Westampton Tech deals RV rare home loss

Coach Mike Williams doesn't mind that his Westampton Tech basketball team flies a little under the radar.

"That's good," Williams said. "That way, they never see you coming."

Westampton Tech's days of sneaking up on opponents might be over. The Panthers improved to 6-0 Tuesday night with a 61-57 victory over Rancocas Valley in a Burlco Liberty game.

Rancocas Valley coach Jay Flanagan said the loss was just the program's seventh at home in the last six seasons.

"Westampton Tech is really good," Flanagan said.

Junior guard Shaun Russell scored 20 for Westampton Tech, which improved to 2-0 in the division. The Panthers also loom as likely contenders in what figures to be a wide-open South Jersey Group 3 tournament.

"This was a big one," Russell said of the victory over Rancocas Valley.

Senior guard Tariq Jett scored 20 for Rancocas Valley (4-2, 1-1), the defending Central Jersey Group 4 champion.

Westampton Tech, which has victories over Burlington Township, Medford Tech, and Delsea this season, broke to a 19-10 lead in the first quarter as Russell drained two three-point jumpers and scored eight points.

"He's terrific," Flanagan said of the 6-1 Russell.

Awwal Reid scored 11 points and Marquel Davis added 10 for Westampton Tech.

"It's always tough to beat RV at RV," Williams said. "The guys kept their heads up. We knew this was going to be a pressure-cooker for them. This was a big test."

Rancocas Valley trailed by 31-20 at halftime and by 40-24 midway through the third quarter. The Red Devils rallied behind Jett and forward Ben Hills, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Rancocas Valley closed within 44-42 early in the fourth quarter, but Westampton Tech pulled away behind big baskets from Reid, Andrew Whittington, and Bazil Jackson.

"They hurt us on the boards," Flanagan said. "They're bigger and stronger than we are."

Westampton Tech   19 12 13 17 – 61

Rancocas Valley   10 10 15 22 – 57

WT: Marcus Stewart 1, Shaun Russell 20, Jazmir Miller 2, Bazil Jackson 6, Marquel Davis 10, Tyshaun Davis 3, Andrew Whittington 8, Awwal Reid 11.

RV: Tariq Jett 20, Dom Twitty 5, Ben Hills 12, Kymere Chapman 3, Erik Collins 6, DaShawn Jones 6, Nick Davidson 3, Kevin Bersch 2.