Eustace's defense leads way

Alyssa Cirucci did not contribute a point to Bishop Eustace's offense last night, but the freshman reserve ignited a defensive effort that allowed the Crusaders to rally for a 62-59 win at Cardinal McCarrick in the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B girls' basketball playoffs.

Eustace (22-4) trailed by five points at halftime and by four entering the fourth quarter, but came back as Ashley Margraf scored nine of her 12 points in the last period, including 6 for 6 at the foul line.

"She has ice water in her veins," Eustace coach Kat Burke-Esposito said about Margraf.

Ify Obianwu led Eustace with 15 points and Jackie Schluth added 13, putting the fourth-seeded Crusaders in tomorrow's sectional final.

Cardinal McCarrick 22 14 10 13 - 59

Bishop Eustace 17 14 11 20 - 62

CM: Burns 7, Olivia Gorczynski 9, Kristen Hansen 1, Chrissy Keir 20, Maggie Presnal 9, Sydney Ransom 9, Jennifer Shereyka 4.

BE: Stephanie Browne 9, Ashley Margraf 12, Ify Obianwu 15, Hope Phillips 4, Jackie Schluth 13, Victoria Sobocinski 9.

South Jersey Group 1. Gloucester's first sectional championship came from a 50-41 win over Tri-County Conference rival Salem in the title game at Southern Regional.

Marissa Cooper paced Gloucester with 19 points. The teams had split a pair of regular-season meetings.

The Lions (26-2) will face Florence in the state semifinals at 5 p.m. tomorrow at Deptford.

Gloucester 12 12 10 16 - 50

Salem 8 10 10 13 - 41

G: Cori Conner 3, Kaylee Conner 11, Marisa Cooper 19, Lindsay 6, Erin MacAdams 11.

S: Shaqui Coppage 2, Taylor Keen 8, Theresa Krawiec 13, Che'Na Thompson 14, Woods 4.

Central Jersey Group 1. Top-seeded Keansburg (20-9) managed just one point against Florence's tight defense in the first quarter and never recovered, as the Flashes claimed the sectional title with a 36-27 win at West Windsor-Plainsboro North.

Molly Fitzpatrick led third-seeded Florence (18-7) to its fifth sectional title with 11 points, including a pair of three-point baskets, and the Flashes outscored Keansburg by 12-3 at the foul line.

Keansburg 1 8 7 11 - 27

Florence 8 7 9 12 - 36

K: Lindsay Best 2, Kerri Cassarello 2, Danielle Erhardt 4, Ashley Figaro 3, Faith Flannery 16.

F: Steph Allison 7, Molly Fitzpatrick 11, Chakera Hightower 2, Talaya Loran 2, Sarah Muchowski 7, Erin Sweeney 7.

Jamie Hill and Mark Constantine each had a goal and two assists as Bishop Eustace knocked off Don Bosco Prep, 4-1, in the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA state playoffs at Mennen Arena in Morristown.

The Crusaders, who reached the semifinals for the second straight year, got 21 saves from goalie Kyle Van Osten, and a goal apiece by Conall Guckin and Andrew Tegeler.

NJSIAA TOURNAMENT

South Jersey Group 2 Championship

Camden 61, Willingboro 52

Central Jersey Group 2 Championship

Manasquan 59, Middlesex 36

South Jersey Group 4 Championship

Lenape 49, Washington Township 42

Central Jersey Group 4 Championship

West Windsor South 48, Freehold Township 41

NJSIAA TOURNAMENT

South Jersey Group 1 Championship

Gloucester 50, Salem 41

Central Jersey Group 1 Championship

Florence 36, Keansburg 27

South Jersey Group 3 Championship

Ocean City 61, Manchester Township 50

Central Jersey Group 3 Championship

Neptune 55, Middletown South 48

South Jersey Non-Public B Semifinals

Bishop Eustace 62, Cardinal McCarrick 59

Sacred Heart 58, St. Rose-Belmar 45

FLYERS CUP

Class A First Round

Kennett (Pa.) 6, Timber Creek 5

Cinnaminson 8, Strath Haven (Pa.) 4

NJSIAA TOURNAMENT

South Jersey Group 1 Championship

At Kingsway:

Salem vs. Woodbury, 7

South Jersey Group 3 Championship

At Eastern:

Deptford vs. Kingsway, 4

South Jersey Non-Public A Championship

At Jackson Liberty:

Christian Brothers vs. Holy Spirit, 7

Central Jersey Group 1 Championship

At Franklin:

New Egypt vs. Asbury Park, 5

NJSIAA TOURNAMENT

South Jersey Group 2 Championship

At Williamstown:

Middle Township vs. Haddon Township, 6

South Jersey Group 4 Championship

At Williamstown:

Washington Township vs. Southern Regional, 8

South Jersey Non-Public A Championship

At Jackson Liberty:

Holy Spirit vs. St. John Vianney, 5