Category: WOODSTOWN

Court proceedings

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

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Girls games

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Through games of Jan. 23

It’s his time

Sophomore point guard Robbins directs second-half comeback that lifts Penns Grove over Woodstown; roundup includes Wednesday’s wrestling and track results

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE – Winning Time is B.J. Robbins’ time.

Whenever the Penns Grove basketball team gets to the point in a game when it’s time to seal the deal, the Red Devils usually put the ball in Robbins’ hands and let him do his thing. And that’s handle the ball, direct the offense and keep them sharp.

The sophomore did his thing flawlessly in the last quarter and a half Wednesday and helped the Red Devils rally to beat Woodstown 70-56.

It extended their season-best winning streak to three games and elevated them to a first-round host position in the current South Jersey Group I power points standings despite a 5-7 record.

“I told Brandin when it’s winning time you are the guy who is going to control the game and that’s kind of what he did at the end of the game,” Red Devils coach Damian Ware said. “He controlled the game, dribbled the ball out, made some great passes to his teammates for assists and we got the easy layups out of it.”

Winning time as defined by Ware is the fourth quarter when the Red Devils are ahead and looking to put the game away, but Robbins got a jump on it in the third quarter when the Red Devils needed somebody to lead the charge back.

Woodstown (7-4) opened the second half with a 12-3 run that threatened to break the game open. But the Red Devils weren’t worried because in the time out Ware called there to settle things down he reminded his players three of the baskets were run-out layups because they were over-pressuring the ball and it allowed the Wolverines to leak out.

The other two buckets in the run were 3-pointers by Alejandro Vasquez, who wrapped the Wolverines’ first eight points of the half around a 3 by Robbins.

If the Red Devils just tightened that up and cut out the offensive rebounds, Ware told them, those things wouldn’t happen and they would wind up winning by double digits. That’s exactly what happened.

The Red Devils (5-7) came out of the time out, did the things Ware reminded them of, and went on a 20-6 run to a feisty end of the quarter to take the lead. At least three times in the run Robbins dazzled the defenders trying to trap him at midcourt with a dazzling display of dribbling before zipping off a sharp pass down low to Jameel Horace who put them up and in.

“I just trusted my teammates,” Robbins said. “I knew they believed in me.”

“The main thing with Brandin is playing aggressive and getting him downhill,” Ware said. “We’ve been working with him all season to be more aggressive. I actually took him out the lineup a couple times, worked him in and out, because he wasn’t giving me what I needed. We had a couple conversation and I told him what we needed and he said ‘I’m ready coach. I got it.’ Ever since then he’s kind of taken the mantle of being more aggressive.”

Robbins finished with 13 points and six assists against the Wolverines. In his last two games he has scored 24 points and dished 14 assists. Roman Gipson led Penns Grove with 19, 13 in the second half. Karon Ceaser had 17. Ceaser is averaging 17.7 ppg during the winning streak and 17 in his last four games.

“He controlled it,” Woodstown coach Ramon Roots said of Robbins. “He just controlled it throughout the whole game and in the second half, like good coaches do, they put it in their point guard’s hands.

“He’s definitely a tough player. He’s a floor general. We tried to bother him the best way we could, but he didn’t really turn the ball over down the stretch. He did a very good job controlling the game and controlling the ball. That’s why I preach to my guys we just can’t turn over the ball (and) put ourselves in a hole.”

Rocco String led Woodstown with 18 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots. Vasquez finished with a career-high 16. He’s averaging 12.5 ppg over his last four games.

“He’s been shooting it well, shooting it with confidence,” Roots said of Vasquez.

PENNS GROVE 70, WOODSTOWN 56
WOODSTOWN (7-4) – Eli Caesar 1 2-3 3, Blake Bialecki 2 3-4 8, Alejandro Vasquez 6 0-0 16, M.J. Hall 2 0-0 5, Garrett Leyman 2 0-0 4, Anthony Bokolas 0 0-0 0, Rocco String 9 0-2 18, Brayden Hall 0 1-2 1. Totals 22 6-11 56.
PENNS GROVE (5-7) – Karon Ceaser 7 1-1 17, B.J. Robbins 3 5-6 13, Will Roy 3 1-2 7, Jameel Horace 5 0-1 10, Luis Colon 0 0-0 0, Roman Gipson 7 3-7 19, Antoine Robinson 2 0-0 4. Totals 27 10-17 70.

Woodstown14111813-56
Penns Grove10182319-70

3-point goals: Woodstown 6 (Bialecki, Vasquez 4, M. Hall); Penns Grove 6 (Ceaser 2, Robbins 2, Gipson 2). Rebounds: Woodstown 33 (String 9, M. Hall 6, Caesar 6); Penns Grove 20 (Caeser 5, Robinson 5). Technical fouls: Horace, M. Hall. Fouled out: M. Hall, Garrett. Total fouls: Woodstown 16, Penns Grove 22.

Wrestling

WEDNESDAY’S MATCHES
Gloucester Catholic at Salem

SCHALICK 65, CLAYTON/GLASSBORO 5
126: Luke Silva (S) won by forfeit
132: Ryan Miller (S) tech fall over Antonio Mendez, 19-0 (3:47)
138: William Camp (CG) maj. dec. over Michael Baisch, 17-3
144: Colin Bittle (S) pinned Matthew Kamara, 1:35
150: Koen Martin (S) over Steven Benkert, SV-1 6-3
157: Riley Papiano (S) dec. Brodie Carey, 4-1
165: Eric Sulik (S) pinned Kenneth Johnson, 4:36
175: Ricky Watt (S) won by forfeit
190: Evan Elliott (S) pinned Jeffrey Smith, 3:28
215: Gerardo Felipe (S) pinned Michael Nichols, 2:43
285: Kasalon Carr (CG) dec. Julian Reid, 5-0
106: Emma Cain (S) won by forfeit
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) pinned Joshua Wentz, 1:29
120: E’Shion Underwood (S) pinned Cayden Wentz, 1:18
NOTE: Clayton/Glassboro penalized 2 team points (misconduct)

TIMBER CREEK 46, PENNSVILLE 27
157: Mason Dickerson (TC) won by forfeit
165: Ryan Kuriger (TC) won by forfeit
175: Zyeir Green (TC) pinned Joseph Halstead, 2:19
190: Amir Reason-Dallas (TC) tech fall over Connor Ayars, 19-4
215: Elijah Green (TC) won by forfeit
285: Trevor Waddington (P) dec. Roland Green, 3-1
106: Jariel Colon (P) won by forfeit
113: Brett Land (P) pinned Dylan Bass, 1:52
120: Matthew Steele (TC) tech fall over Mekhi Dicks, 19-4
126: Christopher Daniels (P) dec. Ayden Zarnosky, 9-4
132: Nathaniel Mason (P) pinned Dylan Kennison
138: Gave Supernavage (P) dec. Matt Cordova, 11-4
144: Eric Rambaran (TC) won by forfeit
150: Joey Walker (TC) won by forfeit

WOODSTOWN 72, OVERBROOK 9
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) pinned Angel Martinez, 0:58
190: Paul Banff (WO) pinned Davian Santiago, 2:46
215: Walter Carter (WO) pinned Cooper Himes, 5:53
285: Tomas Sanchez (O) dec. Bradley Snitcher, 10-3
106: Hunter Allen (WO) pinned Jacob Sole, 0:14
113: Kayden Branco (O) pinned Jadon Middlemiss
120: Carson Bradway (WO) pinned Michael Mahon, 2:18
126: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Kevyn Reed, 0:34
132: Alex Torres (WO) pinned Alan Marcos, 1:02
138: Louie Scholl (WO) won by forfeit
144: Angel Hernandez (WO) won by forfeit
150: Thomas Lacy (WO) pinned Karter Reed, 2:20
157: Brett Rowand (WO) won by forfeit
165: Laitton Roberts (WO) pinned Oscar Calderon, 1:39

Track

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
SJTCA Meet No. 13
at Ott Center, Philadelphia

Salem’s Anthony Parker posted qualifying marks for the New Balance Nationals later this year in Boston when he won the long jump (22-0.5) and finished second in the 55 hurdles (7.64). Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield won the girls 3200.

(Salem County Top 6 finishers)
GIRLS
3200: 1. Jordan Hadfield, Schalick, 10:56.66
Pole vault: T-3. Megan Morris, Pennsville, 9-6
BOYS
400: 3. David Stewart, Schalick, 50.30
55 hurdles: 2. Anthony Parker, Salem, 7.64
Long jump: 1. Anthony Parker, Salem, 22-0.5
Triple jump: 5. DaviYonn Jackson, Salem, 42-11.25

SJTCA Meet No. 14
at Bennett Center, Toms River

Woodstown’s Josh Crawford had a big day. He won the boys 800, finished second in the 400 and helped the Wolverines’ 4×400 relay team finish second. Woodstown’s Kami Casiano won the girls high jump and Pennsville’s Molly Gratz won the girls pole vault.

(Salem County Top 6 finishers)
GIRLS
400: 3. Jaime Deal, Woodstown, 1:02.11
1600: 6. Samantha Sterner, Woodstown, 5:55.01
4×400: 4. Woodstown (Sarah Seiden, Lia Coverly, Kayla Ayars, Jaime Deal), 4:32.23
High jump: 1. Kami Casiano, Woodstown, 5-0
Pole vault: 1. Molly Gratz, Pennsville, 7-6
BOYS
400: 2. Josh Crawford, Woodstown, 52.04
800: 1. Josh Crawford, Woodstown, 2:03.97
4×400: 2. Woodstown (Cole Lucas, Karson Chew, Anthony Costello, Josh Crawford), 3:41.15


Tuesday basketball

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

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Penns Grove1081420-52
Woodstown1720238-68

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

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

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

Boys games

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pennsville39135-30
Glassboro35122317-87

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

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

Overbrook22232510-80
Schalick851610-39

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

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

Through games of Jan. 21

This week’s schedule

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

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

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

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

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

JAN. 24
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Buena at Salem, 4 p.m.
GCIT at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Delsea, 7 p.m.
SJIBT Tournament
Shawnee at Woodstown
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Buena
WRESTLING
Woodstown at Pennsville

JAN. 25
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at OLMA, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Camden County Tech, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Schalick, 11:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Clearview, 11:30 a.m.
West Deptford at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Salem, Timber Creek, Lower Cape May at Haddon Heights
Schalick, Holy Spirit, Toms River North at Vineland
Clayton, Millville at Penns Grove
Woodstown, Hillsborough, West Essex at Watchung Hills
SWIMMING
SJISA Championships at GCIT, 4 p.m.
TRACK
Schalick at Bennett Center, Toms River
BOWLING
Salem vs. Eastern at 30 Strikes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Northampton CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, noon

Salem County Saturday

Here are the results of Saturday’s high school action involving Salem County teams

Boys basketball

LENAPE 65, SALEM 42: The Indians (9-3) locked down on Salem with depth and tough defense over the first three quarters to score a matinee win.

SALEM (5-8) – Donnie Weathers 2 0-0 4, Xavier McGriff 1 2-2 5, Neziah Spence 3 1-1 8, Tymear Lecator 3 2-4 10, DeShaan Williams 3 3-8 9, Antwuan Rogers 2 1-2 5, Joe Tunis 0 1-2 1. Totals 14 10-19 42.
LENAPE (9-3) – Nolan Barnes 5 1-1 13, Frank Berny 1 0-0 2, Jaidyn Boyd 3 0-2 6, Mehki Carter 7 0-1 14, Xayvion Chapman 3 0-2 7, Brett Halfpenny 1 0-0 2, Henry Laskowski 1 0-0 3, Nate Myer 2 0-0 4, Colin Myers 1 0-0 3, Tyree Thorp 2 0-0 4, Amire Wheeler 1 1-2 4, Keegan Weipz 1 0-0 2. Totals 28 2-8 65.

Salem77919-42
Lenape12151721-65
3-point goals: Salem 4 (McGriff, Spence, Lecator 2); Lenape 7 (Barnes 2, Chapman, Halfpenny, Laskowski, Myers, Wheeler).

Wrestling
Woodstown Quad

WOODSTOWN 65, BUENA 15
132: Thomas Hann (B) tech fall over Louie Scholl, 15-0 (4:00)
138: Gionni Sharkey (B) pinned Ryan Polk, 0:51
144: Sincere Cook-Reese (WO) tech fall over Gage Forvour, 21-6 (2:32)
150: Thomas Lacy (WO) won by forfeit
157: Lucas Gellura (B) pinned Brett Rowand, 4:22
165: Laitton Roberts (WO) won by forfeit
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) won by forfeit
190: Paul Banff (WO) won by forfeit
215: Walter Carter (WO) pinned Brian Passamante, 4:16
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned David Cordero, 0:45
106: Hunter Allen (WO) pinned Gianna Edwards, 2:13
113: Chase Blandino (WO) pinned Aubrey Raum, 0:48
120: Carson Bradway (WO) won by forfeit
126: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Donato Vai, 1:28

WOODSTOWN 55, HADDON HEIGHTS 18
120: Cole Denning (H) dec. Carson Bradway, 8-3
126: Walker Battavio (WO) maj. dec. over Brennan Albright, 12-2
132: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Liam Loftus, 0:52
138: Ryan Polk (WO) pinned Leo Falco, 3:33
144: Ryan Bailey (H) pinned Sincere Cook-Reese, 1:38
150: Thomas Lacy (WO) tech fall over Michael Fitter, 21-5 (5:50)
157: Brett Rowand (WO) pinned Jayden Bonilla, 2:34
165: Andrew Gutkin (H) dec. Laitton Roberts, 9-8
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) pinned Jacob Gutkin, 2:49
190: Paul Banff (WO) pinned Joel Martinez, 3:03
215: Walter Carter (WO) won by forfeit
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned Matthew Kusamotu, 1:16
106: Hunter Allen (WO) maj. dec. over Aniello Napolitano, 13-3
113: Michael Ferraro (H) pinned Chase Blandino, 4:00

WOODSTOWN 57, PENNSAUKEN 15
126: Travis Balback (WO) pinned Brandon Thach, 1:06
132: Louie Scholl (WO) maj. dec. over Gabriel Algaba, 10-0
138: Amari Martinez (P) pinned Ryan Polk, 1:25
144: Travis Ngeth (P) pinned Sincere Cook-Reese, 3:41
150: Chrisopher Allen (P) dec. Thomas Lacy, 10-4
157: Brett Rowand (WO) pinned Cyrus Davis, 0:57
165: Laitton Roberts (WO) pinned Carlos Andujar, 1:07
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) tech fall over Mikhi Johnson, 16-0 (3:18)
190: Paul Banff (WO) dec. Kameron Hoskins, 8-7
215: Walter Carter (WO) pinned Alex Zayas, 1:06
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) won by forfeit
106: Chase Blandino (WO) won by forfeit
113: Hunter Allen (WO) pinned Jovanni Hernandez, 3:53
120: Carson Bradway (WO) dec. Zachary Slimm, 7-1

Vineland Quad

PENNSVILLE vs. COLLINGSWOOD
PENNSVILLE vs. STERLING
PENNSVILLE vs. VINELAND

Pitman Quad

PITMAN 56, PENNS GROVE 24
113: Grady Datz (P) pinned Avery Curriden, 3:39
120: King Iglesia (P) won by forfeit
126: Isaac Gaspariano-Robbins (P) tech fall over Adan Gonzales, 17-0 (3:46)
132: Devine Arce (PG) won by forfeit
138: Nate Wenzke (P) won by forfeit
144: Jacob Lawrence (P) pinned Abdul Tart, 1:40
150: Aidan Upham (P) won by forfeit
157: Tre Brown (PG) won by forfeit
165: Chris McIntyre (P) won by forfeit
175: Clinton Bobo (P) won by forfeit
190: Anthony Cappello (P) dec. Julian Espino, 3-1
215: Aiden Milward (P) pinned Antonio Cooper, 1:40
285: Maliq Reddick (PG) pinned Elijah Lowe, 1:19
106: Skylar Lawrence (P) pinned Jose Santiago, 1:50

PITMAN 57, SALEM 18
106: Grady Datz (P) won by forfeit
113: King Iglesia (P) won by forfeit
120: Jordan Pham (P) won by forfeit
126: Isaac Gaspariano-Robbins (P) pinned Guylherme Quintanilha, 2:45
132: Nate Wenzke (P) won by forfeit
138: Cassidy Werkheiser (S) won by forfeit
144: Jacob Lawrence (P) won by forfeit
150: Aidan Upham (P) won by forfeit
157: Chris McIntyre (P) won by forfeit
165: Tytiana Miller (S) won by forfeit
175: Anthony Cappello (P) won by forfeit
190: Double forfeit
215: Aiden Milward (P) dec. Abdur Jenkins, 7-0
285: Abdullah Jenkins (S) pinned Nicolas Horner, 0:21

Schalick Quad

SCHALICK 50, HADDON TWP. 19
106: Emma Cain (S) won by forfeit
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) pinned Sok Hoy, 0:57
120: Andrew Marshall (H) pinned E’Shion Underwood, 1:00
126: Luke Silva (S) maj. dec. over Owen Ziegler, 15-4
132: Gabe Slafman (H) maj. dec. over Ryan Miller, 14-3
138: Thomas Andrews (H) tech fall over Michael Baisch, 19-0 (3:59)
144: Ayden Jenkins (S) dec. Brady Mokiod, 8-5
150: Koen Martin (S) pinned Justin Capri, 3:10
157: Riley Papiano (S) dec. Ryan Henry, 7-3
165: Eric Sulik (S) tech fall over Damian Shepherd, 18-2 (4:38)
175: Ricky Watt (S) tech fall over Antonio Reyes, 23-5 (5:30)
190: Dezyon Purnell (S) won by forfeit
215: Gerardo Felipe (S) pinned Elijah Borowicz, 3:59
285: Sean Weikel (H) maj. dec. over Aiden Torres, 13-0

SCHALICK 60. PEMBERTON 12
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) pinned Kayden Valasquez, 4:33
120: E’Shion Underwood (S) won by forfeit
126: Luke Silva (S) maj. dec. over Carlos Hilton, 10-0
132: Ryan Miller (S) pinned Jariel Daiz, 0:22
138: Michael Baisch (S) pinned Amari Lewis, 0:57
144: Ayden Jenkins (S) tech fall over Ali Rehman, 20-2 (3:47)
150: Koen Martin (S) pinned Aiden McCleaf, 0:26
157: Riley Papiano (S) pinned Keshawn Richardson, 0:42
165: Eric Sulik (S) pinned Mavrick Willits, 3:40
175: Ricky Watt (S) over Jaden Edwards, SV-1 11-8
190: Yuhann Linares (P) pinned Dezyon Purnell, 0:27
215: Gerardo Felipe (S) pinned Brendan Arnwine, 3:24
285: Jahad Goffeny (P) dec. Julian Reid, 13-11
106: Harley Donald (P) dec. Emma Cain, 14-13

SCHALICK 41, DEPTFORD 31
120: Daniel Jimenez (D) pinned E’Shion Underwood, 5:45
126: Luke Silva (S) dec. Amir Barnes, 10-3
132: Ethan Christmas (D) maj. dec. over Ryan Miller, 19-9
138: Jayden Lawrence (D) pinned Michael Baisch, 1:35
144: Ayden Jenkins (S) pinned Amir Barnes, 2:24
150: Koen Martin (S) pinned Odess Myers, 5:34
157: Riley Papiano (S) tech fall over Devin Trotter, 15-0 (3:55)
165: Eric Sulik (S) maj. dec. over Mel Maguire, 11-0
175: Ricky Watt (S) won by forfeit
190: Joseph Crowley (D) over Evan Elliott, def.
215: John Griffith (D) over Gerardo Felipe, TB-1 3-2
285: Julian Reid (S) pinned Daniel Maguire, 3:32
106: Corey Hoffman (D) pinned Emma Cain, 5:41
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) pinned Braeden Hutchins, 0:37
NOTE: Schalick deducted one team point for taunting.

TCC Standings

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

Girls standings

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

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

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

Boys standings

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

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

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

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

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

More gold for Wolverines

Woodstown’s decorated runners win 4×800 indoor Group I Relays title, place top 3 in two other events; Salem’s boys also have big night

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

TOMS RIVER – Add another gold medal to the collection of the Woodstown’s 4X800 relay team.

The decorated group had a big night at the NJSIAA Indoor Relays at the Bennett Center Bubble Friday, winning the Group I 4×800 race and finishing in the top three in two others.

Cole Lucas, Karson Chew, Jacob Marino and Josh Crawford won their signature event, the 4×800, in 8:23.30, beating runner-up McNair Academic by 10 seconds. They dominated their section race, winning by nearly 45 seconds.

They ran 11:00.51 in the distance medley and finished second to Glassboro’s 10:56.39. They ran 3:33.74 and were third, just nosed out by Camden for silver. Woodbury won the race. 

“Tonight was a big night for all four of us guys as it was an accomplishment we achieved as a team,” Crawford said. “I wouldn’t want to be considered state champs with any other guys as they have heart, drive and discipline.

“Each one of us faced challenges tonight, such as doubt or nervousness. However, we found the courage to support one another and left everything we had on the track.”

The Wolverines finished tied for fourth as a team.

The Salem boys also had a big night at the meet.

The Rams were tied for ninth as a team. Their 4×200 relay (Kaden Robinson, Anthony Parker, Jelani Beverly, Timothy Gregory) set a school record in finishing third at 1:35.85. Their shuttle hurdle team (Parker, Gradin Buzby, Beverly, Gregory) finished fourth in 33.17.

“They exceeded expectations,” Salem coach David Hunt said. “I’m always proud when you see the kids’ efforts pay off in meets. They work extremely hard in practice.

“The thing I like about track is you’re able to set your expectations and can find wins when you exceed them. It’s important that you have small wins like we did today by setting school records and competing the best we can and improve on that.”

Here are the Salem County athletes who finished in the top six of their respective events at the NJSIAA Indoor Relays Meet.

BOYS
GROUP I: Glassboro 39, Hasbrouck Heights 29, Camden 28, Metuchen 24, WOODSTOWN 24, Hanover Park 18, Woodbury 18, Glen Rock 17, SALEM 11, Audubon 11, McNair Academic 10, Haddon Twp. 10, Shore 10, Mountain Lakes 6, Raritan 5, SCHALICK 5, New Providence 4, Ramsey 4, New Milford 3, Clayton 2, Verona 1.
Distance Medley: 2. Woodstown (Jacob Marino, Anthony Costello, Lucas Cole, Karson Chew), 11:00.51
Shuttle Hurdle: 4. Salem (Anthony Parker, Gradin Buzby, Jelani Beverly, Timothy Gregory), 33.17
4×200: 3. Salem (Kaden Robinson, Anthony Parker, Jelani Beverly, Timothy Gregory), 1:35.85
4×800: 1. Woodstown (Karson Chew, Jacob Marino, Josh Crawford, Lucas Cole), 8:23.30
Sprint Medley: 6. Schalick (David Stewart, Roneem Thomas, Michael Eberl, Steve Chomo), 3:51.88
4×400: 3. Woodstown (Lucas Cole, Karson Chew, Jacob Marino, Josh Crawford), 3:33.74
Pole Vault: 4. Salvatore Longo, Schalick, 11-6; 6. Gradin Buzby, Salem, 10-6.01

GIRLS
GROUP I: Ramsey 54, Metuchen 46, Audubon 34, Hasbrouck Heights 22, Haddon Twp. 18, New Providence 12, Woodbury 12, Hanover Park 10, Verona 10, Butler 10, SCHALICK 8, PENNSVILLE 8, T-22. WOODSTOWN 1, T-22. PENNS GROVE 1.
4×200: 6. Woodstown (Tyonna Husser, Lia Covely, Angelina Lindenmuth, Jaime Deal), 1:56.23
Pole Vault: 2. Megan Morris, Pennsville, 9-6; 7. Molly Gratz, Pennsville, 7-6

Family affair

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

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pennsville 716816-47
Woodstown20282024-92

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

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

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

Haddon Twp. 1212813-45
Schalick961513-43

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

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

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

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

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

Diamond showdown

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

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Through games of Jan. 17

Thursday roundup

Salem bowler Perez has a career day; Schalick takes down Pennsville in wrestling; Penns Grove’s girls fall in basketball

Bowling

BOYS
SALEM 4, SALEM TECH 0: Sophomore Rudy Perez had the best day of his high school career, rolling games of 226, 225 and 244 for a 695 series, to lead the Rams (3-3). His previous high series was 591 last year against Lindenwold and his previous best game was 213 (twice last year).

Troy Carey also rolled a 600 series for the Rams with games of 188, 215 and 197. 

Aaron Dean rolled Salem Tech’s high series (522) and Aidan McMackin had the Chargers’ high game (196).

GIRLS 
SALEM TECH 4, SALEM 0: Courtney Farnkopf rolled a 397 series with a high game of 162 to lead the Chargers to the sweep and their first win of the season. Destiny Pitts had Salem’s high game (124) and series (315).

Wrestling

CENTERTON – Schalick took the lead in the Tri-County Classic Division with a 63-15 win over Pennsville. 

The once-beaten Cougars (10-1) moved to 3-0 in the division, while handing Pennsville (8-4) its first division loss (3-1). 

Schalick scored seven pins in the match with Eric Sulik scoring the fastest (0:55) at 165. 

SCHALICK 63, PENNSVILLE 15
126: Luke Silva (S) pinned Vincent Ciccantelli, 0:58
132: Ryan Miller (S) pinned Nathaniel Mason, 3:02
138: Gabe Supernavage (P) tech fall Colin Bittle, 17-1 (5:28)
144: Ayden Jenkins (S) dec. Travis Hagan, 5-4
150: Koen Martin (S) won by forfeit
157: Riley Papiano (S) won by forfeit
165: Eric Sulik (S) pinned Juan Velasquez, 0:55
175: Ricky Watt (S) pinned Joseph Halstead, 4:49
190: Connor Ayars (P) maj. dec. Evan Elliott, 13-3
215: Gerardo Felipe (S) won by forfeit
285: Trevor Waddington (P) pinned Julian Reid, 4:45
106: Emma Cain (S) pinned John Sassi, 3:29
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) pinned Brett Land, 4:27
120: E’Shion Underwood (S) pinned Earl Wynn, 3:00

WOODSTOWN 55, TIMBER CREEK 19
120: Carson Bradway (WO) won by forfeit
126: Travis Balback (WO) won by forfeit
132: Walker Battavio (WO) pinned Ayden Zarnosky, 5:25
138: Matt Cordova (TC) maj. dec. Ryan Polk, 11-0
144: Sincere Cook-Reese (WO) tech fall Eric Rambaran, 21-6 (4:31)
150: Joey Walker (TC) pinned Thomas Lacy, 2:55
157: Brett Rowand (WO) won by forfeit
165: Laitton Roberts (WO) pinned Mason Dickerson, 1:09
175: Greyson Hyland (WO) maj. dec. Zyeir Green, 17-9
190: Amir Reason-Dallas (TC) dec. Paul Banff, 9-6
215: Walter Carter (WO) maj. dec. Elijah Green, 13-4
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (WO) pinned Roland Green, 1:11
106: Chase Blandino (WO) won by forfeit
113: Matthew Steele (TC) pinned Hunter Allen, 1:44

CLAYTON/GLASSBORO 34, PENNS GROVE 29
106: Jose Santiago (PG) pinned Ayden Figueroa, 1:53
113: Dylan Adams (CG) pinned Avery Curriden, 1:51
120: Double forfeit
126: Adan Gonzales (PG) won by forfeit
132: Devine Arce (PG) pinned Antonio Mendez, 0:40
138: Willliam Camp (CG) pinned Abdul Tart, 5:51
144: Steven Benkert (CG) pinned Angel Ocasio, 1:07
150: Julian Lloret (CG) won by forfeit
157: Tre Brown (PG) tech fall Brodie Carey, 19-4
165: Double forfeit
175: Double forfeit
190: Jeffrey Smith (CG) maj. dec. Clinton Bobo, 14-0
215: Antonio Cooper (PG) won by forfeit
285: Kasalon Carr (CG) pinned Maliq Reddick, 0:39

Girls basketball

CAMDEN 48, PENNS GROVE 40: Camden outscored the Red Devils 26-17 in the middle two quarters to take the upper hand. Hadiya Higgs-Salaam scored 27 points, hitting 12 of 23 from the free throw line, for the winners.

Penns Grove (6-4)911614-40
Camden (5-6)10161011-48