Category: SALEM

Friday boys basketball

Penns Grove turns back several Woodstown rallies, wins a thriller; Salem remains unbeaten, Pennsville, Schalick fall

FRIDAY’S BOYS GAMES
Penns Grove 63, Woodstown 55
Salem 67, Salem Tech 27
Glassboro 65, Pennsville 51
Overbrook 75, Schalick 41

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Without an experienced senior who plays appreciative minutes, several new players to incorporate into its style of play and an otherwise athletic but young roster, the Penns Grove basketball team is “learning on the fly” this early portion of the season.

Last year with a senior-laden team it took a while to find the right combination and coach Damian Ware’s lineups changed virtually every game. What the Red Devils learned Friday night was how to handle business down the stretch in a close game of a high-intensity rivalry.

Penns Grove withstood several charges from Woodstown, including a stretch in which the Wolverines took a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter down to two with a little more than two minutes to play, before finally putting them away 63-55 for its first win of the season.

“That’s just the maturation process of a team that’s learning how to play varsity basketball on the fly,” Ware said. “Only two of my guys have played varsity minutes so we’re learning on the fly. 

“We grew up a little bit tonight. What I learned (about his team) tonight is we can make some clutch plays down the stretch.”

The Red Devils (1-1) built leads in every quarter with fast starts on the restarts, but each time the Wolverines (0-2) came back.

Penns Grove scored the first seven points of the game, but it was tied 13-all at quarter’s end and was only 26-25 at halftime. The Red Devils opened the second half with a 13-2 run, but by the end of the third quarter led only 45-44.

They had a 10-point lead after Robbins’ flying follow with 6:02 to play, but Woodstown chipped away again and got it back to 56-54 with two minutes left when Blake Bialecki hit two technical free throws after Ware was teed up for being out on the floor all because the officials couldn’t/didn’t hear his frantic pleas for a time out. 

The tech got Woodstown with a bucket and it had a shot on the ensuing possession, but it also fired up the Red Devils. They outscored the Wolverines 7-1 the rest of the way. 

“When our coach got the tech, that’s when everything started getting fired up,” Ceaser said. “We started getting our coach’s back because we’re a family, a brotherhood. It put more fire in the team to get the win. As a team we back each other’s play.”

“I’m not going to make that a habit,” Ware said of his T as a tool of motivation.

Brandin Robbins led Penns Grove with 15 points, 13 of which came in the second half. Roman Gipson had 12, including a pair of free throws with 27 seconds left that put the Red Devils up six. KaRon Ceaser had nine points and led the Red Devils’ defensive effort down the stretch.

In every case the Red Devils used the press, a smothering trap and quick hands to create turnovers that they turned into baskets.

“My defense was great,” Ware said. “I don’t know what the numbers were, but I know we didn’t give up many shots. We let (Rocco) String get some putbacks, but he’s 6-7, he’s a big, strong kid, so he’s going to get that. What I told my guys was we wanted to limit that as much as possible.”

String did everything he could to bring the Wolverines back when they fell behind. He finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocked shots. He blocked back-to-back shots, grabbed a rebound off a missed Penns Grove free throw and had a putback basket all in the space of about 30 seconds late in the third quarter rally.

Braydon Hall had 16 points and hit four big 3-pointers during the Wolverines’ various rallies.

“We played hard, we just didn’t make enough plays in the end,” said Woodstown coach Ramon Roots, still looking for his first win as a head coach. “If we made just a few more plays we would have won the game today, but we played tough. We played very tough today.”

PENNS GROVE (1-1) – Brandin Robbins 6 0-0 15, Roman Gipson 4 3-4 12, KaRon Ceaser 4 1-2 9, Will Roy 1 0-0 2, Jameel Horace 3 2-6 9, Geonni Conrad 1 0-0 3, Antoine Robinson 1 0-2 2, Haneef Frisbee 5 1-2 11. Totals 25 7-14 63.
WOODSTOWN (0-2) – Garrett Leyman 0 2-2 2, Eli Caesar 4 0-1 8, Rocco String 9 0-0 18, Blake Bialecki 3 2-2 9, Braydon Hall 6 0-0 16, M.J. Hall 0 0-0 0, Alejandro Vazquez 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 6-12 55.

Penns Grove13131918-63
Woodstown13121811-55

3-point goals: Penns Grove 6 (Robbins 3, Gipson, Conrad, Horace); Woodstown 5 (Bialecki, B. Hall 4). Rebounds: Woodstown 55 (String 15). Technical fouls: Horace, B. Hall, PG coach Ware. Fouled out: Frisbee, B. Hall. Total fouls: Penns Grove 18, Woodstown 21.

SALEM 67, SALEM TECH 27: Tymere Lecator and Neziah Spence each scored 15 points and dished seven assists as the Rams won their third straight game. Deshaan Williams added 10 points and Antwuan Rogers grabbed 10 rebounds.

SALEM TECH (0-3) – Daviontae Russell 3 0-0 6, Ayden Myers 1 0-0 2, Joseph Hayes 1 1-3 3, Conner Dougan 2 0-0 5, Larry Pompper 2 1-2 5, Aiden Bobo 1 0-0 2, Logan Pace 0 0-0 0, Robinson 2 0-0 4, Reed 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 2-5 27.
SALEM (3-0) – Tymear Lecator 7 0-0 15, Antwuan Rogers 4 2-2 10, Deshaan Williams 5 0-0 10, Xavier McGriff 4 1-2 9, Neziah Spence 6 1-2 15, Donovan Weathers 2 0-2 4, Joe Tunis 0 2-2 2, Kyaire Parsons 0 0-0 0, Cole Sayers 0 0-0 0, Harlem Parsons 1 0-0 2, Giovanni Tuvale 0 0-0 0. Totals 29 6-10 67.

Salem Tech26613-27
Salem18112018-67

3-point goals: Salem Tech (Dougan); Salem 3 (Lecator, Spence 2). Rebounds: Salem 34 (Rogers 10). Total fouls: Salem Tech 10, Salem 12.

GLASSBORO 65, PENNSVILLE 51: Xavier Sabb scored 10 of his 18 points in the first quarter, highlighted by three spectacular dunks, to stake the Bulldogs to a lead they maintained the rest of the game. Glassboro’s Maurice Davis led all scorers with 20 points. After trailing by 10 at halftime, the Eagles cut their deficit to seven with four minutes to play. Giovanni Rios led Pennsville with 13 points, nine rebounds and five steals.

GLASSBORO (1-2) – Hakim Theresa 1 0-0 2, Xavier Sabb 8 2-4 18, Aiden Harris 4 3-4 11, Maurice Davis 10 0-2 20, Davon Barr 2 4-6 8, Alex Adeleye 2 0-0 4, Marley Crowl 1 2-2 4. Totals 28 11-18 65.
PENNSVILLE (0-2) – Giovanni Rios 6 1-2 13, Perry Meranti 3 1-2 7, Cole Johnston 3 1-3 8, Logan Hitt 1 0-0 3, Mason O’Brien 2 2-3 7, Daniel Knight 2 0-0 5, Shiloh Jefferson 3 0-0 6. Totals 20 5-10 51.

Glassboro17161418-65
Pennsville12111513-51

3-point goals: Pennsville 5 (Johnston 2, Hitt, O’Brien, Knight). Rebounds: Pennsville 24 (Rios 9). Total fouls: Glassboro 11, Pennsville 12

OVERBROOK 75, SCHALICK 41: Lamar Little led three Overbrook scorers in double figures with 15 points as the Rams picked up their first win of the season. Zair Green added 14 and Xavier Wright 12. Sherrod Jones led Schalick with 14 points.
 
SCHALICK (1-2) – Reggie Allen 3 0-0 8, Nylan Sutton 4 4-7 12, Jase Volovar 1 0-0 2, Justin Iacona 1 1-1 3, Sherrod Jones 5 1-1 14, Jamari Whitley 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 6-9 
OVERBROOK (1-1) – Lamar Little 7 0-0 15, Xavier Wright 4 4-4 12, Zair Green 6 2-2 14, Elvin Santiago 3 0-0 6, Bilal Robinson 3 0-0 8, JR Stanley 1 0-0 3, Angel Bermudez 2 0-0 5, Jayden Wilkerson 1 0-0 2, Jaden St. John 3 0-0 6, Kyle Johns 2 0-0 4. Totals 32 6-6 75.
3-point goals: Schalick 5 (Allen 3, Jones 3); Overbrook 5 (Little, Robinson 2, Stanley, Bermudez).

Friday girls basketball

Woodstown power pair, Battavio and Donelson, have another big game; Pennsville, Schalick, Salem Tech score first wins of the year

FRIDAY’S GIRLS GAMES
Woodstown 70, Penns Grove 38
Pennsville 52, Glassboro 44
Schalick 51, Overbrook 29
Salem Tech 36, Salem 22

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE — When he watched them from a distance for scouting purposes last year Matt Smart thought then Woodstown’s dynamic duo of Talia Battavio and Megan Donelson were “phenomenal” players. Now that he sees them up close every day as their coach his appreciation for them is even greater.

Battavio and Donelson are never far apart on or off the basketball floor. On the court Friday night, Donelson scored 28 points with five 3-pointers and Battavio scored 26 with three as the Wolverines took down shorthanded Penns Grove 70-38.

Than, when they discovered one had left behind her water bottle as the team was leaving the gym, both tore out of the team bus and raced across the lawn to go back inside to retrieve it.

“We’ve had two tough tests this year so far and Megan and Talia have been great in both of them,” Smart said. “You see their court vision. They have a way of finding each other in situations that I might not even see. They are just so unselfish right now and they want each other to succeed. It’s not a race to see who can score how many points. 

“I scouted them for one game that didn’t end up happening (last year), they were phenomenal. It was how do we stop them offensively and how do we attack them defensively. They are just as advertised, if not better.”

It was the 11th time in their career they both scored 20 in the same game and eighth in the last 30 games. Only 18 points separate them on the career scoring list – Battavio now has 1,240 points, Donelson 1,222.

With the two of them combining for 20 points, the Wolverines (2-0) opened a 24-5 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, although the Red Devils (1-1), playing with only six players, scored the first nine points of second quarter and played them even to halftime.

They weren’t the first points the Wolverines scored in the game. Those belonged to Gianna Maiorini, who hit their first two baskets before the other two got going.

“Today I was most proud of Gianna,” Smart said. “It was a slow kind of start and she comes up and hits two big shots for us. She’s been that way all year. She’s kind of the quiet leader who kind of knows where everybody is.”

Donelson, a Millersville signee, also had seven rebounds and six more steals. Battavio, a Goldey Beacom signee, had six rebounds and seven assists, several of the whip-around variety that usually found Donelson in the corner for a 3. 

Donelson was 5-for-8 from behind the arc in the game.

“Working in the summer just really improved my shooting,” she said.

In perhaps the definition of their collaboration, there was a play early in the fourth quarter when Donelson made a steal that sent them off on a 2-on-1 break. She passed it to Battavio and just as they got to the foul line Battavio returned it past the unfortunate Penns Grove defender caught in the flow and Donelson soared in for an easy layup. 

The play came right after Battavio hit a 3

“Me and Talia work really well together,” Donelson said. “We both know we play and we just work off that and it’s really good.”

WOODSTOWN (2-0) – Talia Battavio 7 9-10 26, Megan Donelson 9 5-6 28, Gianna Maiorini 2 0-0 4, Kyla Leyman 1 0-0 2, Lauren Hengel 0 0-0 0, Emma Perry 1 0-0 3, Jala Thomas 1 0-0 3, Kendall Young 1 0-0 3, Talia Guardascione 0 0-0 0, Lizzy Daly 0 0-0 0, Kailyn Kennedy 0 0-0 0, Brynley Ecret 0 1-3 1, Ava White 0 0-0 0, Mia Waterman 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 15-19 70
PENNS GROVE (1-1) – Brianna Robbins 2 3-8 7, NyAsia Numan 2 0-0 5, RaNiyah Wilson 5 4-6 17, Keziah Patterson 1 0-0 2, MiKayla Washington 0 0-2 0, JaNiyah Cummings 3 1-3 7. Totals 13 8-19 38.

Woodstown24101620–70
Penns Grove5101310–38

3-point goals: Woodstown 11 (Battavio 3, Donelson 5, Perry, Thomas, Young); Penns Grove 4 (Numan, Wilson 3). Fouled out: Robbins, Washington. Total fouls: Woodstown 19, Penns Grove 23.

PENNSVILLE 52, GLASSBORO 44: Marley Wood helped the Eagles hold it together after two of their top players fouled out in the fourth quarter and Glassboro was rallying to help coach Steve Merritt get his first win with the program.

Wood scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had five assists. It was her third career double-double. She was particularly instrumental after Taylor Bass (11 points, seven rebounds) and Nora Ausland (12 points, six rebounds) fouled out in the fourth quarter while Glassboro cut a 15-point deficit to six.

Although she didn’t do much scoring in the quarter, she was the rudder that steered the ship. Freshman Addison Johnston also played a big role, scoring four points in the fourth, including her first career 3-pointer.

“One-and-one feels a lot better than 0-2,” Merritt said. “I was almost giddy with joy postgame. I was so proud of how they did what I have been drilling into them.”

Glassboro’s Kezia Brackett led all scorers with 18 points. She had 13 in the second half.

PENNSVILLE (1-1) – Taylor Bass 4 1-1 11, Marley Wood 5 2-4 14, Nora Ausland 4 1-2 12, Jaida Burns 3 1-1 7, Addison Johnston 1 1-2 4, Izzy Saulin 2 0-0 4, Ashlyn Fredo 0 0-0 0, Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 6-10 52.
GLASSBORO (0-2) – Tamia Smith 6 1-4 14, Grace Moore 1 0-0 2, Kezia Brackett 6 2-2 18, Kimora Miles 0 0-0 0, Sianna Wedderburn 1 0-0 2, Lily Czubas 4 0-2 8. Totals 18 3-8 44.

Pennsville7171612–52
Glassboro3121613–44

3-point goals: Pennsville 8 (Bass 2, Wood 2, N. Ausland 3, Johnston); Glassboro 5 (Smith, Brackett 4). Rebounds: Pennsville 33 (Wood); Glassboro 28 (Wedderburn 13, Czubas 10). Fouled out: Bass, N. Ausland. Total fouls: Pennsville 16, Glassboro 13.

SCHALICK 51, OVERBROOK 29: Freshmen Naveah Robinson and Willow Davis knocked down seven of Schalick’s nine 3-pointers and the long-range bombing led the Cougars to their first win of the season.

Robinson hit four 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 18 points. Davis hit three in her first career start and had 14 points. The Cougars (1-2) have hit 12 3s in their first three games. They had 41 in 22 games last season.

The Cougars hit six from behind the arc in the first half while opening a 33-10 halftime lead. Robinson and Davis had five of them.

“The 3-ball is definitely something Nevaeh and Willow bring to this team,” Cougars coach John Whalen said. “It allows us to do much more on offense and really helps us spread the floor.

“I think both (Robinson and Davis) are starting to more comfortable, more confident, and will be a major part of this team’s success.”

OVERBROOK (0-2) – Gianna Simon 5 7-14 18, Jael Pressley 1 4-6 6, Rosetta Loibman 0 0-0 0, Lelani Knight 1 0-0 2, Kayla Reynolds 1 1-2 3, Talia Wiggins 0 0-0 0, Leslies Rosario 0 0-0 0, Lily LaFountain 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 12-22 29.
SCHALICK (1-2) – Abby Willoughby 1 1-1 3, Cali Fisler 0 1-2 1, Nevaeh Robinson 7 0-1 18, Ava Scurry 3 1-2 7, Willow Davis 5 1-2 14, Emily Miller 2 0-0 5, Olivia Lunemann 0 0-0 0, Carly Vicente 1 0-0 3, Vic Basich 0 0-0 0, Kyleigh Cutler 0 0-0 0, Emma O’Neill 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 4-8 51.

Overbrook64910–29
Schalick1617108–51

3-point goals: Overbrook 1 (Simon); Schalick 9 (Robinson 4, Davis 3, Miller, Vicente). Fouled out: Lunemann. Total fouls: Overbrook 9, Schalick 17. 

SALEM TECH 36, SALEM 22: Shelby Liber hit two 3-pointers among her team-high nine points and the Chargers dominated the boards to win their season opener for the first time in program history. Demajae White had a game-high 12 rebounds. Rylee Doerr didn’t scored, but she grabbed 11 boards. 

Kaylin Beardsley and Shelby Drummond both had full boxscores. Beardlsey had four points, five rebounds, six assists and seven steals. Drummond had three points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals.

The Chargers won only one game all last season. They had never beaten Salem before (0-4).

SALEM (0-2) – Zaniyah Frieson 1 0-2 2, Nevaeh Hickman 4 0-0 10, Carlysia Pierce 3 3-5 10, Lyric Hayes 0 0-0 0, Marcela Villalpando 0 0-0 0, Taleah Elliott 0 0-0 0, Dakirah Gray 0 0-0 0, Amariah Frye 0 0-0 0, Jania Adams 0 0-0 0, Shyla Parsons 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 3-7 22.
SALEM TECH (1-0) – Kaylin Beardsley 2 0-0 4, Hannah Dewitt 2 3-8 7, Shelby Drummond 1 1-2 3, Shelby Liber 3 1-6 9, Lavae Scott 1 0-0 2, Demajae White 2 2-2 6, Evening Amedee 2 1-1 5, Rylee Doerr 0 0-0 0, Jadelynn Stoffyn 0 0-0 0, Rachel Reed 0 0-0 0, Payton Fitzpatrick 0 0-0 0, Tiara Bazemore 0 0-0 0, Amora Delaine 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 8-19 36.

Salem31126–22
Salem Tech215712–36

3-point goals: Salem 3 (Hickman 2, Pierce); Salem Tech 2 (Liber 2).

Deep-rooted debut

Woodstown’s Roots returns to alma mater as opponent in his first game as a head coach, 3 other coaches also debut with their Salem County teams Wednesday 

WEDNESDAY BASKETBALL
BOYS GAMES
Salem 71, Woodstown 48
Wildwood 54, Pennsville 34
Clayton 87, Schalick 67
GIRLS GAMES
Woodstown 61, Salem 16
Wildwood 70, Pennsville 39
Clayton 65, Schalick 21

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM – Ramon Roots had all the emotions one would expect from the day of his first game as a head coach. He was excited. He was nervous. He was anxious all day.

But for the new Woodstown boys basketball coach there was more to Wednesday’s debut than just a first game as the guy in charge. It was on the road … against the team he used to help coach … in the gym where he used to play.

And he still teaches in the district, so he was embedded with the “enemy” all school day long.

Once the game started, however, it felt like any other game. And it hurt just as bad as any loss he’s ever had before after the Wolverines lost to Salem, 71-48.

“I was just anxious, I was anxious to get out here and start the program, start the journey,” Roots said. “You’re going to hear me say that a lot, we’re starting the journey.

“It was a little weird being on the other side, but I was ready for this moment. Going in I didn’t know what to really expect but I kind of knew how it would be. Things happen, but I was ready for it.”

Roots was one of four Salem County basketball coaches debuting with their teams Wednesday night. The other three were girls coaches Matt Smart (Woodstown), Steve Merritt (Pennsville) and Jerry Macon (Salem).

Merritt has been around the block a time or two, having won more than 500 games across multiple sports in 19 years at Salem and returning to the bench after a two-year break. Smart and Roots are head coaches for the first time. Macon has been a head coach before.

Before and after his game Roots was greeted by acquaintances who welcomed him back to the gym he experienced some of his fondest moments in sports. The Rams and their faithful were a lot less accommodating in the 32 minutes in between. 

As the game moved into the final minute a section of fans on the far side of the floor began  waving and chanting “Good-bye, Roots,” to which he responded by pointing in the direction of Salem’s 1,000-point scorer banner on which his name appears third from the bottom. A not-so-subtle reminder that no matter where he goes in the world he’ll always be connected to Salem.

“I knew what it would be like,” he said. “I know Salem’s a hostile environment. I know I got love here. I knew how the fans are going to be. It’s all love. I’m used to it already.

“I’ve been living in Salem all my life. I know the environment. I know what to expect. I’ve been on the other side of this. I was a coach for Salem three years and seen how they treat other coaches and other players. It wasn’t nothing I wasn’t used to. But I had a lot of love here tonight that was cheering for both sides.”

“We love him, he’s helped build this program to what it is so we appreciate him and want to see him to well just obviously not tonight,” Salem coach Anthony Farmer said. “It’s a mindset. He knows I’m a competitor. Give him a little high-five, welcome, if we can help you with anything, but (once the game starts) there’s really not much to talk about, there’s no handshakes, no high-fives, until obviously the game is over.”

The two teams gave both sides a lot to cheer about early, playing even for a quarter with Woodstown hitting an acrobatic layup at the buzzer to tie it at 16. Rocco String cleared a rebound to M.J. Hall, who threw an over-the-head backwards pass that found Eli Caesar on the low right block for a wide open layup that beat the horn. 

But then Tymear Lecator got in the game in the second quarter, which got the offense going, the Rams turned up the defense and they steadily pulled away. The Rams scored 10 of the first 12 points of the second quarter and never trailed again.

Lecator, held out of the first quarter for an unspecified issue, scored 12 points in the second quarter and then opened the second half with back-to-back 3s. The sophomore guard finished with 27 points – mostly in the second and third quarters – and seven assists.

Antwuan Rogers added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Darrelle Johnson grabbed 10 boards. Woodstown didn’t have a double-figure scorer. Rocco String had 17 rebounds.

“They played us well for a quarter without our best kid, but obviously (Lecator) is a game-changer,” Farmer said. “When you insert him, you’re inserting a game-changer.”

“We definitely started strong, but I think we just turned over the ball a little bit too much and they had momentum plays that really hurt,” Roots said. “I liked our energy coming out. We’ve just got to maintain it.”

It was a physical game, as Roots expected, with 51 total fouls and 49 combined free throws. When Roots protested a call a little too vehemently he got hit with the first technical foul of his coaching career — 13 and a half minutes into his tenure — proving right there he may be a son of Salem but he was going to fight for his new charges.

“Everyone goes to bat for me, I’ll go to bat for them,” he said. “I’ve got their back when they’ve got mine.”

WILDWOOD GIRLS 70, PENNSVILLE 39: It may have been two years ago that Steve Merritt last coached a high school girls basketball game, but he remembers the experience being “every bit as frenetic as I remember it” as he directed his new Pennsville team through its regular-season opener.

The Eagles trailed the defending South Jersey Group I champions 10-8 with two minutes left in the first quarter, but the Warriors scored the last nine points of the quarter coming out of a timeout and steadily pulled away. Wildwood led 36-19 at halftime and 55-24 after three quarters. 

“We just didn’t play sharp defense,” Merritt said. “We let Macie (McCracken) go to the baseline too often. We didn’t stay with our player; we switched when I wanted them to get through the screens. It’s not what I had hoped.”

McCracken finished with 36 points (to surpass 1,800 for her career) and 14 rebounds. She hit five 3-pointers. Taylor Bass led Pennsville with 16 points. Nora Ausland had 13.

Before their first scrimmage together, Merritt was so amped for the exercise he had restless night of sleep, took his dog for a walk at 6 a.m. and wound up coming to the gym some two hours before the scheduled tip. 

It wasn’t nearly as disquieting awaiting the first real game, but he agreed his emotions he was experiencing were probably on a par with those of the county coaches going into their first games a head coach because he’d been away from it a few year.

“The anticipation for the game seemed to drag on forever … but as soon as it’s over I’m thinking ‘Holy cow, that was fast,’” he said. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow when I go on line and look at all the results and start doing my stat track and everything else. I get excited about that. Chews up the whole morning. The poor dog may not get out.”

WOODSTOWN GIRLS 61, SALEM 16: The Matt Smart Era of Woodstown girls basketball couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. The Wolverines jumped out to a 19-2 first-quarter lead, held the Rams scoreless in the third quarter, put 10 players in the scoring column and enjoyed their biggest opening day win since 2021.

“It was a fun experience, it was a great learning experience as well – for me and the girls,” Smart said. “I get to learn how the girls react to my coaching style, they get to see me in a real game scenario. It was a lot of fun. The girls responded great.”

Both teams were playing under new coaches as Salem’s Jerry Macon was coaching his first game with the Rams.

Smart admitted he was a “little nervous” waiting for the game to start, but once it got underway it was just like any other game.

And it was just like any other Woodstown game.

South Jersey girls basketball observers have gotten used to this phrase: Talia Battavio and Megan Donelson once again led the way. Battavio scored 20 points. Donelson had 13 points and 10 steals.

The Wolverines produced 43 steals in the game; six players had at least four each. They also had 21 assists among their 27 baskets.

“It was a great defensive effort for us,” Smart said. “I was most proud of how unselfish the whole team was. We were playing great defense, making unselfish passes for layups. I think the box score shows that we had 10 contributors scoring, which is awesome.

“We have to play to the Woodstown level and every day we’re just trying to get better. There’s always room to improve and that’s what we’re going to try to do every day.”

Salem coach Anthony Farmer (R) embraces new Woodstown coach Ramon Roots in the post-game handshake line Wednesday. Roots was Farmer’s assistant for three years before getting his first chance to be a head coach this season.

BOYS BOX SCORES
SALEM 71, WOODSTOWN 48
WOODSTOWN (0-1) – Eli Caesar 2 0-0 4, John McGinley 0 0-0 0, Blake Bialecki 2 3-3 8, Alejandro Vazquez 2 4-5 9, M.J. Hall 2 2-3 7, Garrett Leyman 1 1-2 4, Anthony Bokolas 0 0-0 0, Andrew White 1 3-4 5, Rocco String 1 2-5 4, B Mall 2 1-2 7. Totals 13 16-24 48.
SALEM (2-0) – Donovan Weathers 0 0-0 0, Xavier McGriff 1 1-3 3, Neziah Spence 3 0-0 8, Kyaire Parsons 0 0-0 0, Deshawn Williams 2 0-1 4, Tymear Lecator 7 10-13 27, Darrell Johnson 3 0-0 6, Antwan Rogers 4 4-5 12, Harlem Parsons 1 0-0 3, Joe Tunis 3 2-3 9, Giovanni Talave 0 0-0 0, Cole Sayers 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 17-25 71. 

Woodstown 1610148-48
Salem16241417-71

3-point goals: Woodstown 6 (Bialecki, Vazquez, Hall, Leyman, Mall 2); Salem 6 (Spence, Lecator 3, H. Parsons, Tunis). Technical fouls: Woodstown coach Roots. Fouled out: Bialecki, Hall. Total fouls: Woodstown 28, Salem 22.

WILDWOOD 54, PENNSVILLE 34: Brian Cunniff led three Wildwood scorers in double figures with 17 points. Trevor Troiano had 12 and Nolan Mawhinney 11. Mason O’Brien led Pennsville with 13 points.

WILDWOOD (1-0) – Eric Jordan 3, Nolan Mawhinney 11, Trevor Troiano 12, Brian Cunniff 17, Jordan Dozier 4, Gianna Groiano 2.
PENNSVILLE (0-1) – Mason O’Brien 3 6-10 13, Charles McDevitt 1 3-5 5, Giovanni Rios 2 4-7 8, Perry Meranti 0 1-4 1, Cole Johnston 1 0-0 3, Logan Hill 1 0-0 2, Daniel Knight 1 0-0 2. Totals 9 14-26 34.

Wildwood 7102011-54
Pennsville88612-34

3-point goals: Pennsville 2 (O’Brien, Johnston). Rebounds: Wildwood 35, Pennsville 21 (Rios 6).

CLAYTON 87, SCHALICK 67: Princeton Sackor scored 21 points, Nazir Davis had 20 and two others scored 11 apiece as the Clippers opened their season with a victory. 

Clayton 18222423-87
Schalick10132519-67
New Pennsville girls coach Steve Merritt (R) watches his team go through pre-game warmups before sending it out to play Wildwood in their first regular-season game together.

GIRLS BOX SCORES
WOODSTOWN 61, SALEM 16
SALEM (0-1) – Carlysia Pierce 4 0-2 9, Zaniyah Frieson 0 0-0 0, Lyric Hayes 0 0-0 0, Marcela Villalpando 0 1-2 1, Taleah Elliott 0 0-0 0, Dakirah Gray 0 0-0 0, Nevaeh Hickman 3 0-0 6, Amariah Frye 0 0-0 0, Jania Adams 0 0-0 0, Shyla Parsons 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 1-4 16.
WOODSTOWN (1-0) – Megan Donelson 6 0-0 13, Talia Battavio 8 0-0 20, Gianna Maiorini 1 0-0 2, Lauren Hengel 1 0-0 2, Kyia Leyman 2 0-0 4, Emma Perry 2 0-1 4, Kendall Young 3 2-2 8, Lizzy Daly 0 0-2 0, Kailyn Kennedy 1 0-0 3, Talia Guardascione 0 0-0 0, Brynley Ecret 1 0-0 2, Ava White 0 0-0 0, Mia Waterman 1 0-0 3, Monah Green 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 2-5 61.

Salem24010-16
Woodstown 19171114-61

3-point goals: Salem 1 (Pierce); Woodstown 7 (Donelson, Battavio 4, Kennedy, Waterman). Total fouls: Salem 10, Woodstown 8.

WILDWOOD 70, PENNSVILLE 39
WILDWOOD (1-0) – Macie McCracken 14 3-3 36, Angela Wilber 5 1-2 13, Rebecca Benichou 6 0-0 14, Kiana D’Antuono 1 0-0 3, Cydnee Kilian 0 0-0 0, Addison Troiano 0 1-2 1, Sara Bjellal 1 1-1 3, Laila Fathi 0 0-0 0, Lily Atkinson 0 0-0 0, Emma Contreras 0 0-0 0, Julia Ennis 0 0-0 0, Antoinette Cooper 0 0-0 0, Ellasyn Morey 0 0-0 0, Mollie Farrell 0 0-0 0, Janet Conzalez 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 6-8 70. 
PENNSVILLE (0-1) – Taylor Bass 7 1-1 16, Marley Wood 3 2-4 8, Izzy Saulin 1 1-2 3, Nora Ausland 5 2-3 12, Jaida Burns 0 0-2 0, Ashlyn Fredo 0 0-0 0, Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Addison Johnston 0 0-0 0, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 6-10 39.

Wildwood 19171915-70
Pennsville811515-39

3-point goals: Wildwood 10 (McCracken 5, Wilber 2, Benichou 2, D’Antuono); Pennsville 1 (Bass). Rebounds: Wildwood 33 (McCracken 14). Total fouls: Wildwood 12, Pennsville 8.

CLAYTON 65, SCHALICK 21: Rainelle Blocker dominated the game with 33 points and 26 rebounds. Teammate Ava Delaney had 16 points and 13 of the Clippers’ 24 steals.

SCHALICK (0-2) – Abby Willoughby 0 1-2 1, Cali Fisler 0 1-2 1, Neveah Robinson 2 1-2 5, Ava Scurry 0 0-0 0, Olivia Vanacker 2 0-0 4, Willow Davis 2 0-0 5, Emily Miller 1 0-0 2, Olivia Lunemann 1 0-0 2, Victoria Basich 0 0-0 0, Emma O’Neill 0 1-2 1, Kyleigh Cutler 0 0-0 0, Carly Vicente 0 0-2 0. Totals 8 4-10 21.
CLAYTON (1-0) – Ava Delaney 7 1-6 16, Rainelle Blocker 12 9-13 33, Rosa Pereira 1 0-0 3, India Williams 3 2-2 8, India Bryant 2 0-0 5, Bella Wiseburn 0 0-0 0, Kayma Revels 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 12-21 65.

Schalick (0-2) 2568-21
Clayton (1-0)1392219-65

3-point goals: Schalick 1 (Davis); Clayton 3 (Delaney, Pereira, Bryant). Total fouls: Schalick 16, Clayton 13.

This week’s schedule

Here is the schedule for Salem County sports teams for the week of Dec. 16-21; games 4 p.m. unless noted; x-scrimmage

MONDAY, DEC. 16
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Pennsville at Palmyra
x-Woodstown at Kingsway
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Clearview at Woodstown
x-Palmyra at Pennsville
Buena at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m.
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. West Deptford at Riverwinds, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Cape May Tech, 5:30 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cape May Tech at Schalick
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Camden Academy Charter at Vineland YMCA, 3:15 p.m.
INDOOR TRACK
Salem, Penns Grove at Bennett Center, Toms River, 5 p.m.
WRESTLING
Salem, Palmyra at Pennsville, 5 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. ACIT
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville
Salem at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m.
Schalick at Clayton, 5:30 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m.
Clayton at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem, 5:30 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem in Holiday Showcase at Laurel Lanes, Maple Shade, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester Catholic at Wood Lanes

THURSDAY, DEC. 19
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Deptford at GCIT, 7 p.m.
WRESTLING
Penns Grove at Schalick
Timber Creek at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
Pennsville girls at Beast of the East Tournament (U of Del.)
TRACK
Pennsville Polar Bear Meet, 3 p.m.
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 5:30 p.m.
Salem at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville, 3 p.m.
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m.
Salem Tech at Salem, 3 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational 
Pennsville girls at Beast of the East Tournament (U of Del.)

SATURDAY, DEC. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic, 1:30 p.m.
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Penns Grove vs. Timber Creek, 2:15 p.m.
SJIBT Tournament
Highland at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Salem girls at Jackson Liberty Tournament, 9 a.m.
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational, 10 a.m.
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament (U of Del.)
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia

New number, new focus

Salem sophomore Lecator sports new number, leads Rams to win in Red Devil Classic; host Penns Grove falls to Paulsboro

RED DEVIL CLASSIC
BOYS GAMES
Lindenwold 57, Glassboro 51
Salem 66, Woodbury 45
Paulsboro 50, Penns Grove 45

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE – There was something distinctly different about Tymear Lecator when the Salem High sophomore went out for pre-game warmups before Saturday’s season opener in the Red Devil Classic.

The most obvious was he had a different number, gladly surrendering the No. 11 he wore when he burst on the scene last year for his long-time favorite No. 3. In more subtle terms, he has a new role now that the Rams aren’t as experienced as they were a year ago.

But what hasn’t changed in his aggressive drive to succeed. He got off to a solid start, scoring 16 points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing 10 assists as the Rams ran past Woodbury 66-45 on Penns Grove’s new multi-colored floor in Rudy Baric Gym.

“Last year (when he transferred from Winslow) I wanted 3, but a senior had it (Jabez Dejesus) so I just had to wait my turn,” Lecator said. “I wore 3 my whole life, coming up playing football, basketball, everything. It’s just been a childhood number. I just stuck with it my whole life.”

Expect to see that number a lot this season. Last year surrounded by senior scorers he was pretty much a straight point guard who could light it up in his own right. He had seven games of at least 15 points and at least two games with six or more assists.

But this year he knows that role will change as he’s penciled in to fill the shoes of graduated 1,000-point scorer Anthony Farmer, the son of the head coach and now at Rutgers-Newark.

“Now I have to be a leader,” he said. “I don’t have seniors to depend on, so now I have to lead, step it up as a young kid, so my approach definitely has changed.”

“We don’t have the two seniors he had last year, Anthony and Jabez, so a lot of leadership responsibility is on him,” head coach Anthony Farmer said. “It’s growing pains with him right now. He’s trying to learn. We’re on him hard to hold him accountable because he’s a real special player.”

The Rams got a lot of strong efforts in their season opener. Antwaun Rogers had 12 points and 10 rebounds, Desean Williams had nine points and 10 boards, and Donnie Williams had six points, five rebounds and two assists.

“I was really happy with the effort and the energy that was displayed,” Farmer said. “We shared the ball (and) stuck to the gameplan with discipline. I’m proud of them. I’m proud of where we are right now.”

Lecator’s old number didn’t fall far from the family tree. Lecator’s cousin Darrelle Johnson, a transfer from Millville, now has the 11 and he had his own moment in the game.

Johnson threw down his first varsity dunk in the final minute against the Herd. He had two chances at it. The first came with about 30 seconds left. He stole the ball near midcourt and raced in alone on the goal ready to bring the crowd to its feet with a monster jam. But he went for it too soon and the ball loudly banged off the goal.

He got a second chance a few seconds later in a veritable instant replay, midcourt steal and all. Only this time he didn’t miss. The dunk gave him 11 points for the game.

“The first one I flicked my wrist too early,” Johnson said. “I was disappointed, but I looked at the scoreboard and saw I had 30 more seconds.”

“I knew he was going to make it up,” Lecator said. “I just was waiting for it.”

Farmer was happy to see it.

“He’s an explosive athlete,” the Rams coach said. “He came here to showcase what we can do. I’m happy for Derrell. Hope this is a boost of confidence.”

SALEM 66, WOODBURY 45
SALEM (1-0) – Tymear Lecator 4 7-8 16, Darrelle Johnson 5 0-0 11, Deshawn Williams 4 1-6 9, Antwaun Rogers 5 0-0 10, Neziah Spence 1 2-2 5, Kyaire Person 0 0-0 0, Donovan Weathers 3 0-0 6, Xavier McGriff 2 0-0 4, Cole Sayers 0 0-0 0, Harlem Parson 1 0-0 3, Others 0 2-4 2. Totals 25 12-20 66.
WOODBURY (0-1) – Dev Williams 4 2-5 10, Jajuan Soloman 6 0-2 12, Kev Williams 0 0-0 0, C.J. Hood 0 0-0 0, Jaden Farmer 2 2-2 6, R.J. Heigler 4 2-6 10, Omar Johnson 0 0-0 0, Thomas Lewis 1 0-0 2, Curt Stokes 2 0-0 5. Totals 19 6-15 45.

Woodbury1191212-45
Salem17181615-66

3-point goals: Woodbury 1 (Stokes); Salem 4 (Spence, Lecator, Johnson, Parson). Technical fouls: Rogers. Total fouls: Woodbury 15, Salem 14.

Paulsboro 50, Penns Grove 45

If you’re going to watch Penns Grove play this season you’re going to need a couple things, like a seat belt or a neck brace.

One thing was evident in Saturday’s season opener: The Red Devils are going to play at break-neck speed and those who can’t keep up will find themselves behind in a heartbeat.

Sometimes they played a little too fast for their own good Saturday, but it’s the style that suits them. Early in the game it served them well, but in the second quarter they lost control of the throttle and the game started to get away from them. 

“That’s part of the game,” Penns Grove coach Damien Ware said. “We go 100 percent and our last (minutes) we’ve got to slow it down to 75. If we learn how to do that and get under control …

“One of the things on the board for our keys to victory is attack under control. We got out of control today and were moving a little bit too fast. That’s just a result of guys having that first time being in this situation. We’ll get better as the year goes on.”

The fast pace served the Red Devils well early and they jumped out to an 11-3 lead in the first quarter, but their turnovers and missed shots mounted in the second and third quarters. They trailed by nine at halftime and 11 after three quarters, but kicked it back into gear in the fourth quarter to give themselves a chance.

Jameel Horace scored six points in a minute to get the Red Devils within one with 2:30 to play, but they got going a little fast for their own good again and couldn’t get the lead. It was a four-point game with 1:22 left when Karon Ceaser made steals on back-to-back possessions to give them a chance but the Red Devils couldn’t convert either and Paulsboro closed it out with a couple free throws.

“We have a solid team; I think we can be a pretty good team this year,” Ware said. “Now, we’re young. We’re very inexperienced. We have guys who really haven’t played at the varsity level  and meaningful minutes like that so this was a good game to get a little barometer and feel what it feels like at that level

“If we just make our layups and free throws we win that game by 15 points. I’m not sure what the numbers looks like but I know we missed at least 10 to 15 free throws (and) we missed at least 10 layups.”

Horace finished with 10 points. He had eight points and four rebounds in the fourth quarter. Antwon Robinson and B.J. Robbins also had 10 points apiece. Ceaser had five points and eight steals. 

Malakhai McKenzie led Paulsboro with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. Eric Scott didn’t score, but he grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots.

PAULSBORO 50, PENNS GROVE 45
PAULSBORO (1-0) – Eric Scott 0 0-2 0, Ty Hodges 4 2-4 11, Malakhai McKenzie 5 4-8 16, Dayvon Kgrsey 3 1-4 7, Stephen Lane 3 0-0 7, Jamal Robinson 1 0-0 2, Aaron Scott 1 0-0 2, Jeremiah Carr 1 3-4 5, Ameel Harrington 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 10-22 50.
PENNS GROVE (0-1) – B.J. Robbins 4 1-2 10, Roman Gipson 1 1-2 3, Karon Ceaser 2 1-4 5, Antwon Robinson 4 1-2 10, Haneef Frisbee 0 1-4 1, Zane Thomas 2 1-2 5, Gianni Conrad 0 0-0 0, Jameel Horace 5 0-0 10, William Roy 0 1-4 1, Luis Colon 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 7-20 45.

Paulsboro3221510-50
Penns Grove1151416-45

3-point goals: Paulsboro 4 (Hodges, McKenzie 2, Lane); Penns Grove 2 (Robbins, Robinson). Fouled out: Scott, Hodges, Frisbee. Total fouls: Paulsboro 20, Penns Grove 22.

This week’s schedule

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

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

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

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

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

DEC. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Hammonton at Woodstown

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

Salem winter sports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DEC. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Hammonton at Woodstown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DEC. 22
WRESTLING
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament

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

DEC. 26
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Washington Twp.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JAN. 16
WRESTLING
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Schalick
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
Schalick vs. Pitman at GCIT, 7:15 p.m.
Salem vs. Deptford at GCIT, 8:15 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape, 6 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Anne Arundel CC, 5 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FEB. 12
WRESTLING
Haddon Heights at Pennsville

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

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

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

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

FEB. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase

FEB. 22
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase

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

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

First loss, last loss

Collingswood hands Schalick field hockey first loss of the season in the South Jersey Group I quarterfinals

SJ GROUP I PLAYOFFS
Wednesday’s Quarterfinals
Shore 11, Salem 0
Haddon Heights 4, Gloucester 0
West Deptford 9, Bordentown 0
Collingswood 3, Schalick 1

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Among the keys to Schalick’s unprecedented field hockey success this season were a high-powered offense and a penchant for doing all the little things.

But both were missing Wednesday and the Cougars suffered their first loss of the season, 3-1 to 10th-seeded Collingswood in the South Jersey Group I quarterfinals.

“It was a tough one,” Schalick coach Heather Cheesman said. “I just think we didn’t do the little things. We were sloppy, not getting by, getting lots of cards, just little details. The little things hurt us.

“They weren’t doing them well, either, but they did them better than us. … They did what they had to do today to beat us.”

The Panthers (10-10) did what no team has been able to do to the Cougars this season – keep them out of the cage and, of course, beat them.

The Cougars (18-1-1) had scored 117 goals in their first 19 games and had outscored their last five opponents 43-1. They were held to fewer than three goals only three times all year and never fewer than two. None of their top goal scorers – Ava Scurry (40 goals), Phoebe Alward (29) or Luci Virga (22) – lit the lamp Wednesday.

“We were aware of their scorers,” Panthers coach Valerie Dayton said. “I’m going to be honest, we don’t get fancy. We don’t do or change up a whole lot because I find our kids are comfortable doing what they do best. We just kind of talk them through what they could expect and if they made some adjustments on their own, they played smart.

“We don’t have the greatest record. We don’t have a record like they do. But we play in an extremely tough conference, we schedule tough out of conference and we hope that it pays off down the road. I think they really experienced some of the best teams in South Jersey, so even though we didn’t always come out on the winning end, we learned some lessons and it paid off today.”

The Panthers came into Salem County twice this week and snagged playoff wins. They edged Woodstown on Monday 1-0. They are the lowest seeded team and their 10 losses the most of all remaining teams in in the any classification in South Jersey. They visit third-seeded West Deptford in the semifinals Monday. It’s their sixth straight trip to the semis.

“It was all from hard work all season,” Panthers senior Peyton Ryan said. 

Schalick actually had the lead. Lena Virga converted a pass from her sister Luci for the first goal of the game with 8:27 left in the second quarter. The Panthers tied it on Sophia Mazur’s goal 1:35 before halftime and it stayed 1-1 until the Panthers scored twice in the fourth quarter.

Hazel Howkins broke the tie with 13:39 left on a penalty shot after Ryan got knocked down in the circle. With a flick of the wrist, Howkins sent her shot just past Cougar keeper Lydia Gilligan’s outstretched left hand. It was only the second time the Cougars had trailed all season.

“At first I was really nervous but I usually know where to place it because I practice them a lot since I’m the designated stroker,” she said. “I usually go to the right and just hope for the best … and try and be strong and send it hard.” 

It was uncertain how much of the goal Howkins actually saw. She took a piece of sour candy in the left eye during some roughhousing with a teammate during the school day and said after the game things still looked a little hazy.

“It was a lot puffier earlier,” she said.

Collingswood continued to dominate the play and got some breathing room on Ryan’s power play goal with 3:28 left. It came off a third straight corner following the penalty.

“For us it’s hard to play a man down,” Cheesman said. “Because we do a lot of man-to-man marking, a man down is leaving somebody open. Any time the play is uneven it’s tough.”

The Cougars picked up their play in the final five minutes, but just couldn’t get one in the cage. 

“I’m sad for them, but if they played this game like they played the last five minutes I think things would have turned out a lot different,” Cheesman said. “They just had a hard time putting it together today.”

SHORE 11, SALEM 0: The top-seeded Blue Devils (22-2) had their way with the Rams (9-6-1). Marielle Montenegro, Scarlett Watson, Marin Stefanelli and Gabby O’Brien all scored a pair of goals. Shore has outscored its first two tournament opponents 21-0.

Cover photo: Collingswood’s Hazel Howkins flicks a penalty shot past Schalick goalie Lydia Gilligan in the fourth quarter of their South Jersey Group I field hockey playoff game Wednesday. The shot broke a 1-1 tie.

Jumping with joy

Boggs’ golden goal gives Salem thrilling opening-round playoff victory, Schalick routs South Hunterdon, Woodstown upset in one-goal game

SJ GROUP I FIELD HOCKEY PLAYOFFS 
Monday’s First-Round Games
Shore 10, Audubon 1
Salem 1, Florence 0 (OT)
Gloucester 4, Lower Cape May 0
Haddon Heights 1, Haddon Twp. 0
West Deptford 5, Maple Shade 0
Bordentown 4, Gateway 2
Collingswood 1, Woodstown 0
Schalick 11, South Hunterdon 0
Wednesday’s Quarterfinals
(8) Salem at (1) Shore
(5) Gloucester winner at (4) Haddon Heights
(11) Bordentown at (3) West Deptford
(10) Collingswood at (2) Schalick

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM – As soon as her shot settled into the back of the cage ending an intense afternoon of playoff field hockey, Audrey Boggs knew exactly what to do.

BOGGS

Julliana Love sent Boggs on a semi-breakaway late in the first overtime and the Salem junior beat keeper Mackenzie Cucinotta to an open right corner to give the Rams a 1-0 victory over Florence in Monday’s opening round of the South Jersey Group I playoffs.

In a move as choreographed as the goal itself, Boggs then raced over to a group of teammates huddling just outside the 25 and together they did a “Celebration Spin-Around.”

“It’s from the game Wii Sports Bowling and we all thought it would be really funny if we did that,” Boggs said. “When all of us came together were like we’ve got to do this, and we did it. “

The goal came with 3:50 left in the first 7-v-7 overtime. It broke the ice in a game that was typically of an 8-9 matchup in the bracket and looked destined for a shootout with both defenses and keepers turning away good scoring chances from the start. Salem had 16 shots on goal, Florence had 11 corners.

“Whenever I turn them back it always feels good on my part knowing I didn’t let a goal in and it helps my teammates not to let them down,” Rams goalie Ava Rodgers said. 

It was Boggs’ fifth goal of the season, but her first since Rams coach Shanna Scott started sliding her forward to give the offense a late-season boost. 

“That was the most exciting one, definitely,” Boggs said. “This was the best one for sure, a special one.”

It was Salem’s first win in the opening round of the playoffs since 2021 (Pitman) and second since 2015. The Rams (9-5-1) lost first-round games each of the last two years.

They now travel to top-seeded Shore (21-2) for Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

“The girls worked very hard for this game, they’ve worked very hard this season.,” Scott said. “I’m just so impressed with how well they’ve played this season and how far that they’ve come, because we lost our entire team last year (9 of 11 starters) and they really stepped up.”

Salem goal scorer Audrey Boggs (5) joins her teammates in a Celebration Spin-Around after they beat Florence in the opening round of the South Jersey Group I field hockey playoffs.

SCHALICK 11, SOUTH HUNTERDON 0: It took the unbeaten second-seeded Cougars a little while to get going, but once they got in gear they turned the afternoon into the easy victory everyone expected.

Their 11 goals were a season high. It was their fifth straight win and fourth straight shutout. They’ve won their last five games by a combined score of 43-1.

“It didn’t start out easy; they didn’t score any, but they were down in our end right out of the gate,” Schalick coach Heather Cheesman said. “It took a good five minutes for the girls to finally wake up and then things started rolling.

“We didn’t know what we were walking into with them. They came out a little bit flat. South Hunterdon was bringing it and the girls were like we need to step it up and they did.”

Ava Scurry had two goals and a career-high five assists, giving her 41 goals and 20 assists on the season, reaching 100 scoring points for the season (102) and giving the Cougars their second 20-20 scorer of the year.

Phoebe Alward, the founding member of the 20-20 Club, and Caylen Taylor both had hat tricks, and Luci Virga had a goal and three assists.

“They were deadly in their offensive circle,” Cheesman said. “As soon as they got down there, it was goal after goal after goal and they were working so good together. Some of the goals were really, really pretty. It looked good once they got rolling.”

The Cougars (18-0-1) now host Collingswood, a 1-0 upset winner of Woodstown, in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

COLLINGSWOOD 1, WOODSTOWN 0: Peyton Ryan scored the game’s only goal off a corner at the 5:15 mark of the third quarter on an assist from Cecilia Clark.

This week’s schedule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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