South teams lose openers

By: John E. Powers
   The boys and girls basketball teams at South Hunterdon Regional High School started the season last Saturday with losses; the games having a significantly different tempo.
   While the boys were worn out in the second half at home by Arts of Newark in an 85-60, setback, the girls fell at Mount St. Mary Academy 45-42 in Watchung.
   South Hunterdon led 27-18 at halftime only to see Mount St. Mary rally and go ahead for good when Mount Lions’ freshman guard Samantha Russomango hit two free throws with 29 seconds left in regulation to cinch the win.
   The boys were scheduled to play at Bernards Tuesday, then play host to Warren County Tech Thursday before a trip to Bound Brook Friday night.
   The Eagles will play in the "Over the River" tournament against New Hope-Solebury on Dec. 28 at 7:30 a.m.
   The girls were to play at home against Bernards Tuesday, then play host to Bound Brook Friday. They are scheduled to play in the Northern Burlington Holiday Tournament against Florence on Dec. 27 at 11 a.m.
   Junior forward Ryan Marriott had 17 points, junior guard Anthony Danese had 14 points, and junior forward Dan Musselman and sophomore guard Jammin Jesse had 10 points apiece for South. Jahlil Henry had 23 points, and Prophet Kates added 21 for Arts, which opened the season Friday night.
   "We’re in the game the whole time, but we couldn’t stop them, especially Henry and Kates," said John Zidzik, who made his debut as the Eagles boys coach. "They were pretty strong, but my kids played a really good game. That third quarter really hurt."
   South trailed just 43-35 at halftime, but Arts outscored the Eagles 23-7 in the third quarter to pull away. Zidzik said Musselman twisted his ankle in the third quarter, and the coach sat him as a precautionary measure.
   The South Hunterdon girls led 8-3 after one period and 27-18 after two quarters. But the second half was pretty much all Mount St. Mary.
   Junior forward Liz O’Donnell hit a lay-up with 50 seconds left to give Mount St. Mary its first lead, and Russomango’s two free throws sealed it. South Hunterdon senior Nicole Sturick had a game-high 23 points, including seven 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Stephanie Davis added nine points for the Eagles.