Category: SALEM TECH

Meeting the milestone

Pennsville’s Ausland breaks through the 1,000-point barrier, joins her brother on the esteemed list; Glassboro girls stun Woodstown, plus all of Tuesday’s Salem County basketball action

TUESDAY GIRLS GAMESTUESDAY BOYS GAMES
Pennsville 67, Overbrook 25Overbrook 80, Pennsville 44
Penns Grove 51, Schalick 43Penns Grove 72, Schalick 50
Glassboro 52, Woodstown 44Woodstown 55, Glassboro 49
Wildwood 82, Salem 13Salem 72, Wildwood 43
Gloucester Cath. 72, Salem Tech 31Gloucester Cath. 77, Salem Tech 39

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — Nora Ausland thought she’s be able to go to bed Monday night as routinely and calm as as anyone could be on the verge of a major milestone, but the anticipation of what the next day held proved too much to sleep on.

She tossed and turned all night, and when she did nod off she dreamed of what was to come and then woke up realizing it hadn’t happened yet. The school day provided a suitable distraction, but when she got to the gym and saw the family gathering in the upper rows of the bleachers the butterflies returned.

Once she got in the game, though, the nerves gave way to normal game-day focus and she was able to settle into the game.

Then came the moment of truth. The Pennsville senior became Salem County’s newest 1,000-point scorer and joined her brother on the elite list while scoring a Pennsville career-high 28 points Tuesday as the Eagles soared past Overbrook 67-25.

She needed 13 points to reach the milestone and she hit the number on a free throw with 6:10 left in the second quarter. She hit a 3 moments earlier to get to 999. She now has 1,015 points for her career.

“It feels like a weight has been lifted off of me and I’m proud of myself that I was able to reach that even being out half of my sophomore season and a few games last year,” she said. “I’m glad I was able to do that.”

Ausland scored her first 462 points in two seasons at Salem, and missed 14 games her sophomore year because of injury. 

Ironically, she scored her 1,000th point against the team she scored her first points against and did it for the coach with whom she started her career at Salem, Steve Merritt. She scored a team-high 15 points as a freshman against Overbrook in her high school debut Dec. 17, 2021.

Her first points in that game came on a short jumper after missing on a 3-ball, her dad and trainer Mike Ausland said.

“That’s something I had no idea about; completely lost track of that,” Merritt said. “I was happy to be here, it was good fun. And she deserves it, it’s a long road. It’s a good night.”

As much as everyone wanted it to happen Tuesday, there were no special arrangements to get her the ball to make it happen. The points she was going to get were going to come within the framework of the offense.

The first time she touched the ball she dished it off to Taylor Bass for an opening 3-pointer. She didn’t score for the first time until midway through the first quarter when she gave the Eagles the lead for good. She also had 14 rebounds (for 521 in her career) and seven assists.

 Her next target on the points parade is brother Gage, who scored 1,144 points in three seasons at Salem before graduating in 2020.

“It meant a lot to me because my brother, he got it in his three years; I wanted to be like him,” Nora said. “That’s what influenced me to do that first. Now that I finally get it I feel accomplished. So now my goal is to beat him, of course.” 

“And she’ll beat me, too,” Gage said.

With Ausland safely over the 1,000-point barrier, the focus now turns on Marley Wood’s quest for the milestone. Wood, a junior, is 69 points away from the number.

If she hits it, she will be the third member of her on the list. Luke Wood, who is not playing basketball this season to focus on baseball, has 1,198 career points. Their sister Ryane, a 2022 Pennsville grad, has 1,224 points and is the school’s fourth all-time leading girls scorer.

“I’m really excited because I want to see my name up on the banner with my brother and my sister,” Marley said.

Katie Kline is Pennsville’s all-time leading scorer in girls basketball with 2,110 points. She graduated in 2004.

PENNSVILLE 67, OVERBROOK 25
OVERBROOK (4-12): Gianna Simon 3 1-4 8, Jael Pressley 5 2-3 12, Rosetta Loibman 1 0-0 3, Lelani Knight 0 2-2 2, Alani White 0 0-0 0, Kayla Reynolds 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 5-9 25.
PENNSVILLE (11-4): Taylor Bass 7 2-2 18, Marley Wood 2 3-5 8, Nora Ausland 9 8-10 28, Addie Johnston 2 0-0 5, Izzy Saulin 2 0-0 4, Jaida Burns 1 0-0 2, Sofia Belitsas 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 13-17 67.

Overbrook0000-0
Pennsville20221213-67
3-point goals: Overbrook 2 (Simon, Loibman); Pennsville 6 (Bass 2, Wood, Ausland 2, Johnston). Fouled out: Loibman. Total fouls: Overbrook 15, Pennsville 8. Officials: Brown, Hawkins, Reiners.
Pennsville’s Nora Ausland is flanked by her parents in celebrating her 1,000th career point Tuesday against Overbrook.

PENNS GROVE 51, SCHALICK 43: RaNiyah Wilson moved closer to becoming Penns Grove’s next 1,000-point scorer when she went for 31 points and was the difference against a Cougars team that gave the Red Devils a battle for four quarters.

Wilson needs 11 points to join the elite club teammate Meely Horace joined last season and is projected to get it Thursday at home against Wildwood. She has gone for 30 or more twice in the last week as she closed the gap on the milestone.

The Cougars limited the senior guard to 11 points in the first half on 5-of-19 shooting, but she got loose for 20 in the second half.

Penns Grove pulled away from a close game with eight straight points early in the second quarter, but Schalick never went away. The Cougars needed three players to match Wilson’s production. Freshman Navaeh Robinson (11), Ava Scurry (10) and Cali Fisler (10) combined for 31 points.

SCHALICK (3-10): Abby Willoughby 3 1-2 8, Cali Fisler 4 2-4 10, Ava Scurry 5 0-3 10, Olivia Vanacker 2 0-0 4, Navaeh Robinson 5 0-0 11, Olivia Lunemann 0 0-0 0, Emily Miller 0 0-0 0, Willow Davis 0 0-0 0, Carly Vicente 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 3-9 43.
PENNS GROVE (8-6):  RaNiyah Wilson 12 5-8 31, JaNiyah Cummings 5 3-4 13, Mikayla Washington 0 0-0 0, Keziah Patterson 1 0-0 3, NyAsia Numan 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 8-12 51

Schalick1091212-43
Penns Grove1114168-51
3-point goals: Schalick 2 (Willoughby, Robinson); Penns Grove 3 (Wilson 2, Patterson). Fouled out: Fisler, J. Cummings. Total fouls: Schalick 14, Penns Grove 14.

GLASSBORO 52, WOODSTOWN 44: The Bulldogs put together a big fourth quarter to upset Woodstown and hand the Wolverines their third straight loss and snapped their 38-game winning streak against TCC Diamond Division opponents.

Woodstown held a 36-32 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs went on a 20-8 tear to snap a four-game losing streak.

Kezia Brackett was Glassboro’s leading scorer with 14 points, but Sanaa Thomas scored eight of her 13 in the fourth quarter to lead its comeback.

“They were ferocious on the glass today and played great defense on our drives,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “Brackett and Thomas played with an extreme tenacity on both ends of the floor. They were able to attack the basket, grab offensive and defensive rebounds and pressure the ball.

“They had other girls make big shots when they had the chance to. Their ability to close our and defense our drives without fouling made it difficult to score. They did not give up many second chance opportunities to us.”

Megan Donelson led the Wolverines with 17 points and pulled into a tie with teammate Talia Battavio for second place on Woodstown’s all-time girls scoring list, 108 points behind the top spot. She had five of their points in the fourth quarter and 12 in the second half.

The three-game losing streak is Woodstown’s longest since early in the 2022-23 season. Tuesday’s loss sets up a potential Diamond Division championship game showdown at Pennsville Feb. 4.

“We did not execute tonight,” Smart said. “We talk about playing our style of basketball each and every night — pressure the ball, push the pace, try and get open looks — and we did not do that tonight. We tried to force some shots that were not there instead of working to get an easy shot.

“While the last three games are obviously disappointing, the great thing about basketball is we get to play another game on Thursday (at Clayton). We need to find that Woodstown Basketball that makes us who we are. We need to play with confidence. I have no doubt the girls will be up for that challenge.”

WOODSTOWN (11-5): Talia Battavio 3 4-4 12, Megan Donelson 6 2-2 17, Gianna Maiorini 1 0-0 2, Lauren Hengel 2 0-0 6, Kyia Leyman 2 1-2 5, Jala Thomas 1 0-0 2, Emma Perry 0 0-0 0, Ryann Foote 0 0-0 0, Kendall Young 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 7-8 44.
GLASSBORO (6-9): Sanaa Thomas 5 3-3 11, Kezia Brackett 7 0-0 14, Kimora Miles 1 0-0 3, Sianna Wedderburn 4 0-0 8, Lily Czubas 2 0-2 5, Grace Moore 4 0-0 9. Totals 23 3-5 52.

Woodstown911168-44
Glassboro7131220-52
3-point goals: Woodstown 7 (Battavio 2, Donelson 3, Hengel 2); Glassboro 3 (Miles, Czubas, Moore).

WILDWOOD 82, SALEM 13
SALEM (1-12): Carlysia Pierce 0 0-0 0, Nevaeh Hickman 2 1-2 6, Lyric Hayes 1 0-0 2, Zaniyah Frieson 2 0-0 5. Only four players reported. Totals 5 1-2 13.
WILDWOOD (12-2): Macie McCracken 9 0-0 20, Angela Wilber 6 2-2 19, Rebecca Benichou 4 0-0 11, Kiana D’Antuono 0 0-0 0, Cydnee Kilian 0 0-0 0, Addison Troiano 6 0-0 12, Lily Atkinson 2 0-0 6, Laila Fathi 1 0-0 3, Julia Ennis 0 0-0 0, Emma Contreras 1 1-2 3, Ellasyn Morey 0 0-0 0, Antoinette Cooper 1 0-0 2, Mollie Farrell 2 0-0 6, Janet Gonzalez 0 0-0 0. Totals 32 3-4 82.

Salem4045-13
Wildwood28251613-82
3-point goals: Salem 2 (Hickman, Frieson); Wildwood 15 (McCracken 2, Wilber 5, Benichou 3, Atkinson 2, Fathi, Farrell 2). Rebounds: Wildwood 49 (Troiano 14, McCracken 11).

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 72, SALEM TECH 31
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (13-2): Jahzara Green 6 0-0 13, Jalyn Moore 4 0-0 11, Amanda Eggers 3 0-0 7, Talia Shumate 6 0-0 12, Monet High 5 0-0 13, Ashlynn Eggers 1 0-0 3, Maya Hutchinson 3 0-0 7, Ruth Cutuli 3 0-0 6. Totals 31 0-0 72.
SALEM TECH (2-12): Shelby Liber 5 0-0 15, Rylee Doerr 3 0-0 6, Kaylin Beardsley 3 0-0 7, Tiara Bazemore 1 0-0 3, Hannah Dewitt 0 0-0 0, Jadelynn Stoffen 0 0-0 0, Amora Elaine 0 0-0 0, Lavar Scott 0 0-0 0, Shelby Drummond 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 0-0 31.

Gloucester Catholic3113208-72
Salem Tech67513-31
3-point goals: Gloucester Catholic 10 (Green, Moore 3, Am. Eggers, High 3, As. Eggers, Hutchinson); Salem Tech 7 (Liber 5, Beardsley, Bazemore). Rebounds: Salem Tech 24 (Beardsley 6).

Boys games

Salem’s Xavier McGriff has scored 56 points in the Rams’ three-game winning streak after enjoying a career night against Wildwood Tuesday. (Photo by Jalen Freeman)

SALEM 72, WILDWOOD 43: Xavier McGriff continued his recent run of strong play, going for a career-high 22 points to lead the Rams to a third straight win that got them back to .500 (8-8) after forfeiting four wins due to an ineligible player. The Rams are 5-1 since the ruling Jan. 13.

McGriff, a junior guard, has scored 56 points during the three-game winning streak. He had 21 points in his previous game against Pennsville.

“He’s been in the program three years, played JV for two years and just stuck with it,” Rams coach Anthony Farmer said. “He’s just a real hard worker, he listens, he’s good in the classroom, he’s good in the hallways, he’s good in the locker room.

“You know, the basketball gods tend to reward kids who put the work in on and off the floor and right now it’s just coming to light. I’m glad the kid’s shooting the ball well, it’s the perfect time of the season, and I hope he keeps lightin’ it up.”

Neziah Spence also had a career night, going for 18 points. Tymear Lecator had 11 points and 12 rebounds and came within two assists of a triple-double. Deshaan Williams also had a double-double (14 points/10 rebounds) and Antwuan Rogers grabbed 12 boards.

Wildwood (5-10)5101117-43
Salem (8-8)14162319-72

PENNS GROVE 72, SCHALICK 50: Playing four men down due to injury and illness, the Red Devils turned to their bench to give them a boost and it came through big to help them continue their longest winning streak since opening the 2020-21 season 8-0. It was their fifth straight win to get back to .500 (7-7) on the season.

Gionni Conrad, a part-time varsity player, came off the bench and scored all five of his points in the second quarter when the Red Devils outscored the Cougars 24-9 to take control of the game. Will Roy scored seven of his 11 in the quarter and Roman Gipson threw in eight of his team-high 17.

“Next man up mentality,” Penns Grove coach Damian Ware said.

Jameel Horace continued his run of strong play with a career-high 15 points. He has averaged 13 points over the past three games.

Schalick’s Reggie Allen led all scorers with 20 points. He is averaging 18.4 ppg over his last five games.

PENNS GROVE (7-7): Roman Gipson 7 1-4 17, Karon Ceaser 4 3-4 13, Jameel Horace 7 1-2 15, Geonni Conrad 2 1-2 5, Will Roy 5 0-0 11, Luis Colon 4 1-2 9, Caleb Fowler 1 0-0 2. Totals 30 7-14 72.
SCHALICK (4-14): Reggie Allen 8 1-3 20, Nylan Sutton 1 1-2 3, Sherrod Jones 5 0-2 11, Jamari Whitley 4 2-2 10, Kenneth Bartee 2 0-4 4. Totals 20 4-13 50.

Penns Grove13241619-72
Schalick1491710-50
3-point goals: Penns Grove 5 (Gipson 2, Ceaser 2, Roy); Schalick 4 (Allen 3, Jones).

WOODSTOWN 55, GLASSBORO 49: M.J. Hall scored 18 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, to lift the Wolverines to victory. They held off a furious Glassboro rally by going 8-for-12 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Rocco String had 13 points and Garrett Leyman 11.

GLASSBORO (6-9): Davon Barr 0 0-0 0, Xavier Sabb 3 0-4 7, Adien Harris 4 0-0 8, Tae Thomas 1 2-2 4, Kenny Smith 10 4-5 25, Alex Adeleye 1 2-2 5, Will Boggins 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 8-13 49.
WOODSTOWN (10-4): Eli Caesar 0 1-2 1, Blake Bialecki 2 3-4 9, Alejandro Vazquez 2 1-2 6, M.J. Hall 6 5-6 18, Garrett Leyman 3 1-2 8, Rocco String 6 1-2 13, Brayden Hall 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 12-18 55.

Glassboro1111522-49
Woodstown11141317-55
3-point goals: Glassboro 3 (Sabb, Smith, Adeleye); Woodstown 5 (Bialecki 2, Vazquez, M. Hall, Leyman). Fouled out: Barr, String. Total fouls: Glassboro 17, Woodstown 16.

OVERBROOK 80, PENNSVILLE 44: Lamar Little scored 27 points and the Rams hit 12 3-pointers to hand the Eagles their 12th straight loss. The Rams have won 13 in a row. Jovanni Rios led Pennsville with a career-high 17 points.

PENNSVILLE (1-14): Jovanni Rios 7 2-4 17, Mason O’Brien 2 1-6 5, Arturus Franzy 1 0-0 2, Cole Johnston 2 0-0 5, Daniel Knight 2 2-2 6, C.J. McDevitt 2 2-2 6, Gavin Spears 1 0-0 2, Laughty 0 1-2 1. Totals 17 8-16 44.
OVERBROOK (15-2): Lamar Little 11 2-3 27, Xavier Wright 2 0-0 4, Zair Green 6 1-1 18, Elvin Santiago 1 1-2 3, Bilal Robinson 5 0-0 12, Cody Harris 1 0-0 3, Jaden St. John 2 1-2 5, Gavin Cajuste 1 0-0 2, Shallom Teguia 2 0-0 6. Totals 31 5-8 80.

Pennsville810197-44
Overbrook17242423-80
3-point goals: Pennsville 2 (Rios, Johnston); Overbrook 12 (Little 3, Green 4, Robinson 2, Harris, Teguia 2).

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 77, SALEM TECH 39
SALEM TECH (0-15): Joseph Hayes 1 2-3 4, Larry Pompper 2 8-10 12, Keidyn Robinson 0 0-2 0, Logan Pace 0 2-2 2, Chase Pompper 2 1-4 6, Aiden Bobo 0 0-2 0, Raphael Busch 6 0-0 13, Sam Battiato 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 13-23 39.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (7-10): Jack Pund 6 2-4 14, Danny Zellner 6 2-2 14, Ben Cook 5 1-2 11, Gary Connelly 3 0-0 7, C.J. Mitchell 4 0-0 8, Zack Payne 3 0-0 6, Jordan Mendez 2 0-0 5, Anthony Polidoro 1 0-0 2, Andrew Ginipro 4 0-0 8, Kimani Pyram 1 0-0 2. Totals 35 5-8 77.

Salem Tech79815-39
Gloucester Catholic21151823-77
3-point goals: Salem Tech 2 (C. Pompper, Busch); Gloucester Catholic 2 (Connelly, Mendez).
SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME
SCORING LIST (GIRLS)		TODAYPOINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004) 2110
Amanda Young, St. James
(1995)		 1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009) 1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021) 1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013) 1566
Talia Battavio, Woodstown12 vs. Glassboro1458
Megan Donelson, Woodstown17 vs. Glassboro1458
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 553)28 vs. Overbrook1015
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 738)31 vs. Schalick989
Marley Wood, Pennsville8 Overbrook 931

Through games of Jan. 28

Monday basketball

Ausland, Wood move closer to 1,000-point plateau, but Pennsville drops close game with Haddon Heights

MONDAY’S GIRLS GAMES
Cinnaminson 50, Woodstown 44
Gateway 57, Salem Tech 20
Gloucester City 36, Schalick 16
Haddon Heights 53, Pennsville 48
Palmyra at Salem
MONDAY’S BOYS GAME
Bordentown 51, Schalick 39

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — Nora Ausland can’t wait for Pennsville’s next game for two important reasons: she’s projected to hit the 1,000-point milestone and to put Monday’s loss to Haddon Heights behind her.

The Pennsville senior moved seven points closer to the career milestone, but the Eagles lost to the Garnets 53-48.

She now needs 13 points to become the newest member of Salem County’s 1,000-point club and join her brother Gage in the elite group. It’s expected to come Tuesday when the Eagles (10-4) host Overbrook, a team they beat by 37 in the first meeting this season.

“I’m excited (anticipating Tuesday’s game) because today was a mess,” Ausland said. “It shouldn’t have been like that at all, but you can’t change it, so tomorrow will be a better game.”

The points she gets Tuesday will come within the framework of the offense, just as they were going to happen Monday. Ausland had 10 in the earlier meeting with Overbrook and 25 against it last year.

“It is better that way,” she said, “because the more nerves, the more that I miss my shots. I try not to think about it and just let it happen when it happens.”

When it does happen, Eagles coach Steve Merritt said, it will bring a “collective sigh of relief” because it has been on everyone’s radar all season.

And after it hits, the focus will shift to Marley Wood’s pursuit of 1,000. The junior guard led the Eagles Monday with 16 points and now has 923 in her career. She hit four 3-pointers in the game and has 82 in her career.

Ausland might have been held to single digits by the Garnets, but she helped the Eagles (10-4) in a number of other ways. She had 11 rebounds and several steals and assists. She made back-to-back steals early in the third quarter that Taylor Bass turned into runout layups in a 7-0 run that drew the teams even after the Eagles trailed by 14 early in the game.

The areas that hurt them most were rebounding and 3-point defense. The Garnets (12-5) hit 10 3-pointers. Every time the Eagles got close, the Garnets hit another to keep their hosts at bay. Leading scorer Emma Harris (21 points) hit four, Brielle Connor three and CeCe Matthews (12 points) two.

“Those were two points of emphasis pre-game,” Merritt said. “We said No. 3 (Harris), No. 22 (Sami Szabo), they love 3s. No. 5 (Matthews) came out and hit a couple right away; now I’ve got three people to worry about.

“And rebounding. I said at some point during the course of the game no ball should hit the floor. We came up short in those areas.”

HADDON HEIGHTS 53, PENNSVILLE 48
HADDON HEIGHTS (12-5): Brielle Connor 3 1-1 10, Emma Harris 8 1-4 21, Allie Agin 0 0-0 0, CeCe Matthews 3 4-6 12, Zoe Fuller 0 0-0 0, Sami Szabo 1 3-6 5, Katherine Campbell 1 2-2 5. Totals 16 11-20 53.
PENNSVILLE (10-4): Taylor Bass 5 2-2 13, Marley Wood 5 2-4 16, Izzy Saulin 1 1-2 3, Nora Ausland 2 3-4 7, Sophia Belitsas 0 0-0 0, Jaida Burns 2 0-0 4, Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Addie Johnston 2 1-2 5. Totals 17 9-14 48.

Haddon Heights17131013-53
Pennsville6171312-48
3-point goals: Haddon Heights 10 (Connor 3, Harris 4, Matthews 2, Campbell); Pennsville 5 (Wood 4, Bass). Rebounds: Pennsville 20 (N. Ausland 11). Total fouls: Haddon Heights 13, Pennsville 17.

CINNAMINSON 50, WOODSTOWN 44
WOODSTOWN (11-4): Talia Battavio 2-3-7, Megan Donelson 5-2-14, Lauren Hengel 4-4-12, Kyia Leyman 4-0-8, Emma Perry 0-1-1, Ryann Foote 1-0-2. Totals 16-10-44.
CINNAMINSON (14-4): Ava Sztenderowicz 4-4-14, Ellie Tarnawski 4-1-9, Norah Quinn 2-0-4, Shiloh Moore 4-2-10, Gabby Harvey 1-3-6, Mia Sztenderowicz 2-3-7. Totals 17-13-50.

Woodstown119816-44
Cinnaminson1871114-50
3-point goals: Woodstown 2 (Donelson 2); Cinnaminson 3 (A. Sztenderowicz 2, Harvey).

GLOUCESTER 36, SCHALICK 16

Gloucester (11-5)771012-36
Schalick (3-9)2275-16

GATEWAY 57, SALEM TECH 20
SALEM TECH (2-11): Hannah Dewitt 1 0-4 2, Shelby Liber 2 0-2 4, Shelby Drummond 1 0-2 2, Lavae Scott 1 1-2 3, Rylee Doerr 2 0-0 4, Evening Amedee 0 1-2 1, Kaylin Beardsley 2 0-2 4. Totals 9 2-14 20.
GATEWAY (5-10): Bella Fini 8 2-4 21, Sydney Hughes 3 2-4 9, Jayda Catoe 1 0-0 2, Peyton Cutler 3 0-0 6, Layla DeMaise 2 0-0 5, Maggie Eliasen 0 0-0 0, Sarai Gary 0 1-2 1, Lexi Kirwin 3 0-0 7, Koby Williams 1 0-0 2, Miley Powell 2 0-0 4, Ashley Jackson 0 0-0 0, Angie Fini 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 5-10 57.

Salem Tech21044-20
Gateway14131812-57
3-point goals: Gateway 6 (B. Fini 3, Hughes, DeMaise, Kirwin). Rebounds: Gateway 38 (Catoe 8), DeMaise 6).

Boys game

BORDENTOWN 51, SCHALICK 39

Schalick (4-13)1011108-39
Bordentown (3-9)1911912-51
SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME
SCORING LIST (GIRLS)		TODAY
POINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004) 2110
Amanda Young, St. James
(1995)		 1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009) 1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021) 1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013) 1566
Talia Battavio, Woodstown7 vs. Cinnaminson1446
Megan Donelson, Woodstown14 vs. Cinnaminson1441
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 518)7 vs. Haddon Hts.987
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 707)DNP958
Marley Wood, Pennsville16 vs. Haddon Hts. 923

Through games of Jan. 27

This week’s schedule

Here is this week’s Salem County sports schedule for the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 2; all games 5:30 p.m. unless noted

JAN. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Haddon Heights at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Gloucester City at Schalick
Palmyra at Salem, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Gateway
Woodstown at Cinnaminson, 4 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Bordentown, 6:30 p.m.
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Woodstown at GCIT, 7 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton at Bolero Lanes

JAN. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Overbrook
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
Wildwood at Salem
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
WRESTLING
Penns Grove at Riverside, 5 p.m.
Salem, Holy Spirit at Oakcrest, 5 p.m.
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, 5 p.m.
Cumberland at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 6 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes
SWIMMING
Tri-County Conference Showcase at GCIT, 3:30 p.m.

JAN. 30
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Paulsboro
Wildwood at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Camden Tech at Salem
Overbrook at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Clayton, 7 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Clayton at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Wildwood
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes, 4 p.m.

JAN. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Haddon Twp.
Salem Tech at Camden Tech
Winslow at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gateway at Salem Tech
Salem vs. Medford Tech at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
WRESTLING
Clayton at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic, 7 p.m.
TRACK
Tri-County & Olympic Conference at Bennett Center, Toms River

FEB. 1
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Camden Catholic at Pennsville, 1 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Oakcrest at Pennsville, 11:30 p.m.
Schalick at Buena, 11:30 a.m.
Woodstown at Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m.
Deptford at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Clearview, Hammonton at Central Regional, 10 a.m.
Pennsville girls at Eastern, 9 a.m.
Penns Grove vs. Bordentown, Vineland, Winslow
Salem, Schalick, Palmyra at Lindenwold, 9 a.m.
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley CC, noon

FEB. 2
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Eastern, 10 a.m.

Friday roundup

Woodstown falls in SJIBT, Pennsville edges Delsea in regular-season game; Woodstown pins loss on Pennsville in wrestling

FRIDAY GIRLS GAMESFRIDAY BOYS GAMES
Shawnee 53, Woodstown 38 (SJIBT)Buena 46, Salem Tech 44
Pennsville 51, Delsea 46
GCIT at Salem Tech
Buena at Salem

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — It takes really, really good defense to beat the Woodstown girls basketball team. Shawnee came in with a specific approach Friday night and played its best defensive game of the year.

The Group 3 Renegades held Woodstown to six field goals over the first three quarters and went on to a 53-38 win in the quarterfinals of the South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament. The loss snapped the Wolverines’ seven-game winning streak.

“We’ve been working, working, working (on their defense), but tonight we got rewarded for it,” Shawnee coach Mike Spera said.

Megan Donelson hit a 3-pointer and a three-point play to give Woodstown (11-3) early leads of 3-0 and 6-5, but the Wolverines only got two more baskets the rest of the half — Talia Battavio’s 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in the first quarter and Donelson’s 2-on-1 layup with Emma Perry with 1:57 left in the half. They had just two field goals and six points in the third quarter as Shawnee stretched its lead to 37-23 after 24 minutes.

The Renegades focused on clamping down Battavio and Donelson and held the two 1,400-point scorers to 16 combined points through three quarters; they did combine for all 15 of Woodstown’s points in the fourth. Battavio finished with 15 and Donelson had 17.

“I thought in the first half we came out a bit soft,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “We weren’t boxing out, we weren’t finding our girl, we weren’t playing aggressive defense. At halftime we challenged the girls. I don’t think the score will show it, but I think they came out and played a lot tougher (in the second half).”

Even though the Renegades are just .500 on the ledger (8-8), the schedule they’ve played leading up to the game prepared them for the Wolverines.

“They’re a .500 team record wise, but they’re definitely talent-wise, skill-wise, not a .500 team,” Smart said. “They’ve played some of the toughest teams in South Jersey each and every week and compete on a high level. They have size, they have strength, they have girls with high basketball IQs and it kind of stifled us for a little bit.”

In addition to their tight defense, the Renegades often got behind the Woodstown defense for at least eight back-door layups that helped extend their lead. Olivia Gasik (18), Maggie Lutz (16) and Noelle Thomas were often the recipient of those crisp entry passes and they combined for 40 points. Gasik had 12 in the second half.

“It’s something we’ve been working on,” Spera said. “We want to reverse the ball, cut hard, share it on offense. Sometimes we over-dribble, but I thought tonight we did a really good job of cutting to the basket and finding our cutters. Made some good passes.”

Shawnee, the No. 3 seed in the West bracket, advances to the SJIBT Elite Eight, which will be reseeded Monday. Woodstown, the 2-seed in the West, plays in a consolation game at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 against Eastern at Eastern.

SHAWNEE 53, WOODSTOWN 38
SHAWNEE (8-8): Abbie Caputo 0 0-0 0, Gianna Dunn 1 0-0 2, Juliana Whalen 0 0-0 0, Olivia Gasik 8 1-2 18, Lily Purfield 3 0-0 9, Maggie Lutz 3 0-0 6, Noelle Thomas 3 0-0 6, Misha Sorino 0 2-2 2. Totals 21 5-6 53.
WOODSTOWN (11-3): Talia Battavio 4 5-7 15, Kendall Young 0 0-0 0, Emma Perry 1 2-2 4, Lauren Hengel 0 2-4 2, Gianna Maiorini 0 0-0 0, Megan Donelson 6 2-3 17, Kyia Leyman 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 11-16 38.

Shawnee1391516-53
Woodstown98615-38
3-point goals: Shawnee 6 (Gasik, Purified 3, Lutz 2); Woodstown 5 (Battavio 2, Donelson 3). Rebounds: Shawnee 24 (Lutz 8); Woodstown 16 (Donelson 6, Hengel 5, Leyman 5). Total fouls: Shawnee 16, Woodstown 13. Officials: Ruiz, Folkes.

PENNSVILLE 51, DELSEA 46: After giving up its nine-point halftime lead by the end of the third quarter, the Eagles “knuckled down” in the fourth and hit 5 of 8 free throws to pull away from their hosts. The Eagles were 8-of-11 from the line in the second half. 

Nora Ausland and Marley Wood hit big shots in the field and at the line in the fourth quarter and finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Taylor Bass was Pennsville’s leading scorer with 16 points. Ausland grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds.

The Eagles trailed 45-44 with 1:20 to play. Wood and Ausland both hit buckets over the next 30 seconds to give them ahead for good.

Delsea’s Angelina Rodriguez hit a free throw at 24.6 to make it a two-point game. A series of turnovers, fouls and missed free throws over the next 16 seconds intensified the drama. Delsea’s Juliana Baez hit one of two free throws with eight seconds left to make it a one-point game. Ausland hit a free throw with six seconds to go and then two more with two seconds left to bring the final margin.

Wood’s points pushed her over 900 for her career. Ausland moved within 20 points of 1,000 and is projected to reach the milestone in one of the next two games.

“Reaching 1,000 points has always been something I set out to do since I can remember,” Ausland said. “Basketball has always been in my life with my brother (Gage) playing (and) my Dad coaching and training. I got to watch all his games, watched my Dad train him and I fell in love with the game.

“After watching Gage score his 1,000 (at Salem), I knew I was going to do the same. My brother is the best player I have ever seen play and I wanted to do what he did. Now, I want to beat his total (1144). I can’t wait to get my 1,000 and it’s great that it worked out to be home with all my teammates. I wouldn’t be able to reach my goal without my teammates. I just want to get 1,000 so it can be over.”

When it happens she will be the 109th player in Salem County to reach the milestone and 43rd girl. She could be the first of three players to reach the milestone this season. Wood is currently at 908 points and Penns Grove’s RaNiyah Wilson has 938.

Baez hit five 3-pointers – three in Delsea’s third-quarter comeback — and led the Crusaders with 16 points. 

PENNSVILLE (10-3): Taylor Bass 5 4-5 16, Marley Wood 4 3-4 12, Nora Ausland 5 3-6 14, Jaida Burns 3 0-0 6, Addie Johnston 1 0-0 3, Izzy Saulin 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 10-15 51.
DELSEA (6-10): Nicole Norris 3 0-0 7, Angelina Rodriguez 2 1-2 6, Juliana Baez 5 1-4 16, Kayleigh Bandt 0 1-2 1, Ayress Maitland 5 5-9 15, Kaiah Braxton 0 0-0 0, Peyton Parker 0 1-2 1. Totals 15 9-19 46.

Pennsville8151216-51
Delsea862210-46
3-point goals: Pennsville 5 (Bass 2, Wood, N. Ausland, Johnston); Delsea 7 (Norris, Rodriguez, Baez 5). Total fouls: Pennsville 14, Delsea 15.
SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME GIRLS SCORING LISTTODAYPOINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004) 2110
Amanda Young, St. James
(1995)		 1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009) 1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021) 1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013) 1566
Talia Battavio, Woodstown15 vs. Shawnee1438
Megan Donelson, Woodstown17 vs. Shawnee1428
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 518)14 vs. Delsea980
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 657)DNP938
Marley Wood, Pennsville12 vs. Delsea907

Through games of Jan. 24

Boys game

BUENA 46, SALEM TECH 44
SALEM TECH (0-14): Chase Pompper 1 0-0 2, Ayden Myers 0 0-0 0, Joseph Hayes 6 3-5 18, Larry Pompper 3 6-11 12, Alex Thomas 0 2-2 2, Luke Kroll 1 1-2 4, Logan Pace 1 0-0 2, Chase Ayars 1 1-2 3, Keidyn Robinson 0 1-2 1. Totals 13 14-24 44.
BUENA (5-8): Josue Cuadrado 5 1-4 11, Carlo Spreng 1 4-4 7, Jevon Alexander 3 1-6 8, Troy Gregory 2 0-1 4, Shamel Rivera-Collazo 2 2-4 6, Richie Wilson 1 0-0 3, Elwood Taylor 3 1-2 7. Totals 17 9-21 46.

Salem Tech (0-14)618128-44
Buena (5-8)211195-46
3-point goals: Salem Tech 4 (Hayes 3, Kroll); Buena 3 (Spreng, Alexander, Wilson). Rebounds: Salem Tech 36 (L. Pompper 11, Kroll 8, Ayars 8); Buena NA.

Wrestling

WOODSTOWN 65, PENNSVILLE 10
138: Gabe Supernavage (P) pinned Louie Scholl, 2:25
144: Angel Hernandez (WO) won by forfeit
150: Thomas Lacy (WO) won by forfeit
157: Brett Rowand (WO) won by forfeit
165: Laitton Roberts (WO) pinned Juan Velasquez, 0:35
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) tech fall over Joseph Halstead, 19-3 (5:59)
190: Paul Banff (WO) dec. Connor Ayars, 4-2
215: Walter Carter (WO) won by forfeit
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned Trevor Waddington, 1:12
106: Hunter Allen (WO) pinned Jariel Colon, 1:00
113: Brett Land (P) maj. dec. over Jadon Middlemiss, 13-0
120: Carson Bradway (WO) pinned Mekhi Dicks, 1:40
126: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Vincent Ciccantelli, 0:55
132: Alex Torres (WO) dec. Nathaniel Mason, 17-14

Court proceedings

Penns Grove delivers down the stretch to win wild one at Clayton; Bialecki, Woodstown bounce back at Gloucester Catholic; 3 county girls move closer to 1,000, and more

THURSDAY GIRLS GAMESTHURSDAY BOYS GAMES
Penns Grove 58, Clayton 41Penns Grove 83, Clayton 78
Schalick 24, Pitman 19Pitman 78, Schalick 52
Pennsville 71, Salem 18Salem 80, Pennsville 41
Overbrook 42, Salem Tech 41Woodstown 78, Gloucester Catholic 31

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CLAYTON — They didn’t quite get to the number coach Damian Ware suggested when he reminded his players of the test they were going to face, but it was the track meet he predicted. And Jameel Horace was there for them at the finish line.

Horace converted three layups in the final 40 seconds after a go-ahead 3-pointer by B.J. Robbins and Penns Grove escaped the fast pace at Clayton with an 83-78 victory Thursday for their fourth win in a row.

Ware told his team the night before to be prepared to score 100. They might have done it, too, if they hadn’t gotten complacent with a big lead and turned it over so much in the second half that allowed the Clippers to rally.

The Red Devils led by 20 in the second half and 15 to start the fourth quarter, but behind its all-gas, no-brakes approach Clayton came all the way back and tied the game at 74 with 1:05 to play.

Robbins hit his big 3-pointer with 56 seconds left and that put the Red Devils (6-7) up for good.

“That was a huge shot by him, the biggest shot of the game,” Ware said. “He’s been stepping up lately and he’s really coming around. He’s starting to take the bull by the horns in clutch moments and get the job done.”

The Clippers got a layup to make it 77-76 with 42.6 second left and that’s when Horace became Jameel-on-the-spot. He scored on a run-out layup out of a timeout. Karon Ceaser made a steal on the next play and sent Horace off on another run out. Clayton hit a layup to make it 81-78 and then Horace scored again down low inside 15 seconds to seal it.

Horace finished with 14 points. Ceaser led Penns Grove with 26 points. Roman Gipson had 22 and Robbins had 15. Clayton’s Demetris Williams led all scorers with 27 points.

“This is a game where we grew up a little bit,” Ware said. “It could have easily gone from a tie game to Clayton being up four, but we made the plays at the end of the game to win the game. 

“We made the game-winning plays and that’s one of the things we’ve been stressing all season – to make game-winning plays in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter is winning time, so you’ve got to make the plays that are solid and that’s kind of what we did in that last minute or so. We figured out how to win a game in the clutch today.”

PENNS GROVE 83, CLAYTON 78
PENNS GROVE (6-7): B.J. Robbins 6 0-0 15, Roman Gipson 8 4-6 22, Karon Ceaser 12 1-2 26, Antoine Robinson 1 0-0 2, Jameel Horace 7 0-0 14, Will Roy 1 0-0 2, Luis Colon 1 0-0 2. Totals 36 5-8 83.
CLAYTON (6-7): Princeton Sackor 4 4-8 12, Nazir Davis 6 0-0 12, Demetris Williams 13 1-1 27, Josiel Figueroa-Marrero 1 0-0 2, James Fritz 3 1-1 7, Jackson Venuto 4 0-0 10, Nasir Carter 2 0-0 4, Isaiah Aviles 2 0-0 4. Totals 35 6-10 78.

Penns Grove24252014-83
Clayton21151824-78
3-point goals: Penns Grove 6 (Robbins 3, Gipson 2, Ceaser); Clayton 2 (Venuto 2).

SALEM 80, PENNSVILLE 41: Xavier McGriff scored a career-high 21 points and Tymear Lecator scored 19 with six assists and a career-high seven steals to lead the Rams.

McGriff’s night was highlighted by 6-for-9 shooting from the field with three 3-pointers. His previous career high was 14 against West Tech earlier this season. Lecator’s night was highlighted by a career-high five 3-pointers. He made four in a row at one point.

A’Zhone Burden had seven points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Antwuan Rogers grabbed 10 rebounds.

WOODSTOWN 78, GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 31: Wolverines junior Blake Bialecki had an eventful day. He scored a career-high 28 points on the strength of 6-for-9 shooting from 3-point range and then after a quick change in the gym and drive back to Woodstown was installed as a member of the National Honor Society.

“It was definitely a very fun day,” he said.

Bialecki hit three 3s without missing in the first half as the Wolverines opened a 39-16 lead and three in the fourth quarter. His previous career high was 26 points against Salem Tech. He hit seven 3-pointers in that game. 

“This one definitely felt better because it was against a better team and it was kind of must-win game for us after taking a tough loss yesterday,” he said. “It was a game we knew we needed.”

The Wolverines (8-4) matched their season-high with 12 3-pointers as a team. The win was a big rebound for them after a tough loss at Penns Grove the day before.

“We definitely bounced back,” Bialecki said. “It was the best response I’ve ever had in this sport personally.”

In addition to their second-highest scoring output of the season, the Wolverines did a masterful job defensively on Jack Mustaro, holding the Rams’ all-time leading scorer to just seven points. It was only the second time in 50 games Mustaro has been held out of double digits and the first time since Rancocas Valley held him to seven in December 2023.

“We had a game plan for Mustaro and we executed it really well,” Bialecki said. “We didn’t have (a dedicated) someone just deny him. We played our normal defense but if he came into a person’s zone, they denied him, if he went to another person’s zone, they denied him, and if he went to another person’s zone, they denied him. It was more of a team effort. It wasn’t just one guy guarding him.”

WOODSTOWN (8-4): Eli Caesar 2 0-0 4, Garrett Leyman 3 0-0 7, Rocco String 5 4-6 14, Brayden Hall 1 2-2 4, Connor Miller 2 0-0 6, Alejandro Vazquez 2 0-0 6, Blake Bialecki 10 2-4 28, M.J. Hall 3 0-0 7, Sid Leevy 1 0-0 2. Totals 29 8-12 78.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (6-9): Jordan Mendez 1 0-0 2, Gary Connelly 1 0-0 2, Ben Cook 1 3-4 5, Danny Zellner 3 2-2 8, Jack Pund 1 2-3 5, Jack Mustaro 2 2-2 7, Carlos Mendez 1 0-0 2, Andrew Ginipro 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 9-13 31.

Woodstown20191722-78
Gloucester Cath.124105-31
3-point goals: Woodstown 12 (Leyman, Miller 2, Vazquez 2, Bialecki 6, M. Hall); Gloucester Catholic 2 (Pund, Mustaro).

PITMAN 78, SCHALICK 52: Reggie Allen poured in 27 points to match his season and career high, but the Cougars came up short and dropped their fourth straight. Nylan Sutton also scored in double figures for the Cougars (15).

Michael Fisicaro hit four of Pitman’s 11 3-pointers and led four Panther scorers in double figures with 21 points. Aiden Stranahan, a senior playing his first year of varsity with the Panthers, scored 20 points. Elijah Crispin had 15 points and Hudson Rue had a double-double with 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

SCHALICK (4-11): Nylan Sutton 6 3-4 15, Sherrod Jones 1 0-0 2, Reggie Allen 11 1-2 27, Justin Iacona 2 0-0 4, Zaeshawn Mills 1 2-3 4. Totals 21 6-9 52.
PITMAN (10-2): Hudson Rue 2 0-0 4, Elijah Crispin 5 4-6 15, Greg Petersen 4 0-0 11, Michael Fisicaro 7 3-3 21, Aidan Stranahan 9 0-0 20, Parker DeChristopher 0 0-0 0, Oliver Spier 1 0-0 2, Dane Collum 1 0-0 3, Lucas Razze 0 0-0 0, Joey Zubert 0 2-2 2. Totals 29 9-11 78.

Schalick10111516-52
Pitman1728249-78
3-point goals: Schalick 4 (Allen 4); Pitman 11 (Crispin, Petersen 3, Fisicaro 4, Stranahan 2, Collum).

Girls games

PENNSVILLE 71, SALEM 18: Nora Ausland, shut out for the first time in her two years at Pennsville in her last game, got back in the scoring column and put up 24 in her first game against her old team to move within 34 points of 1,000 for her career.

Ausland started her high school career at Salem under current Pennsville coach Steve Merritt before transferring to the Eagles last season. She scored 462 points in two seasons with the Rams and her game Thursday put her over 500 for her time at Pennsville.

On her current pace, she’s projected to reach the milestone at home Jan. 28 against Overbrook.

Marley Wood hit four 3-pointers and scored 17 points and needs 105 to become the third member of her family to reach 1,000. Izzy Saulin added 11 points to the win.

The Eagles (9-3) shutout Salem in the first quarter 22-0. The Rams (1-11) were coming off their first win of the season. Carlysia Pierce, who had 24 points and 10 rebounds in the win, was Salem’s leading scorer Thursday with seven points.

SALEM (1-11): Carlysia Prince 3 0-0 7, Lyric Hayes 0 0-0 0, Dakirah Gray 0 0-0 0, Madison Dixon 0 0-0 0, Marcela Villalpando 1 0-0 2, Neveah Hickman 1 0-0 3, Timmiyah Simmons 2 0-0 6, Wendine Charles 0 0-0 0, A’Lonni Allen 0 0-0 0, Taleah Elliott 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 0-0 18.
PENNSVILLE (9-3): Taylor Bass 2 0-0 5, Marley Wood 5 3-4 17, Izzy Saulin 5 1-4 11, Nora Ausland 11 0-0 24, Sofia Belitsas 2 0-0 4, Jaida Burns 1 0-0 2, Addie Johnston 0 0-0 0, Ashlyn Fredo 1 0-0 2, Kylie Harris 1 0-0 2, Kylie Weist 0 0-0 0, Callie Ausland 2 0-0 4, Tatianna DePina 0 0-0 0. Totals 30 4-7 71.

Salem0378-18
Pennsville22151618-71
3-point goals: Salem 4 (Prince, Hickman, Simmons 2); Pennsville 7 (Bass, Wood 4, N. Ausland 2). Total fouls: Salem 5, Pennsville 3

PENNS GROVE 56, CLAYTON 41: RaNiyah Wilson scored 30 or more points for the second straight game and closed the gap to 1,000 career points to less than 100 points. Wilson scored 30 points against the Clippers and now has 938 for her career.

It was her third 30-point game this season and sixth since coming to Penns Grove last season.

She’s on pace to hit the milestone on Jan. 30 at home against Wildwood.

Brianna Robbins also scored in double figures for Penns Grove with 17 points. She and Wilson combined for all 11 of the Red Devils’ points in the first quarter and all their points in the third as they extended a 23-20 halftime lead.

CLAYTON (8-4): Rainelle Blocker 6 6-11 18, Janice Blair 2 1-2 5, India Bryant 3 2-4 10, Ava Delaney 3 2-2 8, Rosa Pereira 0 0-0 0, India Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 11-19 41.
PENNS GROVE (7-5): Mikayla Washington 1 1-2 3, Keziah Patterson 0 0-0 0, JaNiyah Cummings 2 0-2 4, Syanna Robbins 0 0-0 0, Brianna Robbins 8 1-2 17, RaNiyah Wilson 13 0-0 30. Totals 24 4-8 56.

Clayton812813-41
Penns Grove11121716-56
3-point goals: Clayton 2 (Bryant 2); Penns Grove 4 (Wilson 4). Fouled out: B. Robbins. Total fouls: Clayton 6, Penns Grove 13.

SCHALICK 24, PITMAN 19: Olivia Vanacker and Cali Fisler combined for 10 of their 15 points in the third quarter and the Cougars held their opponents to four points in the second half to snap a three-game losing streak.

The Cougars (3-7) trailed 15-8 at halftime, then outscored the Panthers 14-3 in the third to take the lead.

“We made a small adjustment offensively at halftime and the girls came out and executed it perfectly,” Schalick coach John Whalen said. “Defensively, we didn’t change anything. We ran our base zone defense and pressed the majority of the game.

“The girls got much more comfortable in the second half and were able to play with more aggression and confidence.”

Vanacker and Fisler led the Cougars with eight and seven points, respectively. In the third quarter, Whalen said, “both did a great job attacking space and getting quality looks.”

PITMAN (4-9): Audrey Duffield 3, Lauren Streck 1, Jessica Bretz 6, Bella Pramov 5, Kendall Bennett 4.
SCHALICK (3-7): Abby Willoughby 2 0-0 5, Naveah Robinson 0 2-4 2, Ava Scurry 1 0-0 2, Olivia Vanacker 4 0-2 8, Cali Fisler 3 1-5 7, Emma O’Neill 0 0-0 0, Olivia Lunemann 0 0-0 0, Willow Davis 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 3-11 24.

Pitman (4-9)7831-19
Schalick (3-7)26142-24

OVERBROOK 42, SALEM TECH 41: Demajae White scored a career-high 12 points and Shelby Liber and Shelby Drummond each had 11, but the Chargers just came up short. Liber, a freshman, hit three 3-pointers for Salem Tech.

SALEM TECH (2-10): Hannah DeWitt 1 1-2 3, Shelby Liber 4 0-0 11, Shelby Drummond 4 2-4 11, Demajae White 6 0-0 12, Trata Trata 1 0-0 2, Amora Delaine 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 3-6 41.
OVERBROOK (4-10): Rosetta Loibman 3 0-0 7, Gianna Simon 3 0-0 8, Jael Pressley 8 6-8 22, Lelani Knight 2 0-0 5, Kayla Reynolds 0 0-0 0, Ahlani White 0 0-0 0, Talia Wiggins 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 6-8 42.

Salem Tech136319-41
Overbrook910914-42
3-point goals: Salem Tech 4 (Liber 3, Drummond); Overbrook 4 (Loibman, Simon 2, Knight).

 

SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME GIRLS SCORING LISTTODAY
POINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004) 2110
Amanda Young, St. James (1995) 1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009) 1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021) 1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013) 1566
Talia Battavio, WoodstownDNP1423
Megan Donelson, WoodstownDNP1411
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown
(1993)		 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 504)24 vs. Salem
966
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 657)30 vs. Clayton
938
Marley Wood, Pennsville17 vs. Salem895

Through games of Jan. 23

Tuesday basketball

Here are the results and details of Tuesday night’s high school basketball games involving Salem County teams

TUESDAY GIRLS GAMESTUESDAY BOYS GAMES
Pennsville 39, Glassboro 34Glassboro 87, Pennsville 30
Woodstown 68, Penns Grove 52Woodstown at Penns Grove (Wed.)
Salem Tech at SalemSalem 71, Salem Tech 10
Overbrook 34, Schalick 29Overbrook 80, Schalick 39

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — In the world of high school basketball, you either win big, lose or escape. The Pennsville girls “escaped” Tuesday night.

The Eagles and Glassboro battled through four quarters until Pennsville made the plays that put it over the top 39-34 to get back on the winning track after last week’s Diamond Division showdown loss at Woodstown.

“We escaped tonight,” Pennsville coach Steve Merritt said. “If (Glassboro’s Kezia Brackett) had hit that 3 there at the end we’d have a tied ballgame. We were fortunate that didn’t happen.”

There were a number of factors that led to the game going the way it did. First of all, there was Glassboro’s defense, which may have been the most tenacious Pennsville has seen all season. And the shots that seemingly fell from everywhere at Woodstown didn’t fall at home against the Bulldogs and admittedly took the Eagles out of their rhythm.

But when one aspect of the game isn’t working you have make up for it in other ways.

The Eagles did it by getting on the boards. They collected 28 rebounds in the game, with freshman Jaida Burns getting eight and Marley Wood and Nora Ausland grabbing six apiece.

“I harped pre-game that it was absolutely critical that we get some rebounds,” Pennsville coach Steve Merritt said. “I talked to my two girls in the middle and told them they need to stay in that middle and I spoke to the guards and let them know when you’re not shooting you need to get in there and get after a rebound.”

Ausland was held scoreless for the first time in her Pennsville career as she marches towards 1,000 career points, but she helped the Eagles in other ways, especially down the stretch. She had three rebounds in the fourth quarter, two steals in the final two minutes when it was still a two-point game and delivered a sharp assist to Burns for the win-sealing layup with 8.2 seconds left.

Marley Wood got the Eagles going with 12 points in the first quarter and she finished with a game-high 16. Taylor Bass had 10 points. Freshman Addie Johnston had seven, including a buzzer-beater in the third quarter that gave Pennsville a 31-28 lead.

The Bulldogs were playing without Tamia Smith. The senior was sidelined with a shoulder injury, one point shy of becoming the fifth-leading scorer in Glassboro history. 

PENNSVILLE 39, GLASSBORO 34
GLASSBORO (5-7): Sanaa Thomas 2 1-2 7, Kezia Brackett 4 2-4 11, Kimora Miles 2 0-0 4, Sianna Wedderburn 3 1-3 7, Lily Czubas 2 2-2 6, Grace Moore 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 6-11 34.
PENNSVILLE (8-3): Taylor Bass 3 3-4 10, Marley Wood 6 2-6 16, Izzy Saulin 1 0-0 2, Nora Ausland 0 0-0 0, Jaida Burns 2 1-2 5, Addie Johnston 3 0-0 7. Totals 15 6-12 39.

Glassboro143116-34
Pennsville14988-39
3-point goals: Glassboro 2 (Thomas 2); Pennsville 3 (Wood 2, Johnston). Rebounds: Pennsville 28 (Johnston 9, Ausland 6, Wood 6). Technical foul: Thomas. Total fouls: Glassboro 9, Pennsville 9.

WOODSTOWN 68, PENNS GROVE 52: The Wolverines extended a number of streaks in what coach Matt Smart called a game of “stepping up,” one in which several players stepped up to fill roles that evolved as the game wore on.

It was Woodstown’s seventh straight win. It also was their 38th in a row over TCC Diamond Division opponents and 34th straight against Salem County rivals.

“We went into the game with our third starting lineup of the year due to sickness,” Smart said. “Emma Perry, who has been a stalwart for our team this year, came into the starting lineup and played great defense with a couple steals and then knocked down some big shots for us in the second quarter.

“She’s always so stoic on the basketball court, just doing her job, but today she had a big smile on her face after making some big plays.” 

Megan Donelson hit five 3-pointers and led Woodstown with 24 points to become only the third player in program history with 1,400 points. Lauren Hengel had a career-high 17 points – nine in the second quarter – and Talia Battavio had 13 to remain ahead of her high-scoring teammate on the school’s all-time scoring list.

“Talia went down in the first quarter, which caused Donelson to pick up her game,” Smart said. “She was attacking the basket, knocking down big 3s and making incredible passes to teammates. Where she stepped up her game was on the defensive end and her leadership.

“She constantly puts her body on the line and today she took two big charges. She gave girls like Emma, Kendall Young and Bryn Ecret the confidence to enter the game in critical moments and make some big plays.”

Perry and Young each had a pair of buckets in the second quarter when the Wolverines started pulling away.

Penns Grove’s RaNiyah Wilson led all scorers with a career-high 35 points to move over 900 for her career. It was her fifth career 30-point game and second this year. She had six second-half 3-pointers, four in the fourth quarter to try to bring the Red Devils back.

Smart praised her as a “phenomenal player who can score the ball from anywhere over half court.”

PENNS GROVE (6-5): RaNiyah Wilson 13 3-10 35, Brianna Robbins 3 3-4 10, Syanna Robbins 0 0-0 0, JaNiyah Cummings 2 1-2 5, Mikayla Washington 1 0-0 2, Keziah Patterson 0 0-0 0, NyAsia Numan 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 7-16 52.
WOODSTOWN (11-2): Talia Battavio 6 0-0 13, Megan Donelson 8 3-3 24, Lauren Hengel 7 3-3 17, Kyia Leyman 0 2-6 2, Emma Perry 3 0-0 6, Ryann Foote 0 0-0 0, Kendall Young 2 0-0 4, Lizzy Daly 0 0-0 0, Jala Thomas 0 0-0 0, Brynley Ecret 0 2-2 2. Totals 26 8-12 68.

Penns Grove1081420-52
Woodstown1720238-68

3-point goals: Penns Grove 7 (Wilson 6, B. Robbins). Woodstown 6 (Battavio, Donelson 5). Fouled out: Cummings. Total fouls: Penns Grove 13, Woodstown 9. Officials: Cooper, Brown.

OVERBROOK 34, SCHALICK 29: Jael Pressley scored 15 points and Gianna Simon had 13 to lead Overbrook. Pressley attacked the basket and went 7-of-21 from the free throw line.

Schalick (2-7)87410-29
Overbrook (3-10)61279-34

Boys games

SALEM 71, SALEM TECH 10: Xavier McGriff led three players in double figures and 10 scorers with 13 points as the Rams swamped the Chargers. Tymear Lecator and Antwuan Rogers had 10 points apiece.

Salem Tech (0-13)2242-10
Salem (6-8)26181910-71

GLASSBORO 87, PENNSVILLE 30 Xavier Sabb scored 28 points, Kenny Smith scored 27 and the Bulldogs scored more than enough points in the first quarter to hand the Eagles their ninth straight loss.

Sabb and Smith both hit three 3-pointers in the game. They had four of the six the Bulldogs hit in the first quarter as they opened a 35-3 lead. Sabb scored 12 points in the quarter, while Smith and Aiden Harris each had eight.

Jovanni Rios led Pennsville with eight points. Arturus Franzy had four points, but had seven rebounds and four blocked shots.

PENNSVILLE (1-11): Artutus Franzy 2-6 0-0 4, Jovanni Rios 3-12 2-6 8, C.J. McDevitt 1-11 2-4 4, Logan Hitt 0-1 0-0 0, Cole Johnston 2-8 0-0 4, Perry Meranti 2-4 0-0 4, Danny Knight 1-2 0-0 3, Jacob Miller 1-1 0-0 3, Gavin Spears 0-0 0-0 0, Noah Owen 0-0 0-0 0, Griffin Hern 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 12-45 4-10 30.
GLASSBORO (6-7): Xavier Sabb 12 1-6 28, Kenny Smith 10 4-6 27, Tae Thomas 4 1-1 9, Alex Adeleye 6 0-0 14, Aiden Harris 4 0-0 8, Will Boggans 0 1-2 1, Jude Dempster 0 0-0 0. Totals: 36 7-15 87.

Pennsville39135-30
Glassboro35122317-87

3-point goals: Pennsville 2-9 (Rios 0-2, McDevitt 0-1, Hitt 0-1, Johnston 0-3, Knight 1-1, Miller 1-1); Glassboro 8 (Sabb 3, Smith 3, Adeleye 2). Rebounds: Pennsville 28 (Franzy 7, Meranti 6, Rios 5). Total fouls: Pennsville 11, Glassboro 10.

OVERBROOK 80, SCHALICK 39 
OVERBROOK (13-2): Lamar Little 12 0-0 29, Xavier Wright 5 3-3 14, Zair Green 7 2-6 17, Elvin Santiago 1 0-1 2, Bilal Robinson 1 0-0 3, Jayden Wilkerson 2 0-0 5, Jaden St. John 3 1-1 7, JR Stanley 1 0-0 3. Totals 32 6-11 80.
SCHALICK (4-10): Reggie Allen 3 2-5 11, Jase Volovar 1 0-0 3, Nylan Sutton 3 2-3 8, Sherrod Jones 3 2-2 10, Jamari Whitley 0 0-0 0, Justin Iacona 1 0-0 3, Zaeshawn Mills 1 0-0 2, Sean Kelly 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 6-10 39.

Overbrook22232510-80
Schalick851610-39

3-point goals: Overbrook 10 (Little 5, Wright, Green, Robinson, Wilkerson, Stanley); Schalick 5 (Allen, Volovar, Jones 2, Iacona).

SALEM COUNTY ALL-TIME GIRLS SCORING LISTTODAYPOINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004) 2110
Amanda Young, St. James (1995) 1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009) 1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021) 1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013) 1566
Talia Battavio, Woodstown131423
Megan Donelson, Woodstown241411
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984) 1406
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown (1993) 1381
1000-POINT WATCH  
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 480)0942
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/PG 657)35908
Marley Wood, Pennsville16878

Through games of Jan. 21

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Jan. 19-25

JAN. 20
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove vs. Burlington City at Woodbury, 11 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Bridgeton at Pennsville, 11 a.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Cinnaminson at Laurel Lanes

JAN. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem at Salem Tech
BOWLING
Salem vs. ACIT at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Collingswood at Wood Lanes
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Pitman at GCIT, 3 p.m.
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Union College, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, 6 p.m.

JAN. 22
BOYS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Penns Grove
WRESTLING
Schalick at Clayton
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Timber Creek at Pennsville
Woodstown at Overbrook
TRACK
Pennsville, Penns Grove, Woodstown at Bennett Center, Toms River
Salem, Schalick at Ott Center, Philadelphia
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Clayton

JAN. 23
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown, 4:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Salem
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Pitman
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Schalick at GCIT, 6 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech in NJTAC
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Williamson Trades at Salem CC, 4 p.m.

JAN. 24
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Buena at Salem, 4 p.m.
GCIT at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Delsea, 7 p.m.
SJIBT Tournament
Shawnee at Woodstown
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, 11:30 a.m.
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
Clayton, Millville at Penns Grove
Woodstown, Hillsborough, West Essex at Watchung Hills
SWIMMING
SJISA Championships at GCIT, 4 p.m.
TRACK
Schalick at Bennett Center, Toms River
BOWLING
Salem vs. Eastern at 30 Strikes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Northampton CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, noon

TCC Standings

Here are the Tri-County Conference boys and girls basketball standings in the Classic and Diamond Divisions; games at 5:30 p.m. unless noted; standings through Jan. 18

Girls standings

CLASSIC DIVISIONOVDIVGCWWCLPISTSA
Gloucester Catholic 9-15-0—WWWWW
Wildwood8-24-1L—WWWW
Clayton8-23-2LL—WWW
Pitman4-72-3LLL—WW
Salem Tech2-71-4LLLL—W
Salem0-100-5LLLLL—
DIAMOND DIVISIONOVDIVWOPVPGGLSCOB
Woodstown10-25-0—WWWWW
Pennsville7-34-1L—WWWW
Penns Grove6-43-2LL—WWW
Glassboro5-62-3LLL—WW
Schalick2-61-4LLLL—W
Overbrook2-100-5LLLLL—

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Clearview 48, Glassboro 28
Kingsway 60, Pitman 18
Gloucester 53, Salem 21
Camden Tech at Salem Tech
Clayton 49, Lindenwold 34
Woodstown 65, Pennsville 56

MONDAY’S GAME
Bridgeton at Pennsville, 11 a.m.

Boys standings

CLASSIC DIVISIONOVDIVPISAGCWWCLST
Pitman8-25-0—WWWWW
Salem5-84-1L—WWWW
Gloucester Catholic5-82-3LL—LWW
Clayton6-52-3LLLW—W
Wildwood4-72-3LLW—LW
Salem Tech0-120-5LLLLL—
DIAMOND DIVISIONOVDIVOBGLPGWOSCPV
Overbrook 12-25-0—WWWWW
Glassboro5-73-2L—WLWW
Penns Grove3-73-2LL—WWW
Woodstown7-33-2LWL—WW
Schalick4-81-4LLLL—W
Pennsville1-100-5LLLLL—

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Clayton 87, Lindenwold 82
GCIT 65, Salem Tech 22
Woodstown 92, Pennsville 47

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Cinnaminson 57, Pitman 49
Overbrook 62, Washington Twp. 44
Glassboro 56, Gloucester 46
Lenape 65, Salem 42

SUNDAY’S GAME
Newark vs. Everybody Showcase
at Weequahic HS
Penns Grove vs. Shabazz, 2:30 p.m.

MONDAY’S GAME
Penns Grove vs. Burlington City at Woodbury, 5:15 p.m.

Family affair

Boys roundup: Hall brothers combine for 41 points in first appreciable minutes together, lead Woodstown over Pennsville; Schalick falls at the buzzer

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Woodstown 92, Pennsville 47
Haddon Twp. 45, Schalick 43
GCIT 65, Salem Tech 22

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — Brayden Hall has waited all his life to play significant minutes alongside his brother in a high school basketball game. M.J. Hall felt the same way. He saw the disappointment his two older brothers felt not getting to play together and he didn’t want to miss that chance if at all possible.

The moment came Friday night, and little brother Brayden outshined them all. The brothers Hall combined for 41 points, with Brayden going for 28, as Woodstown swamped 92-47 in the warmup act to the girls TCC showdown that followed.

It was the most points the brothers have combined to score in a game. They both had seven in the season opener against Salem, then Brayden, a freshman, scored 16 against Penns Grove two nights later and M.J. didn’t scratch. M.J., a senior, did all the scoring in the family until Wednesday when they both scored six against Schalick.

“It’s really been since we grew up,” Brayden said. “We always wanted to touch the floor of every sport together and I told him I’d touch the floor with him in every sport.  We always were excited for it, we always had the thought of it and now it’s here, we gotta do what we gotta do.”

“Having a little brother, you’ve got your ups and downs, but our two oldest brothers never got to touch the floor together, so just being able to touch the floor (with him) going out my senior year is just a blessing,” M.J. said.

Wolverines coach Ramon Roots had designs on putting the brothers together from the moment he got the job, but it just never worked out until now. 

“It’s incredible to see them get in at the same time,” Roots said. “They’ve got a lot of chemistry. They gel off each other and they just play well together. They push each. At practice they hold each other accountable and it’s a wonderful thing to see.

“I know if my older brother was on the team or my younger brother was on the team I would want to play out there with him because that’s a great moment, for the family, for everybody.”

Brayden did all his scoring in the second and fourth quarters. He had 15 points in the second quarter to help the Wolverines open a 25-point halftime lead. Once he turned his first steal into a layup, it was game on.

He had his other 15 in the fourth quarter hitting three 3-pointers. The 28 points were the most in a game by a Woodstown player since Zach Wygand went for 29 against Overbrook in February 2021.

“They were trying to push me to 30,” Brayden said. “It started with 18. They told me to get 18 before the game. Then then told me to get 20 during halftime and then they told me after that to go for 30.”

It was a 13-7 game midway through the first quarter when the Wolverine went on an 18-4 run to pull away. They went on an 18-4 run that carried into the second to put it away. Brayden had four buckets and eight of nine Woodstown points at the end of the run – all of turnovers. M.J. had a 3-pointer right before the end of the first quarter.

Pennsville did what it could to keep it interesting. It had Arturus Franzy shadow 6-6 Rocco String and the sophomore held his own. He held String to nine points while grabbing seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

Logan Hitt gave a boost to the offense, which was missing injured leading scorer Mason O’Brien, hitting three 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 15 points. The senior has scored only 62 points in three years of varsity play, but he has 24 points and six 3-pointers in his last two games.

PENNSVILLE (1-10): Arturus Franzy 4 2-2 10, Jovanni Rios 3 0-0 6, C.J. McDevitt 4 0-0 8, Logan Hitt 5 2-2 15, Cole Johnston 1 0-0 3, Danny Knight 0 0-0 0, Jacob Miller 0 0-0 0, Perry Meranti 2 1-2 5. Totals 19 5-6 42.
WOODSTOWN (7-3): Garrett Leyman 2 2-4 6, Elijah Caesar 0 0-0 0, John Hood-McGinley 1 0-0 3, Anthony Bokolas 3 0-0 8, Andrew White 1 0-0 2, Sid Leevy 1 0-0 3, Rocco String 4 1-5 9, Josh King 2 0-0 4, Connor Miller 1 0-0 2, Braydon Hall 12 1-1 28, M.J. Hall 5 1-2 13, Alejandro Vazquez 3 3-4 12, Blake Bialecki 1 0-0 2. Totals 36 8-17 92.

Pennsville 716816-47
Woodstown20282024-92

3-point goals: Pennsville 4 (Hitt 3, Johnston); Woodstown 12 (McGinley, Bokolas 2, Leevy, B. Hall 3, M. Hall 2, Vazquez 3). Rebounds: Woodstown 23 (String 11); Pennsville 17 (Franzy 7). Technical fouls: B. Hall. Total fouls: Pennsville 14, Woodstown 9.

HADDON TWP. 45, SCHALICK 43: Alex Mohr finished off a 13-point night with a shot at the buzzer to give the Hawks the victory. Schalick’s Reggie Allen led all scorers with 17 points.

HADDON TWP. (8-4): Axel Mohr 6 1-2 13, Eamonn Sheehan 2 0-0 5, Peter Black 1 0-2 2, Nate Keating 1 2-4 4, Cavan McGovern 0 2-2 2, Collin Feeley 1 2-4 4, Sean Crawford 4 1-1 12, Jaden Haltiwanger 1 0-0 3. Totals 16 8-15 45.
SCHALICK (4-9): Reggie Allen 8 1-4 17, Jase Volovar 3 0-0 9, Nylan Sutton 1 0-0 2, Sherrod Jones 5 0-0 12, Jamari Whitley 0 1-2 1, Zaeshawn Mills 1 0-0 2, Justin Iacona 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 2-6 43.

Haddon Twp. 1212813-45
Schalick961513-43

3-point goals: Haddon Twp. 5 (Sheehan, Crawford 3, Haltiwanger); Schalick 5 (Volovar 3, Jones 2).

GCIT 65, SALEM TECH 22: Michael Stanwood led three scorers in double figures with 17 points and GCIT beat the Chargers for the second time this season. Patrick Monaghan had 14 points and Mark Hallman 10held the Chargers to one point i

Salem Tech (0-12) 17410-22
GCIT (6-6)16211510-65

3-point goals: GCIT 6 (Michael Stanwood, Patrick Monaghan, Mark Hallman 2, Carl Schmidt, Ethan Morris). Rebounds: GCIT 27 (Patrick Monaghan 7, Gavin Shainline 7).

Pennsville’s Arturus Franzy (41) stands his ground against Woodstown’s Rocco String Friday night. Franzy drew the assignment on the Wolverines’ post and held him to nine points. Upper photo: Woodstown freshman Brayden Hall comes to the bench after being subbed for at the end of a career-high 28-point night.

Diamond showdown

The 3-ball was flying as Battavio, Donelson lead Woodstown girls over Pennsville for sole possession of first place in TCC Diamond Division

GIRLS GAMES
Woodstown 65, Pennsville 56
Gloucester City 53, Salem 21
Camden Co. Tech at Salem Tech

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — Talia Battavio was fighting through a shooting slump, but she didn’t let it get her down. If there’s one thing she’s learned in all her years playing basketball it’s shooters shoot. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t and when they don’t eventually they will.

They went in for her Friday night against Pennsville. She had made only one 3-pointer in her last three games — and that was a big one in the win over Wildwood. It was her longest drought since her freshman year, but it didn’t deter her in the least.

The first shot she took against the Eagles, she spotted up in the left corner and drained a 3-pointer. Then she hit another. And then another. Three in a row in the first four minutes. Suddenly there was a big exhale even though Pennsville still had the lead.

The sense always was whenever Battavio broke out of the slump it was going to be in a big way. She hit a season-high five 3s against the Eagles in the game, scored 24 points and the Wolverines went on to win 65-56 to gain solo possession of first place in the Tri-County Conference Diamond Division.

“It was a relief, but I know what I can do,” Battavio said. “I felt like I was thinking too much about it, so I kind of just let it fly today and I think it came out in my favor.

“I think it got us all fired up. I think it did set a tone. We came to play. We always do, but I think we were on fire, we were together. Everybody.”

Woodstown coach Matt Smart said seeing those early 3s go down wasn’t a relief to him because he knows what the Goldey-Beacom signee can do. It was seeing the smile return to her face when they did fall that sealed it for him. And hitting those shots opened up a lot of other things for the Wolverines.

And the 3s were flying everywhere. The Wolverines (10-2) made 10. Megan Donelson had three on the way to 28 points that moved her into third on Woodstown’s girls all-time scoring list (behind Tori Smick and Battavio). Lauren Hengel had the other two.

Pennsville (7-3) hit 12 with Nora Ausland making half of them in a 20-point game that moved her within 60 points of 1,000. Marley Wood (17 points) hit three, Addie Johnston two and Taylor Bass one. Each time Battavio hit one of her early 3s, the Eagles answered with one of their own.

“They’re a very talented team who we knew could shoot from all over the place,” Smart said. “Watching film we knew it was going to be tough battle. It’s our first kind of battle since Wildwood, but I think those are the games we play the best. We play unselfish, we’re attacking the basket, we took good shots, we rebound, box out. Our girls showed up.”

It was Woodstown’s 37th win in a row over Diamond Division opponents and 33rd straight against Salem County rivals.

The game was decided by two stretches. The game was tied at 23 with 4:30 left in the second quarter when, at the suggestion of assistant coach Frank Trautz, the Wolverines switched from defenses and pressed a little more to get Pennsville out of its sets and they held the Eagles scoreless the rest of the half while opening a 30-23 halftime lead. 

“We haven’t seen that kind of pressure all season long,” Pennsville coach Steve Merritt said. “Kudos to them. That’s a talented group of people. They run up and down the floor, frenetically sometimes, and I tried to tell my kids to prepare for that but it’s difficult.”

It was a five-point game with 3:09 left in the third quarter when Donelson “got in my groove” and scored nine straight points to give the Wolverines some breathing room. It was part of a greater 21-9 run that carried into the fourth quarter and made it a 17-point game before Pennsville battled to bring it back.

“Megan came up to me and was like my shot’s not falling, so we made an adjustment that way,” Smart said. “She was very honest with me. She was like my shot’s not falling right now, Talia’s shot’s falling, let’s try to get her to run the baseline and she’ll be able to shoot 3s and maybe let me control the ball more so I can attack.

“She understands her game so well when her shot’s not falling she understands she can impact the game in other ways. That’s what’s very special about her. She understands her game so well that she’s able to make adjustments off it.”

Even though they were down 18 in the fourth quarter, the Eagles ran towards the fire and made it respectable. Ausland hit her last two 3s and Bass added three points to cut that deficit in half by the horn.

“I’ve been coaching for 21 seasons,” Merritt said. “I’ve had more talented teams, but I didn’t have a team with great heart. They didn’t back down at all. They worked hard to end. We worked our butts off.”

WOODSTOWN 65, PENNSVILLE 56
PENNSVILLE (7-3): Marley Wood 6 2-4 17, Taylor Bass 2 1-2 6, Nora Ausland 6 2-2 20, Addi Johnston 2 1-2 7, Jaida Burns 2 0-0 4, Ashlyn Fredo 1 0-0 2, Izzy Saulin 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 6-10 56.
WOODSTOWN (10-2): Talia Battavio 9 1-2 24, Megan Donelson 9 7-10 28, Gianna Maiorini 0 0-0 0, Lauren Hengel 3 0-0 8, Kyia Leyman 1 3-8 5, Ryann Foote 0 0-0 0, Emma Perry 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 11-20 65.

Pennsville 15 8 18 15- 56
Woodstown 15 15 21 14- 65
3-point goals: Pennsville 12 (Wood 3, Bass, Ausland 6, Johnston 2); Woodstown 10 (Battavio 5, Donelson 3, Hengel 2). Rebounds: Pennsville 27 (Wood 11, Saulin 6); Woodstown 37 (Leyman 11, Maiorini 10, Hengel 10). Total fouls: Pennsville 10, Woodstown 13. Officials: Menz, Penko.

GLOUCESTER CITY 53, SALEM 21
SALEM (0-10): Carlysia Pierce 2 1-2 5, Nevaeh Hickman 2 0-0 4, Lyric Hayes 1 0-0 3, Madison Dixon 3 1-2 9. Totals 8 2-4 21.
GLOUCESTER CITY (9-4): Elizabeth Schultes 0 0-2 3, Logan Thomas 1 3-6 5, Kierstynn O’Donnell 1 2-4 4, Corinne Kelly 6 4-7 19, Ava Moore 5 0-2 10, Addison Chiodi 0 1-2 1, Jianna Torres 3 0-3 6, Haylee Zuccarelli 1 0-2 2, Sophia Dailey 1 0-0 2, Ella Kirschner 1 0-0 2, Emma Groatman 0 0-0 0, Keira Renshaw 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 12-29 53.

Salem 7 2 6 6- 21
Gloucester City 11 14 19 9- 53
3-point goals: Salem 3 (Hayes, Dixon 2); Gloucester 3 (Kelly 3). Rebounds: Gloucester 46 (Moore 14).
SALEM COUNTY SCORING LIST TODAY POINTS
Katie Kline, Pennsville (2004)   2110
Amanda Young, St. James (1995)   1762
Sharias Hill, Penns Grove (2009)   1661
Tia Furbush, Schalick (2021)   1574
Tori Smick, Woodstown (2013)   1566
Talia Battavio, Woodstown 24 1410
Crystal Bailey, Schalick (1984)   1406
Megan Donelson, Woodstown 28 1387
Stephanie Owen, Woodstown (1993)   1381
1000-POINT WATCH    
Nora Ausland, Pennsville
(Salem 462/Pennsville 480)		 20 942
Marley Wood, Pennsville 17 862
RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove
(Kingsway 251/PG 622)		 DNP 873

Through games of Jan. 17