By: Kyle Moylan
With the first month of the season completed, the Allentown High School girls’ basketball team is 2-3.
Allentown’s latest win came on Dec. 27, when Allentown defeated Manchester, 49-34, in action in the Jackson Jaguar Classic.
"That was a nice bit of a confidence builder," Allentown coach Paul Mercer noted. "Little by little, as the season goes on, we keep getting better."
Fortunately, the competition probably will not get much better than a few of the teams Allentown has already faced. Chances are, Allentown will not face many more teams like Trenton or West Windsor South.
"Their kids are playing year round," Mercer noted. "Other teams, like us, aren’t up there with them yet."
Manchester was a team Allentown could handle, though. Allentown broke on top 9-5 in the first quarter. Allentown stretched its lead to 27-18 by the half.
One of the main reasons for Allentown’s success in this game was the foul shooting of Laura Scimeca, who scored 13 of her 17 points from the free throw line.
"She was fouled quite a bit in the second quarter and she made her shots, which helped us pull away," Mercer recalled. "She was 13-for-15 from the foul line, which is not bad at any level. Maybe she can give (Shaquille O’Neal) some lessons."
Kelly Harchetts also did some fine shooting, making three 3-pointers and finishing with 15 points in the game.
Allentown opened play in the Jackson Jaguar Classic back on Dec. 23 and lost to Lakewood, 69-40. Harchetts made four 3-pointers in that game and finished with 17 points. Barbara Iannatto added 10 points for Allentown.
"The kids played hard, but once we fell behind a little bit it was hard for us to get back into the game," Mercer noted.
Weather permitting Allentown was scheduled to complete play in the Jaguar Classic last night. Allentown could wrap up seventh place in the 10-team field, which is where it was ranked going into the event.
Allentown will resume play in the regular season tonight when it travels to Ewing for a 7 p.m. start. Allentown will be home to face Hamilton West Saturday at home.
Mercer expects these to be both good teams, but not like the great squads his girls have already faced. Allentown has weathered the storm in early-season play with a 2-3 mark. With continued improvement, the next move should be a winning one.
