Westampton Tech streak at five after shocking loss

Westampton Tech stumbled early in the season with an upset loss to Medford Tech, but that has proved to be a major wake-up call. The Panthers have won five in a row since that 57-47 loss Dec. 22.

Last week was one of the best in school history as the Panthers went 3-0, including a 68-54 victory over Willingboro and a 51-50 triumph over defending state Group 4 champion Rancocas Valley on consecutive days.

Friday's win over Rancocas Valley was the first in school history over the Red Devils.

"You could say that loss to Medford Tech woke us up," said Westampton Tech third-year coach Mike Williams. "Our players walked out of there stunned."

And determined.

Williams used to be a head coach at Medford Tech and the players on both teams know each other well. There were strong emotions on both sides.

Now that game is ancient history and Williams said the 7-1 Panthers are back on track.

Against Rancocas Valley, Westampton Tech was led by Brent Foster, a 6-foot junior who scored 17 points, his season average.

The only senior starter is 6-foot-3 Brandon Belton. The other starters are 6-5 junior Brian Watts, 6-3 sophomore Derek Johnson and 6-2 junior Brandon Smith.

Last season, the Panthers won their first state tournament game, beating Hamilton West, 59-57, in a Central Jersey Group 3 contest.

This season, the Panthers will compete in a loaded South Jersey Group 3 field. Teams may have to watch out for them.

Big win.

After a heartbreaking 36-35 loss to Kingsway on Thursday, Highland had one of the week's bigger upsets with Saturday's 53-49 win over Eastern. That's the Eastern team that just beat Washington Township in overtime after losing in overtime to No. 6 Camden Catholic.

Zach Sanchez, a 6-1 junior, picked a good time to score a career-high 20 points.

What Sanchez did on the defensive end was just as important. He guarded Eastern's Bobby Harris the entire game. Harris scored 23 points, but according to Highland coach Andy Thies, it was a hard-earned 23.

So much for a letdown after the Kingsway loss.

"I was a little worried after the Kingsway game, but this was a big bounce-back win," Thies said.

Highland only starts one senior, 6-1 Devin Greer, the cousin of former Inquirer player of the year LaMarr Greer of Middle Township. This is Greer's first year as a starter.

At 5-3, the Tartans will surely make a run at a postseason spot. Teams need a .500-or-better record by the Feb. 7 cutoff date to qualify.

Around South Jersey.

When No. 4 Camden (6-0) hosts No. 5 Lenape (8-0) tomorrow, it will be a classic offense-vs.-defense matchup. Camden, led by Aaron Walton-Moss (26 points per game), is averaging 84 points per game. Walton-Moss has 995 career points. Lenape, meanwhile is allowing 33 points per game.

Since losing an opening 53-36 decision to Lenape, Cherry Hill East has won seven in a row and during that streak, 6-4 sophomore Chris Santo has averaged 23.2 points.

Cherry Hill West (7-1) has won six in a row since a loss to Eastern. The Lions face a difficult four-game stretch with games against Bishop Eustace, Timber Creek, Cherokee and Winslow Township.

Haddon Township (7-2) has already surpassed its win total from last season when the Hawks were 6-20. The key has been a defense that has allowed 40.2 points per game.

David Laury, who began his career at Collingswood and played two seasons at Riverside, has earned a scholarship to Western Kentucky. Laury played at East Orange High last season and is at Nina Prep in Newark, where he is averaging 24 points.

"All the people care about at Western Kentucky is basketball and graduating the players, and that is right up my alley," Laury said.

Deptford averaged 87 points in its most recent two wins over Cumberland and Delsea.

Team Last week's Record

Last week's rankings are in parentheses.

1. St. Augustine (1) 6-0

Hermits had their second-highest scoring output in a 71-63 win over Atlantic City.

2. Holy Spirit (3) 7-0

Spartans used a 21-7 first quarter in Saturday's 62-49 win over Middle Township.

3. Atlantic City (2) 4-2

Vikings host Holy Spirit in a 2 p.m. matchup Saturday.

4. Camden (6) 6-0

Tomorrow against visiting Lenape should be a great test for both teams.

5. Lenape (7) 8-0

Could this be the best defensive team in South Jersey?

6. Camden Catholic (3) 4-3

Loss to Camden drops the Irish three spots.

7. Westampton Tech (NR) 7-1

Panthers have allowed 47.2 points during their five-game win streak.

8. Rancocas Valley (5) 6-2

Losses have been to Holy Spirit and Westampton Tech.

9. Woodbury (9) 5-0

Mark DiRugeris is averaging 26.8 points.

10. Winslow Township (NR) 4-3

Two of the losses were to out-of-state teams.

Under consideration (listed alphabetically):

Timber Creek (3-4), Washington Township (5-2).

- Marc Narducci