Woodstown’s Vinciguerra, Hyland headed to Atlantic City after finishing top 3 in region; Vinciguerra repeats as region champion
By Riverview Sports News
MONROE – Mateo Vinciguerra has a message for the good folks down in Atlantic City. He’s coming for you.
The Woodstown heavyweight won his second straight region title Saturday when he majored Clifford Dirkes of Ocean City 10-0 to win the Region 8 285 crown for a return trip to the state tournament in Atlantic City.
Last year Vinciguerra went as the region’s 215 champion and this year he defeated the defending heavyweight champion to get there.
“This year is different than last because I’m on a whole ‘nothing level this year than last year,” he said. “The plan for AC is that I’m coming for it all.”
Vinciguerra and Woodstown teammate Greyson Hyland are the only two Salem County wrestlers advancing to AC this year. Hyland finished third at 175.
Vinciguerra won three matches this weekend, including the 100th of his career in Friday’s quarterfinals. He’s the second Woodstown wrestler to hit the milestone this season. Travis Balback did two weeks ago.
On Saturday, he pinned Alex Grippo of Delsea in the semifinals before taking down Dirkes.‘Going into the finals I just knew to trust my work I’ve put in and get to my stuff,” he said.
Hyland went 4-1 in the tournament, including a pair of overtime wins that added about 20 grey hairs to his coach and father’s temples. He lost an 8-4 decision in his semifinal match Saturday, then wrestled back and claimed his spot in Atlantic City by winning an ultimate tie breaker over Vincent Hoag of Mainland.
“I’m really proud of both their performances,” Woodstown coach Adam Hyland said. “Greyson had to gut out two gritty overtime matches to place third and Mateo completely dominated the entire tournament pinning his first two and winning 10-0 over the defending Region 8 heavyweight champion.”
Salem County did have several other placers in the tournament. Schalick’s Ayden Jenkins placed fifth at 150, Penns Grove’s Clinton Bobo was fifth at 175 and Woodstown’s Walter Carter was fifth at 215.
Camden Catholic won the team title, edging Delsea by a point. Woodstown finished tenth with 56 points. Schalick was 22nd (9.5) and Penns Grove 23rd (9.0).
Here is the master schedule for spring sports in Salem County; schedules provided by the schools; events begin at 4 p.m. unless noted; x-scrimmage (missing Salem, Salem Tech); for additions or corrections reply to al.muskewitz@gmail.com
MARCH 1 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Brookdale CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Monroe-Bronx at Salem CC, noon
MARCH 7 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Delaware County CC, 3 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Sussex County CC at Salem CC, noon MARCH 8 COLLEGE BASEBALL Delaware County CC at Salem CC (2), noon
MARCH 10 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Alexandria (Minn.) Tech & CC (2), 2:45 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Southeastern CC-Whiteville (N.C.), 1 p.m.
MARCH 11 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Prairie State (Ill.) (2), 1:15 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Wake Tech (N.C.), 1 p.m. MARCH 12 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Northland (Minn.) C&TC (2), 2 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Fayetteville (N.C.) Tech, 3 p.m. MARCH 14 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. North Dakota State/Science, 9 a.m. Salem CC vs. Oakton (Ill.) CC, 1:45 p.m. MARCH 15 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. SUNY Niagara (2), 9 a.m.
MARCH 16 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Westchester CC (2), 10 a.m.
MARCH 17 BASEBALL x-Williamstown at Pennsville SOFTBALL x-Pennsville at Williamstown
MARCH 18 SOFTBALL x-Pennsville at Cedar Creek TENNIS x-Palmyra at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
MARCH 19 BASEBALL x-Pennsville at Holy Spirit
MARCH 20 TENNIS x-Pennsville at West Deptford BOYS LACROSSE x-Woodstown at Delran COLLEGE SOFTBALL Brookdale CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. MARCH 21 BASEBALL x-Gloucester City at Schalick x-Woodstown at Deptford SOFTBALL x-Schalick at Gloucester City x-Woodstown at Deptford COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland, 3:30 p.m.
MARCH 22 SOFTBALL x-Gateway at Woodstown, 10 a.m. GIRLS LACROSSE x-Woodstown at Mainland, 9 a.m. BOYS LACROSSE x-Camden Catholic at Woodstown, 10 a.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC (2), noon
MARCH 23 COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Delaware Tech, noon MARCH 24 BASEBALL x-Highland at Schalick TENNIS x-Gateway at Pennsville MARCH 25 BASEBALL x-Woodstown at Cumberland SOFTBALL x-Cumberland at Woodstown TRACK x-Penns Grove, Salem at Bridgeton BOYS TENNIS x-Gateway at Schalick GOLF Pennsville vs. Haddon Heights, Tavistock CC GIRLS LACROSSE x-Woodstown at Haddon Twp. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Raritan Valley CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. MARCH 26 BASEBALL x-Penns Grove at Lindenwold GOLF Pennsville vs. Salem Tech, Sakima CC COLLEGE BASEBALL Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
MARCH 27 BASEBALL x-Schalick at Collingswood SOFTBALL x-Timber Creek at Schalick GOLF Pennsville vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL TENNIS x-Clearview at Woodstown
MARCH 28 BASEBALL x-GCIT at Woodstown x-Schalick at Timber Creek GOLF Clearview vs. Schalick, Centerton CC Pennsville vs. Haddon Twp., Sakima CC BOYS TENNIS x-Schalick at Triton Pennsville at Clearview GIRLS LACROSSE x-Timber Creek at Woodstown BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Ocean City COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Montgomery County (Pa.) CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Howard CC at Salem CC, 11 a.m. MARCH 29 BASEBALL Woodstown at Gateway, 10 a.m. Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 11 a.m. Penns Grove at Gateway, 2 p.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Montgomery County (Pa.) CC at Salem CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at CC of Morris, noon
MARCH 30 COLLEGE SOFTBALL Bucks County CC at Salem CC, noon
MARCH 31 BASEBALL Glassboro at Schalick Penns Grove at Woodstown Salem at Wildwood SOFTBALL Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville Schalick at Glassboro Woodstown at Penns Grove GOLF Schalick girls vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run TENNIS Clayton at Schalick Glassboro at Penns Grove Wildwood at Pennsville LACROSSE St. Joseph at Woodstown
APRIL 1 GOLF Pennsville vs. Pitman, Pitman CC Schalick vs. Wildwood, Union League GC GIRLS LACROSSE Haddonfield at Woodstown COLLEGE SOFTBALL Lackawanna at Salem CC 3 p.m. APRIL 2 BASEBALL LEAP at Penns Grove Pennsville vs. Pitman, Alcyon Park Woodstown at Schalick SOFTBALL Pitman at Pennsville Woodstown at Schalick GOLF Schalick girls vs. Clearview, Centerton CC TENNIS Pennsville at Overbrook TRACK Glassboro at Penns Grove Schalick at Pennsville Woodstown at Overbrook
APRIL 3 GOLF Pennsville vs. Cumberland, Sakima CC TENNIS Pennsville vs. Clayton, Williamstown MS Penns Grove at Woodstown Schalick at Glassboro Woodstown at Triton COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Camden CC, 3:30 p.m.
APRIL 4 BASEBALL Haddon Heights at Woodstown Pennsville vs. Gloucester Catholic, Parsippany Schalick at Delran SOFTBALL Schalick at Delsea Woodstown at Haddon Heights GOLF Pennsville vs. Cedar Creek, Sakima CC Schalick vs. Overbrook, Centerton CC TENNIS Pennsville at Bridgeton Vineland at Schalick Vineland at Woodstown LACROSSE Lower Cape May at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Middlesex, 3:30 p.m.
APRIL 5 SOFTBALL Pennsville at Millville Tournament, 9 a.m. TRACK Pennsville at Deptford Twp., 9 a.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Middlesex at Salem CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Mercer County CC at Salem CC, noon
APRIL 7 BASEBALL Woodstown at Pennsville Schalick at Haddon Heights SOFTBALL Pennsville at Woodstown GOLF Schalick vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run GC Schalick girls vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC TENNIS Deptford at Woodstown Glassboro at Pennsville Penns Grove at Wildwood Schalick at West Deptford, River Winds TC GIRLS LACROSSE West Deptford at Woodstown APRIL 8 BASEBALL Clayton at Schalick Pennsville at Overbrook Salem at Penns Grove Woodstown at Wildwood SOFTBALL Overbrook at Pennsville Schalick at Clayton Woodstown at Wildwood GOLF Pennsville vs. Clayton, The Birches Schalick vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC TENNIS Woodstown at Kingsway TRACK Glassboro at Woodstown Penns Grove at Pennsville COLLEGE BASEBALL Northampton CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Sussex County CC, 3:30 p.m. APRIL 9 SOFTBALL Woodstown at Maple Shade GOLF Pennsville vs. Triton, Sakima CC Schalick girls vs. Kingsway, Centeron CC TENNIS Delsea at Pennsville Haddon Heights at Woodstown Overbrook at Schalick Timber Creek at Penns Grove GIRLS LACROSSE Kingsway at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Northampton CC, 3:30 p.m.
APRIL 10 Clayton at Pennsville Glassboro at Penns Grove Salem at Pitman Schalick at Overbrook Woodstown at Gloucester City SOFTBALL Gloucester City at Woodstown Pennsville at Clayton GOLF Pennsville vs. Schalick, Centerton CC TENNIS Triton at Woodstown LACROSSE Woodstown at Holy Spirit
APRIL 11 BASEBALL Pennsville at Haddon Heights SOFTBALL Haddon Heights at Pennsville Haddon Heights at Woodstown TENNIS Penns Grove at Clayton Schalick at Wildwood Woodstown at Highland LACROSSE Woodstown at Moorestown Friends GIRLS LACROSSE Haddon Heights at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL Camden CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Cecil at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
APRIL 12 BASEBALL Schalick at Gloucester City Woodstown at Buena, 10 a.m. TRACK Pennsville at West Deptford, 9 a.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Camden CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Delaware Tech at Salem CC, noon
APRIL 13 COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Orange County CC, noon APRIL 14 BASEBALL Clayton at Salem Overbrook at Woodstown Penns Grove at Schalick Wildwood at Pennsville SOFTBALL Schalick at Penns Grove Wildwood at Pennsville Woodstown at Overbrook GOLF Pennsville at Overbrook, Sakima CC Schalick vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL Schalick girls vs. Clearview, Pitman GC TENNIS Schalick at Gateway Triton at Pennsville LACROSSE Woodstown at Mainland
APRIL 15 GOLF Schalick girls vs. Washington Twp., The Birches TENNIS Schalick at Pennsville Woodstown at Timber Creek GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Timber Creek COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Luzerne County CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Bergen CC at Salem CC 3:30 p.m. APRIL 16 BASEBALL Overbrook at Penns Grove Salem at Pennsville Woodstown at Glassboro SOFTBALL Pennsville at Salem Woodstown at Glassboro GOLF Schalick vs. Washington Twp., Centerton CC Woodstown vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC TENNIS Millville at Pennsville Overbrook at Penns Grove Wildwood at Woodstown TRACK Glassboro at Pennsville Woodstown at Schalick LACROSSE Cinnaminson at Woodstown GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Clearview COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Mercer County CC, 3:30 p.m.
APRIL 17 BASEBALL Cumberland at Pennsville Northern Burlington at Schalick SOFTBALL Pennsville at Cumberland GOLF Schalick girls vs. OLMA, Centerton CC TENNIS Delsea at Woodstown Pennsville vs. Pitman, Shertle Park Penns Grove at Schalick
APRIL 18 SOFTBALL West Deptford at Schalick TENNIS Pitman at Penns Grove LACROSSE Rancocas Valley at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL Bergen CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
APRIL 19 BASEBALL Woodstown at Sterling, 11 a.m. TRACK Pennsville at Woodbury Relays LACROSSE Paul VI at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Bergen CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Mercer County CC, noon
APRIL 21 BASEBALL Pennsville at Williamstown SOFTBALL Williamstown at Pennsville TENNIS Pitman at Woodstown Triton at Schalick APRIL 22 BASEBALL Pennsville at Penns Grove Schalick at Pitman Woodstown at Salem SOFTBALL Pennsville at Penns Grove Salem at Woodstown GOLF Pennsville vs. Cumberland, Running Deer CC Schalick vs. Overbrook, Pinelands GC Schalick girls vs. Delsea, White Oaks CC TENNIS Overbrook at Woodstown Penns Grove at Pennsville Schalick vs. Pitman, Shertle Park TRACK Salem County Championships, Pennsville LACROSSE Woodstown at Kingsway GIRLS LACROSSE Kingsway at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL CC of Morris at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
APRIL 23 BASEBALL Collingswood at Woodstown SOFTBALL Kingsway at Woodstown GOLF Pennsville vs. West Deptford, River Winds GC GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Haddonfield COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, 3:30 p.m.
APRIL 24 BASEBALL Schalick at Glassboro Woodstown at Penns Grove SOFTBALL Glassboro at Schalick Pennsville vs. Gloucester Catholic, Stauffer Fields Woodstown at Penns Grove GOLF Pennsville vs. Kingsway, River Winds GC Schalick vs. Cumberland, Centerton CC Schalick girls vs. Williamstown, Centerton CC TENNIS Clayton at Pennsville Haddon Heights at Schalick Mainland at Woodstown LACROSSE Woodstown at Washington Twp. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Lackawanna at Salem CC 3:30 p.m. APRIL 25 SOFTBALL Gloucester City at Schalick TENNIS Schalick at Clayton Williamstown at Penns Grove GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at West Deptford COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Union, 3:30 p.m. APRIL 26 BASEBALL Woodstown at Camden Co. Tech, 10 a.m. LACROSSE Woodstown at Bishop Eustace, 10 a.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Union at Salem CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Raritan Valley CC, noon
APRIL 28 BASEBALL Penns Grove at Paulsboro TENNIS Penns Grove at Glassboro Pennsville at Wildwood APRIL 29 GOLF Schalick vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC LACROSSE Egg Harbor Twp. at Woodstown APRIL 30 BASEBALL Penns Grove at Pitman GOLF Schalick girls vs. Cumberland, Centerton CC TENNIS Glassboro at Schalick Woodstown at Penns Grove TRACK Pennsville at Overbrook MAY 1 BASEBALL Penns Grove at Bridgeton Wildwood at Salem GOLF Carl Arena Tournament, River Winds Pennsville vs. Gloucester Catholic, Sakima CC MAY 2 BASEBALL LEAP at Penns Grove TENNIS Penns Grove at Wildwood Pennsville at Glassboro COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Ocean CC, 3:30 p.m.
MAY 3 COLLEGE BASEBALL Ocean CC at Salem CC (2), noon
MAY 5 BASEBALL Overbrook at Schalick Penns Grove at Glassboro Pennsville at Clayton Salem at Pitman SOFTBALL Clayton at Pennsville Schalick at Overbrook TENNIS Pennsville at Burlington Twp., Green Acres Park COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Atlantic Cape CC, 3:30 p.m.
MAY 6 BASEBALL Schalick vs. Woodstown, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m. SOFTBALL Schalick vs. Woodstown, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m. GOLF Schalick vs. Delsea, Centerton CC Schalick girls vs. Kingsway, River Winds TENNIS Highland at Woodstown Wildwood at Schalick Wildwood at Penns Grove TRACK Woodstown at Penns Grove
MAY 7 BASEBALL Pitman at Pennsville SOFTBALL Pennsville at Pitman TENNIS Deptford at Woodstown Vineland at Pennsville TRACK Tri-County Conference Meet, Delsea GIRLS LACROSSE Clearview at Woodstown MAY 8 BASEBALL Pennsville at Wildwood Salem at Clayton Schalick at Penns Grove Woodstown at Overbrook SOFTBALL Overbrook at Woodstown Penns Grove at Schalick GOLF Salem Tech vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC Schalick vs. Gloucester Catholic, Centerton CC Schalick girls vs. Washington Twp. Centerton CC TENNIS GCIT at Pennsville Schalick at Washington Twp. Williamstown at Penns Grove MAY 9 BASEBALL Millville at Pennsville South Hunterdon at Penns Grove SOFTBALL Delsea at Woodstown Schalick at Haddonfield TENNIS Schalick at Woodstown LACROSSE Vineland at Woodstown GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Washington Twp.
MAY 10 BASEBALL Lee Ware Tournament, Woodstown SOFTBALL Woodstown in Williamstown Tournament
MAY 12 BASEBALL Clayton at Woodstown Pennsville at Glassboro Salem at Schalick Wildwood at Penns Grove SOFTBALL Glassboro at Pennsville Schalick at Salem Woodstown at Clayton GOLF Schalick vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC Schalick girls vs. OLMA, Eastlyn GC TENNIS Penns Grove at Pitman Pennsville at Schalick Timber Creek at Woodstown TRACK Schalick at Penns Grove GIRLS LACROSSE Maple Shade at Woodstown
MAY 13 BASEBALL Woodstown at Delran GOLF Schalick vs. West Deptford, River Winds TENNIS Woodstown at Collingswood TRACK Pennsville at Woodstown LACROSSE Clearview at Woodstown MAY 14 BASEBALL Glassboro at Woodstown Penns Grove at Overbrook Pennsville at Salem Schalick at Cumberland SOFTBALL Maple Shade at SchalickSalem at Pennsville Woodstown at Glassboro GOLF Schalick girls vs. Delsea, Centerton CC TENNIS Pitman at Pennsville Schalick at Penns Grove Woodstown at Delsea
MAY 15 BASEBALL Buena at Schalick Pennsville at Triton SOFTBALL Schalick at Buena Triton at Pennsville GOLF Schalick vs. Hammonton, Pinelands GC TENNIS Rancocas Valley at Pennsville GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Eastern MAY 16 SOFTBALL Triton at Woodstown GOLF Pennsville vs. Millville, Sakima CC TENNIS Pennsville at Penns Grove Woodstown at Overbrook TRACK NJSIAA Sectionals LACROSSE Woodstown at Millville GIRLS LACROSSE Millville at Woodstown
MAY 17 BASEBALL Schalick at Paulsboro TRACK NJSIAA Sectionals
MAY 19 BASEBALL Penns Grove at Clayton Schalick at Pennsville Woodstown at Pitman SOFTBALL Pennsville at Schalick Pitman at Woodstown TENNIS Woodstown at Cumberland LACROSSE Williamstown at Woodstown, 7 p.m. GIRLS LACROSSE Triton at Woodstown
MAY 20 BASEBALL Pennsville vs. Tome, Frawley Stadium, 7 p.m. GOLF Schalick vs. Pitman, Pitman GC MAY 21 BASEBALL Woodstown at Cedar Creek Schalick at Wildwood SOFTBALL Palmyra at Schalick Woodstown at Ocean City LACROSSE West Deptford at Woodstown
MAY 22 BASEBALL Collingswood at Schalick SOFTBALL Schalick at OLMA
MAY 27 GOLF TCC Showcase, Pitman GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Williamstown MAY 30 TRACK State Meet
Two Salem County teams, Woodstown and Pennsville, advance to the second round of tournament
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES South Jersey Group I Tournament Haddon Twp. 56, (8) Schalick 13 Glassboro 51, Penns Grove 37 Audubon 58, Cape May Tech 20 Woodstown 52, Gateway 24 Wildwood 77, Riverside 5 Pennsville 70, Woodbury 56 Clayton 43, Burlington City 27 Palmyra 40, New Egypt 35
SATURDAY’S QUARTERFINALS (9) Glassboro at (1) Haddon Twp. (5) Audubon vs. (4) Woodstown (6) Pennsville at (3) Wildwood (7) Clayton at (2) Palmyra
WOODSTOWN 52, GATEWAY 24: The Gators knocked Woodstown back on its heels early with two big shots some smart, aggressive man defense, but the Wolverines shook it off, started playing their brand of basketball and steadily pulled away.
“Great defense led to open layups and shots,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “
Talia Battavio led on both ends of the floor, scoring a team-high 13 points and recording eight of the Wolverines’ 24 steals. Megan Donelson had 11 points, four rebounds and five steals. Kyia Leyman had 10 points, four boards and three steals.
Actually, every player who got in the game made some type of contribution.
“I’m really proud of the effort that we showed today,” Smart said. “Everyone played as hard as possible when they were on the court.”
The Wolverines (18-6) now host fifth-seeded Audubon Saturday.
Gateway (10-15)
6
4
2
12-
24
Woodstown (18-6)
15
18
11
8-
52
PENNSVILLE 70, WOODBURY 56: Taylor Bass led five Pennsville scorers in double figures with 22 points despite missing all of the second quarter with early foul trouble and the Eagles used a big second half to push past Woodbury.
Nora Ausland and Addie Johnston both scored 13 points, Jaida Burns had a career-high 12 and Marley Wood 10 for all the Eagles’ scoring. Johnston hit three 3s in their 23-point third quarter. Ausland grabbed 17 rebounds, while Burns had nine.
The Eagles (18-9) now travel to No.3 Wildwood for their quarterfinals game Saturday.
GLASSBORO 51, PENNS GROVE 37: The teams played to a 19-19 halftime tie, but Glassboro pulled away in the second half. They outscored the Red Devils 19-9 in the third quarter to seize control. Kezia Brackett (14) and Tamia Smith (12) led the offense, while Kimora Miles and Lily Czubas each pulled down 10 rebounds.
Glassboro (12-13)
11
8
19
13-
51
Penns Grove (11-13)
11
8
9
9-
37
HADDON TWP. 56, SCHALICK 13: Kiersten Callahan led a balanced scoring attack with 11 points and the Hawks scored more points in the first quarter than Schalick scored the entire game. Twelve players scored from Township in the game.
Defense also was a key to the victory. The Hawks held the Cougars without a field goal in the first and fourth quarters and collected 16 steals. Alli Kamulda led the way with four steals, while Sammy Martin and Emory Shaw each had three.
Woodstown’s Crawford wins boys Group I indoor 800, becomes Wolverines’ first indoor state champion in 19 years
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
TOMS RIVER – Josh Crawford turned a big negative into a big positive and it turned him into a record-setting state champion.
Woodstown’s Josh Crawford shows off his medals after winning the Group I indoor 800 and anchoring the runner-up 4×400 relay team.
The Woodstown junior was bummed by the way he ran in the 400 at Sunday’s Group I Indoor Track Championships at the Bennett Center Bubble, but instead of stewing over it the rest of the day he used it to fuel his next race and it became the best run of his life.
Crawford ran a personal-best 1:59.01 and edged Shore Regional’s Brady McHugh by 37 hundreths of a second – about two meters – to win Group I state title and give the Wolverines their first indoor state champion since before he was born.
“I’m just so happy,” he said. “I was feeling great today and I got out there and pushed my best. I never ran like that before with so much excitement and energy. It was a very unreal feeling (to win it).”
The 16-year-old is Woodstown’s first indoor state champion since Brenan McDonough won the 800 in the 2006 Group I meet at Princeton’s Jadwin Gym – 26 months before he was even born. Additionally, he broke the Salem County indoor 800 record of 1:59.21 set by Schalick’s Greg McGuire in the 2020 Group I meet here.
“I didn’t know that while I was running; that’s just insane,” he said of his piece of Woodstown history. “That just makes it like 10 times more exciting for me.”
And it was all a byproduct of his disappointment in the 400, where he had top time in his heat but wound up finishing 11th overall after getting bumped out of position midway through his heat race. His 53.09 was two seconds slower than his winning sectional time.
“It was definitely the 400 that added fire,” he said. “I just wasn’t in the correct mental state or physical state, so I just decided to switch my mindset around and focus on the upcoming 800 and put everything out there and make up for what I missed in the 400.”
To his credit, he didn’t go into the 800 trying to make up for the other race in the first 50 meters. He started next to teammate Cole Lucas and after some initial jostling settled into his gameplan. He was content to sit on McHugh and Raritan’s Joseph Testai the whole race and waited on them to fade to make his move.
That came with about 100 meters to go.
“I just had so much (energy) in me I just used all the anger that came from the previous race to get to the finish line before they could,” he said.
Crawford also ran the anchor leg on the Wolverines’ runner-up 4×400 relay team (with Cole Lucas, Karson Chew and Anthony Costello).
He was the only champion from Salem County Sunday, but the county produced four other qualifiers for next week’s Meet of Champions next week at the Ocean Breeze Complex on Staten Island. The top three finishers in each event and a select number of wildcards advance.
Woodstown’s Jaime Deal finished third in the girls 400, Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield was second in both the 1600 and 3200, Salem’s Anthony Parker was second in the boys 55 hurdles (by .02 seconds) and Schalick’s David Stewart was third in the 55 dash.
NJSIAA GROUP I INDOOR TRACK At Bennett Center Bubble, Toms River
GIRLS TEAM SCORES (Top 10): Dumont 36, Ramsey 29, Metuchen 24, Walkill Valley 20, Clayton 19, Glassboro, SCHALICK 18, New Providence 16, Glen Rock 14, Butler 13. EVENT WINNERS (And Salem County scorers) 400: 1. Julia Costa, Ramsey, 1:00.34; 3. Jaime Deal, Woodstown, 1:00.75; 5. Gia Martellacci, Schalick, 1:01.70. 1600: 1. Delana Einreinhofer, Wallkill Valley, 5:00.86; 2. Jordan Hadfield, Schalick, 5:09.08 55 Hurdles: 1. Jenna Monaco, Dumont, 8.25. 800: 1. Gwendolyn Neale, Verona, 2:16.08. 55 Dash: 1. Jenna Monaco, Dumont, 7.37 3200: 1. Delana Einreinhofer, Wallkill Valley, 10:39.46 (event record, old record by Dana Giordano, Bernards, 10:46.68, 2012); 2. Jordan Hadfield, Schalick, 11:19.59. 4×400 Relay: 1. New Providence, 4:11.01 High Jump: 1. Ashley Armstrong, Glassboro, 5-2; 1. Taylor Peters, Butler, 5-2. Pole Vault: 1. Jenna Monaco, Dumont, 11-0; 6. Megan Morris, Pennsville, 9-6. Shot Put: 1. Sunny Moore, Glassboro, 37-2.25. NOTE: Top 3 finishers qualify for Meet of Champions
BOYS TEAM SCORES (Top 15): Hasbrouck Heights 40, Glassboro 31.50, Woodbury 30, Shore 24, WOODSTOWN 22, Mountain Lakes 14, Metuchen 12, Dayton 10, Raritan 10, Cresskill 10, Pompton Lakes 10, Clayton 9, Haddon Twp. 9, SALEM 8, SCHALICK 7, Manville 7. EVENT WINNERS (And Salem County scorers) 400: 1. Marquis Taylor, Woodbury, 50.91. 55 Hurdles: 1. William Cusick, Cresskill, 7.64; 2. Anthony Parker, Salem, 7.66. 1600: 1. Eric Schleif, Metuchen, 4:23.06. 55 Dash: 1. Marquis Taylor, Woodbury, 6.46; 3. David Stewart, Schalick, 6.68. 800: 1. Josh Crawford, Woodstown, 1:59.01; 4. Cole Lucas, Woodstown, 2:02.59 3200: 1. Max Kahn, Mountain Lakes, 9:32.64. 4×400 Relay: 1. Woodbury, 3:31.29; 2. Woodstown (Cole Lucas, Karson Chew, Anthony Costello, Josh Crawford), 3:31.60. High Jump: 1. Matthew Murillo, Hasbrouck Heights, 6-4. Pole Vault: 1. Owen Keating, Pompton Lakes, 16-1 (event record, old record by Craig Hunter, Robbinsville, 15-1, 2012); 6. Salvatore Longo, Schalick, 12-0. Shot Put: 1. Kane Perry, Shore, 53-10.25. NOTE: Top 3 finishers qualify for Meet of Champions
Here is a screen shot of Woodstown’s Josh Crawford taking the lead, then crossing the line to win the Group I boys indoor 800 meters Sunday. The photo at the top shows his moment of victory. (Photo by Robert Crawford)
Penns Grove’s Bobo channels his inner Rocky, wins district title, MOW award; 17 Salem County wrestlers qualify for Region 8
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SEWELL – Don’t know if Penns Grove’s Clinton Bobo is a big fan of the Rocky movies, but the way he took it to his opponent in his district title match Saturday it reminded a lot of people of the way America’s favorite underdog took down the massive Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.
Giving up six inches to Paulsboro’s Evan Holloway, he pinned the Red Raiders senior 39 seconds into the second period to win the District 32 175 title – and the admiration of the coaches who voted him Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
“It was just so beautiful,” Bobo said. “One of my coaches kept telling me you don’t understand how much of a chance you have at winning first place in districts. I missed it last year so we’ll have to see. It was just really awesome.
“Then (up on the podium) they said ‘Penns Grove’ and I was like, “Is that really me?’ It was such a great experience. I’ll definitely remember it forever.”
The turning point of the match came in the first period after Holloway dropped Bobo once and let him up just to drop him again, this time with an elbow to the eye that required injury time. It enraged the Red Devils senior and he went on the attack.
Starting the second period from a neutral position down 6-2, Bobo flipped his taller opponent over his left hip – a move he said he and teammate Tre Brown had been working on the last two weeks – got control of him in the middle of the mat and finished off the pin.
Any similarity to person or persons dead or alive may be just a coincidence in the movies, but it wasn’t lost on Penns Grove athletics director Anwar Golden.
“That’s exactly what happened in Rocky IV when he (Rocky) made the Russian bleed,” Golden said. “When he saw that drop of blood from the Russian, that was it. It was like that. He’s not a machine.”
“It’s almost like something hit him and he woke up,” Penns Grove coach Chuck Weigle said. “It was like he came to life and … boom.”
Bobo called the comparison to the Rocky film “a perfect representation.”
“After he took me down the second time he went up to the crowd and showed a ‘T’ with his hands saying he was going to try to tech fall me,” Bobo said. “I ended up pinning him and so many people started just yelling ‘tech fall where,’ ‘tech fall how.’ It was crazy.”
Bobo won all three of his matches by pin – in 12 seconds (fastest of the tournament), 4:45 and 2:39. He’s the first Penns Grove wrestler to win a MOW in the postseason since Tyreke Brown won it in the 2019 region tournament and the first to win it a district tournament as far as any of the coaches can remember.
Amazingly, he has only been wrestling two years. A full-time student at Salem Vo-Tech, which doesn’t offer wrestling, he joined the team from his home district school at the urging of another Vo-Tech student established on the team, heavyweight Wayne Scott. He didn’t have anything planned after Vo-Tech’s soccer season so he accepted the challenge.
He took to it right away, posting 20 wins in his debut season and finishing second in the district tournament. The only reason he wasn’t the No. 1 seed in his weight class this weekend was he lost the top seed (who Holloway beat in the semifinals) 7-6 in a dual match earlier this year.
“No. 1, he is strong as an ox and has got a chiseled frame,” Weigle said. “He’s a student of the sport and he’s always asking questions.”
Last year Bobo was the only Penns Grove wrestler to reach the regions, which made the experience a little uncomfortable. This year he is one of three Red Devils advancing to next week’s Region 8 tournament at Williamstown, along with 285 runner-up Scott and 150 third-place finisher Tre Brown.
Salem County’s other 14 region qualifiers all came out of the District 30 meet at Delsea.
Pennsville’s Brett Land (106), Schalick’s undefeated Ricky Watt (165) and Woodstown’s Travis Balback (132) and Mateo Vinciguerra (285) won district titles. Vinciguerra’s win for the 285 district title was the 99th of his high school career.
Woodstown and Schalick finished 2-3 in the District 30 team standings. Schalick coach Joe Frassenei was recognized as the District 30 Coach of the Year.
District 30
TEAM SCORES: Delsea 295.5; WOODSTOWN 148.5; SCHALICK 113; Millville 103.5; Cumberland 97.5; PENNSVILLE 92.5; Gateway/Woodbury 38.5; Cedar Creek 33, Buena 32, Vineland 24
REGION QUALIFIERS 106: Brett Land, Pennsville; Hunter Allen, Woodstown; Reid Lightfoot, Delsea 113: DeAnthony Harden, Cumberland; Christian Snyder, Gateway/Woodbury; Chase Bordley, Vineland 120: Amari Vann, Delsea; Carson Bradway, Woodstown; Ruben Cruz, Millville 126: Gage Summers, Delsea; Luke Silva, Schalick; Aidan Barbato, Gateway Reg/ Woodbury 132: Travis Balback, Woodstown; Ryan Miller, Schalick; Jamison Devlin, Delsea 138: Zavier Stokes, Delsea; Patrick Tull, Millville; Gabe Supernavage, Pennsville 144: Cameron Pote, Delsea; Daniel Lloyd, Cumberland; Lucas Gellura, Buena 150: Jamar Dixon, Delsea; Ayden Jenkins, Schalick; Michael Carastro, Cumberland 157: Riley Boos, Delsea; Brett Rowand, Woodstown; Colin Prokson, Millville 165: Ricky Watt, Schalick; Mar`Quis Allen, Millville;Charles Six, Delsea 175: Joel Anderson, Delsea; Greyson Hyland, Woodstown; Sebron Hall-Jones, Cumberland 190: Greg Sawyer, Delsea; Connor Ayars, Pennsville; Braden Cattlet, Millville 215: Salvatore Marchese, Delsea; Walter Carter, Woodstown; Jayden Jones, Millville 285: Mateo Vinciguerra, Woodstown; Alex Grippo, Delsea; Slayton D`Amico, Cedar Creek
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES 106: Brett Land (Pennsville) tech fall over Hunter Allen (Woodstown), 15-0 (2:16) 113: DeAnthony Harden (Cumberland) maj. dec. Christian Snyder (Gateway/Woodbury), 15-4 120: Amari Vann (Delsea) pinned Carson Bradway (Woodstown), 2:26 126: Gage Summers (Delsea) tech fall over Luke Silva (Schalick), 20-3 (2:28) 132: Travis Balback (Woodstown) tech fall over Ryan Miller (Schalick), 18-1 (1:27 138: Zavier Stokes (Delsea) pinned Patrick Tull (Millville), 1:01 144: Cameron Pote (Delsea) pinned Daniel Lloyd (Cumberland), 3:12 150: Jamar Dixon (Delsea) tech fall over Ayden Jenkins (Schalick), 18-3 (1:36) 157: Riley Boos (Delsea) pinned Brett Rowand (Woodstown), 1:13 165: Ricky Watt (Schalick) dec. MarQuis Allen (Millville), 10-6 175: Joel Anderson (Delsea) pinned Greyson Hyland (Woodstown), 3:38 190: Greg Sawyer (Delsea) tech fall over Connor Ayars (Pennsville), 15-0 (3:31) 215: Salvatore Marchese (Delsea) pinned Walter Carter (Woodstown), 2:55 285: Mateo Vinciguerra (Woodstown) dec. Alex Grippo (Delsea), 6-1
Here is this week’s Salem County sports schedule for the week of Feb. 23-March 1
SUNDAY, FEB. 23 TRACK NJSIAA Group I Championship, Bennett Center, Toms River WRESTLING NJSIAA Girls South Regionals, Absegami COLLEGE BASEBALL Sussex CC vs. Salem CC (2), MSI Chichester, noon
MONDAY, FEB. 24 GIRLS BASKETBALL Penns Grove at Salem, 4 p.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Genesee CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 BOYS BASKETBALL South Jersey Group I Tournament (16) Wildwood at (1) Pitman, 5:30 p.m. (9) Burlington City at (8) Penns Grove, 5:30 p.m. (12) Glassboro at (5) Woodbury, 5 p.m. (13) Paulsboro at (4) Audubon, 4 p.m. (14) Clayton at (3) Haddon Twp., 7:30 p.m. (11) Salem at (6) Palmyra, 6 p.m. (10) New Egypt at (7) Woodstown, 7 p.m. (15) Maple Shade at (2) KIPP Cooper Norcross, 5 p.m. GIRLS BASKETBALL South Jersey Group I Tournament (16) Schalick at (1) Haddon Twp., 5:30 p.m. (9) Glassboro at (8) Penns Grove, 4 p.m. (12) Cape May Tech at (5) Audubon (13) Gateway at (4) Woodstown, 5:30 p.m. (14) Riverside at (3) Wildwood (11) Woodbury at (6) Pennsville, 5 p.m. (10) Burlington City at (7) Clayton, 5 p.m. (15) New Egypt at (2) Palmyra COLLEGE BASKETBALL Region XIX Division III Tournament Salem CC at CC of Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Brookdale at Montgomery Atlantic Cape at Union Camden at Northampton
FRIDAY, FEB. 28 COLLEGE BASEBALL Brookdale at Salem CC, 1:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 1 BOYS BASKETBALL South Jersey Group I Tournament Wildwood-Pitman vs. Burlington City-Penns Grove Glassboro-Woodbury vs. Paulsboro-Audubon Clayton-Haddon Twp. vs. Salem-Palmyra New Egypt-Woodstown vs. Maple Shade-KIPP Cooper Norcross GIRLS BASKETBALL South Jersey Group I Tournament Schalick-Haddon Twp. vs. Glassboro-Penns Grove Cape May Tech-Audubon vs. Gateway-Woodstown Riverside-Wildwood vs. Woodbury-Pennsville Burlington City-Clayton vs. New Egypt-Palmyra WRESTLING Region 8 Championships, Egg Harbor Twp., 9 a.m. COLLEGE BASKETBALL North Atlantic Championship At Northampton (Two winners advance to national tournament) A: Camden-Northampton winner vs. Atlantic Cape-Union winner, noon B: Salem-Philadelphia winner vs. Brookdale-Montgomery winner, 3 p.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Brookdale CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Monroe-Bronx at Salem CC (2), noon
Woodstown’s Battavio becomes Wolverines’ all-time leading scorer in girls basketball; Schalick, Penns Grove girls fall short after rallying to get back in their game; Salem boys to play for TCC B Flight title
TCC GIRLS TOURNAMENT Washington Twp. 46, Woodstown 39 Clearview 65, Pennsville 46 Delsea 42, Penns Grove 39 Deptford 44, Schalick 41 Highland 63, Salem Tech 38 TCC BOYS TOURNAMENT Salem 88, Gloucester Catholic 76 Woodstown 69, Penns Grove 41
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SEWELL – Back when she was a middle schooler Talia Battavio can remember walking into the Woodstown gym to watch the players she looked up to as a young basketball player, glancing at the banner with all the school’s big scorers on it and thinking how neat it would be to have her name on the list someday.
She earned her place on the big board last year when she hit 1,000 points, but now she’s moved all the way to the top of it.
Battavio hit a 3-pointer early in the third quarter Thursday night to become Woodstown’s all-time leading scorer in girls basketball. Sadly, the emotion of the milestone wasn’t enough to carry the Wolverines to victory and they fell to second-seeded Washington Twp. 46-39 in the Tri-County Conference A Flight semifinals.
“I don’t think it’s like really hit me yet; I think when the season’s over (it will),” she said. “But it’s a big accomplishment and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and all my coaches who have gotten me to where I am today. It is a huge accomplishment and I’ve very grateful.”
The Goldey-Beacom signee needed seven points to pass Tori Smick as Woodstown’s all-time leading scorer in the girls game, but said she wasn’t even thinking about it as the game got underway. In fact, she admitted being surprised when they called time to recognize the feat.
She tied the record in a low-scoring first half and had to sit on it through halftime. She reset the standard that stood for 12 years in typical Talia fashion, hitting a 3-pointer from the left corner 25 seconds into the third quarter. More than one-third of her career points have come from behind the 3-point arc.
“On my 1,000th, I hit it on a foul shot, so I think it was pretty cool for (the record-breaking points) to be a 3-pointer,” she said.
Battavio finished with 24 points in the game and now has 1,584 points for her career. The only player in school history with more points is boys leading scorer Joe Hickman, who wrapped up his 1,726-point career in 1972.
She is now the fifth leading scorer in Salem County girls history, having also surpassed Schalick’s Tia Furbush on the county girls list. No. 4 is Salem’s Brittany Smith (1623), a rung on the ladder Battavio could reach in the upcoming South Jersey Group I tournament.
“I remember going to the high school games in middle school and I told myself, I would look at the banner and I knew I was going to do it,” she said. “Really, just (for) the thousand, but this was like the cherry on top. This was a really big accomplishment for me.”
Battavio has always been a scorer. She dropped 260 points as a freshman, 395 as a sophomore and made a big move last season with 539., getting both her 100th 3-pointer and 1,000th career point. She also has 183 3-pointers, more than 230 assists and is closing in on 200 steals.
“Talia is a great player,” Woodstown coach Matt Smart said. “Credit has to go to her family, also to (her coaches) and all the teammates that have come before her, and she’ll tell you that. It is an individual record, but she didn’t do it all. There are lots of people along the way who have helped her.
“My favorite part of the night was when she got it, and it was a big shot in the game, seeing all the other girls go up and hug her and congratulate her. Talia, all year, through the ups and downs, never lost her confidence. She’s never afraid to shoot the ball and I’ll never take that away from her. When she has the ball in her hands and she’s shooting it, we’re confident it has a pretty good shot of going in.
“It’s incredible to see her growth throughout her hs career. I saw her play her freshman, sophomore and junior years and now having the blessing and opportunity to be her coach, she’s great.”
But she isn’t the only Woodstown player chasing history. Her running mate, the other half of the Wolverines’ dynamic duo, Megan Donelson, likely will pass Smick as well. She’s sitting at 1,548 points.
Now that record is squared away, Battavio’s mindset going forward is “focusing on going far.” The Wolverines open the South Jersey Group I Tournament next week as the No. 4 seed hosting Gateway. Barring upsets along the way, their path to the Final Four will run through Audubon, Haddon Twp. and Wildwood.
“I’m just playing basketball,” she said. “I’m letting my shots come to me and not forcing anything. However (the point total) ends up it ends up.”
The loss Thursday night snapped a six-game winning streak. The Wolverines trailed 18-16 at halftime. They missed an agonizing number of shots around the basket and Washington Twp. started pulling away.
“When we play these bigger group schools … it’s obviously a test for us and a challenge where we’re playing a more physical style basketball and we have to step up to the challenge,” Smart said. “Sometimes we do a very good job of doing that and then there are other times that we struggle.
“I never question the girls desire to win the game, but we have to find a way to get shots to fall under the basket under pressure and tonight was just a night they weren’t falling. We took good quality shots, they just weren’t falling.”
Alaina LaMonica hit five 3-pointers and led the Minutemaids (18-5) with 21 points. They now play top-seeded Gloucester Catholic (21-4) for the A Flight championship.
3-point goals: Woodstown 2 (Battavio 2); Washington Twp. 6 (McLean, LaMonica 5). Total fouls: Woodstown 12.
DEPTFORD 44, SCHALICK 41: The Cougars rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit with a strong second half. They had a chance to tie the C Flight semifinal in the final 15 seconds but missed two layups.
“We played a great second half (with) much more energy and up tempo, more confident,” Cougars coach John Whalen said.
A pair of freshmen led the comeback. Olivia Vanacker scored all 10 of her points in the second half, with Nevaeh Robinson tossing in eight of her team-high 12.
HIGHLAND 63, SALEM TECH 38: The Tartans got big games from Sage Shaw and Tajai Webb to snap a five-game losing streak and score their second win of the season. Shaw scored 30 points and grabbed 30 rebounds, and Webb scored 20 points.
Shelby Liber hit four of Salem Tech’s seven 3-pointers and led the Chargers with 12 points.
3-point goals: Highland 3 (Webb 2, Shinholster); Salem Tech 7 (Drummond 2, Liber 4, Bazemore).
CLEARVIEW 65, PENNSVILLE 46: Juliette Mirigliani hit career-high seven 3-pointers on the way to a career-high 38 points and the Pioneers held two of Pennsville’s top three scorers to five points each to win the A Flight consolation game. Mirigliani, a junior, has scored 65 points in the Pioneers’ two tournament games.
Taylor Bass led Pennsville with 17 points. The Pioneers held 1,000-point scorers Marley Wood and Nora Ausland to five points each.
DELSEA 42, PENNS GROVE 39: The Red Devils came from 13 points down in the first half to turn this B Flight semifinal into a battle, but just couldn’t finish it off at the end.
Penns Grove trailed 24-11 in the second quarter, but rallied behind RaNiyah Wilson and JaNiyah Cummings to cut its deficit to six at halftime. The Red Devils ramped up their defense in the second half and eventually took their first lead of the game on a layup by Wilson with 1:22 left in the third quarter.
A 3-pointer by Wilson gave Penns Grove a 36-33 lead with 5:13 to play, but Delsea scored the next eight points and never trailed again. Another 3 by Wilson with 56 seconds to go made it 41-39. Delsea tried to help the Red Devils by missing five of six free throws in the final 42 seconds, but the Red Devils were denied on a layup and had another shot rim out leaving them only a desperation heave at the buzzer that hit the backboard.
Wilson finished with a game-high 19 points. Cummings had 15.
Delsea
16
8
8
10-
42
Penns Grove
8
10
11
10-
39
Boys Complete game carries Salem to final
GLOUCESTER CITY – The Rams played perhaps their most complete game of the year in beating Gloucester Catholic for the third time this season, 88-76, for a spot in the B Flight title game as the No. 8 seed.
“Tonight was the first game we played 32 minutes; we played very well,” Salem coach Anthony Farmer said after securing career win No. 98. “Followed the game plan, executed the game plan, played hard and played together. I was really, really impressed with our win tonight.”
The Rams (13-12) scored 20 points or more in every quarter. Eight players scored and six had eight points or more.
Xavier McGriff led the offense with 23 points. Antwuan Rogers had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Deshaan Williams had 12 points and eight rebounds. Darrelle Johnston had six points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Joe Tunis had 10 points and seven boards, and senior transfer Azhone Burden had what Farmer called “his best all-around night in a Rams uniform,” with nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
GC’s Carlos Mendez led all scorers with 34 points. Jack Mustaro, their all-time leading scorer, had 18.
Salem will play at Glassboro, the No. 6 seed, for the B Flight title. The game is scheduled for Saturday, but because of an apparent conflict at Glassboro, the game is tentatively set for Friday.
The teams played earlier this season with the Bulldogs winning 76-62, but the Rams didn’t have Rogers that night. The junior post was in Texas on a football trip, but he’ll be fully available for this one. They’ll also have leading scorer Tymear Lecator back after serving his two-game penalty from last week’s ejection.
SALEM (13-12) – Donovan Weathers 3 1-2 7, Xavier McGriff 9 2-4 23, Neziah Spence 2 3-4 8, Deshaan Williams 5 2-3 12, Darrelle Johnson 2 2-2 6, Joe Tunis 3 3-4 10, Antwuan Rogers 6 1-1 13, Azhone Burden 4 1-1 9. Totals 34 15-22 88. GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (11-15) – Carlos Mendez 11 8-10 34, Jack Mustaro 6 2-2 18, Gary Connelly 1 0-0 3, Ben Cook 2 2-2 6, Jack Pund 2 0-0 4, Ehthan Dugue 4 1-2 10, Kamani Pyram 0 1-2 1. Totals 26 14-18 76.
Salem
22
21
20
25-
88
Gloucester Catholic
18
7
18
33-
76
3-point goals: Salem 5 (McGriff 3, Spence, Tunis); Gloucester Catholic 10 (Mendez 4, Mustaro 4, Connelly, Dugue). Rebounds: Salem 52 (Rogers 13, Williams 8); Gloucester Catholic 12 (Mustaro 4).
WOODSTOWN 69, PENNS GROVE 41: After losing to the Red Devils twice earlier this season, the Wolverines came out hungry and added more fuel to the adage that it’s difficult to beat a team three times in a season.
The Wolverines placed three scorers in double figures. Rocco String dominated inside with 24 points, M.J. Hall gave them 19 and Blake Bialecki had 12.
After the teams played a tight first quarter, the Wolverines pulled away with a 15-7 second and extended their lead with a 19-9 third. String scored 14 points in the first half. Hall had 11 in the third quarter and 17 in the second half.
“We’re in playoff mode,” Woodstown coach Ramon Roots said.
Schalick, Woodstown, Penns Grove win first-round games in the Tri-County Conference girls tournament
TRI-COUNTY GIRLS TOURNAMENT Flight A Gloucester Catholic 60, Timber Creek 31 Wildwood 69, Gloucester Tech 50 Woodstown 52, Clearview 48 Washington Twp. 64, Pennsville 42 Flight B Williamstown 64, Cumberland 24 Triton 41, Glassboro 40 Penns Grove 42, Kingsway 39 Delsea 59, Clayton 53 Flight C Schalick 53, Salem 25 Overbrook 45, Salem Tech 43 (7) Highland at (2) Pitman THURSDAY’S GAMES Flight A (4) Wildwood at (1) Gloucester Catholic (3) Woodstown at (2) Washington Twp. Flight B (4) Triton at (1) Williamstown (7) Delsea at (3) Penns Grove Flight C (4) Schalick at (1) Deptford (3) Overbrook vs. (7) Highland/(2) Pitman
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SALEM — Schalick girls coach John Whalen went to bed Monday night resigned to the fact his team just missed out on the biggest tournament of the season. But about an hour before their Tri-County Conference flight opener Tuesday the Cougars got a big surprise.
With his junior players standing behind him, Whalen out of curiosity opened the South Jersey Group I girls tournament bracket on his computer and discovered they had indeed landed a spot in the field. It’s a tough spot — No. 16 to face top-seeded Haddon Twp. — but a spot nonetheless.
The Cougars were the No. 17 team in the SJ Group I power points, but apparently bumped up into the field when Pitman fell out.
“It’s a nice surprise,” Whalen said. “I’m excited for the girls. It’ll be a good experience, especially for the juniors who didn’t get to see the playoffs last year and the freshmen will get a good experience. It’ll be a good opportunity for us as we look ahead to the future.”
Buoyed by that news, they went out and put together a balanced effort to throttle Salem 53-25 in their TCC Tournament Flight C opener.
The Cougars (6-16) jumped out to a 15-4 lead and outscored the Rams in three of the four quarters. Ten players scored, led by freshman Navaeh Robinson’s 11 points. Five players scored six points apiece.
“We played a very good, a complete, basketball game today,” Whalen said. “Before the game we kind of challenged the girls to play fast, play aggressive. We came out, we pressed, forced some turnovers, got some early scoring. It was good to see it be a balanced effort both defensively and offensively. Everybody chimed in and did their part.
“It’s nice for all the girls to kind of find some success. We’re starting to gain some confidence as the season is kind of coming to an end. It gives us a lot to look forward to for next year when we bring back everybody.”
While their South Jersey Group I Tournament draw is a tough one, the Cougars will get an advance feel for facing a No. 1 seed. Their win over Salem sends them to face the top seed in their flight, Deptford, Thursday.
Motivated Salem was the only Salem County boys team to emerge victorious from Tuesday’s opening round of the Tri-County Conference Tournament TRI COUNTY BOYS TOURNAMENT Flight A Overbrook 59, Deptford Twp. 49 Pitman 52, Delsea 41 Timber Creek 58, Woodstown 49 Kingsway 73, Penns Grove 43 Flight B Salem 57, Clearview 44 Gloucester Catholic 50, Triton 48 Glassboro 54, Williamstown 41 Highland 42, Washington Twp. 37 Flight C Cumberland 67, Schalick 45 Wildwood 86, Pennsville 35 GCIT 86, Salem Tech 18 THURSDAY’S GAMES Flight A (4) Pitman at at (1) Overbrook (3) Timber Creek at (2) Kingsway Flight B (8) Salem at (5) Gloucester Catholic (7) Highland at (6) Glassboro Flight C (5) Cumberland at (1) Clayton (3) Wildwood at (2) GCIT
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
MULLICA HILL – The last kind of team anybody wants to play in a tournament setting is one with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
Salem has been playing with an us-against-the-world mindset for the last month or so and Tuesday added another notch in its belt, knocking off adjusted top-seed Clearview 57-44 in the opening round of B Flight play in the Tri-County Conference Tournament.
The Rams (12-12) have been facing an uphill climb since mid-January when the NJSIAA ruled they had played an ineligible player and stripped them of four victories. That created a cascade of challenges that left a 15-win team on the floor to be seeded eighth in the second tier bracket of their conference tournament and No. 11 in the upcoming South Jersey Group I tournament.
In addition, they had to play Tuesday without leading scorer Tymear Lecator, serving the first of a two-game suspension for his ejection in the Penns Grove game, which would have been coach Anthony Farmer’s 100th career coaching win without the NJSIAA ruling.
“We’re keeping receipts,” Farmer said. “We’re definitely playing it to the tee, playing it up. It’s us against everyone, no one’s going to give us anything, everyone’s against us, we’ve got to go take it.
“We’re embracing it. Nothing has gone our way this year, but that’s life. That’s adversity. Life is adversity. Basketball teaches you how to deal with that. We’ve been facing adversity all year, but it’s how you respond to it.”
The Rams showed they meant business right from the start Tuesday night, holding their hosts to two points in the first quarter and opening an 11-2 lead.
Neziah Spence led the Rams’ offense with 17 points. Deshaan Williams had 13 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Darrelle Johnson grabbed 10 rebounds and dished five assists. Xavier McGriff had eight points, eight boards and three steals. Joe Tunis brought energy for 11 points, five rebounds and three steals.
“When one guy guys goes, I know it’s a cliché, but it gives other guys opportunity to step up,” Farmer said. “That’s what this is about. We’ve been preaching the brotherhood all year, picking each other up.”
This year’s TCC B Flight has become a flight of fancy with all four lower seeds pulling off road “upsets” in the opening round. The Rams now travel to fifth-seeded Gloucester Catholic, one of those teams seeded ahead of them they have already beaten twice this season.
“We’re just trying to get better and hit our stride at the right time and win three, four in a row next week when it really matters,” Farmer said.
Here are the South Jersey Group I basketball tournament pairings; Woodstown, Penns Grove set up to host doubleheaders, Pennsville girls get home game, Schalick girls, Salem boys open on road
GIRLS Feb. 26 Games (16) Schalick at (1) Haddon Twp. (9) Glassboro at (8) Penns Grove (12) Cape May Tech at (5) Audubon (13) Gateway at (4) Woodstown (14) Riverside at (3) Wildwood (11) Woodbury at (6) Pennsville (10) Burlington City at (7) Clayton (15) New Egypt at (2) Palmyra March 1 Games Schalick-Haddon Twp. vs. Glassboro-Penns Grove Cape May Tech-Audubon vs. Gateway-Woodstown Riverside-Wildwood vs. Woodbury-Pennsville Burlington City-Clayton vs. New Egypt-Palmyra
BOYS Feb. 26 Games (16) Wildwood at (1) Pitman (9) Burlington City at (8) Penns Grove (12) Glassboro at (5) Woodbury (13) Paulsboro at (4) Audubon (14) Clayton at (3) Haddon Twp. (11) Salem at (6) Palmyra (10) New Egypt at (7) Woodstown (15) Maple Shade at (2) KIPP Cooper Norcross March 1 Games Wildwood-Pitman vs. Burlington City-Penns Grove Glassboro-Woodbury vs. Paulsboro-Audubon Clayton-Haddon Twp. vs. Salem-Palmyra New Egypt-Woodstown vs. Maple Shade-KIPP Cooper Norcross
Riverview Sports News 