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COLUMBUS: Balanced effort leads Greyhounds to tourney title

Girls hoops wins Warrior Classic; Flashes and Scotties split

By Bob Nuse, The Packet Group
   Brad Campbell knew his team was better than the 0-2 record it took into the Warrior Classic at New Egypt last week.
   ”We opened with Pemberton, at Pemberton, and that is always a tough place to play and then we had Willingboro, which is always a tough team to play,” said Campbell, the Northern Burlington High girls basketball coach. “I thought in both games what really hurt us the most was turnovers. These last two games we got a little better at taking care of the ball and getting better shots. That was a big improvement.”
   The improvement resulted in a pair of wins and the tournament championship at the Warrior Classic. The Greyhounds topped New Egypt, 43-29, in the championship game after opening with a 49-20 win over Lindenwold.
   Shelby Dolan scored 14 points and Jackie Laurenti added 13 to lead the Greyhounds in the championship game. In the opening game, Dolan and Laurenti each had 11, while Gabby VanMater added 10 to pace a balanced offensive attack.
   ”The first night against Lindenwold, they were a young team and we were able to get everybody into the game and into the scoring column,” Campbell said. “It was an all-around effort. The second night was also a good team effort. Shelby and Jackie were both in double figures and Marissa Rivera also had a strong game.”
   After losing to a talented New Egypt team last year, the Greyhounds were anxious for another shot at the Warriors this year.
   ”We wanted to play New Egypt,” Campbell said. “They beat us last year. Emily Bausher and their big girl are a very tough combination. Those two give them size and scoring inside.
   ”The girls really played well. It’s amazing how much better we look when we make shots. When you are able to make shots it makes everything else easier. We did the little things we need to do in order to be successful. And it was nice to be able to beat a team like New Egypt. They beat us last year and they are a very good team that people think a lot of.”
   In other girls holiday tournament action last week, Bordentown captured the consolation game of its J. Michael Tucker Tournament. After falling to eventual champion Pemberton in the opening round, the Scotties topped JP Stevens, 44-39, in the consolation game. Alicia Carthan scored 12 points and She’reva Mendenhall added 10 points in the win.
   In the opening round, Carthan had 14 points and Emily Lawson added 10 in a 48-45 loss to Pemberton.
   Florence dropped a 53-38 decision to Burlington Township in the championship game of the Burlington Township Tournament. Sarah Muchowski led the Flashes with 25 points in the loss. In the opening round, Florence topped Haddon Heights, 39-36, as Muchowski led the way with 20 points.