) Schalick, 2 p.m.
(9) Penns Grove at (8) Pitman, 2 p.m.
(12) Gateway at (5) Audubon, 2 p.m.
(13) Pennsville at (4) Haddon Twp., 4 p.m.
(14) Woodbury at (3) Palmyra, 4 p.m.
(11) Glassboro at (6) Riverside, 4 p.m.
(10) Maple Shade at (7) Wildwood, 2 p.m.
(15) Clayton at (2) Woodstown, 4 p.m.
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II TOURNAMENT
(15) Salem Tech at (2) Haddon Heights
VOLLEYBALL
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II TOURNAMENT
(14) Salem Tech at (3) Seneca

NOV. 6
FIELD HOCKEY
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
Salem at Shore, 4 p.m.
Gloucester at Haddon Heights, 2 p.m.
Bordentown at West Deptford, 2 p.m.
Collingswood at Schalick, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Bryn Mawr, 7 p.m.

NOV. 7
GIRLS SOCCER
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
Gateway at Audubon
Riverside at Haddon Twp.
Palmyra at Woodstown
Glassboro at Schalick

NOV. 8
FOOTBALL
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I PLAYOFFS
Riverside at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Paulsboro at Schalick, 6 p.m.
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I PLAYOFFS
Pennsville at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Woodbury at Shore, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT
Pitman at Schalick
Audubon at Haddon Twp.
Riverside Palmyra
Wildwood at Woodstown

NOV. 9
CROSS COUNTRY
NJSIAA Group Championships, Holmdel Park
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Delaware County CC at Salem CC, noon

Best foot forward

Woodstown’s boys going back to states after third-place finish at sectionals; Schalick also qualifies in boys race

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

LOGAN TWP. – It wasn’t necessarily a drought, but it was a dry spell like this past month of October that Woodstown boys cross country coach Steve New really wanted to end.

It had been three years since the Wolverines’ boys team made it to the state meet, but they ended the dry spell Saturday with a third-place finish in the South Jersey Group I sectional race at DREAM Park.

The Wolverines placed three runners in the top 10 and all five in the top 25 to score 63 points for a solid third behind winner Glassboro and Haddon Twp. Schalick finished fourth and also qualified for next week’s state meet in Holmdel.

“I thought we had a shot (to win), we’d have to have all things line up for us, but I can’t be upset with them,” New said. “That’s the best we’ve finished since I’ve been coaching. My 1 through 7 were all under 18:40. I’ve never had a team do that.”

The Wolverines’ Big 3 – Salem County champion Karson Chew, Jacob Marino and Cole Lucas – finished third, sixth and seventh, respectively, just three seconds apart. They’re other two counters, Jon Farrell and David Farrell, were 24th and 25th, respectively, separated at the wire by one second.

“We told them don’t worry about the clock, worry about people,” New said. “You can’t be worried about your watch, you’ve got to worry about passing people. If you want to go out fast, it’s got to be controlled chaos, settle in to where you think you need to be. They were right where I wanted them to be.”

“This is the first year in a long time our whole team was able to make it to state and it’s the first year in a long time we’ve had a chance at winning (sectionals),” Chew said as he tried calculating team scores as runners crossed the finish line. “It’s a maybe right now, but we’ll figure it out. I’m super happy either way, if we win or not. It was a super good race from everyone. I’m super proud of them, super proud of myself and can’t wait to run in the states.”

Woodstown’s fate was sealed when the fifth counters from Glassboro and Haddon Twp. both finished in the top 17 before the Wolverines’ last two runners crossed the line.

“It was a hard race,” Marino said. “Our whole team fought to the end.”

Glassboro’s Ty Blackman blew the field away winning in 15:42.62. Shaun Maloney of Haddon Twp. was second (16:47.34). Chew was only six seconds behind, just missing a PR, holding off Haddon Twp.’s Manolo Foote and Glassboro’s Jaeden Wesley at the finish.

“My whole thing when I’m racing against Ty, second place becomes first place,” Chew said. “It ends up being a race for second between everybody, just because he’s so much ahead. That way it’s made it easier to not get discouraged or feel bad during the race.”

Schalick scored 123 points. Salvatore Longo was the first Cougars’ runner across the line, coming in 13th (17:19.71). Collin Bittle was 22nd (18:05.06). Six of the Cougars’ runners posted season-best times.

Salem’s Sam Cooke was 27th (18:28.03). The Rams finished eighth as a team.

Pennsville didn’t have enough runners to post a team score, but Logan Brumbaugh and Logan Cowperthwait were the Eagles’ top finishers at 51st and 57th.

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I
BOYS XC CHAMPIONSHIP
TEAM SCORES: Glassboro 42, Haddon Twp. 44, Woodstown 63, Schalick 123, Maple Shade 140, Audubon 177, Pitman 182, Salem 215, Cape May Tech 242, Clayton 282, Riverside 309, Pt. Pleasant Beach 370.

INDIVIDUAL TOP 5: Ty Blackmon, Glassboro, 15:42.62; Shaun Maloney, Haddon Twp. 16:47.34; Karon Chew, Woodstown, 16:53.02; Manolo Foote, Haddon Twp., 16:53.21; Jaeden Wesley, Glassboro, 16:53.50.

Cover photo: Woodstown’s Karson Chew holds off runners from Glassboro and Haddon Twp. to finish third in the South Jersey Group I boys race Saturday.