Stealing one

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

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Woodstown	15	8	11	17-	51
Pennsville	8	13	10	16-	47

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Schalick	5	3	9	4-	21
Gateway	9	8	8	18-	43

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

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

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

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

Salem	7	8	10	10-	35
Audubon	16	10	21	7-	54

3-point goals: Audubon 1 (Madden). Rebounds: Audubon 18 (Heck 4).

This week’s schedule

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

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

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

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

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

Salem County leaders

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

Boys

SCORING (based on avg.)	PTS	AVG	FG	FT	GP
Mason O’Brien, PV	236	16.86	84	46	14
Tymear Lecator, Sal	364	16.55	118	76	22
Blake Bialecki, Wo	364	13.48	118	55	27
Dashaan Williams, Sal	272	11.83	92	60	23
Julian Dickerson. Sch	257	11.68	95	41	22
Roman Gipson, PG	301	11.15	122	29	27
Eli Caesar, Wo	252	9.69	90	32	26
Dylan Sheehan, Sch	189	9.45	78	33	20
Geonni Conrad, PG	253	9.37	99	31	27
Danny Knight, PV	159	9.35	34	6	17
Neziah Spence, Sal	199	9.05	58	54	22
Andrew White, Wo	214	8.56	82	31	25
Alejandro Vazquez, Wo	227	8.41	71	25	27
Chase Pompper, ST	162	7.71	65	26	21
Will Roy, PG	208	7.70	90	9	27
Kade Macom, Sch	169	7.68	67	15	22
Aiden Bobo, ST	151	7.55	61	19	20
Carson Pearsall, PG	131	7.28	50	20	18
Sherrod Jones, Sch	122	7.18	52	13	17
Raphael Busch, ST	129	7.17	54	19	18
Orion Baldwin, Sch	145	6.90	53	22	21
Lucas Fulmer, Wo	98	6.53	34	11	25
Xavier McGriff, Sal	139	6.32	46	20	22
Haneef Frisby, PG	129	6.14	55	18	21
Fatah Paige, Sal	96	6.00	42	2	16
Josh King, Wo	150	5.56	63	21	27
Marshall Stephens, Sal	120	5.45	58		22
Luke Kroll, ST	60	5.45	22	5	11
BJ Robbins, Sal	100	5.26	39		19
Darrelle Johnson, Sal	81	5.06	26	6	16
Jameel Horace, PG	75	5.00	45	4	15

3-POINTERS	TOTAL
Blake Bialecki, Wo	70
Tymear Lecator, Sal	42
Alejandro Vazquez, Wo	41
Julian Dickerson, Sch	32
Neziah Spence, Sal	30
Roman Gipson, PG	28
Eli Caesar, Wo	28
Geonni Conrad, PG	24
Mason O’Brien, PV	22
Kade Macom, Sch	20
Orion Baldwin, Sch	17
Will Roy, PG	17
Lucas Fulmer, Wo	17
Xavier McGriff, Sal	15
Carson Pearsall, PG	13

REBOUNDING (based on avg.)	TOT	AVG	GP
Dylan Sheehan, Sch	197	9.85	20
Dashaan Williams, Sal	186	8.09	23
Raphael Busch, ST	140	7.78	18
Marshall Stephens, Sal	167	7.59	22
Haneef Frisby, PG	155	7.38	21
Andrew White, Wo	160	6.40	25
Fatah Paige, Sal	92	5.75	16
Josh King, Wo	142	5.26	27
Mishawn Brantley, PG	138	5.11	27
Frank Hoerst, Wo	101	5.05	20
Tymear Lecator, Sal	98	4.45	22
Darrelle Johnson, Sal	70	4.38	16
Blake Bialecki, Wo	115	4.26	27
Julian Dickerson, Sch	86	3.91	22
Aiden Bobo, ST	71	3.55	20
Sherrod Jones, Sch	59	3.47	17
Eli Caesar, Wo	90	3.46	26
Jalen Markward, Wo	68	3.40	20
Jameel Horace, PG	50	3.33	15
Cooper Willoughby, Sch	69	3.29	21
Xavier McGriff, Sal	72	3.27	22
Kade Macom, Sch	70	3.18	22
Alejandro Vazquez, PG	84	3.11	27
Roman Gipson, PG	80	2.96	27
Mason O’Brien, PV	41	2.93	14

FREE THROWS (min. 1 FTA per GP)	FTM	FTA	PCT.
Blake Bialecki, Wo	55	64	.859
Neziah Spence, Sal	54	66	.818
Tymear Lecator, Sal	76	99	.768
Eli Caesar, Wo	32	43	.744
Julian Dickerson, Sch	41	56	.732
Josh King, Wo	21	29	.724
Alejandro Vazquez, Wo	25	35	.714
Dylan Sheehan, Sch	34	48	.708
Mason O’Brien, PV	46	66	.697
Kade Macom, Sch	15	23	.652
Xavier McGriff, Sal	20	31	.645
Andrew White, Wo	31	50	.620
Deshaan Williams, Sal	60	105	.571
Chase Pompper, ST	26	58	.483
Raphael Busch, ST	19	40	.475
Orion Baldwin, Sch	22	48	.458
Sherrod Jones, Sch	13	30	.433
Aiden Bobo, ST	19	46	.413
Luke Kroll, ST	5	16	.312

ASSISTS	TOT	STEALS	TOT
Tymear Lecator, Sal	113	Geonni Conrad, PG	62
Roman Gipson, PG	97	Julian Dickerson, Sch	52
Alejandro Vazquez, Wo	86	Roman Gipson, PG	48
Blake Bialecki, Wo	79	Will Roy, PG	47
Orion Baldwin, Sch	64	Josh King, Wo	45
BJ Robbins, Sal	56
Julian Dickerson, Sch	53	Alejandro Vazquez, Wo	41
Will Roy, PG	49	Blake Bialecki, Wo	41
Eli Caesar, Wo	43	Orion Baldwin, Sch	40
Geonni Conrad, PG	37	Dylan Sheehan, Sch	39
Dylan Sheehan, Sch	34	Eli Caesar, Wo	37
Carson Pearsall, PG	31	Chase Pompper, ST	36
Lucas Fulmer, Wo	28	Haneef Frisby, PG	35
Josh King, Wo	27	Jalen Markward, Wo	34
Jalen Markward, Wo	27	Luis Colon, PG	33
Darrelle Johnson, Sal	26	Sherrod Jones, Sch	31
Chase Pompper, ST	25	Neziah Spence, Sal	28
Andrew White, Wo	23	Carson Pearsall, PG	26
Sherrod Jones, Sch	22	Xavier McGriff, Sal	26
Mason O’Brien, PV	20	Andrew White, Wo	25
Ayden Myers, ST	20	Lucas Fulmer, Wo	21
Neziah Spence, ST	20
Luis Colon, ST	20

BLOCKED SHOTS	TOT
Marshall Stephens, Sal	42
Mishawn Brantley, PG	29
Aiden Bobo, ST	22
Raphael Busch, ST	20
Andrew White, Wo	19
Haneef Frisby, PG	18
Dylan Sheehan, Sch	12
Sherrod Jones, Sch	12
Frank Hoerst, Wo	12
Kade Macom, Sch	10

Girls

SCORING (based on avg.)	PTS.	AVG.	FG	FT	GP
Taylor Bass, PV	344	14.96	138	38	23
Marley Wood, PV	279	13.29	97	61	21
Dyaira Anderson, Sal	222	13.06			17
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch	300	12.50	118	28	24
Keziah Patterson, PG	272	12.36			22
JaNiyah Cummings, PG	234	10.64			22
Lauren Hengel, Wo	261	10.04	101	20	26
Addie Johnston, PV	218	9.48	82	11	23
Carlysia Pierce, Sal	162	9.00			18
Kendall Young, Wo	229	8.81	91	27	26
Kyia Leyman, Wo	178	7.74	76	17	23
Madison Dixon, Sal	121	7.56			16
Shelby Drummond, ST	105	7.50			14
Shelby Liber, ST	99	7.07			14
Willow Davis, Sch	154	7.00	51	26	22
Mikayla Washington, PG	145	6.59			22
Ava Scurry, Sch	129	6.14	56	17	21
Emma Perry, Wo	143	5.72	59	11	25
Amora Delaine, ST	79	5.64			14
Rylee Doerr, ST	50	5.56			9
Liv VanAcker, Sch	110	5.00	38	31	22
Timmiyah Simmons, Sal	50	4.55			11
Jaryn Weathers, Sal	63	4.50			14
Cali Fisler, Sch	87	3.95	30	26	22
Jaida Burns, PV	78	3.90	36	8	20
Jaiden Wilson, PV	82	3.73	29	8	22
Izzy Saulin, PV	81	3.68	37	10	22
Talia Guardascione, Wo	79	3.04	25	24	26

3-POINTERS	TOTAL
Addie Johnston, PV	41
Lauren Hengel, Wo	34
Taylor Bass, PV	30
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch	29
Willow Davis, Sch	25
Marley Wood, PV	24
Shelby Liber, ST	21
Kendall Young, Wo	17
Jaiden Wilson, PV	16
Madison Dixon, Sal	16
Keziah Patterson, PG	15
Shelby Drummond, ST	13

REBOUNDING (based on avg.)	TOT	AVG	GP
Dyaira Anderson, Sal	245	14.41	17
Rylee Doerr, ST	114	12.67	9
Mikayla Washington, PG	212	9.64	22
Ava Scurry, Sch	199	9.48	21
Lauren Hengel, Wo	231	8.88	26
Amora Delaine, ST	123	8.79	14
JaNiyah Cummings, PG	190	8.64	22
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch	202	8.42	24
Marley Wood, PV	166	7.90	21
Kyia Leyman, Wo	172	7.48	23
Carlysia Pierce, Sal	134	7.44	18
Kendall Young, Wo	136	5.23	26
Liv VanAcker, Sch	110	5.00	22
Triscia Wilson, Sal	54	4.91	11
Madison Dixon, Sal	77	4.81	16
Cali Fisler, Sch	105	4.77	22
Taylor Bass, PV	108	4.70	23
Jaryn Weathers, Sal	63	4.50	14
Jaida Burns, PV	88	4.40	20
Emma Perry, Wo	106	4.24	25
Izzy Saulin, PV	86	3.91	22
Evening Amedee, ST	22	3.67	9
Shelby Drummond, ST	51	3.64	14
Jaiden Wilson, PV	71	3.23	22
Timmiyah Simmons, Sal	35	3.18	11
Tiara Bazemore, ST	44	3.14	14
Keziah Patterson, PG	69	3.14	22
Rachel Reed, ST	31	3.10	10
Talia Guardascione, Wo	80	3.08	26

FREE THROWS (min. 1 FTA per GP)	FTM	FTA	PCT.
Marley Wood, PV	61	99	.616
Talia Guardascione, Wo	24	43	.558
Taylor Bass, PV	38	71	.535
Kendall Young, Wo	27	51	.529
Willow Davis, Sch	26	57	.456
Shelby Liber, ST	8	18	.444
Emma Perry, Wo	11	25	.444
Ava Scurry, Sch	17	39	.436
Liv VanAcker, Sch	31	73	.425
Amora Delaine, ST	17	40	.425
Cali Fisler, Sch	26	62	.419
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch	28	69	.406
Rylee Doerr, ST	8	20	.400
Lauren Hengel, Wo	20	51	.392
Kyia Leyman, Wo	17	47	.362

ASSISTS	TOT	STEALS	TOT
Marley Wood, PV	148	Carlysia Pierce, Sal	84
Liv VanAcker, Sch	88	Taylor Bass, PV	80
Lauren Hengel, Wo	64	Keziah Patterson, PG	78
Kendall Young, Wo	61	Kendall Young, Wo	74
Taylor Bass, PV	50	Liv VanAcker, Sch	73
Emma Perry, Wo	48	Willow Davis, Sch	67
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch	48	Cali Fisler, Sch	67
Carlysia Pierce, Sal	48	Lauren Hengel, Wo	61
Addie Johnston, PV	39	JaNiyah Cummings, PG	53
Cali Fisler, Sch	38	Ava Scurry, Sch	50
Madison Dixon, Sal	37	Emma Perry, Wo	49
Talia Guardascione, Wo	32	Marley Wood, PV	44
Willow Davis, Sch	30	Addie Johnston, PV	43
Keziah Patterson, PG	29	Nevaeh Robinson, Sch	38
JaNiyah Cummings, PG	29	Madison Dixon, Sal	36
Shelby Liber, ST	27	Mikayla Washington, PG	35
Jaiden Wilson, PV	26	Talia Guardascione, Wo	34
Shelby Drummond, ST	24	Jaiden Wilson, PV	33
Jaida Burns, PV	20	Shelby Drummond, ST	30
Dyaira Anderson, Sal	20	Izzy Saulin, PV	28
Kaliyah Taylor, Sal	20	Amora Delaine, ST	28

BLOCKED SHOTS	TOTAL
Ava Scurry, Sch	85
JaNiyah Cummings, PG	50
Rylee Doerr, ST	31
Mikayla Washington, PG	28
Kyia Leyman, Wo	27
Amora Delaine, ST	20
Carlysia Pierce, Sal	18
Dyaira Anderson, Sal	18
Lauren Hengel, Wo	17
Marley Wood, PV	16
Cali Fisler, Sch	12
Keziah Patterson, PG	11
Nevaeh Robinson, Sch	11

Playing for a title

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

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Salem	5	7	10	11-	33
Schalick	4	16	12	15-	47

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

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

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

Cumberland	6	9	10	10-	35
Pennsville	14	15	12	16-	57

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

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

Woodstown	2	4	10	4-	20
Washington Twp.	7	17	8	12-	44

3-point goals: Washington Twp. 5 (McLean 3, Dabrowski 2).

**Schalick’s Ava Scurry (C) denies Salem’s Kaliyah Taylor entry into the lane during their TCC Postseason Bracket semifinal game Thursday night.**

Boys game

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

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

Clearview	13	14	11	12-	50
Woodstown	22	13	21	21-	77

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

Oh so close

Woodstown boys win 4×400 relay in record time, but it left them one point short of winning the South Jersey Group I indoor sectionals; the difference was Glassboro’s third-place finish by 0.10 seconds

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

TOMS RIVER – Blink your eyes. That’s how close it was to determining the South Jersey Group I boys indoor track sectionals champion Sunday.

As these meets always seem to do lately, it came down to the final race between Woodstown and Glassboro in the 4×400 relay.

Woodstown had to win it and have Glassboro finish fourth or worse – or some other combination of a six-point swing – to win it all at the Bubble.

The Wolverines did what they needed to do, winning the race in a PR meet record (3:30.30), but Glassboro raced to third (3:37.78), a scant 0.10 seconds ahead of fourth-place Gateway, to grab just enough points to win the team title by one point.

Glassboro scored 54.60 points overall to Woodstown’s 53.60.

The Wolverines relay team of Karson Chew, Anthony Costello, Kyle Reitz and Josh Crawford obliterated the old 4×400 record of 3:32.09, set by Woodbury last year. Salem finished second in the race.

“We knew going into the 4×4 that we needed two things to happen,” Chew said. “We needed to win and Glassboro couldn’t get third or better. Unfortunately, only one of those things was in the cards for us.

“Everyone ran a great race and we all did the best we could with what we could control. Now it just comes down to regaining our confidence and going into states with a good mentality.”

Through five events both teams were lagging behind leader Haddon Twp., but after the completion of the high jump and 800, the Wolverines had pulled in front, bringing Glassboro with them. The margin was seven points..

Glassboro made a big move in the 3200, the next-to-last event in the meet. Top-seeded Bulldog Joseph Saicic won the race and Jaeden Wesley, the 18th-seeded runner, finished fourth. Jacob Marino gave Woodstown its only points in the race, finishing sixth.

Salem County produced three individual champions. Crawford won the 400 (51.13) and 800 (1:59.87, going 1-2 with Chew), and Woodstown’s Kami Casiano won the girls high jump (5-0). In addition, there were four other runner-ups — Penns Grove’s Kylee Goodson (400), Woodstown’s Aiden Taulane (shot put), Woodstown’s Lia Covely (girls 55 hurdles) and Pennsville Kallie Morrison (girls high jump).

In all, Salem County qualified 28 individuals and three relays to the state group championships back here on Feb. 22.

This is the second major win for Casiano this year. She won the Tri-County Showcase with a jump of 5-2. She started the new year with a third-place finish in Penn’s Ott Center on Jan. 3 (4-10) and finished fourth in a batch meet here on Jan. 10 (5-0).

“I’m so happy about winning sectionals today,” Casiano said. “A big goal I had for myself this season was consistency. I’m getting past my nerves and giving it my all.”

Here are the event winners and Salem County qualifiers to the state group championships. The top six in each event score points and qualify for state.

This story will be updated.

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I SECTIONALS
BOYS
TEAM SCORES: Glassboro 54.60, WOODSTOWN 53.60, Haddon Twp. 36, Camden 32.60; SALEM 29.60, Gateway 22, PENNS GROVE 20, Audubon 17, Woodbury 14, Burlington City 12, Palmyra 8.60, SCHALICK 6, West Deptford 2, Buena 2.
400: 1. Josh Crawford, Woodstown 51.13; 2. Kylee Goodson, Penns Grove 52.07; 4. Timothy Gregory, Salem 52.41.
1600: 1. Joseph Saicic, Glassboro 4:33.47; 4. Jacob Marino, Woodstown 4:36.50; 6. David Farrell, Woodstown 4:42.96
55 Hurdles: 1. Jaleel Dickerson-Dempsey, Camden 7.83; 4. Timothy Gregory, Salem 8.42; 5. Gradin Buzby, Salem 8.64
55 Dash: 1. Donte Davis, Burlington City 6.55; 3. Jelani Beverly, Salem 6.70; 6. Kyle Reitz, Woodstown 6.81
800: 1. Josh Crawford, Woodstown 1:59.87; 2. Karson Chew, Woodstown 2:00.56
3200: 1. Joseph Saicic, Glassboro 9:52.30; 6. Jacob Marino, Woodstown 10:14.36
4×400: 1. Woodstown (Kyle Reitz, Karson Chew, Anthony Costello, Josh Crawford) 3:30.30 (meet record, old record 3:32.09, Woodbury 2025); 2. Salem (Quimere Bergen, Gradin Buzby, RaShar Stevenson, Jerry Seals) 3:37.61
High Jump: 1. Moses Robles, Glassboro 6-2; 3. Tommy White, Penns Grove 5-6; T5. Jerry Seals, Salem 5-2; T5. Anthony Costello, Woodstown 5-2
Pole Vault: 1. Bobby McIlvaine, Haddon Twp. 12-0; 3. Salvatore Longo, Schalick 11-0; 4. Gradin Buzby, Salem 11-0
Shot Put: 1. Kyle Stephens, Haddon Twp. 47-9; 2. Aiden Taulane, Woodstown 46-2.5; 3. JaKai Ingram, Penns Grove 45-7; 6. Jailon Fletcher-Wilson, Salem 43-2

GIRLS
TEAM SCORES: Audubon 90, Glassboro 47, Haddon Twp. 46, West Deptford 32, WOODSTOWN 31, Buena 20, Woodbury 12, PENNSVILLE 8, Lower Cape May 8, SALEM 5, PENNS GROVE 4, Palmyra 2, Burlington City 2, Gateway 2
400: 1. Kayla Romanoski, West Deptford 1:00.72
1600: 1. Riley Fayer, Audubon 5:08.61; 4. Abby Marino, Woodstown 5:29.58
55 Hurdles: 1. Casey Birdwell, Haddon Twp. 8.83; 2. Lia Covely, Woodstown 9.40
55 Dash: 1. Kathryn McGuire, Audubon 7.60
800: 1. Kayla Romanoski, West Deptford 2:19.05
3200: 1. Riley Fayer, Audubon 11:20.98; 3. Abby Marino, Woodstown 11:58.23
4×400: 1. Audubon 4:18.72; 4. Salem (Dynastie Tucker, Brooklynn Jackson, Amaia Massengill, Alysha Williams) 4:24.47; 6. Woodstown (Maria Holmes, Angelina Lindenmuth, Abby Marino, Lia Covely) 4:38.23
High Jump: 1. Kami Casiano, Woodstown 5-0; 2. Kallie Morrison, Pennsville 4-10
Pole Vault: 1. Morganna Makuszewski, Audubon 9-0
Shot Put: 1. Sunny Moore, Glassboro 37-6.75; 4. Zoey Caesar, Penns Grove 30-11.25; 5. Sara Lodge, Woodstown 30-5.75; 6. Ava Rodgers, Salem 29-10.5

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Feb. 15-22

SUNDAY, FEB. 15
INDOOR TRACK
South Jersey Group I Sectionals at Bennett Complex, 9 a.m.

MONDAY, FEB. 16
WRESTLING
Cedar Creek at Salem, 10 a.m.
NJSIAA Team Tournament
At Paulsboro
Buena vs. Paulsboro, 5:30 p.m.
Pennsville vs. Schalick, 5:30 p.m.
Winners to follow
At Audubon
Haddon Twp. vs. Woodstown, 5 p.m.
Maple Shade vs. Audubon, 5 p.m.
Winners to follow
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Bryant & Stratton (Va.)

TUESDAY, FEB. 17
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Tournament
Championship Bracket
Timber Creek at Kingsway
Deptford at Overbrook
Cumberland at Delsea
Williamstown at Salem, 5 p.m.
Consolation game
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 5:30 p.m.
Postseason Bracket
Clayton at GCIT
Glassboro at Triton
Wildwood at Pitman
Highland at Washington Twp.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Tournament
Championship Bracket
Delsea at Gloucester Catholic
Clearview at Timber Creek
Kingsway at Glassboro
Washington Twp. at Wildwood
Consolation game
Woodstown at Triton, 5:30 p.m.
Postseason Bracket
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Williamstown
Clayton at GCIT
Penns Grove at Deptford

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Pennsauken, 6 p.m.
Team Sectional Finals
BOYS BOWLING
South Jersey Group I Tournament
Salem vs. Doane Academy, Wood Lanes, 3 p.m.
Asbury Park at Camden Catholic

THURSDAY, FEB. 19
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Tournament
Championship Bracket
Timber Creek-Kingsway vs. Deptford-Overbrook
Cumberland-Delsea vs. Williamstown-Salem
Postseason Bracket
Clayton-GCIT vs. Glassboro-Triton
Wildwood-Pitman vs. Highland/Washington Twp.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Tournament
Championship Bracket
Delsea-Gloucester Catholic vs. Clearview-Timber Creek
Kingsway-Glassboro vs. Washington Twp.-Wildwood
Postseason Bracket
Pitman-Schalick vs. Salem-Williamstown
Clayton-GCIT vs. Penns Grove-Deptford
Consolation game
Cumberland at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
WRESTLING
Salem at New Egypt, 5 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 20
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Medford Tech at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
WRESTLING
St. Joseph (Hamm.) at Salem, 5 p.m.
Penns Grove at Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
State Team Semifinals

SATURDAY, FEB. 21
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Championship, Washington Twp., 11 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Championship, Washington Twp., 1 p.m.
BOYS BOWLING
South Jersey Group I Championship
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Ewing at Pt. Pleasant Beach, 10 a.m.

SUNDAY, FEB. 22
TRACK
NJSIAA Group Championships, Bennett Center, 9 a.m.

Projecting No. 1

Scores, details and projected playoff pairings highlight the Saturday Salem County sports report; Salem projected to pull down No. 1 boys seed in South Jersey Group 1; will be updated with more

SATURDAY, FEB. 14
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem 66, Salem Tech 44
Steinert 55, Schalick 30
Haddonfield 49, Woodstown 44
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Middle Twp. 55, Schalick 26
TCC Tournament
Delsea 47, Pennsville 30
WRESTLING
Highland, Mainland at Pennsville
Woodstown at Delran Quad

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM — All year long the carrot Salem’s boys basketball team had been chasing was the No. 1 seed in the South Jersey Group I tournament. It appears the Rams have claimed their prize.

After dispatching Salem Tech 66-64 on Saturday’s final day of power points qualifying, the Rams (19-4) appear to have secured the No. 1 seed by nearly two full points over No. 2 Palmyra. If the tournament were seeded as of 5 p.m. Saturday night, they would host No. 16 Riverside in the opening round of the playoffs.

It’s the first time an Anthony Farmer-coached Salem team is No. 1 in South Jersey. The Rams went to the South Jersey finals in his first season as the No. 2 seed.

“We’ve been taking care of business all season long, we’ve been finding ways to win, so this is the result,” Farmer said. “We’re excited about being the 1 seed and having everything come through Salem and having home court advantage. Now we’ve just got to get to work and see how far we can go with this thing.”

Here are the top 16 South Jersey Group I boys qualifers (and projected matchups) based on the power points standings at press time:

1. Salem (19-4), 2. Palmyra (17-6), 3. Haddon Twp. (20-5), 4. KIPP (15-6), 5. Burlington City (12-11), 6. Penns Grove (15-10), 7. Woodbury (11-14), 8. Woodstown (15-10), 9. Paulsboro (11-11), 10. x-Audubon (12-12), 11. Pitman (10-14), 12. Glassboro (7-15), 13. Wildwood (12-11), 14. New Egypt (11-13), 15. Gateway (13-11), No. 16 Riverside (9-14). x-LEAP, No. 10 in the power points standings, is ineligible for the playoffs.

Projected pairings based off those seeds: Riverside at Salem, Paulsboro at Woodstown, Glassboro at Burlington City, Wildwood at KIPP, New Egypt at Haddon Twp., Pitman at Penns Grove, Audubon at Woodbury, Gateway at Palmyra.

On the girls side, the projected seeds are:

1. Haddon Twp. (19-5), 2. Wildwood (17-6), 3. Audubon (17-6), 4. Glassboro (18-6), 5. Palmyra (18-4), 6. Pennsville (15-7), 7. Gateway (14-9), 8. Woodbury (11-13), 9. Burlington City (15-7), 10. Schalick (15-6), 11. Woodstown (10-14), 12. New Egypt (10-12), 13. Riverside (9-11), 14. Cape May Tech (7-14), 15. Salem (8-9), 16. Clayton (8-13).

Projected pairings based off those seeds: Clayton at Haddon Twp., Burlington City at Woodbury, New Egypt at Palmyra, Riverside at Glassboro, Cape May Tech at Audubon, Woodstown at Pennsville, Schalick at Gateway, Salem at Wildwood.

In Farmer’s mind, having the home court is the biggest advantage to being the No. 1 seed.

“That is the big deal,” he said. “Kids have a tendency to get behind the home crowd and play with more energy and play better at home. Salem has a lot of support, our fans come out, so it’s great for us to be at home.”

The Rams were home Saturday and sent their seniors off in style. Farmer played the seniors on Senior Day and they made it happen.

Donnie Weathers led them with 13 points. Xavier McGriff had 12, and Kaden Robinson and Marshall Stephens had 10 apiece. All the players will be available for their next start, Tuesday against Williamstown in the Tri-County Tournament quarterfinals..

“We’ve been playing good basketball the last few weeks, I’m excited where we are,” Farmer said. “You want to be playing your best basketball around this time and I feel like we’re more disciplined, we have a better understanding of who we are as a group, so I’m excited about the run we’re going to make.”

HADDONFIELD 49, WOODSTOWN 44: The Wolverines cut a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to three with five seconds left, but couldn’t come all the way. Haddonfield missed a free throw with 4.7 seconds left and the Wolverines had the ball, but couldn’t get the tying shot to fall and the Bulldogs escaped with their 11th straight win.

Blake Bialecki led Woodstown with 12 points, but was held without a 3-pointer for the first time in 21 games and the first time at home since last year’s opening-round win in the South Jersey Group I tournament. He remains at 199 for his career. He had a good look at one with about 30 seconds left and the Wolverines down five, but rattled the rim three times before falling out. Elijah Caesar and Alejandro both hit two 3s and both finished with 10 points.

Chris Beane led Haddonfield (21-3) with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Chase Stadler hit three 3s and finished with 10. The Bulldogs are the projected No. 1 seed in South Jersey Group 2.

HADDONFIELD (21-3): Mike Douglas 2 1-6 6, John Scipione 1 2-4 5, Chris Beane 4 4-8 12, Jack McKeever 1 0-0 2, Mike Mooney 3 1-4 7, Ryan Guyeiyian 1 5-9 7, Chase Stadler 3 1-4 10. Totals 15 14-35 49.
WOODSTOWN (15-10): Elijah Caesar 4 0-0 10, Andrew White 3 0-3 6, Blake Bialecki 6 6-7 12, Alejandro Vazquez 3 2-3 10, Josh King 1 4-4 6. Totals 17 12-17 44.

Haddonfield	3	11	16	19-	49
Woodstown	8	2	11	23-	44

3-point goals: Haddonfield 5 (Douglas, Scipione, Stadler 3); Woodstown 4 (Caesar 2, Vazquez 2).

STEINERT 55, SCHALICK 30: The Spartans from Mercer County dominated the first and third quarters to take control of the game. Steinert’s Michael Shaklin hit four 3-pointers and led all scorers with 18 points. Christian Guagliardo went 6-of-9 from the line and added 10. Julian Dickerson led Schalick with 14 points.

Steinert	16	18	15	6-	55
Schalick	9	13	3	5-	30

Girls games

DELSEA 47, PENNSVILLE 30: Peyton Parker scored 22 points and the Crusaders held Pennsville’s top two scorers to a combined 13 points to win in the final game of the opening round of the Tri-County Conference Championship Bracket. The loss snapped Pennsville’s seven-game winning streak and was the Eagles’ first in the six games since changing coaches Feb. 2.

Taylor Bass was Pennsville’s leading scorer with 10 points. Marley Wood was held to three. She tried to play through illness in the first half, but sat out the second.

“Delsea came out to play,” Eagles coach Robin Efelis said. “They were aggressive and played well. We had a few days of good practices, but it wasn’t enough.”

PENNSVILLE (15-7): Taylor Bass 3 4-7 10, Marley Wood 1 1-2 3, Addie Johnston 3 0-0 7, Izzy Saulin 1 0-0 2, Jaiden Wilson 0 1-2 1, Jaida Burns 3 1-2 7. Totals 11 7-13 30.
DELSEA (16-9): Ayress Maitland 4 0-2 8, Madi Barndt 1 0-0 2, Kaiah Braxton 2 5-6 9, Peyton Parker 10 2-5 22, Melania DiBona 2 0-0 6. Totals 19 7-13 47.

Pennsville	10	4	7	9-	30
Delsea	13	14	14	6-	47

3-point goals: Pennsville 1 (Johnston); Delsea 2 (DiBona 2).

MIDDLE TWP. 55, SCHALICK 26: The Panthers went looking for a last-minute game addition to enhance its power points position and the Cougars answered the call to test themselves against the projected No. 1 team in South Jersey Group 2.

Middle (21-4) jumped out quickly and held the Cougars (15-6) to two points in each of the first two quarters. Interestingly, the Panthers didn’t put a scorer in double figures, but had 11 players scored. Vicky Basich led Schalick with eight points. Nevaeh Robinson had seven points and 10 rebounds.

Schalick benefitted from the game as well. The Cougars earned enough power points to project to No. 10 in the South Jersey Group 1 standings, the second-highest team from Salem County.

Middle Twp.	20	13	16	6-	55
Schalick	2	2	3	19-	26

Wrestling

DELRAN QUAD
WOODSTOWN 37, ALLENTOWN 36
106: Dominic Baldino (A) pinned TJ Conto, 0:30
113: Jadon Middlemiss (WO) pinned Ares Ahuja, 5:01
120: Vincenzo Baldino (A) def. Carson Bradway, 2-1
126: Walker Battavio (WO) maj. dec. Aiden Deal, 10-1
132: Dustin Wilson (A) dec. Barry Coverly, 10-8
138: Anderson DuBrul (A) pinned Chase Icona, 1:50
144: Nehemiah Carter (WO) dec. Tamas Hilbert, 9-8
150: Mikah Gallagher (A) pinned Mathyias Ellis, 5:39
157: Stephen Moore (A) pinned Tyrell West, 1:35
165: Ricky Watts (WO) pinned Michael Malfettano, 1:40
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) pinned Christopher Doyle, 1:15
190: Nathaniel Geddis (A) pinned Asher Fitzpatrick, 4:59
215: Bradley Snitcher (WO) pinned Chase Toporek, 0:16
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned Nicholas Laquara, 1:19

WOODSTOWN 43, HADDON HEIGHTS 28
106: Aniello Napolitano (H) pinned TJ Conto, 2:00
113: Jadon Middlemiss (WO) pinned Andrew Hanchey, 1:24
120: Cole Denning (H) maj. dec. Carson Bradway, 13-1
126: Walker Battavio (WO) dec. Michael Ferraro, 16-9
132: Brennan Albright (H) dec. Barry Coverly, 5-4
138: Leo Falco (H) pinned Chase Icona, 2:24
144: Nehemiah Carter (WO) maj. dec. Matthew Boone, 17-5
150: Ryan Bailey (H) tech fall over Mathyias Ellis, 15-0 (2:43)
157: Tyrell West (WO) pinned Michael Fitter, 5:05
165: Andrew Gutkin (H) maj. dec. over Ricky Watts, 18-8
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) won by forfeit
190: Asher Fitzpatrick (WO) pinned Shawn Thompson, 0:28
215: Bradley Snitcher (WO) won by forfeit
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) won by forfeit

DELRAN 42, WOODSTOWN 33
120: Carson Bradway (WO) dec. Bryce Kenney, 6-3
126: Walker Battavio (WO) pinned Blake Wood, 3:19
132: Christian Pereira (D) dec. Barry Coverly, 7-0
138: Eamon McStravick (D) pinned Chase Icona, 1:30
144: Shane Palena (D) pinned Nehemiah Carter, 1:14
150: Jackson Weller (D) pinned Mathyias Ellis, 0:29
157: Nathan Marter (D) tech fall over Tyrell West, 18-3 (4:09)
165: Benjamin Hoffman (D) tech fall over Ricky Watts, 16-1 (2:28)
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) pinned Alexander Conard, 0:39
190: Asher Fitzpatrick (WO) pinned Finnian English, 5:25
215: Bradley Snitcher (WO) pinned Bryce Danson, 1:45
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned Daniel Lewis, 0:18
106: Jeremy George (D) pinned TJ Conto, 0:20
113: Chase Dubuque (D) tech fall over Jadon Middlemiss, 17-0 (5:12)

PENNSVILLE TRI
PENNSVILLE 60, MAINLAND 15
113: Greyson Robbins (P) won by forfeit
120: Jaxon Serra (M) pinned Erick Davalos, 3:38
126: Mekhi Dicks (P) won by forfeit
132: Justin Mazur (M) dec. Chase Baker, 9-4
138: Vincent Grether (P) pinned Anthony McCourt, 1:17
144: Nathaniel Mason (P) dec. Daniel MacKinnon, 14-7
150: Gabe Supernavage (P) pinned Mykta Lutsemko, 1:51
157: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Michael Borini, 3:09
165: Robbie McDade (P) def. Trevor Dill, inj.
175: Vincent Hoag (M) won by forfeit
190: Stephen Pangle (P) won by forfeit
215: Hunter Coulbourn (P) dec. Eban Kuhns, 5-4
285: Jacob Hand (P) won by forfeit
106: Brett Land (P) pinned Jacob Silvern, 1:22

PENNSVILLE 44, HIGHLAND/TRITON 32
120: Caden Corsi (H) pinned Erick Davalos, 4:42
126: Erek Schwinge (H) pinned Mekhi Dicks, 3:47
132: Chase Baker (P) pinned Ramon Bates, 0:56
138: Vincent Grether (P) tech fall over Mike Williams, 19-4 (5:32)
144: Nick DiCamillo (H) tech fall over Nathaniel Mason, 20-4 (4:53)
150: Gabe Supernavage (P) pinned Gavin Simonelli, 2:42
157: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Jake Hurlburt, 1:56
165: Robbie McDade (P) won by forfeit
175: Ben Chando (H) won by forfeit
190: Joe Torres (H) def. Stephen Pangle, TB1 3-2
215: Taj Detreville-Odums (H) pinned Hunter Coulbourn, 2:47
285: Jacob Hand (P) dec. Yasin Byers, 5-0
106: Rocco Ciccantelli (P) won by forfeit
113: Brett Land (P) pinned Orrin Griffiths, 0:24

County boys shut out

Friday the 13th was a bad day for the Salem County boys basketball teams, all 4 teams on the day’s Tri-County Tournament slate lost; Salem only one left and makes tourney debut Tuesday

TCC BOYS TOURNAMENT
Championship Bracket
Timber Creek 75, Clearview 63
Deptford 71, Gloucester Catholic 44
Cumberland 54, Woodstown 32
Williamstown 57, Penns Grove 36
Postseason Bracket
Clayton 94, Schalick 79
Wildwood 68, Salem Tech 31 (Thurs.)
Highland 74, Pennsville 18
TUESDAY’S GAMES
Championship Bracket
Timber Creek at Kingsway
Deptford at Overbrook
Cumberland at Delsea
Williamstown at Salem
Postseason Bracket
Clayton at GCIT
Glassboro at Triton
Wildwood at Pitman
Highland at Washington Twp.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON — Ramon Roots has seen teams play aggressive defense against his Woodstown basketball team in the past, but Friday may have been one of the most energetic he could remember. It only looked better because of the trouble his team didn’t handle it.

The Colts were all over the Wolverines all game and were particularly effective in the fourth quarter while pulling away to a 54-32 win in the opening round of the Tri-County Tournament Championship Bracket.

“They played tough, they play hard on defense,” Roots agreed. “We’ve seen a 1-2-2 before, it was nothing new, we just didn’t execute what we were supposed to do. They play hard, they play relentless, they really wanted to win. Their energy level was up there with some of the best teams. We just kept making mistakes.”

In the second half alone the Colts (17-8) forced Woodstown into 15 turnovers and 5-for-22 shooting.

“They’re an aggressive team for sure,” point guard Alejandro Vazquez said. They were aggressive, hands all over, always playing the passing lanes. They were a very good defensive team. We’ve played against aggressive teams, all these teams that pressure, we just couldn’t handle the pressure today.”

The Wolverines (15-9) weren’t bad defensively either, early. They’d get stop after stop, but then they’d turn it over before they could capitalize. “You can’t win like that,” Roots said.

They finally cracked in the fourth. Blake Bialecki hit his 199^th career 3-pointer with 6:47 to go in the game to bring the Wolverines within five, 34-29, but they didn’t score again until John Hood-McGinley’s 3-pointer with 1:40 left. By then, the Colts had opened a 21-point lead.

The Wolverines were 0-for-7 from the floor, with six turnovers and two missed free throws between the treys. All 15 of their points in the second half came on 3-pointers.

“One of the things we’ve focused on was finishing,” Colts coach Lamont Robinson said. “A year ago we played really well for 28, 29, 30 minutes, but our finishes weren’t great. Beginning of the year we got a couple early-season losses because of how we couldn’t finish. Even a week ago. So that’s something we focused on, being our best when it matters most, and tonight we were able to do that.

“We’ve progressed and improved our identity on the defensive end and tonight was a reflection of that growth. Our guys are bought in to the things it takes to win. If you want to win a championship you better be able to stop somebody and that’s what we’re trying to do – build a program that is willing to do the things that it takes to win and defense is a big part of that.”

Cumberland didn’t allow the Wolverines a scorer in double figures. Blake Bialecki was Woodstown’s leading scorer with nine points, all on 3-pointers. He should get his 200^th career 3-pointer Saturday morning against Haddonfield in their last game before the power points cutoff.

The Colts, meanwhile, had three scorers in double figures — DJ Mosely (14), Pat Crawford (12) and Kaleb Green (11).Crawford had 10 in the fourth quarter.

They also held Vazquez, Woodstown’s other 3-point threat, to four points – all in the first quarter. Robinson said being aware of their location on the court was a big part of the Colts’ approach.

“Absolutely,” he said. “There are guys you don’t want beating you because that’s how teams beat you and those were those guys for them, so we came in wanting to neutralize those guys. I’m not sure what they ended up with, but for the most part I feel like we did really well.”

WOODSTOWN (15-9): Blake Bialecki 3 0-0 9, Elijah Ceasar 2 0-0 5, Jalen Markward 0 0-0 0, Andrew White 1 0-0 2, Alejandro Vazquez 1 1-3 4, Josh King 0 0-0 0, Lucas Fulmer 0 0-2 0, Frank Hoerst 2 2-2 6, Connor Miller 1 0-0 3, John Hood-McGinley 1 0-0 3, Trey Markward 0 0-0 0, Brian Booker 0 0-0 0, Bryce Ayars 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 3-7 32.
CUMBERLAND (17-8): DJ Mosely 6 0-0 14, Jay Davis 0 0-0 0, Kaleb Green 4 3-4 11, Major Martin Dunns 4 0-0 9, Pat Crawford 5 2-2 12, Mike Hollis 2 1-3 5, Khalif Dawkins 0 0-0 0, Duhmazje Cartwright 1 0-0 3. Totals 22 6-9 54.

Woodstown	8	9	6	9-	32
Cumberland	9	14	7	24-	54

3-point goals: Woodstown 7 (Bialecki 3, Ceasar, Vazquez, Miller, Hood-McGinley); Cumberland 4 (Mosely 2, Martin Dunns, Cartwright). Total fouls: Woodstown 12, Cumberland 9.

WILLIAMSTOWN 57, PENNS GROVE 36: The Braves got off to a fast start, opened a seven-point halftime lead, then put together a big second half to earn a spot in the Championship Bracket semifinals. They will visit second-seeded Salem Tuesday. Teams that lose in the first round are allowed to play a second game if they choose. The Red Devils have already connected with Woodstown for a game Tuesday.

PENNS GROVE (15-10): Roman Gipson 14, Geonni Conrad 8, Haneef Frisby 5, William Roy 2, Carson Pearsall 3, Jeremy Costacamps 2, Luis Colon 2.
WILLIAMSTOWN (15-9): Jameer Gordon 13, Clinton Suggs 16, Tyson Forman 6, Kaysen Matthews 8, Dametri Walker 7, Elijah Batts 6, Ian Basillo 3.

Penns Grove	11	11	8	6-	36
Williamstown	23	6	14	14-	57

POSTSEASON BRACKET
CLAYTON 94, SCHALICK 79: You know when you get in a game with the Clippers you’d better be ready for a track meet. Schalick placed five scorers in double figures, but was slow out of the gate compared to their hosts and was in catch-up mode the whole second half.

Jase Volovar led the Cougars with a season-high 18 points, two off his career high. Kade Macom had 16, matching his career-high for the second straight game. Julian Dickerson had 17 points while Orion Baldwin and Cooper Willoughby had 10 apiece. Virtually all of their points came from the field. They didn’t go to the line much and had only one free throw.

Clayton’s James Fritz led all scorers with 21 points. The Clippers had three other scorers in double figures and got scoring from seven others. Only two others scored for Schalick outside of its double-figure scorers.

SCHALICK (9-12): Julian Dickerson 8 0-0 17, Orion Baldwin 4 0-4 10, Kade Macom 8 0-1 16, Jase Volovar 8 0-0 18, Kenny Bartee 1 1-1 3, Cooper Willoughby 5 0-0 10, Eian Cirino 2 0-0 5. Totals 36 1-6 79.
CLAYTON (8-14): Jackson Venuto 4 2-2 12, James Fritz 8 4-9 21, Kevin Mosley 5 0-0 11, Nasir Carter 5 0-0 13, Isaiah Aviles 3 1-2 7, Dominic Lemon 4 0-1 8, Trevor Rehm 1 2-2 4, King Mosley 2 1-2 7, Anthony Archer 2 0-0 4, Michael Bull 0 3-4 3, Sincere Sierra 1 1-2 4. Totals 35 14-24 94.

Schalick	14	13	29	23-	79
Clayton	23	24	26	21-	94

3-point goals: Schalick 6 (Dickerson, Baldwin 2, Volovar 2, Cirino); Clayton 10 (Venuto 2, Fritz, Ke Mosley, Carter 3, Ki. Mosley 2, Sierra)

HIGHLAND 74, PENNSVILLE 18: Jacob Woodard scored 30 points and Highland held the Eagles to only two points in the second half.

PENNSVILLE (3-20):Jake Layfield 1 1-2 4, Shamir Watkins 1 0-0 2, Gavin Spears 0 2-4 2, Danny Knight 1 0-0 3, Jacob Farina 1 0-0 2, Trey Clevenger 2 0-0 5. Totals 6 3-6 18.
HIGHLAND (6-18): Justin Woodard 11 6-8 30, Adrian Smith 2 0-0 6, Gevon Livingston 1 0-0 2, Bashir Lynch 3 1-2 7, Leon Holmes 1 0-0 2, Andryc Molina 1 2-2 4, Terron Moody 4 0-1 8, Nazhier Hand 2 1-1 6, Charonn Hicks 2 0-0 4, Hakeem Kelly 0 0-2 0, Mikey Simbert 2 1-1 5. Totals 29 11-17 74.

Pennsville	13	3	0	2-	18
Highland	33	17	14	10-	74

3-point goals: Pennsville 3 (Layfield, Knight, Clevenger); Highland 5 (Woodard 2, Smith 2, Hand).

Wednesday sports report

Here are the scores and highlights from Wednesday night’s Salem County sports schedule

BOYS BASKETBALL
Pitman 53, Pennsville 16
Woodstown 64, Salem Tech 15
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick 37, Oakcrest 24
Pennsville 49, Pitman 21
Woodstown 67, Salem Tech 16
WRESTLING
Willingboro 33, Salem 30
Pennsville 63, Haddon Heights 10

By Riverview Sports News

GIRLS BASKETBALL
WOODSTOWN 67, SALEM TECH 16: Emma Perry just missed her career-high on her Senior Night, 12 players scored and the Wolverines rolled in their final regular-season game. Perry scored 17 points, one shy of tying her career high she set two weeks ago. Lauren Hengel, another senior, added 12 points and 10 other Wolverines scored.

The Wolverines celebrated their Senior Night, then shutout the Chargers in the first quarter 26-0.

“It was a very good night,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “We have had a tough season this year and the girls continued to work hard every practice and every game.

“There have never been any complaints all year from the girls. They enjoy the game of basketball and they enjoy being around each other. There are countless conversations and jokes happening all the time with this group.

“The best part of the game for me as a coach was seeing the smiles on the girls’ faces. They were out there having fun. Yes, we care about wins and losses, but you play a sport because you have fun doing it. We often forget that and the girls did not forget about that tonight.”

The team’s four seniors — Perry, Hengel, Kyia Leyman and Kailyn Kennedy — all scored in the game. They combined for 39 points, 22 rebounds and 12 assists. In addition to her points, Perry had five rebounds and five assists. Hengel had eight rebounds and seven assists, Leyman had five rebounds and Kennedy had four rebounds.

“This senior class is a very special class,” Smart said of the group that has been a part of 70 wins in four years and played for three head coaches. “(They) all work extremely hard all of the time. They are a tight-knit group, but a very selfless group; you could see that tonight. We gave up good shots for better shots and moved the ball well. Seeing that on over half the shots we made tonight there was an assist is a very special thing.

“I’m going to miss this group so much. They are very special and you can tell how much they mean to the rest of the team based off of tonight’s Senior Night festivities. Luckily, our journey isn’t over yet.”

SALEM TECH (2-14): Rachel Reed 0 0-0 0, Shelby Liber 4 0-0 11, Amora Delaine 0 0-2 0, Carmen Mott 0 0-0 0, Shelby Drummond 0 0-0 0, Olivia Lydon 0 0-0 0, Tiara Bazemore 1 0-0 3, Evening Amedee 0 0-0 0, Maci Fiant 1 0-0 2. Totals 6 0-2 16.
WOODSTOWN (10-13): Lauren Hengel 5 0-0 12, Kyia Leyman 3 0-0 6, Emma Perry 8 0-1 17, Kendall Young 2 1-2 6, Talia Guardascione 0 0-0 0, Kailyn Kennedy 2 0-0 4, Maddie Roback 1 0-0 2, Ava White 3 0-0 6, Jaelyn McDonald 0 0-0 0, Gina Murray 3 0-0 6, Autumn Paleschic 1 0-0 2, Kamiya Brunson 1 0-0 2, Cecelia Nachbar 1 0-0 2, Gabriella Maldonado 1 0-0 2. Totals 31 1-3 67.

Salem Tech	0	6	8	2-	16
Woodstown	26	19	9	13-	67

3-point goals: Salem Tech 4 (Liber 3, Bazemore); Woodstown 4 (Hengel 2, Perry, Young). Rebounds: Woodstown 52 (Maldonado 8, Hengel 8, Young 6). Total fouls: Salem Tech 4, Woodstown 4.

SCHALICK 37, OAKCREST 24: Nevaeh Robinson hit four 3-pointers and scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Cougars (15-5) to their third straight win. She also grabbed 11 rebounds. The sophomore hit a 3-pointer in each quarter. Ava Scurry added six rebounds to run her career total to 612 and blocked five shots (226). Liv Vanacker had seven rebounds and seven assists.

OAKCREST (5:13): A Tirah Mitchell 2 3-6 7, Rashonda Brown 6 3-9 16, Mia Silipena 0 0-0 0, Riley Sanders 0 0-0 0,, C. Russ 0 1-2 1, Paula Pahang 0 0-0 0, Hailey Perkins 0 0-0 0, Briella Johnson 0 0-0 0, Catina Lark 0 0-0 0, Avery Aponte 0 0-0 0, Palmero 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 7-17 24.
SCHALICK (15-5): Cali Fisler 2 1-7 6, Ava Scurry 2 1-2 5, Willow Davis 1 2-4 4, Nevaeh Robinson 6 1-1 17, Olivia Vanacker 2 1-2 5, Vicky Basich 0 0-0 0, Emmalyn Weir 0 0-0 0, Jaelynn Jarmon 0 0-0 0, Emma O’Neill 0 0-0 0, Bailey Wentz 0 0-0 0, Eve Berger 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 6-16 37.

Oakcrest	7	5	6	6-	24
Schalick	9	11	11	6-	37

3-point goals: Oakcrest 1 (Brown); Schalick 5 (Fisler, Robinson 4). Rebounds: Schalick 36 (Robinson 11, Vanacker 7, Scurry 6). Technical fouls: O’Neill. Fouled out: Sanders. Total fouls: Oakcrest 14, Schalick 16.

Top photo: Schalick’s Ava Scurry is joined by her teammates to commemorate her 600th career rebound. (Submitted photo).

PENNSVILLE 49, PITMAN 21: Taylor Bass pumped in 23 points to surpass 1200 for her career, Marley Wood scored 16 (to go over 1,300) and the Eagles held Pitman scoreless in the third quarter to win their seventh straight. It’s their longest winning streak since they won seven straight in the 2019-20 season. It was their fifth straight win since the coaching change.

PITMAN (4-14): Colette Rollins 1 0-2 3, Jocelyn O’Brien 0 0-0 0, Marlee Adams 1 0-3 2, Kendall Bennett 2 0-0 4, Emery Sharpnack 1 2-2 4, Audrey Duffield 3 0-2 7, Bella Pramov 0 1-4 1. Totals 8 3-13 21.
PENNSVILLE (15-6): Taylor Bass 10 0-2 23, Marley Wood 7 1-2 16, Addie Johnston 1 0-0 2, Izzy Saulin 2 1-2 6, Jaiden Wilson 0 0-0 0, Kylie Harris 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 2-6 49.

Pitman	9	8	0	4-	21
Pennsville	11	8	11	19-	49

3-point goals: Pitman 2 (Rollins, Duffield); Pennsville 5 (Bass 3, Wood, Saulin).

BOYS BASKETBALL
WOODSTOWN 64, SALEM TECH 15: The Wolverines spread the wealth, getting scoring from 12 players, and held the Chargers to three points in the second half to win its third in a row — all over Salem County competition. Andrew White led the way with 13 points. Connor Miller had eight and Frank Hoerst had seven. Blake Bialecki hit two more 3-pointers and is now four away from extending his school record to 200 for his career. He has hit at least one trey in each of his last 19 games.

WOODSTOWN (15-8): Elijah Caesar 2 0-2 4, Jalen Markward 2 0-0 4, Blake Bialecki 2 0-0 6, Alejandro Vazquez 1 1-2 3, John Hood-McGinley 1 0-0 3, Josh King 3 0-2 6, Andrew White 6 0-0 13, Trey Markward 1 0-0 2, Lucas Fulmer 2 0-0 6, Bryce Ayars 0 0-0 0, Frank Hoerst 3 0-0 7, Connor Miller 3 0-0 8, Brian Booker 1 0-0 2. Totals 27 1-6 64.
SALEM TECH (2-17): Chase Pompper 3 0-0 6, Brody Kroll 0 0-0 0, Ayden Myers 0 0-0 0, Aiden Bobo 1 1-2 3, Avery Reed 0 0-0 0, Keidyn Robinson 0 0-0 0, Luke Kroll 0 0-0 0, Raphael Busch 3 0-0 6, Micah Cavanaugh 0 0-0 0, Sterling Lewis 0 0-2 0. Totals 7 1-4 15.

Woodstown	12	28	14	10-	64
Salem Tech	4	8	1	2-	15

3-point goals: Woodstown 9 (Bialecki 2, Hood-McGinley, White, Fulmer 2, Hoerst, Miller 2). Total fouls: Woodstown 6, Salem Tech 8.

PITMAN 53, PENNSVILLE 16: Jay Craig had his third double-double in his last six games and the Panthers hit eight 3-pointers as a team to roll past the Eagles. Craig had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Jake Bowen-Ashwin also scored 11 points and Parker DeChristopher had 12. Lucas Razze had eight of the Panthers’ 21 steals.

PENNSVILLE (3-19); Jake Layfield 4 0-0 9, Shamir Watkins 1 0-0 3, Gavin Spears 1 1-2 3, Colin Keevan 0 1-3 1, Danny Knight 0 0-0 0. Totals 6 2-5 16.
PITMAN (10-13): Lucas Razze 3 0-0 8, Parker DeChristopher 4 1-1 12, Joey Zubert 1 0-0 2, Jay Craig 5 1-4 11, Jake Bowen-Ashwin 3 4-6 11, Micah Frost 0 0-0 0, Nolan Russell 0 0-0 0, Keaton Libby 0 0-0 0, Michael Aubrey 0 0-0 0, Carter Snyder 0 0-0 0, Brayden Geary 0 0-0 0, Oliver Spier 3 1-1 9. Totals 19 7-12 53.

Pennsville (3-19)	5	2	6	3-	16
Pitman (10-13)	16	24	8	5-	53

3-point goals: Pennsville 2 (Layfield, Watkins); Pitman 8 (Razze 2, DeChristopher 3, Bowen-Ashwin, Spier 2). Rebounds: Pitman 34 (Craig 11).

Wrestling

WILLINGBORO 33, SALEM 30
106: Double forfeit
113: Double forfeit
120: Fahad Irshad (WI) pinned Adrien Morales, 0:47
126: Zachary Tortella (S) pinned Demarco Edwards, 4:47
132: Guylherme Quintanilha (S) pinned Michael Barker, 0:51
138: Yiornniel Cordero (WI) dec. Brodie Parker, 9-6
144: Joseph Goetaski (S) won by forfeit
150: Roatan Alleyne (WI) won by forfeit
157: Ziyon Moore (S) dec. Deryck Montoya, 9-3
165: Precious Bankole (WI) won by forfeit
175: Dovonte Ruiz (WI) won by forfeit
190: Toren Schoners (WI) pinned Kaleb Ewald, 1:53
215: Abdur Jenkins (S) def. Lebron Martin, SV-1 4-1
285: Abdullah Jenkins (S) won by forfeit

PENNSVILLE 63, HADDON HEIGHTS 10
106: Aniello Napolitano (H) pinned Brett Land, 5:53
113: Erick Davalos (P) pinned Andrew Hanchey, 1:22
120: Maximos Efelis (P) won by forfeit
126: Michael Ferraro (H) maj. dec. Mehki Dicks, 13-3
132: Chase Baker (P) pinned Brennan Albright, 2:15
138: Nathaniel Mason (P) pinned Gavin Gilliss, 4:58
144: Vincent Grether (P) pinned Leo Falco, 3:57
150: Gabe Supernavage (P) tech fall over Ryan Bailey, 18-3 (5:03)
157: Travis Hagan (P) pinned Ian Bomgardner, 1:30
165: Robbie McDade (P) maj. dec. Andrew Gutkin, 10-2
175: Cristian Blyler (P) dec. Shawn Thompson, 10-3
190: Stephen Pangle (P) won by forfeit
215: Hunter Coulbourn (P) pinned Cameron Mayo, 1:51
285: Jacob Hand (P) dec. Nathan Lelionis, 7-2

Long time coming

Pennsville girls basketball ends long title drought by clinching share of Diamond Division, plus the rest of Monday’s Salem County sports calendar

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville 65, Penns Grove 25
Pitman 48, Salem Tech 26
Schalick 46, Woodstown 25
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove 80, Pennsville 16
Salem 60, Paulsboro 54
Pitman 52, Salem Tech 31
Woodstown 46, Schalick 33
INDOOR TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Ocean Breeze

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE — Pennsville assistant coach Ryan Wood stood before the girls basketball team after the game and gave the day its historical context in a way uniquely his own.

The Eagles had just clinched a share of its first division title since 1988 Monday when they bashed Penns Grove 65-25 in Rudy Baric Gym and Wood let them know just how long ago that was.

“Forty years ago,” he said rubbing his hands over his thinning scalp, “I had a full head of hair.”

And if you don’t believe it, his daughter, senior guard Marley Wood, has the proof.

“I’ve seen pictures, him and my brother (Luke) look the exact same, which is really weird,” she said.

**The girls basketball banner at Pennsville High will soon get an update to reflect the latest division title.**

The Eagles’ sixth straight win — and fourth since the coaching change — left them 9-1 in the TCC Diamond Division and a share of their first division title since 1988 with Glassboro. The teams split in the regular season.

“We’ve all worked very hard for this,” senior forward Taylor Bass said. “A lot of sweat, blood and tears have gone into it.”

There’s a banner in the far left corner of Pennsville’s Salberg Gym that commemorates the team’s last division title. After the boys soccer team won its first division title in 32 years in October, it left girls basketball with the school’s longest championship drought among teams that have won a championship. The boys basketball program has never won one. The girls track team is now on the clock (2011).

“Every year we get reminded that it’s been a while, so getting to do with my team my senior year and my dad in the back with us is great,” Marley Wood said.

The Eagles (14-6) had control of this one from the start. They built a 33-15 halftime lead, then opened the third quarter with 16 straight points to put it out of reach.

Bass and Addie Johnston led the offense with 18 points apiece. Since the coaching change that elevated Robin Efelis to head coach and brought Ryan Wood back to the bench, Johnston has scored 52 points and hit eight 3-pointers.

“It’s just been good games, good days,” the sophomore said. “My shooting’s been good, my confidence overall has been high. Just been coming out hot every day.”

Wood had six points, but grabbed 10 rebounds and dished 12 assists. Already the second-leading all-time girls scorer in school history, she needs one point for 1,300 and four assists for 500. That would put her in the 1300-500-500 Club since she already has 521 rebounds.

PENNSVILLE 65, PENNS GROVE 25
PENNSVILLE (14-6): Taylor Bass 8 1-5 18, Marley Wood 3 0-2 6, Addie Johnston 7 1-2 18, Izzy Saulin 4 2-2 10, Jaida Burns 3 0-0 6, Jaiden Wilson 0 0-0 0, Kylie Harris 1 0-0 2, Kylie Weist 1 0-0 3, Reagan Sipps 0 0-0 0, Makayla Griffith 1 0-0 2. Totals 28 4-11 65.
PENNS GROVE (2-18): Janiyah Cummings 6 3-4 16, Keziah Patterson 1 2-2 5, Yeichelyn Rodriguez 0 0-0 0, Domari Torres 1 0-0 3, Yanet Cruz 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Washington 1 0-0 2, Armahni Blackston 0 0-0 0, Yasmin Cruz 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 5-6 26

Pennsville	23	10	19	13-	65
Penns Grove	7	8	4	7-	26

3-point goals: Pennsville 5 (Bass, Johnston 3, Weist); Penns Grove 3 (Patterson, JCummings, Torres). Total fouls: Pennsville 6, Penns Grove 6.

SCHALICK 46, WOODSTOWN 25: The Cougars put together one of their best defensive efforts of the season in a year filled with big defensive efforts and ended a 13-game losing streak against the Wolverines. It was almost seven years to the day the last time they won in the series, Feb. 12, 2019.

“This one feels good,” Schalick coach John Whelan said. “The girls were ready for this game and they put together four full quarters of good basketball. It was a signature win as we come to the end of there egular season. It will be a great momentum builder as we head into the playoffs.”

The Cougars (14-5) held their hosts to single digits in all four quarters. They led 10-8 after the first quarter, then took control in the second quarter. They closed Woodstown out with a 15-3 fourth quarter. They are averaging a shade under 24 points against in their 14 wins this season.

“As always we build off our defense,” Whelan said. “It was an outstanding defensive performance where the girls took pride in winning on that side of the court. That aggressiveness translated to playing downhill on the offensive end. Everyone played a part.”

Ava Scurry anchored the defense. She had 14 rebounds, including the 600th of her career, five steals and seven blocked shots. Cali Fisler had four steals and Olivia Vanacker had eight rebounds, a career-high nine assists and three steals.

Willow Davis led the offense with four 3-pointers and a career-high 18 points. Nevaeh Robinson had 10. Kendall Young was Woodstown’s leading scorer with 10 points.

The Wolverines, who once had a 39-game winning streaks against Salem County opponents, have now won lost two in a row to in-county foes.

SCHALICK (14-5): Ava Scurry 1 2-4 4, Cali Fisler 1 6-10 8, Olivia Vanacker 3 0-0 6, Nevaeh Robinson 3 3-6 10, Willow Davis 6 2-2 18. Totals 14 13-22 46.
WOODSTOWN (9-13): Lauren Hengel 3 0-0 8, Emma Perry 0 1-2 1, Kendall Young 4 0-0 10, Talia Guardascione 0 1-2 1, Gina Murray 2 0-0 5. Totals 9 2-4 25.

Schalick	10	15	8	13-	46
Woodstown	8	6	8	3-	25

3-point goals: Schalick 5 (Robinson, Davis 4); Woodstown 5 (Hengel 2, Young 2, Murray). Rebounds: Schalick 32 (Scurry 14, Vanacker 8)

PITMAN 48, SALEM TECH 26: Audrey Duffield scored 19 points and three other players had at least eight as the Panthers snapped a six-game losing streak that followed their last win over the Chargers. Shelby Liber led Salem Tech with 13 points. Amora Delaine had seven points and eight rebounds.

PITMAN (4-13): Marlee Adams 4 1-4 9, Emery Sharpnack 4 0-0 8, Audrey Duffield 7 5-8 19, Bella Pramov 2 0-0 4, Jocelyn O’Brien 4 0-0 8. Totals 21 6-12 48.
SALEM TECH (2-13): Amora Delaine 3 1-6 7, Shelby Liber 5 0-4 13, Rachel Reed 0 0-0 0, Shelby Drummond 1 0-0 2, Evening Amedee 0 1-2 1, Olivia Lydon 0 0-0 0, Carmen Mott 0 0-0 0, Tiara Bazemore 1 1-2 3. Totals 10 3-14 26.

Pitman	10	18	13	7-	48
Salem Tech	5	7	9	4-	26

3-point goals: Salem Tech 3 (Liber 3). Rebounds: Salem Tech 35 (Delaine 8, Mott 7).

Boys games

PENNS GROVE 80, PENNSVILLE 16: The Red Devils went out 17-0 in the first five minutes and got scoring from 13 players.

Will Roy led the assault with 13 points, nine in the first quarter. Zane Thomas and Geonni Conrad had 11 apiece, and Jameel Horace had 10.

“That’s what we’re looking for,” Penns Grove coach Damien Ware said. “We have 10 to 12 guys who can play, contribute for us, so that’s really what we want to do on a night-in, night-out basis. If we can just play together. I tell them (to) play consistent.

“We’ve been playing good in stretches. We play good for five minutes and play bad for five minutes. Once we get to the point where we’re playing consistently good basketball we’re going to be tough to beat. We’re pretty deep. We have a lot of guys who can play, so we’ll be tough to deal with.”

PENNS GROVE (14-8): Roman Gipson 0 0-0 0, Carson Pearsall 4 0-0 9, Haneef Frisby 1 0-0 2, Will Roy 6 0-0 13, Mishawn Brantley 3 0-0 6, Geonni Conrad 5 0-0 11, Luis Colon 2 0-0 4, Jameel Horace 5 0-0 10, Jeremy Costacamps 1 0-0 2, Jerry Wooten 1 1-1 3, Ahkeen Edwards 1 0-0 2, Messiah Allah 0 2-2 2, Eli Pearsall 1 0-0 3, James Minor 0 2-2 2, Zane Thomas 4 3-3 11. Totals 34 8-8 80.
PENNSVILLE (3-17): Jake Layfield 0 0-0 0, Shamir Watkins 1 0-0 2, Gavin Spears 0 0-0 0, Danny Knight 1 0-0 3, Jake Farina 2 0-0 6, Trey Clevinger 2 0-0 5, Colin Keenan 0 0-0 0, Liam Crane 0 0-0 0. Totals 6 0-0 16.

Penns Grove	25	25	20	10-	80
Pennsville	3	5	6	2-	16

3-point goals: Penns Grove 4 (Pearsall, Roy, Conrad, E. Pearsall); Pennsville 4 (Knight, Farina 2, Clevinger). Total fouls: Penns Grove 3, Pennsville 4.

SALEM 60, PAULSBORO 54: Tymear Lecator scored 21 points to inch closer to 1,000 career points and hit two free throws in a one-point game to keep the Red Raiders at arm’s length. The junior guard needs 22 points to hit the milestone going into Tuesday’s game with Penns Grove. He also had eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Deshaan Williams and BJ Robbins added nine points apiece for the Rams (17-4), the No. 1 team in the South Jersey Group I power points standings and No. 2 seed in the upcoming Tri-County Conference Tournament. Marshall Stephens and Donnie Weathers both grabbed 10 rebounds Stephens also blocked three shots.

The Rams came from eight down at halftime to take a four-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders got within 54-53, then Lecator hit two free throws to stretch the lead and the Rams (17-4) closed it out from the line. They were 18-of-27 from the line in the game as a team, Lecator was 8-for-10.

When the milestone comes, he’ll be the 18th Salem player on the Salem County boys 1,000-point list.

“I’m not anxious, I know what work I put in and that never lies,” he said. “I’m just looking at it like another game and it’ll definitely be a blessing to hopefully reach the milestone tomorrow.”

SALEM (17-4): Donnie Weathers 2 1-2 5, Xavier McGriff 1 0-0 2, Neziah Spence 0 2-4 2, Tymear Lecator 5 8-10 21, Fatah Paige 1 0-0 2, Deshaan Williams 3 3-4 9, BJ Robbins 4 0-0 9, Marshall Stephens 3 0-1 6, Darrelle Johnson 0 4-6 4. Totals 19 18-27 60.
PAULSBORO (9-10): Malakai McKenzie 4 11-14 21, Jeremiah Carr 3 4-9 10, Jeff Taylor 2 0-0 6, LaShawn Clay 2 0-0 5, Dayvon Kersey 1 1-2 4, Jamal Robinson 1 1-2 3, Khalil Streater 1 1-2 3, Jakai Bennett 0 2-4 2. Totals 14 20-33 54.

Salem	13	9	20	18-	60
Paulsboro	13	17	8	16-	54

3-point goals: Salem 4 (Lecator 3, Robbins); Paulsboro 6 (McKenzie 2, Taylor 2, Clay, Kersey). Rebounds: Salem (Lecator 8, Williams 7, Johnson 7, Stephens 10, Weathers 10); Paulsboro 30 (Carr 7, Bennett 7).

1000-POINT WATCH	TODAY	TOTAL	NEXT
Tymear Lecator, Salem	21 vs. Paulsboro	978	vs. Penns Grove, Tues.

WOODSTOWN 46, SCHALICK 33: The teams played even for a half, but Woodstown came out of the break in a strong defensive posture and pulled away. The Wolverines held them hosts to two points in the third quarter to pull ahead, then kept the pressure on in the fourth quarter.

“No special adjustment,” Woodstown coach Ramon Roots said. “We just played harder in the second (half),.”

Elijah Caesar led Woodstown’s offense with 14 points. Blake Bialecki added 12, including his 194th career 3-pointer, and went over 200 career assists. Kade Macom led the Cougars with a career-tying 16 points.

WOODSTOWN (14-8): Elijah Caesar 7 0-0 14, Blake Bialecki 4 2-2 12, Lucas Fulmer 0 2-2 2, Andrew White 2 2-4 7, Frank Hoerst 0 0-0 0, Alejandro Vazquez 2 0-2 5, Josh King 3 0-0 6, Jalen Markward 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 6-10 46.
SCHALICK (9-11): Julian Dickerson 4 0-0 10, Orion Baldwin 1 0-0 3, Dylan Sheehan 1 0-0 2, Kade Macom 6 2-2 16, Jase Volovar 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 2-2 33.

Woodstown	13	12	8	13-	46
Schalick	12	12	2	7-	33

3-point goals: Woodstown 4 (Bialecki 2, White, Vazquez); Schalick 5 (Dickerson 2, Baldwin, Macom 2).

PITMAN 52, SALEM TECH 31: The Panthers controlled the game by dominating the first and third quarters. Peter DeChristopher led the effort with 16 points, four 3-pointers and six rebounds. Lucas Razze had six points, seven assists and five steals. Aiden Bobo led the Chargers’ offense with 10 points.

SALEM TECH (2-16): Chase Pompper 2 1-2 5, Luke Kroll 2 0-0 6, Ayden Myers 1 0-0 3, Raphael Busch 2 0-0 4, Sterling Lewis 1 1-2 3. Totals 12 3-6 31.
PITMAN (9-13): Lucas Razze 2 1-2 6, Parker DeChristopher 6 0-0 16, Joey Zubert 4 0-0 9, Jake Bowen-Ashwin 1 1-2 3, Jay Craig 4 0-0 8, Oliver Spier 3 0-0 8, Micah Frost 0 0-0 0, Michael Aubrey 0 0-0 0, Kiernan Clark 0 0-0 0, Liam Etter 1 0-0 2, Brady Green 0 0-0 0, Brayden Geary 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 2-4 52.

Salem Tech	3	12	3	13-	31
Pitman	19	11	18	4-	52

3-point goals: Salem Tech 4 (Kroll 2, Myers, Bobo); Pitman 8 (Razze, DeChristopher 4, Zubert, Spier 2). Rebounds: Pitman 27 (DeChristopher 6, Craig 6).

Indoor track

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Salem’s Amiyah Jones and Pennsville’s Aubrey Manorowitz both posted Top 10 finishes in jumping events to headline the Salem County performers at the SJTCA Meet at the Ocean Breeze Track & Field Facility.

Jones was fourth in the girls long jump (15-7) and eighth in the girls triple jump (30-9.75). Manorowitz placed fifth in the girls high jump (4-10).