BY DOUG McKENZIE
Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO — When the Monmouth Regional girls basketball team is firing on all cylinders, it’s a very tough bunch to beat.
Willingboro High School’s girls found that out the hard way on Monday, as the Golden Falcons dominated the defending champion Chimeras en route to a 69-52 win, earning head coach Audra Corson’s squad its first sectional title in school history.
“This was our No. 1 goal from the beginning of the season,” Corson said of winning the Central Jersey Group III title. “We got to this game two years ago, and have four kids back from that team.”
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff At left, Monmouth’s Kristen Dalton shoots over a Willingboro defender during the CJGroup III final on Monday in Plainsboro. Above, Younghor Kehleay uses her speed to break the press. Monmouth lost to Holmdel in the same spot two years ago, but made sure early on Monday that the result would be different this time around.
Using a balanced offensive effort and an equally effective defense, the Falcons raced out to an early lead and never looked back.
“Our shooting was definitely on, and our defense was also very strong,” Corson said. “When we play like that, we’re tough to beat.”
Monmouth’s Laura Forbes gets a hug after helping lead the Golden Falcons to their first-ever sectional state title on Monday. Monmouth was led by sophomore Brittany Powell, who scored 20 points, including 13 in the second half when she continually hit big shots to stifle any Willingboro comeback attempts.
But Powell was just one of several offensive stars for the Falcons, as junior guard Kristen Dalton dropped in 16 points, freshman forward Tia Curtis scored 14, and senior point guard Youngor Kehleay added 11.
“They really played as a team,” Corson said. “Everybody stepped up at different points for us. It was a great team effort.”
That effort was also apparent on the defensive end, where the Falcons frustrated the athletic Chimeras with their frantic defensive pressure. Most of Willingboro’s points came from Tammy Meyers, who finished with 26 points, and Caress Williams, who added 15.
Entering the game, Corson said her team was concentrating on slowing down Meyers and Willingboro’s 6-foot center, Tiffany Crews. Senior forward Laura Forbes did an excellent job containing Crews, who was in early foul trouble and finished with just four points for the game.
As for Meyers, well, she was a bit tougher to control.
“She’s quite a player,” Corson said. “We’d have two, sometimes three people on her and she still found ways to get her shot off.”
With the win, the Falcons earned a trip to Deptford last night for a Group III semifinal match-up with Woodrow Wilson of Camden.
Corson expected a similar type of game.
“From what I hear, they’re a lot like Willingboro — very athletic, and they like to press,” she said.
But the coach added that her team would enter the team full of confidence.
“They know they need to step it up every game,” the coach said. “It’s one-and-done from here on out, and the longer we win, the longer we can stay together.
“Anything above this [the sectional title] is definitely gravy, but they’re going to keep playing their hearts out and they want to stay together for as long as possible.”
With a few more efforts like the one they put forth Monday night, Monmouth could very well be playing together for another couple of weeks.