Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 11

COURIER-POST. Uondjy. March It 1M4 3B Boys' Basketball Top Ten Girls' Basketball Top Ten HIGH SCHOOLGIRLS' BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Late surge by St. Anthony's thwarts Wildwood Catholic 23 25 Mi 1. Camden 2.

Kennedy J. Atlantic City Burlington Twp. 5. Cherry Hill East 6. Overbrook 7.

Haddon Heights 8. Camden Catholic 9. Paulsboro 10. Paul VI 250 205 185 172 122 94 85 76 64 52 1. Washington Twp.

2. Wildwood Catholic 3. Sterling i Atlantic City 5. Paul VI 6. MUlville 7.

Schalick 8. Gloucester Catholic 9. Collingswood 10. Cumberland 258 225 1SS 1S3 US 126 70 (3 57 3) Second Ten: 11. Florence 32.

12. Lenape and Sacred Heart 17; 16. Middle Township 13; 17. Cherry Hill East 12; 18.Clearview 10; 19.Pauls-boro 20. (tie) Burlington City and Pemberton 8.

Second Ten: 11. Salem 38; 11 Bridgeton 31; 1 3. Burlington City 24; 14. Palmyra 23; 15. Gloucester 20; 16.

Cherry Hill West 13; 17. Sterling 12; 18. St Augustine 10; 19. Heart 5. Camden, Washington Twp.

No. 1 ous following was silenced by the string of 12 unanswered points, but it still had enough left to give Gavin a deafening ovation when she fouled out in the final minute. "Mary has had an outstanding career at Wildwood Catholic," said Tomlin. "The 16 points she scored today gave her 1,685 for her career. That's quite an accomplishment.

"I know she would have gladly given up some of those points for a victory today, but it simply wasn't to be. That girl (Rodriguez 28 points and nine rebounds) is one of the best players I've seen all season. "St. Anthony sdeservedtowin. They played hard, are well-coached and were certainly well prepared for the game." Gavin, who is headed for Notre Dame University, handed off eight assists, a couple of the unbelievable variety, to accompany her 1 6 points in her farewell game.

Unfortunately, she shared in the Crusaders' subpar 16-for-47 shooting percentage with an unusual 5-for-l5 "It was just oneof those games." said Tomlin. "We gut outshot and outre-bounded (40-26), and you don't win many games when that Cowan matched Gavin's scoring total for the Crusaders. PAROCHIAL FINAL guez with less than two minutes left in the period. But Jackie Cowan, who was 8-for-9 from the foul line, converted a pair and Janice Boyle hit an 18-foot bomb to cut the lead to 40-36 entering the fourth period. After Rodriguez opened that period with a layup, Mary Gavin countered with a jumper from the foul line and Cowan caged a layup to make it 42-40 with 4 44 left in the game.

St. Anthony's Sheila Wall drove the lane for a layup, but Cowan hit two from the line, making it 44-42 for the Friars with 4 21 remaining. That's about the time Wildwood Catholic could've used another tank of oxygen. In the next 71 seconds, Rodriguez was a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line and managed to sandwich in a layup to stretch the North Jersey team's lead to 52-42. The Crusaders, still trying frantically, continued to foul and Rodriguez continued to make them pay.

After Wall hit one of two from the line, the Friars' 5-10 senior converted three of four free throws and St. Anthony's had a 14-point lead with 1:39 to play. Even Wildwood Catholic's boister Minutemaids ivin Cup Perfect Panthers win ninth Cup since 1964 By WALT BURROWS Of the Couner-Post SOUTH ORANGE Dreams of a Parochial state championship for the Wildwood Catholic High School girls' basketball team were reduced to ashes in the final four minutes yesterday when St Anthony's of Jersey City pulled away for a 59-46 victory in the Seton Hall University gymnasium. Wildwood Catholic, winner in 25 of its previous 27 games and ranked No. 2 in South Jersey, came off a poor second in every department shooting, rebounding and hustling for loose balls to the scrappy Friars, who finished runnerup to Gloucester Catholic in Parochial last year.

Missing layups, especially in the second half while the game was still up for grabs, hurt the Crusaders. But what probably hurt the most was their inability to handle the Friars' sticky press. "We got ourselves in trouble dropping behind." said Wildwood Catholic Coach Matt Tomlin, a real class guy who went into the game looking to bring the first Parochial title home to the seashore school. "We had to go man-to-man on defense to try and catch up, and their press made us work hard on offense. I think the combination of the two simply tired us out and we had nothing left in the last few minutes." St.

Anthony's gave indications of breaking the game wide open in the third period when it turned a 35-32 lead intoan eight-point(40-32)edge on five straight points by Diane Rodri- after 25-0 campaign It is not anything new for Camden High School to win a Courier-Post Cup for finishing a boys' basketball season as No. 1 in the Top Ten Poll. Coach Clarence Turner, however, annually counts win ning the a ward as one of the pre-season goals of his squad. So he is more than pleased the Panthers have added another Courier-Post Cup to their collection. In topping the final poll after leading it throughout the campaign, Camden has earned its ninth Cup since 1964, its fourth in the last five years and its sixth since Turner took over as coach before the 1971-72 season.

H.S. BOYS' BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Christian Brothers dumps St. Camden, which was a unanimous choice for the top spot all season, improved its record to 29 0 Saturday when it beat Atlantic City to win its ninth South Jersey Group 4 championship since 1975. It was Atlantic City which beat Camden in a sectional semifinal last year and then edged the Panthers by one point for the No. 1 spot in the final The unbeaten Washington Township High School girls' basketball team, South Jersey Group 4 Champion, earned every first-place votein the Top Ten Poll toclaim the 1984 Courier-Post Cup.

The Minutemaids, who finished fourth in last year's Top Ten Poll, assumed the top spot the first week and never relinquished it. Washington Township plowed through South Jersey opponents with a 25-0 record en route to earning its first Cup unanimously in a poll of 25 coaches, officials and sportswriters. The Minutemaids also won the Olympic Conference American Division title with a 17-0 record. Washington Township's season almost came to an abrupt end Saturday night when it faced Southern Regional, a team not in this voting region, in the South Jersey Finals. The Minutemaids trailed the entire way, but managed to tie the game and win it in overtime.

"I'm definitely prouder of this team than any other I have ever coached," said Coach Dawn Shilling. "I don't think I've ever seen a team work as hard as we did in that Southern Regional game. That game showed hard work definitely pays off." Washington Township didn't become a unanimous choice for the No. 1 spot until Millville and Florence were knocked from the unbeaten ranks by Atlantic City and 1983 Courier-Post Cup winner Lenape, respectively, late in the season. Wildwood Catholic, the Cape-Atlantic II and South Jersey Parochial champion, climbed to its highest spot of the season at No.

2, after spending a majority of the season in the third, fifth and sixth spots. The Crusaders dethroned three-time defending state champion Gloucester Catholic in the Parochial semifinals. Sterling, which won its third straight Colonial Confer rankings. SOUTH ORANGE Once-beaten Christian Brothers Academy won the state Parochial A boys' basketball championship yesterday when it downed St. Peter's of Jersey City, 59-47, in the Seton Hall University gymnasium yesterday.

Jerry Long scored eight of his game-high 2 1 points in the second quarter as Christian Brothers moved to a 27-22 PAROCHIAL A FINAL halftime edge on the way to its 29th victory. Brian Kennedy, who finished with 17, was 7-for-ll from the foul line in the final quarter to secure the victory for the champions. Bill Herenda had 14 in leading St. Peter's. "We have to be pleased in winning the Cup because there are so many good teams in South Jersey," said Turner, whose team also won the Olympic Conference's American Division championship.

"It was a big disappointment after we lost out last year. "We have been fortunate. We have played a major por tion of our schedule on the road, including two games in Florida and a Christmas tournament. St. Anthony's repeats as state champ Kevin Walls, who has established a state single-season scoring record by producing 1,334 points, has been the spark orCamden, buthehas worked witha inesupporing PAROCHIAL A FINAL Paramus Catholic rips Notre Dame to win title SOUTH ORANGE Paramus Catholic High School, the top-ranked girls' basketball team in the state, raced to an 18-8 first quarter lead en route to a 72-44 win over Notre Dame last night in the Parochial A state championship game.

Carolin Dehn-Duhr, 6-5 center for Paramus, led the way with 28 points, seven blocked shots and six rebounds. Dana Pellegrino added 12 for Paramus, which finished the season with a perfect 28-0 record. cast "I thought we would have a good year," said Turner, whose team needs two more victories to give him his fifth New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association SOUTH ORANGE St. Anthony's High School of Jersey City captured its second straight Parochial boys' state basketball championship when it downed St. Peter's of New Brunswick, 58-50, yesterday in the Seton Hall University gym.

Ken Wilson scored 26 points in sparking St. Anthony's to its 27th victory in 30 games. Jeff White hit 22 for PAROCHIAL FINAL St. Peter's, which finished with a 27-2 record. St.

Anthony's jumped to a quick 13 0 lead, but St. Peter's battled back and moved in front, 34-33, in the third period. St. Anthony's regained the lead for keepson a field goal by Wilson, who had nine of his points in the third period. championship.

"I couldn't have expected we would play as well as we did. Two big factors were the team matured quickly and Walls turned out to be such a dominating player." ence title and claimed another South Jersey Group 3 crown, finished No. 3 for the second straight year. Coach Bill Ulrich did a fantastic job reconstructing the Silver Knights after losing all fivestarters from last year's team Eric Young, Mike Drake, Mike Gilcrest and Ken Smith joined Walls in the starting lineup. Turner also points to key contributions by reserves like sophomores Louis to graduation.

Banks, Lcn Moody and Chris Ingram. Atlantic City, a consistent Top Ten finisher, dropped STATE H.S. BOYS' BASKETBALL TOURNEY TALES GROUP 4 SEMIFINAL Tomorrow Camden (29-0) vs. Trenton (19-5) At Rutgers University, 8 p.m. Camden continues to be followed by Kennedy and Atlantic City, which have held the No.

2 and No. 3 spots, respectively, through most of the campaign. Kennedy, iwo places ana piacea ino. 4 after its 64-45 loss to Washington Township in the South Jersey semifinals. Paul VI, runnerup to Washington Township in the Olympic American Division, held its No.

5 Dosition. The Eaeles which has been beaten only by Trenton, improved its record to 26-1 when it beat Bridgeton for the South Jersey Group 3 title Saturday. AtlanticCity finished 24-4 with the ended Gloucester Catholic's 82-eame winnine streak early in the season. loss to Camden. The final poll shows only a few changes since last week and they reflect the outcome of sectional tournament games.

Haddon Heights, 20-5, which was 17th in the last poll, made the greatest advance by vaulting into the No. 8 spot Millville, which gave Washington Township a run for its money early in the season, faded to the No. 6 spot after a pair of losses to Atlantic City. Schalick, the South Jersey Group 1 and Tri-County Conference Classic Division champion, moved up two spots to No. 7.

Although Gloucester Catholic didn't win its usual state championship, it still managed to claim the No. 8 spot. Collingswood, the South Jersey Group 2 champion, and Cape-Atlantic I power Cumberland placed No. 9 and 10, respectively. on the strength of victories over Pennsville and Burling ton City on the way to the Group 2 title.

Burlington Town every school record and the state single-season mark. Walls is also South Jersey's all-time career scoring leader. But Walls has a strong supporting cast that includes the inside work of 6-4 senior Eric Young (13.3) and 6-5 junior Ken Smith (11.1). Also in the frontcourt is 6-9 senior Mike Drake (5.6). Senior Mike Gilchrest (9.3) joins Walls in the backcourt and is also capable of having very productive games.

Len Moody, Sean Mosby and Lou Banks are top reserves. Trenton relies heavily on speed and quickness to overcome lack of size. The Tornadoes' offense centers around 5-6 senior guard Greg Grant (22.3). Senior Lamar Bellamy (12.1) is the other Trenton player who bears watching. Most of the team's rebounding responsibility belongs to 6-3 Rich Wright (8.0), while 6-1 Kevin McClendon (7.0) lends a hand up front.

Senior John Adams (8.0) teams with Grant in the backcourt. PREDICTION: The Camden express Is rolling in high gear and Panthers reach the finals with an 88-71 BACKGROUND: This battle will be another renewal of old tournament rivals who have, met many times over the years. The last meeting came In 1980 with Trenton winning, 83-80. Camden, coached by Clarence Turner, is seeking Its fourth state title in the last seven years. The Panthers are also in their first unbeaten campaign in 24 years.

They breezed through a 17-0 conference season while winning the Olympic Conference American Division title. They won the South Jersey championship with victories over Pemberton, Lakewood and arch-rival Atlantic City. Trenton, coached by Bill Clark, won the Central Jersey crown for the second straight year. Last year the Tornadoes eliminated Atlantic City in this round before bowing to Plainfield in the state title game. Their last state championship came In 1961 when they beat Camden in the title game.

They won the Central Jersey crown with victories over Middletown South, Freehold Township and Neptune. PERSONNEL Camden has been led all season by 6-2 senior guard Kevin Walls (46.0) who has broken ship, 25-3, also climbed two spots to No. 4 as it won Group 1 honors. Overbrook, 22-4, has dropped two places to No. 6 after bowing to Kennedy in a Group 3 semifinal.

MEN'S BASKETBALL Cusick's foul shot decides game for 12 South GROUP 3 SEMIFINAL Tomorrow Kennedy (26-1) vi. Ewing (24-3) at Rutgers University, 6:30 p.m. points who led 12 South to its seventh victory. Paul DeAngelo had 19 for Ben Pilla's. Fox's Book Store clinched a berth in the playoffs which start next week when it upset Randy's Pizza, 67-66, in two overtimes as Stan Gardner tallied 19.

Fox's will face Campbell Agency in the playoff opener Sunday. John Murphy hit 14 for Randy's. Frank Minor collected 25 as Thriller wrapped up third place by downing Campbell Agency, 80-59, and Steve Kennedy hit 16 to spark Kennedy Culvert over Hustlers, 58-23. Steve Jakubowski had 21 for Camp John Cusick's foul shot with two seconds to play enabled unbeaten 12 South to hand Ben Pilla's its first loss, 48-47, and clinch the regular-season championship in the Blackwood CYO Basketball League yesterday. While Cusick provided the deciding point, its was Kenny Rambo with 20 SWIMMING) Meeting to organize swimming coaches set averaging in double figures.

But the big key is the inside scoring and rebounding of 6-7 senior Derrick Brantley (18.0) and 6-1 senior John Golden (13.0), who went over the mark against Bridgeton on Saturday. Nate Williams (5.7), a 6-6 sophomore, has moved into the starting lineup at one of the forward positions. The Gryphons have an excellent and veteran backcourt combination in seniors Carlton Martin (13.4)and Brice Edwards (11.9). Ewing is led by 6-3 senior Tom Berry (26.0), one of the finest all-around players in the state. He is the heart and soul of the Ewing team.

In the middle the Blue Devils have 6-7 senior Pete Manning (15.5). while 6-3 junior Doug Glenn (8.0) is at the other frontcourt spot. The backcourt is composed of 5-8 junior Chuck Willets (11.0) and 6-0 senior Tim Kogr (4.0). PREDICTION: This is a tough one to figure but will go with local team as Kennedy advances with a 67-64 victory. BACKGROUND: Kennedy, coached by Bob Vernon, is making its first appearance ever In a state semifinal game.

The Gryphons enter the game with a 24-game winning streak. They won the Burlington County Conference Liberty Division crown while going 16-0. The Gryphons, No. 2 in South Jersey behind Camden, won the South Jersey crown by beating Central Regional, Overbrook and Bridgeton. Ewing, coached by Emil Wandishin, won the Central Jersey crown for the second straight year.

Last year the Blue Devils beat Cinnaminson in the semifinal round before losing to Phillipsburg by a point in the state title game. This year the Blue Devils won the Colonial Valley Conference and the Mercer County Tournament. They won the Central Jersey crown with victories over Wall Township, Franklin Township and Watchung Hills. PERSONNEL: Balanced scoring has been Kennedy's trademark all season with four of its starters bell. The Philadelphia All-Stars opened the best-of-thrce-game final playoffs in the Camden Over 35 League by toppling QAP, 81-72.

Bob Brooker scored 36 and Vic O'Connor 15 in pacing the All-Stars, who also took the regular-season title. QAP, which was led by Buster Pin-kett's 26, trailed 42-36 at half time. But QAP cut its deficit to three points late in the game before Brooker and Mickey Olds scored to pull the All-Stars away. MARLTON Plans are being made to form a South Jersey Swimming Coaches Association and a meeting regarding the organization is slated for Wednesday evening, 7:30, at Cherokee High School. Marianne Venuti, Cherokee girls' coach and head of the organizing committee, says one of the things to be decided is whether to open the group to swimming officials.

Among the purposes would be to develop greater interest in high school swimming in the area and to get more schools interested in developing programs. Venuti is urging coaches to attend the meeting or to contact her at the high school, 983-5140. GROUP 2 SEMIFINAL Tomorrow Haddon Heights (20-5) vs. Aibury Park (22-5) at Lakewood High School, 8 p.m. STATE H.S.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL TOURNEY TALE GROUP 2 SEMIFINAL ommofvw Collingiwood (21-3) vt. Aibury Park (19-6) at Lakawood High School, 6:30 p.m. BACKGROUND: Haddon Heights, coached by Randy Gess, won the South Jersey crown for the second straight year. Last year the Garnets lost to eventual state champion Red Bank in the state semifinal round. Haddon Heights also won the sectional crown in 1980 before bowing to South River in the state semifinals.

The Garnets last won a state title In 1970. This year they finished tied for second with Sterling In the Colonial Conference. They won the South Jersey title with victories over Gateway, Pennsville and Burlington City. Asbury Park, coached by Nate Bruno, last won the Central Jersey crown in 1978 when It also won the state title to cap an unbeaten season. The Bishops won the Shore Conference Class South crown this year by going 14-0.

They lost to Neptune In the semifinal round of the Shore Conference playoffs. Asbury Park took the Central Jersey title by beating Holmdel, Ridge and Somerville. PERSONNEL: The two teams match up well as far as size and experience goes, but Asbury Park rates the slight edge on overall quickness. Haddon Heights' attack centers around 6-2 junior guard Eddie Thomas (17.4) and 6-5 senior center Dave Hamwright (14.3). This duo has been Heights' most consistent performers all year.

The Garnets also start 6-3 sophomore Marcus Hamwright (10.7) and 6-1 junior Doug Williams (9.0). Senior Russ Farmer (1 1.5) joins Thomas to form the Heights' backcourt. Asbury Park relies on its quickness with 6-0 junior guard Remond Palmer (20.0) leading the way. Palmer Is not an outside threat but gets most of his points with excellent penetration and breakaways. Kip Thompson (14.0).

a 6-3 senior forward, is capable of having big games while 6-4 junior center Trevor Holland (9.0) is the team's top rebounder. Tyrone Smith (10.1), a 6-1 forward, is the other starter up front, while 5-8 senior Darryl Hammary (6.0) is the other backcourt starter. The game rates a tossup but go with Haddon Heights in a squeaker, 67-64. BOB VIGGIANO ers, both averaging around 12 points per game. Nancy Warren directs the offense from her point guard position and Maureen Cannon provides both offensive and defensive quickness.

Carta Julian! is a decent outside shooter and the team leader. Asbury Park is almost a carbon copy of the Colls with little height but a lot of speed. The Bishops apply full-court pressure and rely on their quickness to wear teams down. Regina Ricks is the leading scorer and provided the heroics in the Somerville game, scoring 21 points. Johnsie Bailey and Lynstte Redd lead the defense, while Darlyn Brooks and Marsha Holland round out the starting five.

PREDICTION: The Coils have made a liar out of me all year long and they will have to do it one more time Asbury Park, 53-50. BOBBROOKOVER BACKGROUND: Collingswood, under the reins of John Bach, downed Delran 45-43 in overtime to claim the school'! first South Jersey championship. The Colls finished second to Sterling In the Colonial Conference with a 15-3 record. They defeated Salem and Clearview to reach the South Jersey finals. Asbury Park, coached by Mark Hlatky, came on strong at the end of the season and carried its momentum Into the tournament.

The Bishops were co-champs in the Shore Conference Class South Division. Asbury Park dethroned defending Central Jersey champion and top-seeded Somerville, 47-45, to claim Its first sectional championship. They also defeated Holmdel and Delaware Valley en route to the finals. PERSONNEL: The Colls are a team with little height, but a lot of heart and speed. Sophomores Donna Sey-bold and Jeanne Mooney are the team's leading scor.