Mikes flexing muscles
The Trenton Catholic girls' basketball team has been a juggernaut so far this season. The undefeated and defending Non-Public B state champion Iron Mikes (7-0) steamrolled Cinnaminson, 67-45, in a Burlington County League interdivisional game Saturday, and have been scoring 67.2 points per game and allowing just 39.8.
The Trenton Catholic girls' basketball team has been a juggernaut so far this season.
The undefeated and defending Non-Public B state champion Iron Mikes (7-0) steamrolled Cinnaminson, 67-45, in a Burlington County League interdivisional game Saturday, and have been scoring 67.2 points per game and allowing just 39.8.
Included in their first seven games were two Philadelphia teams: Engineering & Science and Hallahan.
Engineering & Science was 5-0, averaging 64.4 points a game, and allowing 33.2 when the mighty Mikes won, 48-44, on Dec. 22. Trenton Catholic hammered Hallahan, 79-42.
The rest of the Mikes' schedule is just as diverse. On Sunday, they will play St. Michael, of the New York City Catholic League, at Long Island University. On Jan. 19, they will travel to Cherokee and face senior forward sensation Laura Sweeney.
The next day, the Mikes will play Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica, N.Y.
On Feb. 5, Trenton Catholic will visit Peddie School in Hightstown, and five days later take on Absegami and its fearsome frontcourt of Sara Mostafa and Tara Booker. The regular season will end at Camden Catholic on Feb. 24.
"We're rebuilding this year," said senior Lakeisha Sutton, an all-state guard who scored a game-high 25 points against Cinnaminson. "Last year, we were stacked with seniors. But we have transfers."
One is Laquisha Spencer, a 6-foot senior guard from the Burlington County Institute of Technology. She will be eligible to play Sunday. The Eagles have five Division I-bound players, according to Mikes coach Khaliq Lewis El. Among his own players, the coach said guards Sutton and Marika Sprow and forward Sally Kamara are Division I-bound.
The Mikes will travel to Rancocas Valley today in a BCL Liberty game. They lead the division with a 2-0 record.
Shining examples.
Highland's Radience Felton and Woodbury's Sparkles Jones shined in performances last week and hope to keep it going.
Felton pumped in 16 points and added 18 rebounds to join Liz Loubey (18 points) in leading Highland over Pennsville, 55-43, in a Tri-County interdivision game on Saturday.
Jones scored a team-high 15 points, including three three-pointers, to lead Woodbury in a losing effort against Paulsboro, which won the Colonial Conference game, 66-39, on Saturday.
Woodbury (1-6, 1-1) will play host Lindenwold tonight in a conference game. Highland (3-4, 2-3) will play at Williamstown tonight in a Royal Division matchup.
Perfect endings.
Sacred Heart, Washington Township, Cherokee and Delran all had one thing in common at the end of the week. They were undefeated.
Sacred Heart, 1-0 in the Cape Atlantic League National Division II, finished with an 8-0 record. Tied for the lead in the Olympic Conference American Division at 2-0, Cherokee and Washington Township posted 8-0 and 7-0 marks, respectively. Delran ran to 7-0 (3-0 in the BCL Patriot).
Sacred Heart will play at Our Lady of Mercy on Thursday night in a National Division II game. In Olympic interdivision action tonight, Cherokee will play at Woodrow Wilson, and Township will host Cherry Hill West.
Moorestown travels to Delran tomorrow for an interdivision game.
Spotlight player.
Sally O'Donnell, a 6-foot-1 guard/forward, has been providing leadership for Wildwood Catholic. The senior captain has been encouraging three starting sophomores, two of whom were thrust into action unexpectedly at the start of the season.
While the Crusaders have been waiting for the return of injured seniors Destinee Casarella and Allie Weiser, O'Donnell has inspired the team by blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, and averaging 21 points per game.
"We haven't lessened our expectations and goals of getting into the [Non-Public Group B] playoffs and taking it from there," said O'Donnell, who scored her 1,000th point in a 56-31 win over Cape May League National Division II rival Cape May Tech on Jan. 3.
The Inquirer TOP 10
Girls' Basketball
Team Record
Records through Monday. Last week's ranks in parentheses.
1.
Absegami (1) 6-1
2.
Cherokee (3) 8-0
3.
Washington Twp. (6) 7-0
4.
Lenape (5) 5
-2
5.
Eastern (4) 6-1
6.
Sacred Heart (NR) 8-0
7.
Ocean City (NR) 6-2
8.
Willingboro (2) 3-2
9.
Camden Catholic (9) 4-2
10.
Williamstown (NR) 6-1
Under consideration (listed alphabetically):
Collingswood (5-1), Haddonfield (5-1), Holy Cross (7-1), Salem (6-1), Wildwood (8-1).
- Bill Iezzi