Phil Anastasia: Haddon Township has got the drive

They are not a team that knocks you out with big plays.

They are a team that wins you over with little ones.

For the Haddon Township girls' basketball squad, two examples from last night's South Jersey Group 2 championship game stand out.

First, senior center Maddie McComb dove on the floor for a loose ball, gained possession, and shoveled a pass to sophomore Jess Donaldson, who buried a three-pointer to give the Hawks a 14-9 lead over Middle Township.

Next, junior reserve Carly Francis jumped out of bounds to save a rebound, tossing a one-handed pass back to sophomore Jess Brown. She was fouled and made one of two free throws for an 20-19 lead.

"Little things," Haddon Township coach Tom Mulligan said. "This team does that a lot."

All season, folks wondered about the Hawks' schedule, their talent level, their this, their that. But it's March 11, and they are still playing their patient, balanced, resilient style of basketball.

"I think people have underestimated us because we're not a team of stars," said Donaldson, who led the team with 11 points in the 38-35 victory over Middle Township. "But that's what makes us a good team. We all look for each other. We're balanced."

Although Haddon Township was the No. 1 seed, third-seeded Middle Township might have been the favorite before last night's game at Williamstown.

The Panthers had played a formidable schedule, facing Holy Spirit and Sacred Heart each twice as well as Group 3 champion Ocean City and Group 4 programs such as Absegami and Mainland.

Plus, Middle Township had beaten Haddonfield and red-hot Willingboro in the tournament.

On paper, Haddon Township seemed less formidable than your average No. 1 seed with a 24-4 record.

"I would have questions about us, too," Mulligan said.

Haddon Township played its typical game. The Hawks were patient at the offensive line and tenacious on defense. They scrapped for loose balls. They found points here and there.

"Other teams have a star that we have to worry about," said sophomore forward Katie Getzinger, who scored all eight of her points in the fourth quarter.

"It's not like that when you are playing against us. We all can step up, and different people step up at different times."

In this game, the Hawks got a strong game from fearless freshman guard Sara DeCinque, a boost off the bench from junior forward Carly Francis, and some timely buckets from Donaldson and Getzinger.

In other games, it's been McComb or Brown or junior guard Lauren McCutcheon supplying energy and defensive intensity off the bench.

It's always been something for a surprising team with a 25-4 record and a date in the state semifinals. It's been hustle and teamwork and a resourcefulness that comes in handy in the guts of another close game.

It's been little stuff, mostly. But it adds up.