Tag: sports

Back big time

Schalick’s Magonagle wins in SC Holiday Classic in first tournament back from a season-ending injury, Penns Grove’s Arce wins his first title in same event; Pennsville, Woodstown also in action

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – The flex Schalick junior Jake Magonagle did after winning his weight division in the SC Holiday Classic Saturday might be all the evidence one needed to prove it just might be the most satisfying title claim of the early wrestling season.

Magonagle won the 175-pound division with a 5-3 decision over Chase Hoag of Mainland. It was his first tournament back after having last season cut short by an injury. He was seeded second, drew a first-round bye, then won a pair of decisions.

“I think he needed that,” Schalick coach Joe Frassenei said. “He was definitely one of the more happy kids.

“He’s very confident to begin with, but I think the win was a nice start for him. He was super happy after the match and I was very proud of him.”

The Schalick-Cumberland co-op team finished fourth in the team race with five individual medalists (top three finishers) and eight placers (top four). DeAnthony Hardin was runner-up at 113, while Daniel Lloyd (144), Ayden Jenkins (150) and Keon Martin (165) all placed third.

Point Pleasant Beach won it handily with three individual champions and seven wrestlers in the finals.

Magonagle wasn’t the only wrestler from Salem County to bring home a title from the tournament.

Penns Grove’s Devine Arce holds his medal and his bracket after winning the SC Holiday Classic title at 120.

Penns Grove’s Devine Arce won his first tournament title when he pinned Mainland’s Garrett Chew to win at 120. His road to the title featured an opening-round bye and two pins in two minutes of elapsed time..

“I was amazed at myself like how I did it,” Arce said. “My freshman record was 8-13. Last year I went twenty-something and four or five, and this year I’m starting off 3-0.”

With two pins.

“He’s probably our most dedicated wrestler, especially the early part of this season,” Red Devils coach John Emel said. “To be at a weight that a little higher than he’s going to wrestle later in the year and have success that’s bodes well for him going forward.”

Arce was one of four Penns Grove wrestlers place in the top three. Isaiah Upshur was runner-up at 190, while Jayden Owens (157) and Antonio Cooper (215) both won consolation finals for third. For Cooper it was the best tournament finish of his career.

“I was actually pretty excited with the way we wrestled,” Emel said. “We have a lot of kids who have never won a match in districts.

“This type of tournament experience is what we’ve tried to get them early in the season. We haven’t done an opening weekend tournament in a few years, probably pre-COVID, and we’re going to get four tournament-type atmospheres early in the season. I just hope it prepares them for districts later on. Getting in these type tournaments early in the season I think it gives our guys good experience going forward.”

SC HOLIDAY CLASSIC
TEAM SCORES: Point Pleasant Beach 186.5, Haddon Heights 119, WW-Plainsboro North 117, Schalick-Cumberland 96, Mainland 83, WW-Plainsboro South 81, Penns Grove 74, Oakcrest 50.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
106: Cole Denning (HH) tech fall over Brandon Stizza (PPB), 15-0
113: Bruce Bellace (O) def. DeAnthony Hardin (SC), med. forf.
120: Devine Arce (PG) pinned Garrett Chew (M), 1:00
126: Zachary Owens (WWPN) pinned Luke DeBenedett (PPB), 1:00
132: P.J. Niethe (PPB) dec. Ryan Brown (WWPN), 11-4
138: Jude Bowers (PPB) tech fall over Joaquin Poventud, (O) 15-0
144: Jordan Blaise (WWPS) dec. Antonio Acevedo (PPB), 10-3
150: Josh Delgozzo (HH) dec. Christian Tardieu (WWPS), 1-0
157: Evan DeJong (WWPN) pinned Liam Wikberg (HH), 1:00
165: Gary Williams (M) dec. Sam Yedman (PPB), 6-3
175: Jake Magonagle (SC) dec. Chase Hoag (M), 5-3
190: Darren DeJong (WWPN) pinned Isaiah Upshur (PG), 0:55
215: Marcos Kaiafas (PPB) dec. Jason George (WWPS), 6-0
285: Jayden Trace (HH) pinned Youssef Abouelela (WWPS), 1:10

Wendy Pandy-Leh Invitational

FRENCHTOWN – Woodstown’s Zach Bevin and Mateo Vinciguerra wrestled for championships in their weight classes at the Wendy Pandy-Leh Invitational at Delaware Valley High School and just came up short.

Bevis was pinned in the 165-pound final by Logan Wiecoreck of Voorhees and Vinciguerra lost a decision in the 285 final to Cameron Baumann, also of Vorhees.

The Wolverines had four wrestlers win consolation finals – Travis Balback (120), Carson Bradway  (126), Greyson Hyland (175) and Paul Banff (190) – and two others finish fourth.

The Wolverines finished fourth in the 10-team field.

WENDY PANDY-LEH INVITATIONAL
TEAM SCORES: Delaware Valley 257.5, Ocean Twp. 168, Vorhees 160, Woodstown 125, Westfield 99, Princeton 85.5, Pascack Hills 78, Wall 66.5, Williamstown 66.5, Cherokee 64.0

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
106: Justin Penta (OT) pinned Michael Apicelli (OT), 1:42
113: Johnny D’Andrewa (V) maj. dec. over Justin Farina (OT), 10-1
120: Jake Taylor (DV) maj. dec. over Christian Bollette (V), 13-5
126: Jaden Perez (DV) maj. dec. over Cole Rose (P), 9-0
132: Matt Roche (DV) pinned Luke Sluberski (We), 0:32
138: Blasé Mele (P) pinned Dominic Volek (OT), 1:01
144: Jackson Bush (DV) dec. Michael Volek (OT), 11-9
150: Jake Wacha (PH) pinned Ben Levy (DV), 4:33
157: James Farina (OT) maj. dec. over Jeremy Marsella (Wa), 13-1
165: Logan Wiecoreck (V) pinned Zach Bevis (Wo), 0:35
175: Kevin Roman (DV) dec. Travis Cryan (V), 10-8
190: Anderson Olcott (DV) pinned Jake Zemsky (We), 4:52
215: Trevor Zabroski (V) pinned Cody Lagun (DV), 4:50
285: Cameron Baumann (V) dec. Mateo Vinciguerra (Wo), 5-3

Howdy Duncan Classic

NEW CASTLE, Del. – Three of the four Pennsville wrestlers who reached the quarterfinals of the Howdy Duncan Classic at William Penn High School placed in the top six of their respective weight divisions Saturday.

Christopher Daniels (120) was their highest finisher, placing fourth. Kameron Drummond (126) and Elias Lussi (190) both finished sixth in their weight classes. Daniels was seeded eighth in his weight class and Drummond was seeded tenth. 

The Eagles finished 13th in the 32-team field.

“It was a tough tournament, very competitive, and we got a lot of mat time,” Eagles coach John Starcevich said. “A couple guys got seven matches this weekend.”

Among those who didn’t place Sky Eppes lost in overtime in the pre-quarterfinals and just missed getting a spot and freshman Luke Thomas showed a lot of potential in going 2-2 at 106.

HOWDY DUNCAN CLASSIC
TEAM SCORES: Exeter Twp. 246, Lower Dauphin 243.5, Red Lion Christian 193, New Oxford 168, St. Frances Acad. 165, Palisades 158, Central Bucks West 157.5, Milford Senior 126, William Penn 125, Unionville 100, Tower Hill 94, Middleton 85.5, Pennsville 78.5, Appoquinimink 76.5, Charter-Wilmington 74, Episcopal 68, First State MA 68, Wilmington Friends 67.5, Dickinson 57.5, Odessa 57, Christian 56, Delcastle 54.5, Conrad Science 42, Tatnall 42, Hodgson VoTech 40, Howard Tech 37, McKean 32, Archmere 30, AI Dupont 23, John Carroll 23, West Nottingham 19, Mt. Pleasant 7.

PENNSVILLE FINALS
Third Place Match 120: Sam Johnson (Exeter) pinned Christopher Daniels, 4:59
Fifth Place Match 126: Kamren Griffin (St. Frances) maj. dec. over Kameron Drummond, 11-3
Fifth Place Match 190: Jacob Julier (Unionville) maj. dec. over Elias Lussi, 10-1

Eagles in the mix

4 Pennsville wrestlers reach quarterfinals in Delaware tournament; Woodstown falls in its first match of the season

By Riverview Sports News

NEW CASTLE, Del. – Pennsville has four wrestlers still alive in the championship bracket of the Howdy Duncan Invitational after Friday’s first day of competition at William Penn High School.

Christopher Daniels (120), Randy Hall (132), Robbie McDade (157) and Elias Lussi (190) are all in the quarterfinals when the tournament resumes Saturday morning.

Lussi, the No. 5 seed in his weight class, advanced with a pair of pins. McDade, the 3-seed in his division, won a first-round decision and advanced in a DQ. Hall, a 6-seed, and Daniels, an 8-seed, both received first-round byes and won a second-round decision.

The Eagles have 43,5 points and are tied for 14th with Delcastle and Middletown in the team standings. Lower Dauphin (81.5) is currently in first place, 5.5 points ahead of New Oxford.

W. Deptford whacks Woodstown

WEST DEPTFORD – The Woodstown wrestling team opened its season with a 52-15 loss at West Deptford. Brett Rowand (144) and Mateo Vinciguerra (285) scored pins for the Wolverines, while Travis Balback recorded a decision at 120.

WEST DEPTFORD 52, WOODSTOWN 15
144: Brett Rowand (W) pinned Nate Benner, 3:01
150: James Lorman (WD) maj. dec. over Laitton Roberts, 14-3
157: Nick Graziano (WD) maj. dec. over Zayden Donahue, 19-7
165: Caleb Jackson (WD) dec. Zach Bevis, 9-3
175: Chris Andujar (WD) dec. Greyson Hyland, 12-10
190: Marcus Carter (WD) won by forfeit
215: Andrew Tighe (WD) pinned Josiah Mejias, 2:49
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (W) pinned Van Galbraith, 0:44
106: Ryan McConaghy (WD) pinned Chase Blandino, 1:36
113: Talen Terinoni (WD) won by forfeit
120: Travis Balback (W) dec. Brayden Curcio, 12-6
126: Anthony Conway-Popeskic (WD) dec. Carson Bradway, 8-2
132: Owen Entrekin (WD) pinned Ryan Polk, 0:25
138: Trevor Lundfelt (WD) tech fall over Willem Groom, 18-1 4:40

Cover photo: Pennsville wrestling coaches plot out their lineup before a recent match.

Man with a plan

Pennsville’s boys follow a plan to combat Clayton, Schalick wins first season opener since 2015, Penns Grove challenged by strong competition

FRIDAY BOYS SCORES
Pennsville 80, Clayton 66
Pitman 69, Penns Grove 41
Schalick 65, Salem Tech 43

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Clayton came into David Salberg Gym Friday night having scored 96 points the night before and the reputation for firing 3-pointers at will. That made the Clippers a dangerous opening-night opponent for anyone.

But Pennsville coach Joe Mecholsky had a plan – guard the 3, rebound and play tight man defense.

It proved to be the winning formula as the Eagles clipped their visitors 80-66, missing by just one point the score the coach had predicted before the game.

“We knew coming in that their game is to shoot the 3 and give us the 2,” Mecholsky said. “We tried to be very diligent guarding the 3-point shot. At one point to start the fourth quarter I told the boys let them drive, give up the 2. They want to shoot the 3 to get back in this game.

“That’s just their system. When it’s working that’s a much tighter game. When the system doesn’t work we ended up with a favorable outcome. They’ve got a South Jersey title with that system, his kids love playing that system, but I think tonight it just came down to we were the better team.”

Clayton came out firing – and missing. The Clippers missed their first 11 shots from the field – most of them 3s – and Pennsville ran out to a 12-2 lead despite not being very sharp themselves. The Clippers, 9-of-30 from behind the arc in their opener at Pennsauken Tech, were 1-for-10 from behind the arc in the first quarter against the Eagles, 4-for-18 in the half and 10-for-38 for the game..

Instead of going into the locker room at halftime to discuss strategy, the Clippers spent the entire halftime on the floor putting up shots. They shot a better percentage in the second half, but never got closer than eight points and that was early in the third quarter.

The more they missed, the more the Eagles rebounded. Danny Saulin, a 6-foot-7 senior starting in his final season opener, pulled down 14 rebounds to go with 17 points, many off putbacks. 

“We have a saying – long shot, long rebound,” Saulin said. “When you’re jacking it up from 3 you just have to know you have to back up and get ready to box out and jump up for the ball. For them not playing so much in the paint it made it easier for us to score 2-pointers, made it easier for the whole team to score.”

Saulin wasn’t the only one clearing the boards. Peyton O’Brien, who spelled Saulin off the bench, grabbed 13 rebounds. The Eagles had 49 rebounds in the game. 

“He was so noticeable out there,” Mecholsky said. “When Danny comes out and Peyton can control the boards like that, that’s a big relief as a coach. Not only can he grab the boards, he starts the transition. He can turn and go.”

“I just try to contribute the best I can,” O’Brien said. “It feels good just to know I contributed some way to the win.”

The Clippers hit their only 3 of the first quarter with 2:13 left and it touched off a flurry that got them to 12-11 with a chance to tie. They missed the free throw on a potential three-point play, Saulin made a bucket on the other end and that started a 14-0 Pennsville run across two quarters that put the Eagles safely back in front for good.

“It’s an old cliché,” Mecholsky said, “the better team should win the game and tonight we were the better team.”

In most areas they were. One that left Mecholsky wiping his brow was the 24 turnovers charged to his team.

“We were incredibly lucky tonight that they didn’t shoot well; let’s be honest,” he said. “I didn’t see what Clayton shot from the field but we had 20-plus turnovers. How many games do you win when you turn the ball over 20 times? To have 24 turnovers you just start shaking your head and say all right we got one tonight.”

PENNSVILLE 80, CLAYTON 66
CLAYTON (1-1) – Dillon Jones 3 1-2 8, Princeton Sackor 5 1-1 14, Nazir Davis  1 0-0 2, John Carter 1 0-0 3, Khamari Farley 7 0-0 17, Demetris Williams 4 0-0 8, Jon Cox 0 0-2 0, Cristan Scott 0 0-2 0, A’Shaud Hine-Pope  3 0-1 6, Nasir Carter 3 0-0 8, Jayden Prince 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 2-8 66.
PENNSVILLE (1-0) – Mason O’Brien 1 0-0 3, Luke Wood 10 2-4 24, Cohen Petrutz 5 0-0 11, Chase Burchfield 7 0-1 14, Peyton O’Brien 2 0-0 4, Jayden Thomas 3 0-2 7, Malik Rehmer 0 0-0 0, Daniel Saulin 8 1-1 17. Totals 36 3-8 80.

Clayton 11181522 –66
Pennsville19192220 –80
3-point goals: Clayton 10 (Jones, Sackor 3, J. Carter, Farley 3, N. Carter 2); Pennsville 5 (Wood 2, M. O’Brien, Petrutz, Thomas). Total fouls: Clayton 10, Pennsville 16.

SCHALICK 65, SALEM TECH 43: The Cougars won only three games a year ago, but got their new season off to a rousing start – 25-4 in the first quarter and 39-11 at halftime – and won their season opener for the first time since 2015.

Reggie Allen led the way with 17 points. Daniel Lis had 12 and Ryan Johnson had 10. Junior Nylan Sutton added five points for the Cougars, and had one of the night’s biggest highlights when he threw down the first dunk of his career in the fourth quarter. 

“I think it is meaningful for our program overall,” Schalick coach James Turner said. “It’s nice to finally open up the season with a win and for these guys to carry that same winning mentality from one season to the next, which was what our goal was, and they did a good job today.”

The Cougars got off to what Turner called “a great start.” Their press forced several turnovers that led to some transition baskets and they held the Chargers without a field goal in the first quarter.

“The game plan going in was to put pressure on them and try to get up early,” Turner said. “We tried our best to keep them from getting set in their offense.”

The Cougars didn’t secure their first win last season until after the first of the year. It’s the earlier they’ve gotten a win since beating Collingswood at home on Dec. 15, 2018 – Turner’s second game as their coach. 

The last time they opened a season with a win, they beat Clearview 57-42 in 2015 and went on to go 22-8. They’ve won 22 games the previous five seasons combined.

“I think it was just a little bit of a relief, to say OK we got that first win out of the way, we got that first game out of the way,” Turner said. “I’d just say it was a feeling of relief because of what we’ve gone through the last few years.”

Salem Tech’s Antoine Robinson led all scorers with 19 points.

SCHALICK 65, SALEM TECH 43
SALEM TECH (0-1) – Antoine Robinson 5 8-11 19, Chase Wills 3 2-4 9, Josh Muntz 1 0-0 3, Tyler Zampino 1 0-0 3, Haneef Frisby 3 0-0 6, Joseph Hayes 0 1-4 1, Gio Holmes 0 0-0 0, Daviontae Russell 1 0-0 2, Chase Ayers 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 11-19 43.
SCHALICK (1-0) – Reggie Allen 6 2-6 17, Daniel Lis 5 1-3 12, Sherrod Jones 1 0-0 2, Justin Iacona 0 0-0 0, Nylan Sutton 2 1-4 5, Nasir Sutton 3 2-9 8, Ryan Johnson 4 2-2 10, Jordan Johnson 2 1-2 5, Jake Siedlecki 2 0-0 4, Jase Volovar 1 0-1 2. Totals 26 9-27 65.

Salem Tech472012 –43
Schalick2514818 –65
3-point goals: Salem Tech 4 (Robinson, Wills, Muntz, Zampino); Schalick 4 (Alllen 3, Lis).
Fouled out: Frisby, J. Johnson, Siedlecki. Total fouls: Salem Tech 21, Schalick 21.

PITMAN 69, PENNS GROVE 41: Some days you play well and some days you learn well. Red Devils coach Damian Ware hopes his team is learning to see what takes to play at a high level because they’ve seen those teams that do twice since practice began.

The Red Devils got their second dose of it Friday and the Panthers put their skill and experience together to show them how the other half lives.

“For our guys the difference in the game was the intensity of the game,” Ware said. “It was actually a good learning lesson and that’s why I told the guys. I said now you see what it looks like to be a contender. If you want to be a contender this is the level you have to play to.”

They got a taste of it last week when they played Egg Harbor Twp., but that was a scrimmage so when they came up short in that one it was no harm, no foul. Friday night’s game counted in the standings.

Penns Grove was in it early and only trailed 15-12 after the first quarter, but then Pitman’s Elijah Crispin and Michael Fisicaro started hearing up and the Panthers started pulling away. Crispin hit three 3s from NBA range and the lead started to grow. It was 16 at halftime, 25 after three quarters.

Crispin led all scorers with 17 points. Fisicaro had 15. Crispin hit three 3s, Fisicaro hit four. Meanwhile, Penns Grove was 0-for-16 from behind the arc.

Roman Gipson led the Red Devils with 13 points off the bench and he may have earned himself a promotion.

“He’s the first sub off the bench, he’s our sixth man, which actually might change,” Ware said. “I might put him in the starting lineup, we’ll see.

“In two of the three scrimmages he came off the bench and did some work there. I’m trying to give guys a little bit of rope to see what they do, but when these young guys come up ,you can’t deny them. You’ve got to let them play.”

The first chance for that possibility is Saturday when they play Lindenwold in the nightcap of their own Red Devil Classic. Pitman opens the event against Burlington City at 11 a.m., followed by Salem and Woodbury. Both Penns Grove teams play in the evening session.

PITMAN 69, PENNS GROVE 41
PITMAN (1-0) – Porter Kostiuk 5-3-13, Stephen Devanney 4-1-10, Hudson Rue 4-0-8, Elijah Crispin 6-2-17, Chris Wyllie 2-0-4, Michael Fisicaro 6-1-15, Greg Petersen 1-0-2, Jake Epting 0-0-0, Trey Tinges 0-0-0. Totals 27-7-69. 
PENNS GROVE (0-1) – Roman Gipson 5-3-13, Camren Thompson 0-1-0, Giomar Conrad 2-8-12, Mehki Ballard 1-0-2, Willie Slocum 1-2-4, Brandin Robbins 2-0-4, KaRon Ceaser 2-0-4, Luis Colon 0-1-1. Totals 13-15-41.

Pitman15182113 –69
Penns Grove1251212 –41
3-point goals: Pitman 8 (Devanney, Crispin 3, Fisicaro 4); Penns Grove 0.


Tough way to start

Gloucester Catholic goes out fast against Woodstown to spoil Straughn’s coaching debut; Penns Grove pulls away from Clayton for county girls’ only win of the night

FRIDAY’S GIRLS SCORES
Glassboro 44, Salem 29
Gloucester Catholic 69, Woodstown 41
Penns Grove 47, Clayton 38
Pitman 52, Schalick 14
Wildwood 64, Pennsville 30
Overbrook at Salem Tech

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

GLOUCESTER CITY – The moment she saw it on the schedule Kara Straughn knew her first game as the Woodstown girls basketball coach was going to be a tough one.

Straughn made her head coaching debut Friday night and it didn’t go well as the Rams handed her and the Wolverines a 69-41 loss.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game even if it wasn’t my first game,” Straughn said. “I was still going to have the same amount of nerves just because of who they are. They’re a team, a program, a coach … you cannot not honor and respect them as a whole.

“I knew it was going to be a difficult game because of who they are and going up there adds a whole ‘nother level of anxiety. I knew off the bat it was going to be a difficult game and we just didn’t match up.”

The Rams took advantage of their size and placed four scorers in double figures. Jazhara Green led the way with 17 points. Talia Schumate had 15, Jalyn Moore 13 and Julianna DiFebbo 12.

Talia Battavio led Woodstown with five 3-pointers and 17 points, but their next two scorers – Megan Donelson and Shannon Pierman – had 12 apiece.

The Rams jumped out to a 21-11 lead in the first quarter and Woodstown just couldn’t put enough together to overcome the deficit. 

“Matchup-wise it wasn’t there tonight,” Straughn said. “My girls played their hearts out, but we just couldn’t piece things together. We would get a couple stops and then we would throw the ball away sometimes. We just couldn’t put it all together.”

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 69, WOODSTOWN 41
WOODSTOWN (0-1) – Talia Battavio 5 2-2 17, Megan Donelson 4 3-4 12, Alyssa Baber 0 0-0 0, Gianna Maiorini 0 0-0 0, Shannon Pierman 5 2-2 12, Lauren Hengel 0 0-0 0, Jala Thomas 0 0-0 0, Lizzy Daly 0 0-0 0, Brae DiGregorio 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 7-8 41.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (1-0) – Jahzara Green 7 3-3 17, Julianna DiFebbo 5 0-0 12, Talia Schumate 6 3-5 15, Katherine Lange 4 0-0 9, Jalyn Moore 5 2-2 13, Alyssa Elliott 1 0-0 3, Yazaniah Schumate 0 0-0 0, Maya Hutchinson 0 0-0 0. Totals 28 8-10 69.

Woodstown1114124 –41
Gloucester Cath.21171912 –69
3-point goals: Woodstown 6 (Battavio 5, Donelson); Gloucester Catholic 5 (DiFebbo 2, Lange, Moore, Elliott). Total points: Woodstown 8, Gloucester Catholic 10.

PENNS GROVE 47, CLAYTON 38: A veteran and a newcomer took over a close game in the fourth quarter and led the Red Devils to their opening-night victory

Jameelyonna Horace and transfer RaNiyah Wilson combined for 15 of their team’s 17 points in the fourth quarter as Penns Grove pulled away.

Horace knocked down two of her three 3-pointers and scored eight of her game-high 16 points in the fourth quarter. Wilson went 3-for-4 from the free throw line and scored seven of her 11 in the quarter.

The Red Devils held a 19-14 halftime lead, but the Clippers closed the margin to 30-29 entering the fourth quarter behind eight of Rainelle Blocker’s 13 points.

PENNS GROVE 47, CLAYTON 38
PENNS GROVE (1-0) – Jameelyonna Horace 6 1-2 16, Syanna Robbins 0 0-0 0, Brianna Robbins 5 0-0 10, Amani Taylor 0 0-7 0, Rolande Delva 0 0-0 0, RaNiyah Wilson 4 3-4 11, Arianna Dowe 1 0-0 3, Zoey Caesar 1 1-2 3, Semijah Hines 0 0-2 0, Jamira Lewis 0 0-0 0, JaNiyah Cummings 2 0-0 4. Totals 19 5-17 47.
CLAYTON (1-1) – Jordyn Jones 1 0-2 2, Rainelle Blocker 4 5-6 13, Rosalina Pereira 2 0-2 4, Janice Blair 0 0-0 0, Napria Loatman 0 0-0 0, Sophia Petsch 0 0-0 0, Deondria Simon 1 0-0 2, Ava Delaney 5 0-0 14, India Williams 0 0-0 0, LaNiya Carr-Archie 1 1-4 3. Totals 14 6-14 38.

Penns Grove8111117 – 47
Clayton113159 – 38
3-point goals: Penns Grove 4 (Horace 3, Dowe); Clayton 4 (Delaney 4). Total fouls: Penns Grove 3, Clayton 7.

WILDWOOD 64, PENNSVILLE 30: After enduring a 90-minute bus ride to the game, the Eagles had trouble getting on track and fell behind 46-14 at halftime.

The Warriors took advantage of the friendly confines to hit eight 3-pointers in the first half to open up their big lead. Leading scorer Macie McCracken (22) and Rebecca Benichou (13) both hit three 3s in the half.

Nora Ausland led Pennsville with nine points. She had the Eagles’ five points in the first quarter.

“They played in the South Jersey Group I championship last year (against Woodstown) for a reason; (coach Teresa Cunniff) has always had a solid program,” Pennsville coach Sam Trapp said. “They are a very good shooting team and executed man defense well, which we struggled against. We had several open looks, but could not finish at the basket.

“We are still figuring out who we are and what our strengths are as a team. Hoping to have a better showing and boost our confidence next week.”

WILDWOOD 64, PENNSVILLE 30
PENNSVILLE (0-1) – Calli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Nora Ausland 3 1-2 9, Taylor Bass 3 1-1 7, Sofia Belitsas 0 0-0 0, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0, Anikka Macalino 1 0-0 2, Malani McGee 0 0-0 0, Isabelle Saulin 1 2-4 4, Avery Watson 0 0-0 0, Marley Wood 2 4-6 8. Totals 10 8-14 30.
WILDWOOD (1-0) – Sophia Wilber 2 4-6 8, Angela Wilber 4 0-0 11, Macie McCracken 9 1-1 22, Kaliah Sumlin 3 1-1 7, Rebecca Benichou 5 0-0 13, Cydnee Silian 0 0-0 0, Ashley Nagle 1 0-0 3, Janet Gonzalez 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 6-8 64.

Pennsville59124 – 30
Wildwood202617 1 – 64
3-point goals: Pennsville 2 (N. Ausland 2); Wildwood 10 (A. Wilber 3, McCracken 3, Benichou 3, Nagle).Total fouls: Pennsville 7, Wildwood 11.

GLASSBORO 44, SALEM 29: Tamia Smith (17) and Kezia Brackett (15) combined to outscore the Rams (0-1) themselves. Ava Rodgerss led Salem with 11 points.




The new girl

Pennsville’s Ausland makes a smooth transition to new team after transferring from Salem, could be Eagles’ final piece

MONDAY’S SCRIMMAGES
Girls
Pennsville 63, Palmyra 40
Penns Grove 30, Kingsway 30 (3Q)
Boys
Penns Grove 49, Kingsway 46
Woodstown 58, Maple Shade 29
Pennsville 50, Palmyra 46 (3Q)
Bridgeton 68, Schalick 40

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Nora Ausland had a lot of time to think about her future after a broken foot prematurely ended her sophomore season last year.

She wanted a basketball team capable of winning that would appreciate the skills she would bring to the table. Pennsville coach Sam Trapp wanted that one piece that would complete her team and make it a contender.

The two wants merged at the intersection of William Penn Avenue and South Broadway, right up the road from where Ausland used to play.

Ausland has merged seamlessly into the Pennsville program after transferring from Salem. On Monday she scored 27 points with five 3-pointers to lead the Eagles past Palmyra 63-40 for their first preseason victory.

“I’m glad it wasn’t difficult (to transition) because I was really scared to come here,” Ausland said. “I didn’t think people were going to accept me having this new girl, she’s going to take over, whatever. I was really scared people weren’t going to like me because I’m just coming in, taking over their stuff, but that’s not the case at all.

“It was really easy coming in here. Everybody was really accepting. I feel like I’ve known them since I was little. They all care for me and want me to do good and succeed, which I’m very thankful for. The first day of school I was just everywhere by myself, but then people were coming up to talk to me. Now I have a bunch of friends.”

The 5-foot-10 junior forward has made an immediate impact on the Eagles, who have designs on challenging Woodstown for the Tri-County Diamond Division title this year. She scored 17 points in her scrimmage debut against Millville and had nine the next time out against West Deptford.

Had Monday been a regular-season game, the 27 she scored against Palmyra would have been the second-best game of her high school career.

Nora Ausland (L) has fit into the Pennsville girls basketball program nicely after transferring from Salem before her junior year.

In two seasons at Salem she had 462 points, 61 3-pointers, 305 rebounds and 101 blocked shots. She had 179 points, 76 rebounds and 33 blocked shots when she broke a bone in her left ankle in late January. The Rams already were in the midst of a losing streak when she got hurt and they lost seven of their next eight without her.

The time away allowed Ausland to think long and hard about what she wanted from the game.

“I didn’t really have a good year because I broke my foot and the team wasn’t the best; they didn’t really give enough effort to care to win,” she said. “I was tired of that because I wanted to play, I want to win.

“I was just looking around at other schools, like what’s close, what’s easy for me to go to and also a good team. Last year they (Pennsville) got fourth seed out of the 16 (in South Jersey Group I) so OK it’s pretty good, it’s pretty easy to come here, so that’s what I did. I came here.”

Her arrival certainly was welcomed by Trapp. Ausland brings a dynamic the Eagles haven’t had since Ryane Wood, their last 1,000-point scorer who graduated in 2022.

She completes a lineup that returned three starters – senior Bella Farina, Taylor Bass and point guard Marley Wood – and includes elevated reserve Isabelle Saulin. Wood had 12 points on four 3-pointers against Palmyra.

“She just really incorporates a lot more offensive threat for us,” Trapp said. “We needed to be able to balance that responsibility between all five players and it helps with another player who can score.

“I like that she brings that competitiveness to practice because now it’s somebody that’ll push other girls and she can get pushed by other people, so I think it’s a real key component that is helping all the way around.”

PENNSVILLE 63, PALMYRA 40
PALMYRA – Cadence Anderson 8 0-0 20, Kylie Hines 0 0-0 0, Angie Sauls 2 0-0 4, Amanda Gilburn 1 0-0 2, Clara Cannouli 1 0-0 2, Cam DiMeo 2 0-0 4, Jada Colsee-Eli 1 2-3 4, Ava Sims 0 0-0 0, Anna Paszkiewicz 1 2-2 4. Totals 16 4-5 40.
PENNSVILLE – Nora Ausland 9 4-4 27, Taylor Bass 4 4-4 12, Sofia Belitsas 1 0-0 3, Bella Farina 1 2-2 4, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0, Anikka Macalino 0 2-2 2, Isabelle Saulin 1 1-2 3, Avery Watson 0 0-0 0, Marley Wood 4 0-0 12. Totals 20 13-14 63.

Palmyra1310710 –40
Pennsville22131513 – 63
3-point goals: Palmyra 4 (Anderson 4); Pennsville 10 (N. Ausland 5, Belitsas, Wood 4). Total fouls: Palmyra 13, Pennsville 4.

PENNS GROVE 30, KINGSWAY 30: Penns Grove’s Raniyah Wilson, the other dynamic transfer in the county this year, returned to her old stomping grounds and although she wasn’t as sharp as she might have been for the occasion scored 11 points as the varsities played to a tie in three quarters of action.

Wilson is in her first year with Penns Grove after transferring from Kingsway, where she would have been the Dragons’ top returning scorer and rebounder this season. She had six points in the first half as the Red Devils grabbed an 18-16 lead.

“We started her against her old team and I don’t think she had her best game at all,” Penns Grove coach Jennifer Denby said. “She was a little nervous. I wanted as a player, even as a coach, for her to come in and let them know how much they miss her and tonight just wasn’t her night.”

Jameelyonna Horace led Penns Grove with 12 points, including two 3-pointers. She had half of the Red Devils’ points at halftime.

Kingsway hit a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter to force the tie.

“In the beginning of the game it was a struggle,” Denby said. “It’s hard to play with one person on the floor and everyone else’s mind is not there. Right now we’re still looking for chemistry.”

The Red Devils scrimmage again Tuesday and then open their season Friday against Clayton.

PENNS GROVE 30, KINGSWAY 30
PENNS GROVE – Raniyah Wilson 4 3-4 11, Jameelyonna Horace 5 0-1 12, Brianna Robbins 1 1-3 3, Zoey Caesar 2 0-0 4, Syanna Robbins 0 0-0 0, Jamira Lewis 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 4-8 30.
KINGSWAY – Ava Valente 2 2-2 7, Emily Leshik 0 0-0 0, Bella Archer 3 0-0 7, Olivia Myers 1 3-4 5, Paige Horton 1 0-0 2, Gabbi Bruno 4 1-2 9. Totals 11 6-8 30.

Penns Grove71112 –30
Kingsway13314 –30
3-point goals: Penns Grove 2 (Horace 2); Kingsway 2 (Valente, Archer). NOTE: Varsity played three quarters.

Boys

PENNS GROVE 49, KINGSWAY 46: After running through numerous combinations in the first three quarters, Penns Grove coach Damian Ware stuck with his Super Six in the fourth and they went on a 20-2 tear that carried the Red Devils to a come-from-behind victory.

The Red Devils jumped out 19-7 in the first quarter, but were outscored 37-10 over the next two quarters to fall behind 15. Ware got on his team before the fourth quarter began, subbed in his better athletes and off they went.

They started Mehki Ballard, Willie Slocum, Roman Gipson and freshmen KaRon Ceaser and Brandon Robbins and scored the first 10 points of the quarter. Giomar Conrad entered three minutes into the quarter and help the Red Devils close it out.

“We had a lot of good possessions in the third quarter, but a couple guys missed some layups; we make those layups it changes the third quarter,” Ware said. “In the fourth quarter I went with my main six guys. We just played our pressure defense and turned them over a lot with the main guys I feel are going to be the guys going forward.”

Conrad and Ballard led the Red Devils with 15 points apiece and combined for 13 points in the fourth quarter. Ballard, their best 3-point shooter a year ago (59 made), hit two of his three 3-pointers in the rally.

“I got on them in the third quarter and lit a little bit of a fire under them,” Ware said. “The fourth quarter they turned it up and played the type of defense I want to play. If we can bottle up what we did in the fourth quarter today, we’re going to be really good. It’s going to be tough to score on.”

PENNS GROVE 49, KINGSWAY 46
KINGSWAY – Dylan Lewis 1 0-2 2, Dasir Williams-Bey 3 0-0 6, Jaden Martin Cooper 2 0-0 4, Mikah Hart 4 2-3 11, Gregg Campbell 0 0-0 0, Maurice Tavares 3 2-2 10, Luca Kuzmick 2 0-0 6, Kai Tolley 0 0-0 0, Brady Shelton 0 0-0 0, Sean Steckler 0 0-0 0, Christian Conklin 1 2-2 4, Terrence Collier 2 0-0 4, Peter Frey 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 6-9 46.
PENNS GROVE – Roman Gipson 3 0-4 6, Camren Thompson 0 1-2 1, Giomar Conrad 6 1-2 15, Mekhi Ballard 6 0-0 15, Nizah Spence 0 0-0 0, Khiry Higgs 0 0-0 0, Willie Slocum 0 0-0 0, Brandon Robbins 0 0-0 0, Will Roy 0 0-0 0, Karon Ceaser 4 1-2 10, Luis Colon 1 0-0 2, Mr Peterson 0 0-2 0. Totals 20 3-12 49.

Kingsway720172 –46
Penns Grove194620 –49
3-point goals: Kingsway 4 (Hart, Tavares, Kuzmick 2); Penns Grove 6 (Conrad 2, Ballard 3, Ceaser). Total fouls: Kingsway 13, Penns Grove 9.

BRIDGETON 68, SCHALICK 40: Jameel Purnell led three Bridgeton scorers in double figures with 29 points and the Bulldogs were just too much for the Cougars on the glass.

Zikown Anderson (14) and Zamir Chance (10) also scored in double figures for the Bulldogs. Purnell and Anderson combined for 18 points in the first quarter. Nasir Sutton led Schalick with 10 points.

BRIDGETON 68, SCHALICK 40
SCHALICK – Nylan Sutton 3 0-2 6, Reggie Allen 2 1-2 7, Jake Siedlecki 1 0-0 2, Jordan Johnson 1 0-0 2, Dan Lis 1 4-5 6, Ryan Johnson 2 0-0 4, Nasir Sutton 4 0-2 10, Jase Volovar 1 0-0 3, Sharod Jones 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 5-11 40.
BRIDGETON – Kyion Gray 3 0-0 7, Zikwon Anderson 6 1-3 14, Zamir Chance 5 0-2 10, Azhone Burden 3 0-0 6, Jameel Purnell 12 4-6 29, Richard Mills 1 0-0 2, Martavian Brown 0 0-0 0, Raheem Jacobs 0 0-4 0. Totals 30 5-15 68.

Schalick1110109 –40
Bridgeton20171615 –68
3-point goals: Schalick 5 (Allen 2, Na. Sutton 2, Volovar); Bridgeton 3 (Gray, Anderson, Purnell). Total fouls: Schalick 7, Bridgeton 3.

PENNSVILLE 50, PALMYRA 46: Luke Wood poured in 17 points and drew several charges and the Eagles moved a step closer to their Opening Night lineup, beating flu-ridden Palmyra in a scrimmage reduced to three quarters.

With a limited time to get something accomplished, the Eagles got off to a slow start, but they picked up the pace in their final two quarters to squeeze out the win. Wood and Cohen Petrutz both hit 3-pointers in the third quarter when Pennsville finally took the lead.

“Everything is coming together,” Eagles coach Joe Mecholsky said. “We’re starting to get the hang of it. I think last week I said defense is always ahead of the offense and now, T-minus four days (to the opener), we’re rounding into form.”

PENNSVILLE 50, PALMYRA 46

Pennsville122117 –  50
Palmyra191512 – 46
NOTE: The teams played three quarters.


Back and ready

Baber back in Wolverines’ backcourt after missing junior season, comfort level growing with each game

FRIDAY’S SCRIMMAGES
Girls
Woodstown 55, Camden Tech 12
West Deptford 43, Pennsville 32
Boys
Salem def. Bridgeton

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – In the overall scheme of a 33-point blowout in a preseason scrimmage it was a rather insignificant basket, but it sure meant a lot to Alyssa Baber.

When the Woodstown senior guard broke in on a 2-on-1 with Talia Battavio off the tip and scored the layup to open the second half scoring against Camden Tech, it wasn’t just another basket.

It was the first basket she has scored against somebody not wearing a Woodstown uniform in 21  months.

“She needed that confidence,” Wolverines coach Kara Straughn said. “She hasn’t played a full game or a natural game in years. She’s a good shooter. I think she just kind of needs a little confidence and kick start herself again.”

Baber missed her entire junior season following twice-delayed surgery on the ACL she tore in her right knee in one of her team’s last AAU games the May of her sophomore year.

The layup Friday was her first points in a game since a 3-pointer against Pennsville on March 3, 2022. You can look it up. (We did in the gym, and the result surprised her).

“I don’t remember that,” she said. “I didn’t get to shoot a lot my sophomore year, now I can have that feeling of what it’s like to make a basket and I’ve been wanting that. Unfortunately, at Gateway I didn’t get to make anything, but I was just happy being out there and today I made my shot and I was really happy.” 

Baber was so excited to get back into it, she couldn’t wait to text Straughn to remind her she had been cleared by her doctors to start practicing. Straughn eased her back into the action in the first scrimmage at Gateway Tuesday playing her only two quarters, but she played all four quarters Friday against the Warriors.

She didn’t score in the first scrimmage or in the first half Friday. But she had two buckets in the third quarter against the Warriors, finished with four points, grabbed four rebounds, dealt three assists and collected five steals before retiring for the day with 2:56 left in the scrimmage.

“Recently I’ve been really anxious about the games so I have a lot of jitters,” she said. “But every time I play it just all comes back to me, even if I’d played two years ago. It just comes back to me and I just love being out here with all the girls again.”

Sitting out while her teammates played made for one of the hardest years of her life. She tried to put on a brave face, but admitted it was tough watching while others play while she couldn’t. Now that she’s back, she’s pushing hard to get back where she was before the injury as a facilitator.

Her return strengthens an already deep array of Woodstown guards and gives Straughn even more options on how to attack an opponent.

“It makes us that much harder to defend,” Straughn said. “Because now I have not just two phenomenal guards, I have three, and then I have two girls underneath who can score 8 to 10 to 12 points. You’re going to overplay Megan or Talia, I have Alyssa Baber who will score. You’re going to overplay my forwards, I have three girls over the top who can score. I have five who can play pretty much any position.”

But scoring isn’t Baber’s game. She’d rather do the things that gets her teammates involved.

The Wolverines won big (55-12) even without top returning scorer Megan Donelson, who didn’t play due to illness. Her absence gave sixth-man Lauren Hengel a chance to shine and she responded with 16 points, four rebounds and four steals.

Battavio led all scorers with 24 points, Shannon Pierman had nine points and eight rebounds, and Gia Maiorini grabbed 10 rebounds.

WOODSTOWN 55, CAMDEN TECH 12
CAMDEN TECH – Ryan Jones 1 1-1 3, Carlee Miller 0 0-0 0, Kiara Miller 1 0-0 3, Vianny Fernandez 2 0-0 4, Brena Stiles 0 0-0 0, Daniya Forrest 0 0-0 0, Erica Bennett 0 0-0 0, Jaelyn White 1 0-0 2. Totals 5 1-1 12.
WOODSTOWN – Talia Battavio 8 3-4 24, Alyssa Baber 2 0-0 4, Shannon Pierman 4 1-2 9, Gianna Maiorini 0 0-0 0, Lauren Hengel 6 3-4 16, Lizzy Daly 0 0-0 0, Brae DiGregorio 0 0-0 0, Jaia Thomas 0 0-0 0, Others 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 7-10 55.

Camden Tech6420 –12
Woodstown1616212 –55
3-point goals: Camden Tech 1 (K. Miller); Woodstown 6 (Battavio 5, Hengel). Total fouls: Camden Tech 9, Woodstown 6.

WEST DEPTFORD 43, PENNSVILLE 32: The teams were locked in a tight battle in the first half, but West Deptford held the Eagles to one field goal in the third quarter and pulled away. Reyanna Jamison (12) and Alivia Arena (10) combined for 15 points in the second half for West Deptford.

Taylor Bass led Pennsville with 10 points. Marley Wood and Nora Ausland had nine each.

“We lost, but everything came together a lot better and I’m excited for Monday (when they host Palmyra),” Pennsville coach Sam Trapp said. “We’ve got to keep improving on defense, finding ways to create opportunities to finish and knowing our personnel.”

WEST DEPTFORD 43, PENNSVILLE 32
PENNSVILLE – Celli Ausland 0 0-0 0, Nora Ausland 3 2-4 9, Taylor Bass 4 2-2 10, Sofia Belitsas 0 0-0 0, Bella Farina 1 0-4 2, Kylie Harris 0 0-0 0, Anikka Macalino 0 0-0 0, Malani McGee 0 0-0 0, Isabelle Saulin 1 0-0 2, Avery Watson 0 0-0 0, Marley Wood 3 2-4 9. Totals 12 6-14 32.
WEST DEPTFORD – Janie Cross 2 2-6 6, Alivia Arrera 5 0-0 10, Jesce Diaz 1 0-0 3, Reyanna Jamison 5 1-3 12, Ciara Moss 1 0-2 2, Olivia Smith 0 2-2 2, DeaOnna Lawrence 3 0-0 6, Kallie Christy 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Taylor 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 5-13 43.
Pennsville78512 –32
West Deptford981214 –43
3-point goals: Pennsville 2 (M. Ausland, Wood); West Deptford 2 (Jamison, Diaz). Total fouls: Pennsville 8, West Deptford 16.

Boys

Salem went to Bridgeton for its final preseason scrimmage and came back with a win.

The biggest takeaway was the Rams being able to pull it back together after losing the lead. They led by six to eight points most of the game, fell behind 45-44 in the third quarter and then went on a run to pull away.

“That was good,” Rams coach Anthony Farmer said. “We have upperclassmen, so that’s my expectation. You have to stay poised. They’ve been around. I’m not looking for those guys to get rattled. We were sloppy at times, but later in the game we got it back together.”

Freshman Tymier Lecator showed poise beyond his years, hitting two big 3-pointers and taking two charges.

The Rams now start working towards their opener next Saturday against Woodbury in Penns Grove’s Red Devil Classic.