Woodstown plays best game of the year when it needed it most, routs Woodbury to reach SJ-I girls title game; includes remaining Group I playoff schedule
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I THURSDAY’S GIRLS SEMIFINALS Woodstown 80, Woodbury 57 Wildwood 62, Audubon 36 SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME No. 4 Woodstown (21-6) at No. 2 Wildwood (22-7), 1 p.m.
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
WOODBURY – On a night when the Woodstown girls basketball team had to be at its best, the Wolverines were just about perfect.
That’s the way coach Kara Straughn described it Thursday night after her team dismantled top-seeded Woodbury 80-57 in the South Jersey Group I girls semifinals.
The Wolverines (21-6) now play at second-seeded Wildwood (22-7) Saturday at 1 p.m. for the SJ-I title. The winner advances to the state semifinals March 6 at Deptford Twp. against Central Jersey champ Middlesex or Shore Regional.
“They played as a team more than I’ve ever seen them play as a team before,” Straughn said. “They were perfect. They were so seamless, so … just flawless.
“They played together. They saw the court. They were composed. They handled the pressure. They were showing the ball. It was perfect. They were just so great.”
Perfect is as perfect does.
The Wolverines scored more points in a game in more than 14 years on the road against the top team in the bracket. They got scoring from six players with their Big Three – Talia Battavio (25), Megan Donelson (24) and Shannon Pierman (21) – combining for 70 points.
Pierman also pulled down 16 rebounds for her 12th double-double of the year and 11th in the last 14 games; the Wolverines are 10-2 this season when the senior double dips.
And when Donelson and Pierman both were strapped to the bench in the first half with three fouls, Lauren Hengel and Emma Perry came off the bench were “just as perfect” as the starters.
The Thundering Herd (18-11) were playing without their top player, Maya Braxton-Young, suspended two games for a flagrant foul ejection in Tuesday night’s quarterfinal win over Pennsville, and were a mere shell of themselves. But the way the Wolverines played on this night, even if she were available it might not have made a difference.
Woodstown opened a 22-6 lead in the first quarter behind Donelson and Pierman and turned it into a rout with a 23-5 run in the third quarter behind the Big Three.
The win sends the Wolverines to face Wildwood with payback on their minds. When the teams met in late January, the Warriors took advantage of some friendly rims to shoot 21-of-42 from 3-point range. Angela Wilber and Macie McCracken hit seven each and Rebecca Benichou hit six.
Straughn said her team will be ready for anything. Last year they beat the Warriors in the sectional final.
“We’ve learned our lesson,” Straughn said. “We’ve watched the game when we played them before. We watched (Wildwood’s) Glassboro game. We’ve watched so much film and taken so many notes and learned all of the lessons. We’re going to have a good practice tomorrow and we’re ready to go.”
3-point goals: Audubon 3 (Speyerer 2, Munn); Wildwood 10 (S. Wilber 2, A. Wilber 3, McCracken 3, Benichou, Nagle). Rebounds: Wildwood 34 (McCracken 10, A. Wilber 6, Sumlin 7).
GROUP I ELITE 8 Saturday’s Games South: Woodstown (21-6) at Wildwood (22-7) Central: Shore Regional (16-11) at Middlesex (17-13) North Jersey I: Mountain Lakes (19-7) at Park Ridge (22-5) North Jersey II: Glen Ridge (20-6) at University (24-3)
STATE SEMIFINALS March 6 North I vs. North II, Ramapo, 4:30 p.m. South vs. Central, Deptford Twp., 5 p.m.
SJ Group I girls: Pierman powers Woodstown past Penns Grove and into semifinals; Pennsville falls to top-seeded Woodbury in Trapp’s final game as coach; includes Tri-County Diamond, Classic all-stars
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I GIRLS QUARTERFINALS Woodbury 68, Pennsville 34 Woodstown 43, Penns Grove 32 Audubon 43, Maple Shade 35 Wildwood 51, Glassboro 40 THURSDAY’S SEMIFINALS No. 4 Woodstown at No. 1 Woodbury, 4:30 p.m. No. 6 Audubon at No. 2 Wildwood
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN — Coaches and teammates describe Shannon Pierman’s demeanor in her every day comings and goings as sweet, quiet, stoic, reserved, nice. They’re always the dangerous ones.
Cross her on the basketball court and that all changes.
Like that thing that happens whenever the Hulk gets mad, get under Pierman’s skin and she switches into beast mode and people better get out of the way.
The Woodstown senior’s personality changed dramatically in the fourth quarter Tuesday and by all accounts on both sides of the scorer’s table she was the difference in her team taking down Penns Grove 43-32 in the South Jersey Group I girls quarterfinals.
“She’s quiet, mature, but, man, don’t mess with her,” Wolverines coach Kara Straughn said. “She is our leader. She’s a constant. She’s so mature, so stoic, just quiet, but, man, if you come at her or somebody she cares about, it’s like she’s ready to go, but calmly.
“She’s emotionally mature. She knows when to give and take. She gets overshadowed by the other two (1,000-point scorers Talia Battavio and Megan Donelson), but she is our foundation. She keeps us together.”
The Wolverines (20-6) advance to play at top-seeded Woodbury in the semifinals Thursday. It will be against a Thundering Herd team without their best player, as point guard Maya Braxton-Young was ejected for a flagrant foul in her team’s quarterfinal win over Pennsville and by rule will not play.
Pierman got angry, too, but her ire had its limits. She had all her points and a double-double in the fourth quarter alone, dominating a 16-0 run that gave the Wolverines control of the game. Perhaps most out of character, she bowed up and went nose-to-nose with Zoey Ceasar in the lane after being fouled by the Penns Grove post going after an offensive rebound.
There was nothing calm about the response when the Wolverines’ foundation got rocked to her core. It seemed egregious enough to bring a technical foul, but instead she received only a warning for taunting. What followed it was vintage Pierman.
She made both free throws to extend the Wolverines lead and then wrapped seven more points around a Lauren Hengel basket before the Lady Devils ended their drought on Meely Horace’s runner with 2:42 to play. By then, Woodstown was up 41-27.
The decisive run actually got started with Battavio’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 6:33 left in the game. It was the Wolverines’ only 3 of the game. The junior guard added a basket on the next possession and then it was basically all Pierman, all starting with the confrontation with Ceasar.
“For a second I let the anger get to me,” Pierman admitted. “I heard her saying some stuff to me. I let it get the best of me for a second, but then I started thinking it’s my last home game I’ve got to get it together.
“I’d like to think I’m nice, I’m reserved. Usually I’m very good at keeping my cool and I try to be a good, kind person. That’s kind of just out of nowhere. I’m trying to go up and I just hear talking in my ear and I get fouled and my emotions got the best of me.”
“Out of all five of (her players on the floor) she was the one I least expected (to erupt),” Straughn said. “Obviously you don’t want them to be unsportsmanlike, but I’m proud of her for standing up for herself and standing up for her team. They’re a family and they’re going to protect each other and protect themselves. But like I said she knows when to put it on and cool off.”
Pierman finished with 10 points and 17 rebounds. It was her 11th double-double of the season and tenth in her last 13 games.
The win gave the Wolverines a third-straight 20-win season and fourth in the last five years, It also extended long winning streaks against Tri-County Conference Diamond Division (32) and Salem County opponents (29).
Penns Grove, the No. 12 seed, came into the game primed to pull off an upset and had things going its way in the first half. The Lady Devils held the Wolverines to only four points through the first 13 minutes of the game and once they established the lead successfully took the air out of the ball further frustrating their hosts.
Woodstown eventually started taking chances against the ploy and drew even at 13 with less than a minute left in the half before RaNiyah Wilson scored the last two buckets of the half to send the Lady Devils into the locker room with a four-point halftime lead.
Wilson led Penns Grove with 10 points. Horace had nine and finished her career with 1,063 points. Caesar was force in the paint early in the game and scored seven of her nine points in the first quarter.
The lead changed hands four more times before Woodstown went on the run the decided the game.
“I’m very proud of the girls,” Penns Grove coach Jennifer Denby said. “I’m glad that they came to play and let them know that they can play with anybody.”
3-point goals: Penns Grove 1 (Horace); Woodstown 1 (Battavio). Rebounds: Woodstown 28 (Pierman 17). Total fouls: Penns Grove 16, Woodstown 19. Officials: Carolyn Jackson, Crystal Marshall, Chris Seher. 3-point goals: Penns Grove 1 (Horace); Woodstown 1 (Battavio). Rebounds: Woodstown 28 (Pierman 17). Total fouls: Penns Grove 16, Woodstown 19. Officials: Carolyn Jackson, Crystal Marshall, Chris Seher.
Pennsville girls basketball coach Sam Trapp greets her players leaving the floor for the last time with her at the helm. (Photo by Chris Watson)
Eagles fall in Trapp’s finale
WOODBURY – Sam Trapp knew it was going to be emotional when she made the emotional announcement to her team five weeks ago, but is anyone ever really prepared for when the last game finally comes?
The Pennsville girls basketball coach knew her final game was coming at some point in this South Jersey Group I playoff season and it arrived Tuesday night when the Eagles were eliminated by top-seeded Woodbury in the quarterfinals 68-34.
Next month, Trapp will be leaving the school where she has been head soccer and basketball coach the last three years to become the athletics director at Triton Regional.
“I have so many emotions right now,” she said. “It’s just hard to know this is the last time you’ll be courtside. You start coaching because you’re so passionate about what you do, you’re so excited about the sport, you have a love for the sport and you love to see these kids grow and develop.
“Through that you just want to see so many great accomplishments and milestone. Of course, every coach dreams of being on the big stage and winning the big game and putting the trophy over your head.
“I just thought back to all those moments of what we’ve accomplished and what I was hoping we’d accomplish. We fell short today, but that doesn’t take away from the things that I’ve done and the hard work that I’ve put in and just how proud I am of what we have accomplished. I didn’t want to overly focus on this was the end, but grateful for all that’s happened throughout it.”
The game was manageable for about a quarter and a half. The Eagles trailed by seven after the first quarter, but the Thundering Herd steadily stretched the lead. It did get testy in the second half when Herd standout Maya Braxton-Young was ejected for a flagrant elbow against Pennsville’s Nora Ausland, a foul that likely will have her suspended for Thursday’s semifinal game with Woodstown.
Braxton-Young finished with 17 points to lead three Herd scorers in double figures. Abby Bush (16) and Dasani Talley-Dorrman (13) combined for 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Ausland led Pennsville with 11 points and will go into next season needing 195 points for 1,000. Tri-County Diamond Division first-teamer Marley Wood had nine points and she’ll need 280 next season for the milestone.
Trapp never had a losing season in her three years with the basketball team. She was 15-11 each of her first two years and was hoping for better this season, but a series of midseason injuries limited this year’s team to 14-14. The Eagles were 8-5 after she told the team her plans on Jan. 26. Her last official function with the team is its awards night March 11.
“It didn’t shake out the way we had hoped and dreamed at the start of the season, but like I told the girls afterward we fought hard to get an 8-seed,” Trapp said. “We made that our goal so we could get a home playoff game; we did that. We got a win more than we did last season as far as the playoff run goes.
“They’re a great bunch of girls who have a lot of potential to be a solid program again next year if they stay healthy and keep working in the offseason. All you can really ask and hope for is that when it’s not going the way we hoped to turn it around and set new goals and keep working hard for those and I think we did just that.”
Here is this week’s sports schedules for teams in Salem County for the week of Feb. 25-March 2
Sunday
WRESTLING NJSIAA Girls Regionals, Pennsauken
Tuesday
BASKETBALL South Jersey Group I Tournament Girls No. 8 Pennsville at No. 1 Woodbury, 4:30 p.m. No. 12 Penns Grove at No. 4 Woodstown, 5:30 p.m. No. 6 Audubon at No. 3 Maple Shade, 5:30 p.m. No. 7 Glassboro at No. 2 Wildwood, 4 p.m. Boys No. 9 Penns Grove at No. 1 KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, 5:15 p.m. No. 5 Audubon at No. 4 Wildwood, 6 p.m. No. 6 Glassboro at No. 3 Salem, 5 p.m. No. 10 Paulsboro at No. 2 Pitman, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
BASKETBALL South Jersey Group I Tournament Girls Pennsville-Woodbury vs. Penns Grove-Woodstown Audubon-Maple Shade vs. Glassboro-Wildwood Boys Penns Grove-KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy vs. Audubon-Wildwood Glassboro-Salem vs. Paulsboro-Pitman WRESTLING NJSIAA State Championship, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
Friday
COLLEGE BASEBALL Ocean CC at Salem CC (Carneys Point Rec), 3 p.m. WRESTLING NJSIAA State Championship, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
Saturday
BASKETBALL Girls South Jersey Group I championship Boys South Jersey Group I championship WRESTLING NJSIAA State Championship, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Ocean CC (2), noon
Woodstown’s Vinciguerra wins Region 8 title at 215, Hyland also advances to state wrestling championship at 175
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
EGG HARBOR TWP. – His name literally means “win the war,’ and that’s exactly what Mateo Vinciguerra did Saturday in his most dominating tournament to date. There was nothing lost in translation.
The Woodstown sophomore pinned top-seeded Delsea junior Alex Grippo in 1:52 to win the 215-pound title in the NJSIAA Region 8 wrestling championships and punch his ticket to the state meet next week at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
It avenged a close loss to Grippo in last week’s District 31 finals and allowed him to follow in older brother John’s footsteps as last year’s 215 region champion.
“It means a lot,” Vinciguerra said. “I put a lot of work and effort into this. Getting the rematch I always wanted, it was great, because I really thought I could win.
“I was ready. I was coming for him. He’s a great wrestler, but my preparation, I knew I was ready for this. I had the same mindset I always do. Wrestle who’s in front of me, it doesn’t matter who it is.”
Vinciguerra, the No. 2 seed in the bracket, actually punched his ticket to state with a 10-0 major decision over Ed Vincent of St. Augustine in the semifinals. He also scored a pair of pins in his first two matches. He now has 22 pins this season.
“Mateo’s always been a good wrestler,” Wolverines coach Adam Hyland said. “He’s a lifer in wrestling, he loves it, he does it all the time. It’s his main and only sport, so he puts a ton of time into it, goes to all the big tournaments. He’s always been talented and always been a winner at wrestling.”
Both finalists went into their match off major decisions. Vinciguerra took Grippo down with a single leg to get the lead. He got hit with a stall point on top but didn’t let it bother him and went in for the pin.
Sophomore teammate Greyson Hyland, the coach’s son, also advanced to states as the fourth qualifier in 175 as an 8 seed. He secured his spot with an overtime decision in the wrestle-backs after losing a 3-2 decision in the semifinals, then lost to Ocean City senior Nick Layton 8-7 in the third-place match.
He is the lowest seeded 175 wrestler from all eight regions to advance to Atlantic City.
It really was a good weekend for him. He handed Layton his first loss of the season in the second round. He got up on the top seed early in the bout and literally held on to an ankle with all his might through the final seconds after Layton made his final move. In the rematch he fell behind 5-0 and fought back to make it close.
”I’ve been working hard in the season, grinding, we had a real tough practice this week, so pushing through that and seeing the results pay off was really exciting, a lot of fun,” Hyland said. “Today was a lot of fun. The semifinal match was tough, but I just stayed focused. I thought even though I lost that I could still make it to states, so I had a good mindset going into the consolation semis.
“The expectation from everyone else was this dude (him) is probably going to go 0-2, maybe 1-2, just get killed by the 1 seed, but my expectations were really high. I trained hard every day in the practice room, so to get an opportunity like that we don’t waste them.”
Now that they’re in the states, Vinciguerra has his eye on a spot on the podium. For Hyland, “we’re just going to let it fly in Atlantic City and have some fun.”
Speaking of fun, Vinciguerra’s birthday is Championship Saturday.
NJSIAA REGION 8 WRESTLING TEAM SCORES: Delsea 193.5, Camden Catholic 184.5, Washington Twp. 116, Kingsway 112, St. Augustine 100, Lower Cape May 78, Ocean City 74, Highland/Triton 60.5, Williamstown 52, Woodstown 49, Absegami 48, Timber Creek 45, Hammonton 44, Gateway/Woodbury 42, Middle Twp. 24, Clayton/Glassboro 23, Eastern 22, Egg Harbor 16, Vineland 15, Buena 10, Clearview 10, Pennsville 7, Holy Spirit 6, Pennsauken 6, Pitman 6, Deptford 4, Cedar Creek 3, Schalick/Cumberland 2, Winslow 2.
THE ROAD TO STATE (2) MATEO VINCIGUERRA, 215, Woodstown R1: Pinned (15) Ryland Angel (Kingsway), 2:36 QF: Pinned (7) Xavier Velez (Highland), 1:08 SF: Major dec. over (3) Ed Vincent (St. Augustine), 10-0 Finals: Pinned (1) Alex Grippi (Delsea), 1:52
(8) GREYSON HYLAND, 175, Woodstown R1: Bye QF: Dec. (1) Nick Layton (Ocean City), 7-5 SF: Lost to (5) Brayden Wright (Absegami), 3-2 Consy SF: Dec. (11) Joseph Leone (Kingsway), SV 3-1 3P: Lost to (1) Nick Layton (Ocean City), 8-7 Brian Tortella contributed to this report. His reports on South Jersey sports can be found on X at @tortreports
Woodstown girls rout Overbrook to complete third straight sweep of Tri-County Diamond Division schedule
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – If it’s going to take winning three straight Super Bowls before they anoint the Kansas City Chiefs as a dynasty, what would you call the Woodstown girls basketball team after three undefeated seasons within their division?
The Wolverines completed their third straight undefeated run through the Tri-County Conference Diamond Division Friday with a 76-18 rout of Overbrook.
They have gone 10-0, 10-0 and 8-0 in the division over the last three seasons, but the actual in-division winning streak is 30 going back to 2021 – 31 if you count a playoff win against division rival Penns Grove during the same stretch. Their last loss in the Diamond came at Glassboro (60-45) on Feb. 25, 2021.
With a win over Penns Grove in Tuesday’s quarterfinals of the South Jersey Group I tournament, they will have 20 wins for the third year in a row and fourth straight in years they had that many games to win.
“It proves it’s not just a year-to-year team, it’s the program,” first-year head coach Kara Straughn said. “It’s a testament to how good our program is, not just like one year we’re really good (and it drops off).
“We’ve been consistently good and it’s because we have girls who have grown up in this program and who are good leaders, so then the young girls are coming in and we’re continuing to win. They work their butts off, so they deserve to be 10-0 in the division.”
The Wolverines (19-6) were heavily favored and took control by scoring the first 10 points of the game and opening a 22-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The most impressive part of the quarter was Woodstown center Shannon Pierman collecting a double-double before it was over. She had eight of the game’s first 10 points and ended the quarter with 12 points and 11 rebounds. She finished with 20 and 14 for her ninth double-double of the season and eighth in her last 12 games.
“I do not think that’s ever happened before,” an astonished Pierman said. “I didn’t realize it, I wasn’t keeping track. I thought it led off to a good start so we could get momentum going and get a win out of it.”
The plan all along was to play the starters for a comfortable amount of time and then give the reserves the floor.
The starters came out for the final 1:15 of the first half and then for good with 2:36 left in the third quarter. In addition to Pierman, Megan Donelson had 16 points – extending her streak in double figures to 38 games – five rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots; Talia Battavio had nine points and Lauren Hengel had six points, nine rebounds and four assists.
The backups took advantage of their opportunity. Sophomore post Jala Thomas scored a career-high eight points. Sophomore Lizzy Daly (4/6) and freshman Kendall Young (5/4) both had career highs in points and rebounds, and Ava White scored her first varsity points. The reserves held the Lady Rams (9-17) scoreless the entire time they were on the floor.
“That’s what they’re going to have memories about,” Straughn said. “Oh, yeah, we beat Overbrook, but that Ava’s first points or Jala had her career high. Those girls who cheer for the first five get cheered on by them.
“That’s what builds programs That’s what builds the morale, That’s what builds the relationships. Those games where they’re not so fun statistically, but they’re fun as a team.”
Penns Grove stands its ground to score mild upset in opening round of South Jersey Group I tournament; Salem pulls away from New Egypt, Wildwood shuts down Woodstown SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT THURSDAY’S GAMES No. 1 KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy 61, No. 16 Burlington City 40 No. 9 Penns Grove 54, No. 8 Woodbury 46 No. 5 Audubon 61, No. 12 LEAP Academy 44 No. 4 Wildwood 46, No. 13 Woodstown 25 No. 3 Salem 83, No. 14 New Egypt 52 No. 6 Glassboro 64, No. 11 Riverside 41 No. 10 Paulsboro 52, No. 7 Palmyra 46 No. 2 Pitman 80, No. 15 Pennsville 60 TUESDAY’S GAMES No. 9 Penns Grove at No. 1 KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy No. 5 Audubon at No. 4 Wildwood No. 6 Glassboro at No. 3 Salem No. 10 Paulsboro at No. 2 Pitman
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
WOODBURY – All season long Penns Grove coach Damian Ware has been asking his players to take some for the team and sacrifice their body for the greater good. He’s gotten the occasional taker, but with the season on the line Thursday night the Red Devils stood and delivered.
The ninth-seeded Red Devils took three charges in the second half that changed the game and propelled them to a 54-46 victory over eighth-seeded Woodbury in the opening round of the South Jersey Group I boys basketball tournament.
The Devils trailed by one at halftime, but Willie Slocum and Camren Thompson took charges in the third quarter and Giomar Conrad took one in the fourth and that, Ware said, set the tone for the rest of the game.
“I told the kids that was really the key to the game, taking charges on these guys, because they are driving team, they like to drive and most of them are going to put their head down and try to get to the basket,” Ware said. “Once you start taking charges teams are going to hesitate on that drive, they’re not going to drive it as aggressively.
“The only guy who has taken charges all season was Willie; he had about 12 of them. The next person had one or two. I’ve been trying to get them to do it all season and finally they stepped up and did it in the second half today when it counted.”
Conrad led the Red Devils (11-14) with 21 points, 11 in the second half. Mekhi Ballard had 13 on three 3-pointers and 4-for-4 second-half free throw shooting. The Devils outscored their hosts 17-9 in the fourth quarter to pull away from a tie game.
It was the third year in a row they’ve won a first-round playoff game and the sixth straight year they’ve won a first-round game when they were in it.
The win keeps them alive and on the road, to play top-seeded KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy in the second round Tuesday.
The Thundering Herd (14-14), coached by 2022-23 Penns Grove assistant Mark DiRugeris, had three scorers in double figures, led by Troy Lindsay’s 15 points.
3-point goals: Penns Grove 5 (Conrad 2, Ballard 3); Woodbury 3 (Heigler, Lindsay, Sacko). Technical fouls: Slocum. Fouled out: Slocum, Dunbar. Total fouls: Penns Grove 13, Woodbury 21.
SALEM 82, NEW EGYPT 52: This is the time of the year when a team’s seniors and top players are expected to step up and deliver.
New Egypt rallied in the third quarter to make it a two point game, but the Rams pulled away with a 31-point fourth quarter. Anthony Farmer had 11 of his game-high 29, including 5-for-5 from the foul line, in the fourth quarter. Paul Weathers and Jabez DeJesus combined for 11 in the quarter.
Weathers finished with another double-double, 18 points and 11 rebounds. DeJesus had nine points and seven rebounds. Tymear Lecator had eight points and eight assists.
“Any coach will tell you wins are hard to come by,” Salem coach Anthony Farmer said. “You never want to take them for granted; you can’t get complacent. That’s something that’s hard to teach young kids who think that because they look better on paper or the record may be better, but, man if you don’t bring it you can lose. We’re happy to get another win. Survive and advance.”
New Egypt
14
7
29
11 –
52
Salem
16
18
18
31 –
83
WILDWOOD 46, WOODSTOWN 25: The fourth-seeded Warriors held Woodstown scoreless in the second quarter and to only 15 points in the second half.
Jordan Fusik led Wildwood with 12 points. Brian Cunniff and Junior Hans added 11 each. Blake Bialecki led the Wolverines with 11 points.
Pennsville girls turn up defense in fourth quarter to keep their season going and their coach around a while longer
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT THURSDAY’S GAMES No. 1 Woodbury 81, No. 16 Salem 26 No. 8 Pennsville 59, No. 9 Gateway 55 No. 12 Penns Grove 48, No. 5 Palmyra 37 No. 4 Woodstown 67, No. 13 Cape May Tech 28 No. 3 Maple Shade 32, No. 14 Pitman 18 No. 6 Audubon 44, No. 11 Clayton 30 No. 7 Glassboro 74, No. 10 Burlington City 28 No. 2 Wildwood 77, No. 15 Paulsboro 27 TUESDAY’S GAMES No. 8 Pennsville at No. 1 Woodbury No. 12 Penns Grove at No. 4 Woodstown No. 6 Audubon at No. 3 Maple Shade No. 7 Glassboro at No. 2 Wildwood
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – Sam Trapp was waiting at the end of the line to give each one of her starters their special handshake like she always does during the pregame introductions. When she got to Bella Farina’s turn to come through, the Pennsville girls basketball coach raised her arms as if to place a crown on her senior center’s head.
Before Farina could get away, she whispered to her coach a comment that brought a tear to Trapp’s eye.
“This isn’t going to be the last time.”
When the game ended, the coach raced out to midcourt to embrace her senior and delivered a message of her own.
“We’re not done yet.”
The Trapp farewell tour extended for at least one more game Thursday night after the eighth-seeded Eagles rallied to beat Gateway 59-55 in the opening round of the South Jersey Group I tournament.
The win sends the Eagles (14-13) to top-seeded Woodbury for a quarterfinals matchup Tuesday. It also guarantees Trapp a .500 record in her final season with the Eagles. Late last month she announced she was stepping down at the end of the season to become to new athletics director at Triton Regional.
“I’m ecstatic,” Trapp said. “(Pennsville athletics director) Jamy (Thomas) and I have a little inside joke that he calls me ‘Doc Rivers’ because I didn’t make it out of the first round last year. I had to prove a point.
“But moreso I wanted to prove to these girls just how good they are. I think sometimes they can doubt themselves, get down on themselves, but they’re so much better than they even know they really truly are.
“They showed it. They played so well together tonight and they worked so hard together at the end and they found a way to win it. That’s what we continue to do. We found a way to win it and we continue to work together. I love it.”
The Eagles are 8-4 since Trapp revealed her plans to the players after their Jan. 26 game with Haddon Heights. The remaining time they have with their coach was very much on the players’ minds during the game. And for a while in the second half it looked as if their run together would end in Trapp’s final game on her home floor.
The Eagles trailed the Gators by nine late in the third quarter, but about that time Trapp implored her players to “pick it up on defense” and that suggestion was all it took to flip the switch.
They went to the half-court press at the start of the fourth quarter and it produced a 14-0 run that was part of a larger 18-3 spree that put them up six with 2:40 to play. The 14-0 run started with three straight steals – one by Taylor Bass and two by Farina – that were quickly converted into points.
There were five takeaway altogether in the spree, three missed shots and a held ball that went in Pennsville’s favor. Nora Ausland provided 10 of the points when they converted.
“I know she’s sad about it being her last home game and I just didn’t want it to add the pressure of being her last game ever here,” Ausland said. “That was definitely a factor in trying to win this game.“
“It’s always a good feeling knowing you go from kind of dead to so much energy and you get that comeback and that win,” Bass said. “I definitely think we deserved it.”
“I think we all played really hard today for her and our seniors,” Marley Wood said. “Bella’s a big part of our team and we didn’t want it to be her last game, either.”
The flurry might have gotten them the lead, but the Eagles still had work to do. The Gators got within two on Angie Zagone’s 3-pointer with 25 seconds left and then one on two Zagone free throws with 12.6 seconds left.
Wood hit the first of two free throws with 11.7 left. She missed the second and Pennsville lost the rebound out of bounds at 9.8. Gateway’s Bella Fini drove into traffic trying to get the tying basket and maybe a foul, but Bass knocked the ball away and was fouled when she collected it.
She hit two free throws with 2.5 seconds left to seal it.
“There was definitely a lot of feelings involved (going to the line),” Bass said. “We definitely wanted this win to carry on. We went out first round last year. We wanted to come back, prove that we’re better. We haven’t had the best season statistically because we lost all of our players, but tonight proved we’re better.”
Ausland (21) and Wood combined for 41 points to lead Pennsville’s offense. Bass had 11. Zagone led all scorers with 27 points to finish her career as the Gators’ second all-time leading scorer.
Pennsville’s Taylor Bass is about to corral a ball she knocked away in traffic and sink two free throws to seal her team’s South Jersey Group I tournament win over Gateway. On the cover, outgoing Eagles coach Sam Trapp hugs center Bella Farina after securing the victory to extend their season.
WOODSTOWN 67, CAPE MAY TECH 28: It took the Wolverines a quarter to shake off the rust of not playing for eight days, but once they settled in, they got back to playing in a manner to which they are accustomed. It was a four-point game after one quarter, then the home team steadily pulled away.
Cape May Tech came out in a triangle-and-two against Woodstown’s Talia Battavio and Megan Donelson, but as other teams have discovered throughout the season, the Wolverines have a lot of weapons at their disposal.
Battavio and Donelson once again were their leading scorers with 18 and 16, respectively, but the Wolverines got 13 from post Shannon Pierman and sophomore Lauren Hengel gave them a career-high 10 off the bench.
“We have solid players who step up when our leading scorers get taken out in the offense,” Woodstown coach Kara Straughn said.
Hengel has scored 16 points in her last two games after scoring 37 in her previous 21 games this season.
“She’s just put in a lot of work; she wants so badly to elevate her game,” Straughn said. “She’s going to be a good player and I think games like the last two are starting to give her a little more confidence. She plays well on both ends of the floor and she wants to be good, which helps a lot.”
The Wolverines (18-6) now host Penns Grove in a second-round game Tuesday, but first they’ll try to complete a third-straight undefeated TCC Diamond Division slate Friday against Overbrook.
PENNS GROVE 48, PALMYRA 37: The 5-12 games in the NCAA Tournament tend to produce the most upsets and it did in the South Jersey Group I girls tournament Thursday.
RaNiyah Wilson scored 30 points for the third time this season and led the 12th-seeded Lady Devils (14-9) to their seventh win in the last eight games and the only opening-round win among the bracket’s road teams.
Earlier this season, her first with the Lady Devils since transferring from Kingsway, Wilson went for 33 against Woodstown and 30 against Salem. She is averaging nearly 17 points a game.
Penns Grove now travels to Woodstown for its third meeting of the season with the Wolverines in Tuesday’s second round.
WOODBURY 81, SALEM 26: The Thundering Herd (17-10) flexed their muscle as the top seed and held Salem scoreless in the first quarter. Maya Braxton-Young led four Herd scorers in double figures with 23 points.
Ava Rodgers led Salem (8-16) with eight points and nine rebounds. Ryann Foote had six points, seven rebounds and six steals. Marjziah Bundy didn’t score, but had six rebounds and four blocked shots.
The Herd, which was 2-7 at one point this season, now hosts eighth-seeded Pennsville in Tuesday’s second round.
Here is the day-by-day 2024 spring sports schedules for high school and college teams in Salem County; to include or update your schedule, email al.muskewitz@gmail.com; all games 4 p.m. unless noted; x-scrimmage
SALEM COUNTY DAY-BY-DAY
MARCH 1 COLLEGE BASEBALL Ocean CC at Salem CC, 3 p.m.
MARCH 2 BASKETBALL South Jersey Group I Girls Championship South Jersey Group I Boys Championship COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Ocean CC (2), noon
MARCH 3 INDOOR TRACK NJSIAA Meet of Champions
MARCH 4 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Cairn JV at Myrtle Beach, 9 p.m.
MARCH 5 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Penn State Kensington (MB), 7:30 p.m.
MARCH 6 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Rochester C&T (MB), 2 p.m. Salem CC vs. DuPage (MB), 6:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC vs. Southeastern (2) (MB), 1 p.m.
MARCH 7 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Muskegon CC (MB), 3 p.m. Salem CC vs. Bay (MB), 6 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC vs. Fayetteville (2) (MB), noon
MARCH 8 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Rays Collegiate (MB), 11 a.m. Salem CC vs. Manhattanville (MB), 4 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC vs. Harford (MB), 3 p.m. Salem CC vs. Henry Ford (MB), 5 p.m.
MARCH 9 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC vs. Westmoreland County (2) (MB), 9 a.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC vs. Madison (MB), 9 a.m. Salem CC vs. USC-Sumter (MB), 11 a.m.
MARCH 10 COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC vs. Prairie (MB), 9 a.m. Salem CC vs. Potomac State (MB), 11 a.m.
MARCH 12 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Delaware County CC, 3 p.m.
MARCH 14 Pi Day
MARCH 15 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Northampton CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Northampton CC at Salem CC (2), noon
MARCH 16 COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Cecil (2), noon
MARCH 18 BOYS TENNIS x-Mainland at Woodstown
MARCH 19 COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Lehigh Carbon CC (2), 3 p.m. BOYS TENNIS x-Schalick at Cumberland x-Pennsville at St. Augustine
MARCH 20 COLLEGE SOFTBALL SUNY-Orange at Salem CC (2), 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS x-West Deptford at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. x-Millville at Schalick
MARCH 21 BASEBALL x-Woodstown at Clearview, 4 p.m. SOFTBALL x-Cedar Creek at Schalick x-Woodstown at Gloucester City COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland (2), 3:30 p.m. GOLF Woodstown vs. Triton, Valley Brook CC BOYS TENNIS x-Woodstown at Palmyra
MARCH 22 BASEBALL x-Pennsauken Tech at Penns Grove SOFTBALL x-Kingsway at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Brookdale CC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS x-Millville at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
MARCH 23 SOFTBALL x-Pennsville at Buena COLLEGE BASEBALL Brookdale CC at Salem CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Delaware Tech at Salem CC (2), noon
MARCH 24 COLLEGE SOFTBALL Northampton at Salem CC (2), noon
MARCH 25 BASEBALL x-Cumberland at Woodstown, 4 p.m. x-Millville at Schalick SOFTBALL x-Pennsville at GCIT BOYS TENNIS x-St. Augustine at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m. GIRLS LACROSSE x-Woodstown at OLMA BOYS LACROSSE x-Millville at Woodstown
MARCH 26 BASEBALL x-Pleasantville at Penns Grove COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Lehigh Carbon CC, 3 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Middlesex at Salem CC (2), 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Schalick at Gateway x-Woodstown at Millville TRACK Camden Co. Tech at Pennsville
MARCH 27 BASEBALL x-Cumberland at Schalick x-Deptford at Woodstown, 4 p.m. SOFTBALL x-Cumberland at Schalick x-Deptford at Woodstown x-Paulsboro at Pennsville COLLEGE BASEBALL Lehigh Carbon CC at Salem CC, noon GOLF Pennsville vs. Gloucester Catholic, Westwood GC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS x-Pennsville at Delsea, 3:45 p.m.
MARCH 28 BASEBALL x-Clayton at Penns Grove SOFTBALL x-Penns Grove at Clayton GOLF Schalick vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL
MARCH 29 BASEBALL x-Paulsboro at Schalick SOFTBALL Millville at Pennsville COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Sussex (2), 1 p.m. GOLF Woodstown at Delran, Golden Pheasant GC
MARCH 30 BASEBALL x-Woodstown vs. GCIT, Deptford MS, 10 a.m. GIRLS LACROSSE x-Washington Twp. at Woodstown, 10 a.m. BOYS LACROSSE x-Woodstown at Absegami, 10 a.m.
APRIL 1 BASEBALL Penns Grove at Glassboro Schalick at Woodstown SOFTBALL Glassboro at Penns Grove Schalick at Woodstown GIRLS GOLF Delsea vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS LACROSSE Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
APRIL 2 BASEBALL Pennsville at Clayton SOFTBALL Clearview at Woodstown OLMA at Schalick Pennsville at Clayton COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Mercer County CC, 3 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Mercer County CC (2), 3 p.m. GOLF Washington Twp. girls at Schalick, 3:30 p.m. Schalick boys vs. West Deptford, River Winds GC Pennsville vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:45 p.m. Woodstown at Penns Grove BOYS TENNIS Cunberland at Woodstown, 10 a.m. Pennsville at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.
APRIL 3 BASEBALL Schalick at Millville SOFTBALL Ocean City at Woodstown TRACK Pennsville at Glassboro Schalick at Woodstown BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Paul VI, 3:45 p.m. GIRLS LACROSSE Clearview at Woodstown BOYS TENNIS Middle Twp. at Pennsville
APRIL 4 BASEBALL Salem at Pennsville Penns Grove at Woodstown Pitman at Schalick SOFTBALL Pennsville at Salem Woodstown at Penns Grove COLLEGE SOFTBALL RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC (2), 3:30 p.m. GOLF Schalick boya vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC Pennsville vs. West Deptford, Riverwinds GC, 3:30 p.m. TRACK Schalick at Pennsville BOYS TENNIS Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
APRIL 5 BASEBALL Pennsville at Penns Grove SOFTBALL Penns Grove at Pennsville Schalick at Clearview COLLEGE BASEBALL RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. GOLF Pennsville vs. Penns Grove, Sakima GC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Delsea at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Schalick at Haddon Heights GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Paul VI
APRIL 6 BASEBALL Schalick at Gloucester City, 10 a.m. Woodstown at Cedar Creek, 11 a.m. SOFTBALL Camden Catholic at Woodstown, 10 a.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Raritan Valley at Salem CC (2), noon TRACK Pennsville at Deptford Twp. Relays, 9 a.m. BOYS LACROSSE Washington Twp. at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
APRIL 7 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Middlesex (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Bucks (2), 1 p.m.
APRIL 8 BASEBALL Penns Grove at Salem Schalick at Clayton Woodstown at Pennsville SOFTBALL Clayton at Schalick Pennsville at Woodstown Salem at Penns Grove GOLF Schalick girls vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run GC Overbrook vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL, 3:30 p.m. Pennsville boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:45 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Pennsville at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m. Triton at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m. Clayton at Penns Grove Delran at Schalick BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Cedar Creek, 2:45 p.m. GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Haddonfield
APRIL 9 BASEBALL Woodstown at Clayton COLLEGE BASEBALL Middlesex at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Northampton (2), 3:30 p.m. GOLF Pennsville vs. Clayton, Pitman CC, 3:45 p.m. Schalick girls vs. Clearview, Westwood GC BOYS TENNIS Pennsville at Washington Twp., 4 p.m. TRACK Overbrook at Woodstown Pennsville at Penns Grove Schalick at Glassboro
APRIL 10 BASEBALL Gloucester at Woodstown Overbrook at Penns Grove Schalick at Glassboro SOFTBALL Glassboro at Schalick Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville Penns Grove at Woodstown Woodstown at Haddon Heights COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Montgomery County CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Bucks at Salem CC (2), 4:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Woodstown at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m. Cumberland at Pennsville Schalick at Overbrook GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at West Deptford
APRIL 11 BASEBALL Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville SOFTBALL Woodstown at Cumberland BOYS TENNIS Pennsville at Vineland, 3:45 p.m. Schalick at Millville GOLF Pennsville vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL, 3:30 p.m. Schalick girls vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Mainland
APRIL 12 BASEBALL Delsea at Pennsville Schalick at Haddon Heights SOFTBALL Pennsville at Delsea Schalick at Gloucester Catholic COLLEGE BASEBALL Bergen CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. GOLF Millville vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Pitman at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Woodstown at Delsea, 3:45 p.m. Penns Grove at Wildwood Schalick at Clayton GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Haddon Heights
APRIL 13 BASEBALL Woodstown at West Deptford, 10 a.m. Schalick at Paulsboro SOFTBALL West Deptford at Pennsville COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Bergen CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Morris at Salem CC (2), noon BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Egg Harbor Twp., 10 a.m. TRACK Pennsville at West Deptford Relays, 9 a.m.
APRIL 14 COLLEGE SOFTBALL Cecil at Salem CC (2), noon
APRIL 15 BASEBALL Woodstown at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m. SOFTBALL Buena at Schalick Pennsville at Paulsboro GOLF OLMA vs. Schalick, Centerton CC Wildwood boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC BOYS TENNIS Pennsville at Kingsway, 3:45 p.m. Deptford at Schalick GIRLS LACROSSE Eastern at Woodstown
APRIL 16 BASEBALL Penns Grove at Schalick Wildwood at Pennsville Woodstown at Overbrook SOFTBALL Overbrook at Woodstown Pennsville at Wildwood Schalick at Penns Grove COLLEGE BASEBALL Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. GOLF Woodstown vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Woodstown at Cumberland, 3:45 p.m. Pitman at Penns Grove Schalick at Glassboro BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Williamstown
APRIL 17 BASEBALL Pennsville at Millville SOFTBALL Williamstown at Woodstown GOLF Kingsway girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC Schalick boys vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC Woodstown vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:30 p.m. TRACK Overbrook at Pennsville Penns Grove at Schalick Woodstown at Glassboro BOYS TENNIS Delran at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Vineland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m. GIRLS LACROSSE Kingsway at Woodstown
APRIL 18 BASEBALL Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m. Pitman at Pennsville Schalick at Overbrook SOFTBALL Overbrook at Schalick Pennsville at Pitman Woodstown at Glassboro BOYS TENNIS Pennsville at Wildwood, 3:45 p.m. Penns Grove at Schalick GOLF Penns Grove vs. Woodstown, Town & Country GL, 3:30 p.m. Overbrook vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:45 p.m.
APRIL 19 BASEBALL Gloucester City at Schalick Wildwood at Woodstown Williamstown at Pennsville SOFTBALL Schalick at Gloucester City Woodstown at Wildwood COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Camden CC, 3 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Woodstown at Overbrook, 3:45 p.m. Pennsville at Millville GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Egg Harbor Twp.
APRIL 20 BASEBALL Schalick at Eastern, 10 a.m. Pitman at Woodstown, 11 a.m. Pennsville in Oakcrest Tournament COLLEGE BASEBALL Camden CC at Salem CC (2), noon COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Lackawanna (2), noon BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Lower Cape May, 10 a.m.
APRIL 21 BASEBALL Pennsville in Oakcrest Tournament COLLEGE SOFTBALL Ocean at Salem CC (2), noon
APRIL 22 BASEBALL Pennsville at Glassboro Pitman at Penns Grove Woodstown at Clayton SOFTBALL Glassboro at Pennsville Penns Grove at Pitman Woodstown at Clayton GOLF Williamstown girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC Overbrook boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC Pennsville at Penns Grove, 3:30 p.m. TRACK Overbrook at Schalick, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Clayton at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 3:45 p.m. Penns Grove at Glassboro Schalick at Pitman BOYS LACROSSE Oakcrest at Woodstown GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Clearview, 6 p.m.
APRIL 23 BASEBALL Schalick at Pennsville SOFTBALL Pennsville at Hammonton West Deptford at Woodstown COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Luzerne County CC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS LACROSSE Kingsway at Woodstown TRACK Woodstown at Pennsville
APRIL 24 BASEBALL Clayton at Pennsville Glassboro at Penns Grove Woodstown at Audubon SOFTBALL Clayton at Pennsville Penns Grove at Glassboro COLLEGE BASEBALL Montgomery County CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. GOLF Schalick girls vs. Washington Twp., Wedgewood CC Woodstown vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Wildwood at Schalick
APRIL 25 BASEBALL Delran at Woodstown, 4:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Camden CC at Salem CC (2), 3:30 p.m. GOLF Pennsville vs. Triton, Valleybrook CC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Bridgeton at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m. BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Sterling
APRIL 26 BASEBALL Mainland Coaches vs. Cancer Schalick vs. Cape May Tech COLLEGE BASEBALL Union at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Salem CC at Bergen (2), 3:30 p.m. GIRLS LACROSSE Haddonfield at Woodstown
APRIL 27 BASEBALL Woodstown at Haddonfield, 10 a.m. SOFTBALL Woodstown at Williamstown, 9 a.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Union (2), noon
APRIL 28 BASEBALL Mainland Coaches vs. Cancer Pennsville vs Cedar Creek, 9 a.m.
APRIL 29 BASEBALL Wildwood at Schalick SOFTBALL Schalick at Wildwood COLLEGE BASEBALL Delaware County CC at Salem CC, 3 p.m. GOLF Clearview girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m. Clearview vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 4:15 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Washington Twp. at Schalick
APRIL 30 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at Anne Arundel CC (2), 2 p.m. GOLF Schalick girls vs. Delsea, White Oaks CC BOYS TENNIS Penns Grove at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Wildwood at Schalick
MAY 1 BASEBALL Bridgeton at Schalick, Elmer LL, 6 p.m. SOFTBALL Schalick at Cumberland BOYS TENNIS Schalick at GCIT TRACK Penns Grove at Woodstown
MAY 2 BASEBALL Penns Grove at Pleasantville GOLF Pennsville, Schalick, Woodstown in Carl Arena Tournament, Valleybrook CC, 8 a.m.
MAY 3 COLLEGE BASEBALL Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, 3:30 p.m. GOLF Cedar Creek vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
MAY 4 COLLEGE BASEBALL RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC (2), noon TRACK Pennsville in SJTCA Meet, Rancocas Valley, 1 p.m.
MAY 6 BASEBALL Glassboro at Schalick Penns Grove at Overbrook Woodstown at Penns Grove SOFTBALL Overbrook at Penns Grove Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic Schalick at Glassboro GOLF GCIT vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Glassboro at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Woodstown at Triton, 3:45 p.m. Penns Grove at Clayton Schalick at Bridgeton
MAY 7 SOFTBALL Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic GOLF Schalick boys vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Pennsville at Schalick, 3:45 p.m. BOYS LACROSSE Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 6:30 p.m.
MAY 8 BASEBALL Overbrook at Woodstown Pennsville at Wildwood Schalick at Penns Grove SOFTBALL Penns Grove at Schalick Wildwood at Pennsville Woodstown at Overbrook GOLF Cumberland girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m. Northern Burlington boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 4:15 p.m. Middle Twp. vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 4:30 p.m. TRACK Salem County Championships, Pennsville, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Delsea at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m. Pennsville at Pitman, 3:45 p.m. Clayton at Schalick GIRLS LACROSSE Woodstown at Kingsway, 6 p.m.
MAY 9 BASEBALL Woodstown vs. Schalick, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m. SOFTBALL Woodstown vs. Schalick, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m. GOLF Schalick vs. Deptford, Pitman GC BOYS TENNIS Clearview at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Haddon Heights at Woodstown Williamstown at Penns Grove
MAY 10 BASEBALL Haddon Heights at Pennsville Penns Grove at Clayton Woodstown at Salem SOFTBALL Pennsville at Overbrook Pitman at Schalick Salem at Woodstown Wildwood at Penns Grove GOLF Woodbury vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:30 p.m. Schalick girls vs. OLMA, White Oaks CC BOYS LACROSSE Clearview at Woodstown BOYS TENNIS GCIT at Pennsville
MAY 11 BASEBALL Lee Ware Tournament Woodstown vs. Cherry Hill East Paulsboro vs. Camden Catholic GIRLS LACROSSE Lower Cape May at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
MAY 13 BASEBALL Pennsville at Salem Schalick at Cumberland SOFTBALL ACIT at Schalick Salem at Pennsville Woodstown at Cinnaminson GOLF Gloucester Catholic at Schalick BOYS TENNIS Cinnaminson at Schalick Pennsville at West Deptford Woodstown at Clearview BOYS LACROSSE Egg Harbor Twp. at Woodstown
MAY 14 BASEBALL Overbrook at Schalick Pennsville at Pitman Woodstown at Glassboro SOFTBALL Glassboro at Woodstown Overbrook at Schalick Pitman at Pennsville BOYS TENNIS Buena at Woodstown Glassboro at Schalick GIRLS LACROSSE Mainland at Woodstown
MAY 15 BASEBALL Buena at Woodstown GOLF Schalick vs. Kingsway, River Winds GC BOYS TRACK Tri-County Showcase, Delsea, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Schalick at Triton Woodstown at Pitman
MAY 16 BASEBALL Overbrook at Pennsville Salem at Schalick Wildwood at Penns Grove SOFTBALL Penns Grove at Clayton Schalick at Salem GOLF Schalick vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC BOYS TENNIS Wildwood at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Schalick at Penns Grove
MAY 17 BASEBALL Cumberland at Pennsville Woodstown at Penns Grove Delran at Schalick, 4:15 p.m. SOFTBALL Penns Grove at Woodstown GOLF Pennsville at Delran, 4:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Overbrook at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
MAY 18 GIRLS LACROSSE West Deptford at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
MAY 20 SOFTBALL Pennsville at West Deptford GOLF Salem-Cumberland County Tournament, Centerton CC, 8 a.m. Haddon Heights vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:30 p.m. BOYS TENNIS Deptford Twp. at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m. Pennsville at Williamstown, 3:45 p.m. Pitman at Schalick
MAY 21 TRACK Pennsville at Schalick, 3:30 p.m.
MAY 23 BASEBALL NJSIAA Round 1
MAY 28 GOLF Tri-County Conference Showcase, Pitman GC, 8 a.m.
MAY 29 BASEBALL NJSIAA Round 2
MAY 31 BASEBALL NJSIAA Round 3 TRACK NJSIAA Sectionals, Pennsauken
Here is the sports schedule for teams in Salem County for the week of Feb. 19-24
Monday
COLLEGE BASKETBALL Men Camden County College at Salem CC, 6 p.m.
Tuesday
BASKETBALL Boys Wildwood at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m. Girls LEAP Academy at Salem, 5:30 p.m.
BOWLING SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT Boys Quarterfinals Maple Shade at Gloucester, 3:45 p.m. Salem at Camden Catholic, Westbrook Lanes4 p.m. Doane Academy at Clayton, 4 p.m.
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II TOURNAMENT Boys Quarterfinals Cinnaminson at Manchester Twp., 3 p.m. Pennsauken Tech at Salem Tech, 4 p.m. Medford Tech at Overbrook, 4 p.m. Girls Quarterfinals Salem Tech at Manchester Tech, 3 p.m. Pemberton at Barnegat, 3 p.m.
Wednesday
BOWLING SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT Boys semifinals Maple Shade-Gloucester winner at Donovan Catholic, 3 p.m. Girls semifinals Salem at New Egypt, Thunderbowl Lanes, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday
BASKETBALL Girls SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT No. 16 Salem at No. 1 Woodbury, 5:30 p.m. No. 9 Gateway at No. 8 Pennsville, 5:30 p.m. No. 12 Penns Grove at No. 5 Palmyra, 4 p.m. No. 13 Cape May Tech at No. 4 Woodstown, 5:30 p.m. No. 14 Pitman at No. 3 Maple Shade, 5:30 p.m. No. 11 Clayton at No. 6 Audubon, 4 p.m. No. 10 Burlington City at No. 7 Glassboro, 3:30 p.m. No. 15 Paulsboro at No. 2 Wildwood, 4 p.m. Boys SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I TOURNAMENT No. 16 Burlington City at No. 1 KIPP Cooper Academy, 6 p.m. No. 9 Penns Grove at No. 8 Woodbury, 4 p.m. No. 12 LEAP Academy at No. 5 Audubon, 5:30 p.m. No. 13 Woodstown at No. 4 Wildwood, 6 p.m. No. 14 New Egypt at No. 3 Salem, 5 p.m. No. 11 Riverside at No. 6 Glassboro, 5:15 p.m. No. 10 Paulsboro at No. 7 Palmyra, 5 p.m. No. 15 Pennsville at No. 2 Pitman, 5:30 p.m.
Friday
BASKETBALL Girls Overbrook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
BOWLING SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II TOURNAMENT Boys semifinals Manchester Twp. at Seneca Salem Tech at Overbrook
WRESTLING Region tournaments
Saturday
BOWLING SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II TOURNAMENT Boys championship at Laurel Lanes
Schalick’s Hadfield, Salem’s Parker score in two individual events, highlighting the Salem County effort at the Group I state indoor meet; Salem’s Buzby second in girls 800
By Riverview Sports News
TOMS RIVER – Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield and Salem’s Anthony Parker both scored points in a pair of individual events Saturday to highlight Salem County’s showing at the NJSIAA Group I Indoor Track Championships in the Bennett Center Bubble.
Hadfield finished third in both the girls 3200 (11:30.76) and 1600 (5:09.28). Her time in the 1600 was a personal best.
Parker finished fourth in the 55 hurdles (7.82) and sixth in the 400 (51.89), with personal bests in both races.
Salem’s Anna Buzby was the county’s highest finisher in an individual event. The senior was second in the girls 800 (2:22.27). She finished second to Verona sophomore Gwendolyn Neale who ran a personal best 2:19.37.
Salem’s Karima Davenport-White picked up a point with her sixth-place finish in the 55 hurdles (9.20) and Woodstown’s Cole Lucas finished third in the boys 800 (2:01.40).
The county had two teams score in the girls 4×400 relay. The Woodstown team of Jaime Deal, Kayla Ayars, Sarah Seiden and Arie Still finished third in 4:22.43. The Salem team of Davenport-White, Buzby, Anyzha Williams and Rhionna Timmons finished sixth in 4:26.93.
The top three finishers in each event advance to the Meet of Champions March 3.
Here are the Group I team scores
BOYS GROUP I TEAM SCORES (Top 10 and Salem County) Metuchen 59, Glassboro 36, Woodbury 30, Pequannock 18, Glen Rock 18, Hasbrouck Heights 11, Weehawken 10, Hanover Park 10, Burlington City 10, Pompton Lakes 10, Shabazz 10. Salem County: 16. Woodstown 6, 20. Salem 5
GIRLS GROUP I TEAM SCORES (Top 10 and Salem County) Clayton 41, Audubon 34, Hasbrouck Heights 26, Metuchen 24, Wallkill Valley 20, Ridgefield 18, Becton 12, Verona 12, Schalick 12, Haddon Twp. 12, Whippany Park 11. Salem County: 12. Salem 10, 16. Woodstown 6
