S. Jersey Boys: Eastern wins to take first in division

Eastern took sole possession of first place in the competitive Olympic Conference American Division boys' basketball race last night by combining an 82-64 win over visiting Pennsauken with Lenape's 61-47 loss to visiting Cherokee.

Leading by two points after three quarters, Eastern (15-8 overall, 7-2 division) fashioned a 28-12 fourth period to beat Pennsauken. Shumeek Scott (21) had 12 points and Bobby Harris (29) eight in the final quarter.

The Vikings can clinch the title by beating Lenape in the Cherry Hill East Tournament tomorrow.

Cherokee (15-5, 6-3) avenged an earlier 53-40 loss to Lenape by jolting the Indians (16-6, 6-3) with a big second half.

Chiefs point guard Willis Nicholson scored all of his 16 points in the second half, including 8-for-8 fourth-quarter foul shooting, after the teams were tied, 24-24, at halftime.

Also in the Olympic, Seneca (5-18) shocked visiting Shawnee, 55-51, as Kevin Comer (17) hit a key basket in the final minute to put the Golden Eagles ahead for good.

Seneca's Rich McNamara scored 10 of his 25 points in a fourth-quarter comeback, and Shawnee (15-7), ranked No. 7 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, got 17 points from Dave Westman. The loss prevented the Renegades from clinching the Patriot Division title.

Camden Catholic clinched at least a share of the National Division trophy with a 53-44 win over visiting Bishop Eustace. The Irish's balanced attack featured Sherard Cadogan's 15 points, Anthony D'Orazio's 14 and Gerry Wixted's 12.

Cherry Hill East needed Stacey Upshaw's three-pointer with a minute left and Chris Santo's two foul shots in the closing moments to trip host Washington Township, 55-52.

Forwards Mar'quis Jones and Collin Johnson combined for 19 points in Timber Creek's 41-point second half as the Chargers pulled away from host Triton for a 61-46 win.

Cape-Atlantic. Cape May Tech won a division title for the first time, clinching the National Conference Division II championship with a 56-52 win over visiting Pleasantville. Dom Fiorentino had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Lou Sotomayor added 10 boards and 20 points, including nine in a 21-13 fourth-quarter rally.

St. Augustine wrapped up the American Conference Division II title with a 60-51 success at Hammonton. Isaiah Morton paced the eighth-ranked Hermits with 26 points, including five three-point baskets, and Hammonton's Xavier Warner scored 27.

Jamal Cunningham's dunk with 40 seconds left and Ed Parker's (25) two foul shots sealed Absegami's 67-63 thriller over visiting Millville.

Adam Floyd scored the last four points of the third overtime period on a layup and two foul shots to end Mainland's 55-51 marathon over visiting Oakcrest.

Colonial. Collingswood clinched at least a share of the Liberty Division title with a 78-57 win over visiting West Deptford. Tyrone Mann-Barnes provided 22 points and six assists.

Woodbury's 20th win was a 77-46 triumph at Haddon Township in which Mark DiRugeris had 31 points, seven steals and five assists.

Tyriek Bullock's 20-point, 10-rebound double-double punctuated Overbrook's 58-41 success against visiting Haddon Heights.

Tri-County. Anthony Reese scored seven of his 15 points in overtime, boosting Schalick past host Gloucester Catholic, 41-38. The Rams' Mike Okafor had six rebounds and five assists.

Nonleague. Walter Moore led Pennsauken Tech in scoring (15) and rebounding (10) in a 54-43 win over visiting Wildwood Catholic, 54-43.