Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 25

rT'T'f "I' I 'y yi ly iy fi -t- 'y 'f 'f "I'T' I '( 1' I ITTTT I "I 11 1 I 1 1 I' I "'T I fT i i a i outh JerseySports MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1932 H.S. Wrestling urlington Township awesome in victory ots run comp I By DOUG FRAMBES Courier-Post Staff PISCATAWAY Newark Tech found out Sunday what was already well-known to many South Jersey schools. There are few options when playing Burlington Township. 7TmaTmmm The powerful 30- GrOUDj 1 Falcons, coached by Ken Faulkner, rode roughshod over the defending state Group 1 champions 79-61 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament final at Rutgers University. The state title was the third in Burlington Township's history.

Burlington Township also became the first school in the area to win 30 games in one season three times. The first period was an indication of how versatile the Falcon attack can be. In the opening minute, Frank Burg hit on a long3-pointer. Then Burg scored on a breakaway, Larry Crump tallied on a long pass from ft 1 Is- Going high: Shawnee's Corey Green Jermaine Sparrow tries for the block. Shawini Win flu Champions reward for Mauriellc ByJOEYCULUGAN Courier-Post Staff Cliches aside, Overbrook High School wre8tling coach Paul Mauriello is a man who has no problem putting his feelings into words.

For 26 years, Mauriello has been the driving force behind his extremely successful program. Until four years ago, the only thing missing was a state champion. Suddenly, however, Mauriello can be credited with producing three state champions in the last four years. In 1989, Impounder Erik Saunders won the school's first title. Last year, Damien Covington won at 189, and on MAURIELLO Saturday at Atlantic City's Convention Hall, Kip Covington, Damien's younger brother, won at 145.

Damien and Kip Covington both beat defending state champion in the finals, upending Ocean City's Patrick Lynch and Paulsboro's Matt Suter, respectively. Overbrook's top state finishers prior to Saunders were runners-up Earl Hines (1981, 108) and Mike Cornwell And while Mauriello is proud of all three state champions, he does not see their victories aa his own personal crowning glory. "All good things come to those who wait, but I just hope I didn't find the magic formula the past four years and I've cheated all the other kids before them," said Mauriello, No. 4 on the all-time South Jersey victory list with a 280-136-5 career record in dual meets. "My main concern through all the years, and what I feel is most important, is to bring the kids along that might not be as talented as some of the others.

"I'm always more happy to see the kids who don't have the same ability aa some others to achieve their best. "A state champion is always an exceptional athlete, and hopefully, you don't screw him up. I do think I've got enough experience at this point to know that. "But it takes a whole lot of kids to make a program. It's just good fortune on my part to have three state champs in four years.

I do feel I'm a better coach than 15 years ago. But again, if you stay around long enough Disappointed half-dozen Six South Jersey wrestlers with outstanding records were eliminated from the state tournament on Friday as they watched the quarterfinals from the stands in Convention Hall. That group included Oakcrest's Michael Ware, 119, 29-1-1; Wiliam-stown's Josh Petrillo, 21-1, 130; Holy Cross' Chris Carpino, 130, 27-2; Ran-cocas Valley's Josh Gannone, 140, 25-2-1; Haddon Township's Pete Klaus, 140, 26-2; and Holy Spirit's 171-pounder John Dattalo, 26-2-1. All six lost in the second round of the Super Region on Wednesday and, based on a new format this year, could not re-enter the tournament unless their second-round opponent won in Friday's quarterfinals. None did.

A year ago, a loss in the second round would have automatically allowed a wrestler to enter the loser's bracket. Conversely, Collingswood's Impounder Rick Koss got back in when Absegami's state champion John Martin advanced, and Haddon Township's 145-pounder Kevin Farnham also returned when Covington reached the semis. Both Koss and Farnham placed in the top six. All-Star meet South Jersey team to wrestle in Delaware: Page 5C College Softball Burlco College hammers Cecil CECIL, Md. Eve Hackett and Maple Shade High School's Nancy Renwick each had RBI triples that sparked an eight-run third inning that gave Burlington County College a lopsided 23-5 win over Cecil Community College on Sunday in a college softball.

Pitcher Vickie Myers (3-0) from Pem-berton, had four strikeouts and allowed 1 1 hits in the five-inning game. Glassboro splits 2-game series ACOEE, Fla. Sue Arthur, a Pennsau-ken grad, took a walk with the bases loaded, scoring Laura Kelly with the game-winning run to give Glassboro State a 5-4 win over the University of Wiscon-sin-Eau Claire in the second game of a doubleheader. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh beat Glassboro 4-3 in the opening game. A The zone defense employed by Faulkner through most of the game was effective.

When Newark Tech tried to press, the result usually waa a Falcon basket "We were blitzed tonight," said Newark Tech coach Steven Gary. "Burlington Township was awesome. I feel we have played better on certain nights but we were out of our class in this game." Long before the shock troops took over late in the game the crowd was talking about the Tournament of Champions which will begin on Tuesday. Faulkner was hoping to draw a bye but the schedule has Burlington Township facing Hillside at 8:30 p.m on Tuesday. "I am happy to face the top teams in the state," said Faulkner "We have gone against quite a few of them already." However, he would not compare his three state championship teams.

"Every team has its own personality," he said. "I would be lying if I said I did not expect us to do well this year, but you never know until things get going. Rolls to state By BOB VIGGIANO Courier-Post Staff PISCATAWAY Watching the Shawnee High School boys' basketball team in Sunday's state Group 4 championship game was like watching a master Burgeon at work. aMaHBMai With precision- GrOUD 4 like quickness, the ie Renegades delicately carved Irvington into little pieces while becoming the first-ever Burlington County team to win a state Group 4 championship aa they rolled to a surprisingly easy 69-56 victory over the North Jersey kings. Shawnee also became the first South Jersey team, other than Camden, to win a State Group 4 crown since Woodrow Wilson in 1970.

It is 30-1, having lost only to Burlington Township. "This is just an unbelievable feeling," Shawnee coach Joe Kessler said. "The only regret I have is my dad wasn't here today. He passed away 12 years ago and he taught me so much about basketball I know he would be proud right now." No question about that The young Renegades were simply marvelous in winning the prestigious Group 4 crown. "You'll have to ask me tomorrow how I feel," said 6-9 Kirk Luchman, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player after scoring 14 points and pulling down 16 rebounds.

"I'm just too numb right now. "But the MVP could have gone to anyone on the team. Everyone played that well today." He waa certainly right While Luchman played a strong game, he had plenty of help. Junior Danny Earl contributed 12 points and handed out 10 assists on some dazzling passes. Then there was the 14-point effort and outstanding defense turned in by junior Corey Green.

But perhaps the biggest contribution came from 6-4 Bryan Bensel, who scored a career-high 22 points and added seven rebounds. "I thought we had a great effort today," Bensel said. "But we've been playing this way all year. We just picked up our intensity level a little more." The game remained close through the first period and into the early parts of the second. Then with the score 21-19, Shawnee went on an 11-2 run with Bensel and Green each scoring four points to take a The final boys' and girls' basketball polls will be released eta later date.

After the young Hillside team raced to an 11-2 lead, the Panthers scored 30 of the game's next 40 points to take a 32-21 half-time lead. McNeal had 14 of his points during the first 16 minutes. "I thought our biggest problem was our offense in the first half," said Hillside coach Morris Griffin. "We weren't using our big men very well, and we were taking too many outside jumpers. That, plus the fact our leader Dwayne Arrington, had three fouls." Middle Township kept its composure in the third period and scored the last seven points of the quarter to build a 50-35 lead entering the final eight minutes.

Then it started to come apart for the Panthers. Led by freshman Jemo King, who scored all 14 points in the second half, the Comets went on a 17-1 run to take a 52-51 lead with 2 minutes, 55 seconds left in the game. "We didn't do a very good job handling their pressure," Feraco said. "And we didn't take good shots nor did we play very smart. But again, I have to take responsibility with what happened." But Middle, which didn't score a basket in the final period, rallied and hit five foul shots, four by Stephano Anderson, to take a 56-52 lead with a minute tc play.

But King, off a feed by Arrington, hit a bucket with 50 seconds left Then King etes "Frank Burg could always shoot but his improvement in other areas played a big role. Marcus Andrews came completely back from a bad injury. Anthony Smith is one of the best we ever have had at the school. Larry Crump, Chris Hutton and the reserves have done what they had to do. It is one of the most enjoyable groups I have coached." Newark Tech was in the road tonight Being in front of a juggernaut was not the place for a defending state champion to be.

NEWARK 1ECH(2M) VVMom Turner 2-4 ft Uno Simmon 2-8 OO 4. Fret mm 119 1-1 21, Terra Wale 04 OOO. AM Hooka 5-14 Mm 2-6 4-4 8. Kyle QrtMi 3-6 1-3 7, Hakim Brum 1-3 BURUNOTON TWP. (30-1 Anthony 8mWi 8-15 2-3 18, Frank Burg 8-18 OO 24.

Marcus Andrews 6-13 2-3 21 Chili HuKon 2-4 1-2 Larry Cramp 2-4 7, CM Pitman 1-2 2-3 4, Kevin Bennett 0-0 0-1 0, Mike Bowker OO OO0, Eric LeeOI OO0. Saan RickettsOl OO0. Frank Frazier 0OO0, Ray Stweert 00 00 0. Total 31-58 1019 7. Never Tec 12 14 13 22-81 BurHngnoTap.

22 18 2 10-71 Thee point QoalaNaimli Tack, mm, 2. Burtngun Tap, Burg 8. Andrews. Rebounds Newark Teort, 47 (Hook 14). Bur-tngkm Top.

37 (Smith 10 Aaaou Newark Taoh. 10 (Wees 3, BurtngM Two. 14 (Crump, Andrews 5 championship commanding 32-21 lead. After that run, the 24-4 Blue Knights never got closer than nine points the rest of the way. "They simply refused to let us play our game, said Irvington coach Kurt Fenchel.

"Their big guy (Luchman) and their guards (Dan and Brian Earl) were the difference. We just couldn't handle them. "Personally, I think Danny Earl should have been MVP," Fenchel added. "We had three or four guys on him and nobody could stop him from penetrating. He is some player." Irvington made its last run at Shawnee early in the third period.

Donald Moxley, who was outstanding for the Blue Knights with 24 points, led a charge that narrowed the Shawnee lead to 39-30 with 4 minutes, 28 seconds left in the third period. But once again, the Renegades had the answer. Danny Earl hit a short jumper in the lane and then hit a long 3-pointer to give the Renegades a 44-30 lead, and from that point the Renegades had the game in their pockets. "I didn't think it was over until there were about 2 minutes left," Kessler said. "Once they had to foul us, I felt pretty confident" The Renegades took a 13-point lead into the final period just like they did against Atlantic City in Tuesday's South Jersey final.

But this time, the Renegades never faltered. "I think the key was we were able to keep the game at our pace," Danny Earl said. "We never let them get into their running game. We were able to keep it a halfcourt game the whole way." "Before the game, I thought if we could keep the game in the 60s or low 70s, we had a great chance," Kessler said. "But holding this team to just 56 points was really something.

It kind of shows you what kind of kids we have on this team." rVM0TON(234) Kanya Capara 4-18 34 10, Donald Moriay 10-19 3-4 24, Jar-mama Sparrow 03 2-2 2, Jonathan Stmana 5-8 1-2 11, Dwayn dark 01 OO 0, Mlchaal Haadley 1-8 2-2 5, Haaaan Carter 00 00 0. Sulamon Abdullah OS 1-2 1, ChaKd Miter 0-1 OO 0. Antwan Chmy 00 OO 0. Shawn Lawtar 00 0-0 0, Tyrone Saab 00 00 0. Eugene RotHnaon 1-3 00 3.

Totala 21-6711-1656. SHAWNEE (301) Den Earl 4-10 1-2 12, Kirk luchman 5-7 4-8 14, Bryan Baneet 1014 2-2 22, Brian Earl 07 2-3 2, Corey Green 7-8 01 14. Gary Foeter 1-3 00 2, Rob Nader 1-4 00 3, Dannie Foeter OO 00 0 Sieve Bemee OO 00 0, Nick Qleeo 00 01 0, Jetl Buow OO 00 0, Kerth QerBend 00 00 0. Totala 2643 8-1 8 M. Imtaotoe 13 10 13 20 6.

Aeweee IS 13 It 20-481 Three point goere-lrilnjkjii, Capera, Moriey, HeerJey, Rotun-eon. Shawnee, D- Earl ft Nedtor. Rerjourale-lrvlngton 38 (Stevene vh nee (uicnmen ro). Aeeate-irvingun 5 (Madey 21 in overtime was fouled with eight seconds left. The 6-5 freshman swished both shots to force overtime.

The teams swapped points in the overtime, with Middle Township tying the score at 60 when Anderson hit a layup with 1:20 to play. Then came the wild finish and Arrington, like former teammate Jim Mazyck in 1990, dealt the Panthers another disappointing loss when he canned both ends of the one-and-one situation. "When I went to the line, I was thinking about Jim then," Arrington said. "And I wanted to do just what he did two years ago." "We still had another shot at the end," Feraco said. "We got a better shot after we stole the ball after our turnover than we would have had at first.

Charlie has won a couple of games for us like that this year. But this time the ball didn't go in. This is all so disappointing for all of us." Elisano and McNeal each scored 18 points to lead Middle Township. Anderson, who struggled most of the game, added 15 points, including seven of Middle's last 10 points. H1Ol0(2M) Dwsyne Arrington 4-10 2-2 10.

Kendal Ogle 3-7 1-2 7. Jemo King 06 2-2 14, Umont Adams 5-7 00 1 1, Issac Nelson 5-101-2 1 1 Tlasruen Bemer 34 0-0 6. Terrene Glenton 1-6 00 3, Byron Lewis 04 00 0 Totals 27-55 08 62. WOOU TOWNSHIP (28-3) Cnarse McNeal 015 4-6 16, Stephano Anderson 5-14 54 15, Nick EJteano 6-1 1 2-2 1 6, Don O'Neill 01 2-2 2, June Shenton 3-5 01 7. David Flenders 00 OO 0.

EMI Ren 02 00 0 Tots 20-48 7-1660 Httttds 17 4 14 21 8-2 MkktaTeermhki 14 16 16 6 4-80 Three point goehvHiltside, Adems. Middle Top. Emano 4, McNeel 2 Rebounds-Hesioe 33 (Amngton 6), Midcte Two 29 (Etseno 10 Assista-HHskM 16 (Amngton 11). Middle Tp. (0Nei5).

H.S. Boys' Basketball Marcus Andrews, Burg hit another 3-pointer, Chris Hutton stole the ball and made an uncontested layup, Burg hit a 3-point baseline jumper, and Andrews and Anthony Smith scored on drives. Township led by 10 after the first period and the lead continued to grow. Burg never cooled off, finishing with six 3-pointers and a game-high 24 points. Andrews wound up with 21, and Smith 18.

Burg was selected the game's most valuable player. "I was happy for Frank winning the award but I would have hated to be on the committee to make the selection," said Faulkner. "We do have a team with some gifted players, and we are playing on a high level right now." Throughout the second half, Burlington Township put on a basketball clinic Bteals turned into fast-break layups, and Smith and Andrews making patented drives. Courier-Post photo by Avi Steinhardt goes up for the shot as Irvington's Still the Panthers had another shot despite turning over the ball with two seconds to play. Nick Elisano stole the inbounds pass at midcourt, hit Charlie McNeal with a perfect pass, and he let fly with a 3-point shot that would have won the game.

But McNeal's shot rimmed the basket and came out And with that went Middle's hopes for that elusive state crown. "I blame myself for what happened," said Feraco, one of the classiest coaches in all of South Jersey, said. "A coach should be able to handle things like that. We should have been able to do something to stop them." With Elisano and McNeal leading the way, the Panthers appeared to have wrapped up the title. led by six after the first quarter but Orange dominated the second period and took a 29-26 lead into intermission.

Orange extended its lead to four points after three periods on the 3-point shooting ofCleon Hill. IW1N0(214) Delmar Olanton 3-10 OO 8, Ravi Norman 5-19 5-8 19, Jeue Olover 3-844 11, Michael Wllmore 00 80 8, Briar, Oevaney 1-3 3-4 6, Kenya Heami 1-3 1-1 3, Let Sumrmel 2-3 00 4. Totals 1 5-4721-2354. 0RANQE(22-8) Allen Mcintosh 4-7 02 8, Duval Simmondt 2-3 OO 4. Tariq Greene 4-100-08.

Cteon Ha) 5-13 0-0 13. Robert Skvoer 3-5 3-6 8. Terrell WHM 2-8 5-6 9, Sharehon Benton 01 00 0. Totals 20-48 8-1451. Eang 16 10 12 1644 Orange 10 18 13 8-tl Three point goele-EwIng, Norman, Glover.

Devaney Orange, HI 3. RebounoEwng 26 (demon 6), Orange 29 (Ws II). Aealett-Eolng 6 (Glanton, Norman 2), Orange 1 3 (Greene 5)! iddle Township stumbles, loses By BOB VIGGIANO Courier-Post Staff PISCATAWAY Middle Township High School boys' basketball coach Tom Feraco always will wonder how it all came apart in Sunday's state Group 2 championship game at Rutgers University. The 28-3 Pan-thers allowed a 15- GrOUD 2 point fourth period to slide away and then dropped a 62-60 overtime decision to Hillside in the state tournament final, the same team they lost to in the 1990 finals. And like the two-point loss in 1990, the game was lost at the foul line when the Comets' Dwayne Arrington canned two free throws with six seconds remaining.

"I Ewing surprises Orange in Group 3 54-51 PISCATAWAY Ravi Norman connected on four foul shots in the closing seconds Sunday afternoon to bring Ewing its second state with a 54-51 conquest of Orange in the state Group 3 boys' basketball championship game. GrCUD 3 The victory gave coach Emil Wandishin his second state title in his 27 years at the Ewing helm. "This one was very special to me," said Wanuioliin. "Ciange was tue better team but our kids gave a truly great effort. They could have folded several times but they didn't" The game was close throughout.

Ewing I Ae ja 41 .4 Mumju.