Wins All Around for BHPRSD Hoops Teams

After a slow start to the winter season, a trio of basketball teams made major statements Thursday.

Freshman guard Brittany Martin continued to impress with a 23-point effort to lead the girls’ basketball team to a 47-38 win over Paulsboro in the championship of the James G. Atkinson Memorial Holiday Classic.

Sophomore guard Amanda Riiff added 12 points to help the Chargers even their record (2-2) and deliver them their first Atkinson title since 2008.

Meanwhile, the Timber Creek boys’ and Highland girls’ basketball teams earned their first wins of the season Thursday.

The Chargers got 15 points from Eric Church to claim a 38-25 victory over Glassboro in the consolation game of the Atkinson Classic.

Church, who was named to the All-Tournament team, played a big role in the Chargers' press defense, while Dajuan Drennon cleaned up the glass with 12 rebounds and added four blocks.

“It’s good to get that first win,” said Timber Creek head coach Rich Bolds. “The kids came out focused today and played well. They were very determined defensively, which helped us win the basketball game. I thought they played together, played tough and wanted to win.”

Bolds said the team was disappointed by its 0-3 start, but took to his message about taking each moment as it comes.

“We break the season down into four-game segments and break each game down into four-minute segments,” Bolds said. “I told them, 'If we can win the first four minutes and the second four minutes, we will be fine.’ They bought into what we were saying. For the most part they were upbeat and focused to get that monkey off their backs. Now that we have that win, we just want to focus on moving forward.”

The girls' hoops team knows the feeling.

After dropping four straight to open the season the Tartans got into the win column with a 44-29 victory over Gateway in the consolation game of the Angela Anderson Classic at Clayton High.

Highland led by three at the half and the game was tied at 25 entering the fourth before the Tartans pulled away with a 19-4 run.

“We came out pretty strong in the third and then rolled them over in the fourth and started converting layups and controlled game,” said Highland coach John Senft.

Ayanna Williams was selected to the All-Tournament team. She finished with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Morgan Reid scored eight points to go with 10 rebounds, while Autumn Buck had nine points and eight rebounds.

“Williams did a nice job getting into the lane, drawing the defender and passing it to open teammates,” Senft said.

Naturally, the girls were thrilled to put a win on the board.

“They were pretty excited,” Senft said. “We had several kids play their best games today. It’s a good building step and good way to continue our idea of being a tough team with tough basketball players.”