Eagles lose to top Skyland team

By: John Powers
   The South Hunterdon Regional High School girls basketball team had the challenge of facing one of the hottest teams in the Skyland Conference Friday night.
   And though the Eagles played well at times, they fell at Belvidere 58-46.
   The County Seaters improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in Skyland Conference Raritan Division play. South Hunterdon fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the division.
   "Belvidere is good, very aggressive and quick," South Hunterdon coach Lori Daniel said. "We knew it, and we were prepared for it. But I think they were surprised at how well we came out against them."
   The Eagles were behind just 21-20 at the half. South Hunterdon got a tremendous defensive performance from senior Erin Buchanan, who shut down junior guard Chrissie Beha, whose streak of 29 straight games of scoring in double figures came to an end. Beha shot 2-for-15 from the floor and finished with five points.
   South forged a 26-26 tie in the third quarter, but senior Catie Hadzmichalis made the offensive play of the night with a baseline drive and up-and-under move to score off the glass. That gave Belvidere a 28-26 lead and sparked a 15-4 run that put the County Seaters in the driver’s seat.
   Junior forward Breanna Fulper had 14 points to lead South, and senior guard Jena Yannarella had nine and four assists. Fulper also had five rebounds as did Buchanan. Buchanan and junior guard Amanda Garefino both had three steals. The Eagles were 4-for-12 from 3-point range, as Yannarella had three and Garefino netted one.
   But 25 turnovers — one less than Belvidere — hurt the Eagles as did Hadzmichalis, who had career high 18 points off 7-for-9 shooting. Michelle Yount, a senior forward, also had 18 points and 14 rebounds.
   "We’ve been averaging 24 turnovers, and we had some foul trouble so that’s been an issue," Daniel said.
   The Eagles had 22 fouls, and Yannarella fouled out.
   The Eagles lost to Somerville 63-53 last Tuesday at home, falling behind 21-11 after the first quarter. Fulper had 16 points, and junior Casey Slack finished with 14. Somerville improved to 5-2.
   "I’m very happy with our effort," Daniel said. "We played two very good teams, and I think we picked up our effort."
   The Eagles were scheduled to play at Delaware Valley Tuesday and host Pennington Thursday and Hackettstown Friday night as the second half Skyland Conference season begins.