S. Jersey Girls: Salem outlasts Penns Grove, 59-55

Taylor Keen scored five of her nine points in the final 15 seconds, and Shaqui Coppage's clutch fourth-quarter effort enabled second-seeded Salem to hold off No. 3 seed Penns Grove, 59-55, yesterday in a NJSIAA South Jersey Group 1 girls' basketball semifinal.

After putting the Rams ahead, 57-55, on a conventional three-point play with 15 seconds to go, Keen converted a pair of free throws to close out the scoring. Coppage was Salem's key contributor earlier in the final period, when she recorded 11 of her 20 points.

Che'Na Thompson came through with 18 points to help the Rams offset a 37-point performance by Penns Grove's Shalisa Hill.

The Red Devils (15-10) led by one point entering the fourth quarter, but missed four foul shots down the stretch.

Salem (20-6) will square off against Tri-County Conference rival Gloucester (25-2) for the sectional crown tomorrow night at Southern Regional. The top-seeded Lions defeated fourth-seeded Palmyra, 45-26.

Marisa Cooper grabbed eight rebounds to go with a game-high 14 points, and Kaylee Cooper contributed 10 points and eight boards for the Lions, who ran out to a 14-2 lead in extending their winning streak to 13 games.

Lakiya Artis had 10 points to top the scoring for Palmyra (19-7), which was held seven points below its previous single-game total of 33 this season.

The sectional final features the third meeting of the season between Tri-County Conference Classic Division co-champions. Gloucester won the first match-up, 54-49, on Dec. 22, but Salem gained revenge with a 58-33 romp in the rematch Jan. 29.

South Jersey Group 3. The sixth-seeded Shawnee Renegades opened the game with a 23-12 run, but No. 2 seed Manchester Township dominated the second and third quarters in pulling away to a 62-52 semifinal win.

Melissa Chu of Shawnee pumped in three shots from beyond the arc in scoring 17 points. Kira Maier added 14 points and Anna Thomann netted 13 for Shawnee, which finished the season 16-11.

Manchester Township (24-4) advanced to tomorrow night's sectional title game at Southern Regional, where it will meet Ocean City.

Kelly Brady (18 points) and Shannon Lane (15) combined for 11 points in the first quarter, putting top-seeded Ocean City on course for a 53-38 semifinal triumph over No. 4 seed Deptford.

Sam Morris had 18 points and Jaleesa Bundy tossed in 15 for the Spartans, who finished 24-5 for the best record in school history.

Central Jersey Group 1. Sophomore guard Sarah Muchowski stepped up when Florence needed her most, tying the semifinal at the end of regulation and scoring nine points in overtime to lead the third-seeded Flashes to a 49-45 victory over No. 7 seed South Hunterdon (12-14).

Muchowski led all scorers with 22 points, including a pair of three-point baskets, as the Flashes rallied from a 31-26 fourth-quarter deficit.

Florence (17-7) will face top-seeded Keansburg (20-8) - a 39-28 winner over Point Pleasant Beach - in tomorrow night's final at West Windsor North.