South Jersey girls' basketball notes

Four quarterfinal games, decided by an average of 19.7 points, did little more than state the obvious.

The top four seeds in the South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament breezed into this weekend's SJIBT Final Four.

Rancocas Valley, Delran, Willingboro, Holy Cross - it's almost as if it was meant to be.

The four most talented teams in South Jersey girls' basketball also happen to make up some of the area's fiercest and most familiar rivalries.

Three of the four teams aren't just in the same league - they're in the same division.

And, as fate would have it, the SJIBT isn't the only showdown involving the teams this week.

This also happens to be the week that Willingboro, Holy Cross, and Delran were playing anyway in a slate of games likely to decide the Burlington County League Patriot Division title.

The other Final Four team, Rancocas Valley, No. 1 in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings and also a member of the Burlington County League, already has narrowly beaten No. 7 Holy Cross and No. 3 Willingboro once and No. 2 Delran twice.

Thinking about it, RV guard Brianna Logan let out an exaggerated sigh and said with a laugh, "I'm tired of playing them."

Tired might be the operative word. That's likely how members of all four teams will feel Sunday night. But tired of playing each other? Anyone who has watched just one of the heated matchups involving the teams knows that's far from true.

"I think we all like playing each other," said Holy Cross center Amanda Offenback, who netted her 1,000th point in a Feb. 4 win over Pemberton. "I like it because I like competition. These games keep us all on edge. I think it's good for all of us."

Offenback is one of four Division I prospects in the Lancers' starting five. But without a win Thursday night against crosstown rival Delran, Holy Cross would be staring at a third-place finish in its star-studded division.

Delran (15-4) recorded a signature win over Willingboro (18-3) on Tuesday night. Both teams sit at 8-1 in the division. Holy Cross (15-6, 6-2) must beat Delran on Thursday and Willingboro next week to claim a share of the division title.

Of course, any loss endured in these games can be rectified in this weekend's SJIBT - even as the tournament games do not count toward division records.

Friday night at Kingsway, fourth-seeded Holy Cross will plays No. 2 Willingboro at 6:30 and No. 1 RV will play No. 3 Delran at 8:15. The championship is set for Sunday at 4 p.m. with a third-place game set for 2 p.m.

"These are excellent games we're playing against tough, familiar opponents," Delran coach Pete Miles said. "These are games that I think could go one way or the other based on who plays well that night, and who gets that run and who doesn't."

"The competition makes us better," Holy Cross coach Fred Philipps said. "The coaches like it, the players like it, and we're looking forward to it."

Three-point contest. An record 121 shooters, representing dozens of South Jersey teams, participated in the first round of the SJIBT three-point competition.

The top eight will duke it out for the title this weekend. Defending champion Kelsey Kilpatrick was the top scorer in the first round. The Camden Catholic senior scored 21 points, including swishing the 5-point, half-court shot.

Haddonfield senior Cat Senopoulos scored 20 points, also including a made half-court shot. The rest of the field includes Timber Creek sophomore Amanda Riiff (18 first-round points), Gloucester Catholic sophomore Emily Lyons (17), Woodrow Wilson sophomore Chanelle Perry (15), Haddon Township senior Sarah DeCinque (14) Pitman junior Karlie Crispin (14), and Delsea senior Meeko Hassinger (14).

The Elite 8 will take place Friday at halftime and between SJIBT Final Four games Friday.

The competition's Final Four and championship will occur Sunday during breaks and between the SJIBT third-place and championship games at Kingsway.

Year of the Fan. Also, look out for Sunday's SJIBT Living Legends Reunion during halftime of the championship game.

Every year, the Living Legends Reunion honors notable figures throughout the history of South Jersey girls' basketball.

This year's theme is "The Year of the Fan." Longtime, loyal supporters of South Jersey girls' basketball programs will be introduced during an on-court ceremony.

"We want to honor a lot of the South Jersey fans who have been in the gyms over the years, and not just because they have a kid on the team, but because they love the game of basketball and they love and support the team that they watch play game in and game out," tournament director Mike Hallahan said.