Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 27

5C Harbor holds on Going up high H.S. Basketball COURIER-POST, Monday, March 18, 1992 to win first state crown Boyi NJSIAA Tournament of Charnptont at Rutgers University QUARTERFINALS (4) Seton Han Prep (26-3) vs (5) Ewiig (21 8). Tuesday, 6 30 (3) Burlington Twp (30-1) vs (6) Hillside (234), Tuesday, 830 SEMIFINALS (2) Shawnee (30-1) vs Burlington winner, Thursday, 6 30 (1) Martst (30-1) va Seton Hall Prep-Ewmg winner, Thursday, 8:30. FINALS Sunday, March 22 at the Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, 3:30 p.m. Girls NJSIAA Tournament of Champkma at Monmouth College QUARTERFINALS (4) Jefferson (28-3) vs (5) Egg Harbor Twp.

(27-4), Tuesday 6:30. (3) Linden (25-2) va (6) South Hunterdon (26-1), Tuesday 8 pm. SEMIFINALS (2) St. Peter's New Brunswick (30-0) vs Linden-South Hunterdon winner, Thursday 6:30. (1) St.

John Vianney (29-2) vs Egg Harbor Jefferson winner, Thursday, 8 p.m. FINALS Sunday, March 22, Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford. 1:30 p.m. Harbor Township went into the locker room with a 20-17 lead. It was nip-and-tuck from there but Egg Harbor managed to keep its composure.

"We saw them play in the Bergen County tournament, and I think that helped us a lot," said Nickles. "Last year, everything was so new to us. We felt rushed to do things. This year it was a lot different" Egg Harbor Township, which won the Cape-Atlantic League American Division for the second straight season, will face state Group 2 champion Jefferson on Tuesday in the first round of the Tournament of Champions. The game is at 6:30 p.m.

at Monmouth College. "We juBt wanted to get this far and win this game," said Nickles. "Everything after this is icing on the cake." "The kids weren't going to be denied. They have been focused on this game since last March," said Botta. "Last year, it was a totally new experience.

To be honest, they were scared to death. It was totally different this year." By ED CUNEO Courier-Post Staff WEST LONG BRANCH Key foul shots by Amy Nickles and Stephanie DeFeo, and a timely defensive play by Michelle McGowan helped the Egg Harbor Township mmmmmm girls' basket- GrOUD 3 ball team win its first-ever state championship Sunday. The Eagles held off Pascack Valley 40-37 to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament Group 3 final at Monmouth College. Shea Matlock scored 25 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had four steals to earn Most Valuable Player honors for Egg Harbor. Matlock, a junior guard, shot 10-for-18 from the field, including two 3-pointers, in a performance that was a stark contrast to last year's state final loss to Clifford Scott 59-47.

In that game, Matlock scored 15 points but was never a factor after getting four first-half fouls. "I didn't even want to think about last year," said Matlock. "Whenever someone mentioned it, I put it out of my mind. I heard their fans chanting my name early, but I just put it out of my mind." It was not an easy win for the Eagles. DeFeo's layup gave Egg Harbor a 37-33 lead with 3 minutes, 38 seconds left but Heather Miles, who scored 19 points to lead Pascack Valley, countered with a short jumper to make it 37-35.

H.S. Girls' Basketball Nickles made two foul shots with 2:56 remaining to push the lead back to 39-35. After trading turnovers, McGowan came up with a defensive gem as she blocked Kim Beezer's shot and grabbed the deflection with 22 seconds left. Pascack 's Maria Mekjian made a layup to make it 39-37, but DeFeo iced it with a foul shot with five seconds remaining for the final margin. "We played a solid half-court defense, and we played good positional defense," said Egg Harbor coach Sam Botta.

"We're not an offensive powerhouse, so we need to play good defense." "At the half, we just wanted to get it going," said Matlock. "We knew we were better than that We knew that Miles was going to be an offensive threat I thought Amy Nickles did a good job on her, and Jen Hannum did a great job of sliding down and double-team-ing. Egg Harbor, 27-4, had its biggest lead in the second quarter when Matlock's jumper with 5:16 left in the quarter made it 17-9. But then the Eagles committed seven turnovers in its last nine possessions of the half. Pascack Valley, 29-2, went on an 8-0 run to tie it at 17-17 but Matlock came up with a big offensive play when she made a layup and was fouled with 11 seconds left.

She made the foul shot and Egg iff V- Courier-Post photo by Debra L. Bicking Battling: Burlington Township's Marcus Andrews fights (center) Newark Tech's Lance Simmons and Frank White for a rebound during Sunday's state Group 1 championship game. Burlington Township won 79-61 South Jersey stars face Delaware team First loss tough to swallow for Middle Township in finale 100 NmOH TOWMMP (174) Amy Ntckles 2-4 2-6 6, Stephens Oaf to 3- 3-4 9. 0, Jennmr Herman 0-10-10, OareSa CmekSO-20-0 0 Totals 1548 8-13 40. PA8CACXVAUIY(2M) Amy Mrion 1-2 0-0 2.

Mull Mekjien 3-13 4-4 10. Heather MUM -1 1-1 19, Anna Lee 0-0 0-0 0, Ktn Beezer 1-70-02, Alteon Hirachman 0-00-00, Wendy IggHartw 11 111 t-40 PeecactVaeey (1110 10-17 Times point goele-og Hirtw, Metta. 2. Puck Vetey, Nora. MaouniUga Hattnr 30 (NIckM 91.

Puck VtSey 22 (AcHon 6, MM Assa-gg Harbor 7 (DeFeo, Mattock, Mermum 2), Peecack Valey t(Mek)lan3). set a goal to keep Brandell and Gonzalez under their season averages, and we did. But Annuzzi really hurt us. Down 24-15 with four minutes left to play in the half, the shots started to drop for Middle. The Panthers sank 5 of 7 from the field for a 10-3 spurt which left them down by only two at the half.

Middle remained torrid in the third quarter and captured its biggest lead of the game after senior guard Melissa Swain (16 points) sank two free throws for a 34-29 edge. But Jefferson went on a 12-2 run to provide it with a 41-36 advantage with 7:26 left. In that span, Annuzzi had five points, including a 3-pointer, Gonzalez had four points, and Brandell gave the Falcons the lead for good at 38-36 with a layup off a steal. Middle narrowed the deficit to 41-38 with 6:37 left to play as junior forward Megan Compain (14 points) hit 1 of 2 free throws. But Middle hit only 2 of 7 free throws down the stretch, and Jefferson pulled away as it sank 6 of 7 from the line.

"We played uncharacteristically down the stretch and were out of sync," Barber said. "We've never been in a position where we were down by that many that late." WOMTOWKSHWrJI-1) Metue Swan 8-14 44 16. Megan Compan 8-10 2-4 14, Olneen McBndaO-7 00 0, Crystal Hobmeon 3-10 0-1 8, Dawn Stitan 0-2 1-2 1, Jodl Coftee 0-2 04 0, Brandee Kennedy 2-6 1-2 5. Totals 17-60 8-17 42. jeFFtRSC (2S-3) Jessica Amuizl 8-9 4-4 18.

Pam BramM 6-121-2 1 1 Aurora Qonislei 7-15 OO 14, Tracy Heyboer OO 0-00, Tare Jacobl 1-4 2-4 4, Jen Manner 1-3 2-3 4, Ua Torres OO 040. Totals 20-43 9-1351. Mkkle Township 1 16 11 8-41 Jenenon 14 13 12 12-81 Three point goele-Jeftorton, Armurri (2). Rebounds. Middle fwp.

34 (Robinson 12); Jeflereon 32 (Brandell 1 1 Assists: Middle Two. 10 (McBnde 6); Jefferaon 13 (Melsner 5). Fouled out-Gonzalez. By MIKE HORNER Courier-Post Staff WEST LONG BRANCH -Ironically, it took a strong dose of its own medicine before the Middle Township High School girls' basketball team tasted defeat for the first time this season. Hf QUO 2 Middle, which had dominated the boards at both ends of the court en route to 30 straight wins, was stifled by Jefferson Township's inside game on Sunday afternoon and dropped a tense, seesaw battle to the Sussex County champions 51-42 in the state Group 2 title game.

The win gave Jefferson, 28-3, its first state title and advanced it into the Tournament of Champions, which starts Tuesday. Jefferson had reached the Group 2 state final in both 1987 and '88, but were defeated each time by Manasquan. Middle last appeared in the Group 2 state final in 1985, when it lost to Sparta. "We're obviously pleased with the season, but just disappointed with the end result," said Middle coach Gary Barber, whose squad consisted of only three seniors. H.S Wrestling will risk his 29-7 mark against St.

Mark's Jeff McColgan, a Delaware state champ with a 34-4 record. Delsea's Tim Dougherty, fourth in the state at 140 with a 32-3 record, will meet Glasgow's Fran Kel-ley, who was second in Delaware. Also in the lineup for South Jersey, which will be coached by Collingswood's Ron Hamrick and Maple Shade's Mike Schuld, will be West Deptford's Nick LaGrotta, 112; Penns Grove's Hank Ridgeway and Delsea's Joe Bilinski, 119; Williamstown's Josh Petrillo and Pemberton's Rusty Adams, 130; Haddon Township's Pete Klaus, 135; Delsea's Rob Christian, 171; and Paulsboro's Charles Fone, 189. Also wrestling for Delaware, which will be coached by St. Mark's Steve Bastianelli and Sussex Central's Phil Schultie, will be Mount Pleasant's Mike Feil, 103; St Mark's four-time state champion Sheldon Thomas, who was 37-0 this year and 132-2-1 in his career, at 112; Salesianum's Anthony Sorrantino and Hodgson's Jeff Smith, 119; William Penn's Art Bellamy and Cape Henlopen's Gerad Hill, 130; Sussex Central's Bill Baxter, 135; St.

Mark's Jason Testa, 171; and St. Mark's John Ziemba, 34-2-1. Directions Take 295 South to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Once in Delaware, continue south on Route 95 to Route 141 East (Basin Road). Follow Basin Road approximately four miles.

William Penn High School will be on your right. Semifinals April 4 Regional March 26 28 College Baseball Obermeier homers to lift St. Joe's CHESTER, Pa. Junior Ron' Obermeier, a Bishop Eustace Prep graduate, had a lOth-inning solo home run to break a tie and give St Joseph's University an 11-9 win over Widener University on Sun-'' day in a baseball game. Widener tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run homer by Kevin McCuIlagh.

But a pair of solo home runs by Obermeier and Jason Hamilton gave the Hawks the two-run win. Obermeier and Hamilton each finished the game with two home runs. Obermeier's brother, Brian, who is also from Bishop Eustace, had one home run and teammate Bill Weingartner, out of Maple Shade, was 4-for-6 with three' RBIs. Junior Dan Aydelotte, a Col-, lingswood product, finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored to lead Widener. Pitcher Shawn Lavin earned his -first win of the season.

Matt Glass suffered his first loss. GCC splits doubleheader LINCR0FT Nick from Glassboro, doubled in the sixth inning, scoring Boyd Wisdom with the game-winning run as Gloucester County College beat Brookdale Community College 1Q-' 9 in the first game of a double-header. Brookdale won the second gams', 5-3. Gloucester County's Bert Zimmerman was 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the first game. Ray Sutton was the winner.

Trailing 4-1 in the second game, Gloucester County blew its come- back when it hit into a double play with two men on base. Gloucester County had a man on third base in the seventh but couldn't capitalize for the tying run. Brookdale, which raised its rec-j ord to 4-4, banged out 11 hits in Game 2. Gloucester County aged only five hits as its record, dropped to 3-1. Villanova tops La Salle RADNOR, Pa.

Junior right- fielder Kevin Armstrong was 3-for-5 with a double and a two-run homer to lead Villanova Univer- sity to an 8-7 win over La Salle at McGeehan Field. 2nd Round: 1st March 21 or 22 March 18 EAST 1) Virginia 8) GWU 9) Vermont 4) Virginia 5) Clemson 12)Tcnn Chal 6) U. Conn 3)yandert)ill St. Peter's 2) Miami 10) Old Dominion MIDWEST 1) Iowa 8)SWMo. St.

9) Kansas 5) UCLA Darne, 4) Texas 3) Penn Stale 6) Arizona Stale "JDePaul 2) Mississippi 10) So. Illinois 7) Colorado AP By LEE WAGNER Courier-Post Staff The 1991 edition of the South Jersey Senior All-Stars will wrestle the Delaware Senior All-Stars on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at William Penn High School in New Castle, Del. South Jersey, which will be led by New Jersey state 145-pound champion Kip Covington, leads the series 6-1, having won the last five in a row. South Jersey won the inaugural meet in 1985 30-23 before dropping a 37-26 decision to Delaware in Since then, South Jersey has won by scores of 52-15 (1987), 32-26 (1988), 32-29 (1989), 48-11 (1990), and 41-22 last year.

There will be 15 bouts with additional wild-card bouts at 119 and 130. Covington, 23-1, is coming off a 6-1 win over Paulsboro's Matt Suter in the 145-pound state championship and will go against St Mark's Glenn Stevens, the Delaware state champion with a 35-1-1 record. State runners-up Larry DeVault of Paulsboro and Tom McAleer of Gloucester Catholic also will see action for the South Jersey team. DeVault, 33-1, will face Dickinson's Jason Scott, who was fifth in the Delaware state meet McAleer, 33-2, will wrestle Newark's Dennis Patrick, who was third in Delaware. Hammonton heavyweight Jim Ciarlante, who finished third in the state after pinning Watchung's Paul Ingrassia in 4 minutes, 32 seconds, will battle St.

Mark's Travis Ciriaco, who was second in Delaware with a 31-6 record. Millville's Jack Warfle, who finished fourth in the state at 125, Regional March 26 28 Semifinals April 4 i Aprils Linden romps over Piscataway "They've been giving 110 percent all season, and it wasn't a lack of effort as much as it was their nervousness about being in the big game. "But they're young and a very, very strong-hearted bunch of kids. I know they're going to take it hard, losing today, because the chance of having an undefeated season and becoming state champs was lost all in one game." Six-foot center Pam Brandell and 5-10 forward Aurora Gonzalez, both juniors, provided Jefferson with the strong inside play. Brandell finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but it was her marvelous defense that carried the Falcons.

She blanketed Middle's sophomore center Crystal Robinson, who was averaging 14 points per game in the playoffs. Robinson had 6 points and 12 rebounds. Jefferson also got an inspired performance from its spunky senior point guard, Jessica Annuzzi, who was named the game's MVP after she recorded 18 points, 7 boards, and 4 assists. "Annuzzi obviously put a lot more points on the board than we had anticipated," Barber said. "We PISCATAWAY Danielle Louis 8-21 4-8 20.

Jam Cnmiaiownt 2-8 3-5 8, Chelsea Ferguson 6-110-012. Nki Jonet 2-1 1 2-4 8, Tracy Reave! 2-14 0-0 5, Lisa Hart OO MO, Lorl Hughes 0-0 CM) 0. Totals 20-66 9-17 51. UNOEN (28-21 Sharon KukaJ 2-2 4-9 8. Sharmane koooce 2-5 1-2 8.

Raqia Johnson 3-5 0-1 8. Simone Giftam 5-12 2-4 1 2. Temecka Dixon 1 7-29 4-5 39, lorl Wilson 0-10-00, Kim Ledtord 0-0 0-0 0, Takletha Mashhood 00 0-1 0, Tsmecka McRae MO-0 0. Lauren WiglaH 1-2 (M) 2. Totals 30-58 11-22 73.

Plecatavm 8 18 1 18-81 UnckM 20 18 19 20-73 Three point goelt-Aicetaway, Chmwlowiej, Reaves. Unden, Koonoe, Dixon. Ftebounds-Piaca-taway 43. (Lous 15), Unden 44 (Dixon 18). Assitts-Piscalaway 7 (Jones 3), linden 15 (Gilliam 8).

So. Hunterdon earns 1st title WEST LONG BRANCH -Junior point guard Colleen McCrea scored 14 points to lead South Hunterdon to its first state Group 1 girls' basketball title 40-33 over Whip- pany Park on GrOUD 1 Sunday at Monmouth College. A 6-0 run early in the third quarter gave South Hunterdon (26-1) the lead for good. Megan Perri's jumper gave the Eagles a 17-16 lead, and Amanda Pittore and McCrea both converted jumpers to make it 21-16. Whippany Park (24-6) made a 6-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull to within 30-29.

But a jumper by McCrea and a baseline field goal by Carrie Neal increased South Hunterdon's lead to 34-29. SOUTH HUNTERDON (2S-1) Peaty Minschwener 2-84-48, Colleen McCrea 6-23 2-3 14. Chrtitlne Pieman M44, Megan Pert 2-5 0-1 4, Amende Pittore 1-31-23, Mmy Williamson 1-1 1-4 3. Came Neal 2-4 0-0 4, Jennifer Kaoeiabek 0-1 (M) 0 Totals 14-45 12-18 40. WHIPPANY PARK (24-4) Sandy Peru 0-2 1-3 1, Weery Calderon 1-12 24 4, Cynthia Jackson 5-70-010.

Shana CauMielo 0-21-21. Kasieen Madden 47 4-5 12. M.u 2-4 1-15. Christine KI CH3 0, Kelfy Merc OO 0-0 0 Totals 12-34 0-17 33. south Humenloa 1rj ijao Whippany Part I 10-33 Three-point field goan-None Rebounds-South Hunterdon 25 IMmscnwener 7); Whippany Per 39 (jnion 13) Aeaists-South Hunterdon 6 (McCree 3) Whippany Perk (Caloeron 4).

Fouled oul-Pmore Jack ion 1992 DIVISION I WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP WEST LONG BRANCH. -Junior Tamecka Dixon scored 39 points on 17-for-29 shooting from the field and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead Linden to its first state Group 4 girls' aaBea-esei basketball QrOUD 4 title 73-51 over Piscataway on Sunday at Monmouth College. Behind Dixon, Linden (25-2) took over the game early in the first quarter. Amateur Soccer South Jersey League Wail Daptford 5, Natatu Coottructkm 0 Birh BiicklAv hit tha net twice to Dower West Depttord. John Winkler notched the shutout tor the winners.

Mark Klimak scored twice and Mike Reardon added a goal lor Lena's. Don Rech Brian Sullivan and Giuseppe Evola scored tor Fart's. Intarboro Untied 5, Soccer locker A 2 Kevin MacFarlane's two goals led Inter-boro United B. Adam Mace scored twice for tha losers. Argentina SC 4, Intertsoro United A 2 Par Fmilio and Luis DeCasanova each hit the net once and Juan Catudella added a goal to power Argentina bo.

Medtord A 3, Atlantic City 0 Frank Metlvier netted twogoalsandChns Kelly added one to pace Medford A. John tuao in IMt tnr MfldlflfH. Stanger Construction 3, Rotenhayne SC 0 Jen Hensnaw nao a nai in iu mu Stanoer. Bill Thomas recorded the shutout. Eagle's Neat Rick Jamieson scored lor tagie nasi and Geoff Starks tallied the only goal for Nanruna Absecon Arsenal 2, Giuseppe's Pizza 0 Tim Bambnck ana btu beangm eacn cored a ooal for Absocon Arsenal, and Mike Hawthorne got the shutout.

American vending oepnoro i i Pain Oris Coulter and Shawn Ryan scored goals for American. Jeff Groch scored the only goal tor uepnoro. S.J. Indoor 110 Sean MacKenzie netted two goals, Todd Suessmuth, John Carr, and John Hagen-buch each scored single goals to lead S.J. Indoor.

Bob Dees was the goalkeeper for Dadz. Sepe'a Travel 4, General Electric SC 2 Mark Marandino scored three ooals and Jacqus Hanograaf scoreo one goal to lead Sepo S. UOug Lynn ana onan scored tor General Electric. Highland SC 4, Empire United 2 Karl Habma. Jeff Snyder, Bill Eiding and Frank McHale scored for Highland.

Adrian Adams and Devon Carter scored to lead Empire. Mi 1 1st Round: March 18 2nd Round: March 21 or 22 MIDEAST 1) Tennessee 8) Rulgers 9) So. Miss. 4) W. Kentucky 5) Alabama 12)Tenn.

Tech 3) Purdue 6) la. Tech 11) No. Illinois 2) Maryland 10) Toledo 7) Providence WEST 1) Stanlord 8) Houston 9) UCSB 4) Texas Tech 5) California 12) Santa 3) Southern Cal. 6) Wisconsin 11) Montana 2) Stephen F.Austin 10) Long Beach St. 7) Creighton 0 Seed.