Hardwood Notes - Mar. 2010

HIGHLAND PARK, MARCH 3 - CJ Quarter-finals

Junior guard Jocelyn Summers led a balanced attack with 18 points including the 1000th point of her career, as the third-seeded Owls rolled into the semifinal round of the Central Jersey Group I playoffs with a 60-48 victory over sixth-seeded Metuchen on March 3rd.

Summers scored seven of her 18 points in the second period as the Owls raced out to a 38-21 halftime lead. Her second three-pointer of the first half made her the ninth player in the history of Highland Park High School girls basketball to achieve the milestone.

"This was a great accomplishment for her to achieve in her junior year," said head coach Erin Washington, whose team improves to 16-6. "She's been scoring around 13 points this season, which is low for her but she wanted to do this and help the team attain the championship trophy in the same year, " Washington added.

The Bulldogs (11-12), used an 11-3 run to trim the Owls deficit midway through the third period, but the play of freshman guard Dierra Doyle helped squelch the run. Doyle scored eight of her 10 points to spark Highland Park.

"Dierra is a quick athlete who has provided a spark for us this season," said Washington. "We knew Metuchen was going to be ready to go but we were able to weather the storm," Washington added.

Junior forward Ariel Brown scored 11 of her 16 points after intermission to pace Highland Park. Brown connected on 7-of-10 free throws to secure the victory. The Owls did not shoot a free throw in the first half, but turned it around converting 10-of-14 overall from the charity stripe.

Senior guard Leah Salkin (seven points), and sophomore forward Vicki Valenta (six points), propelled the Owls to an early 22-13 lead in the first period.

Shelby Hallas led the Bulldogs with 16 points. Stacey Carr added 14 points, while Jenna Oyler and Caroline Murphy contributed seven points apiece.

 

"Once the state tournament came around, we wanted to get our feet wet in the playoffs," said Washington. "We've had some big first halves this season. People think we're just a two-man team, but other players stepped it up when we needed it."

DUNELLEN, MARCH 5 - CJ Semi-finals

After playing well in a 60-48 victory over Metuchen in the quarterfinal round of the Central Jersey Group I playoffs, things were looking up for the Highland Park High School varsity girls team. A victory over Dunellen in the Central Jersey Group I semifinal playoffs would put them in the championship game.

 

The Destroyers would not have any of that. Dunellen center Olivia Hannis scored off a missed shot by Destiny Evans inside with 24 seconds left to give Dunellen a hard-fought 25-23 victory over the Owls Friday Night in a old-fashioned defensive slugfest. "The kids played their hearts out on defense," said Owls head coach Erin Washington. "Dunellen executed their game plan to slow the game down on offense and defense. Heidinger hit some big shots for them and we couldn't get our players to get the fifth foul on her," Washington added.

 

Junior guard Jocelyn Summers, who led Highland Park with 11 points, connected on two free throws with 34 seconds left to tie the score. Dunellen's Destiny Evans missed a shot inside the paint on the ensuing possession. Hannis came from nowhere to grab the rebound and bank in the layup for the lead. The Owls had a chance to tie the score but senior Leah Salkin's jumper with four seconds left hit off the rim to end the season for the Owls at 16-7.

"Jocelyn was able to help us get back with a few steals and converted some big free throws," said Washington. "She has that ability to carry the team on her back. Most of the players were disappointed in losing a tough game like that," the coach added.

Defense was the name of the game. Highland Park led the game at the half by the slimmest of margins, 10-9. The Owls struggled from the charity stripe in the first 16 minutes, connecting on just 3-of-10 free throws, 8-of-17 overall. Both teams struggled from the field and committed numerous turnovers.

 

"We normally make our foul shots in a close game. This was the first game we lost by seven or fewer points holding an opponent under 40 points this year," said Washington.

The middle periods were strong for the Owls who held Dunellen to three points in the second and third period, before forward Stephanie Heidinger of the Destroyers caught fire, scoring seven of her team-high 10 points in the final period. Lenna Kovalevich (7 points) hit a long-range jumper to give Dunellen a 23-21 lead.

Junior Ariel Brown added seven points for Highland Park, but struggled from the field. She also connected on just 3-of-8 free throws. Jasmin Robertson and Dierra Doyle added three and two points, respectively. Defensively, Highland Park received a solid game from Summers (5 steals) as well as Salkin and Tali Petkov.

"Just knowing that the nucleus of team coming back is positive," said Washington. "The players now know what it takes to win."