By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
HADDON HEIGHTS — Haddon Heights hosted a girls/boys basketball doubleheader for the first round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 basketball playoffs on Wednesday night.
The “Garnet Crazies” student section was in full force and effect for both games, starting with the 5 p.m. opening round featuring seventh-seeded Haddon Heights taking on No. 10 Cedar Creek in girls hoops action.
The Garnets took a 19-12 halftime lead behind freshman Emma Harris’ 10 first-half points. Cedar Creek (9-18, 5-8 Cape-Atlantic League National) cut the deficit down to one possession midway through the fourth quarter, but the Pirates couldn’t overcome the Garnets’ strong defense in the closing minutes. Haddon Heights went on to defeat Cedar Creek, 36-29. Haddon Heights (17-10, 5-5 Colonial Liberty) advances to Monday’s quarterfinal round, where it will take a long bus ride to No. 2 Middle Township, a 69-20 winner over No. 15 Pennsauken Tech in the opening round.
The Garnets seemed to have a little bit of the playoff jitters throughout much of the game, but a win is always a win, especially in the playoffs.
“I thought we played like we were rattled in the playoffs, but we found a way to win,” said Haddon Heights coach Lauren Kendra. “That’s the most important thing right now. Regardless of the score, as long as you’re up by more than one at the end, you’re moving on.”
Freshman Emma Harris paced Haddon Heights’ offense with 15 points in the victory. Senior Alexis Carroway added seven, while senior Gab DiOrio tallied six in the winning effort.
Senior Mia McColl led Cedar Creek (9-18) with 14 points.
During the first-round boys game that followed, visiting Oakcrest, the No. 9 seed, defeated eighth-seeded Haddon Heights, 59-55. It marked the Falcons’ first playoff win since 2011.
After a first quarter that saw the teams tied at 14, Oakcrest (17-7, 6-5 Cape-Atlantic League United) went into halftime with a 25-24 lead. The Falcons opened up the second half firing. They took a commanding 12-point lead with 5:20 left in the third quarter, but the Garnets didn’t faze. Shot after shot, bucket after bucket, the Garnets (14-13, 6-4 Colonial Liberty) found themselves back in the game. It came down to the final seconds, but Oakcrest held on for the victory.
“I’m just so proud of my guys, coming this far after how we started,” said Oakcrest head coach Kamron Warner. Last year was a rough run for us and we learned a lot. To see them compete and put the puzzle pieces together this year is very exciting. I’m very proud of my guys.”
Junior Sam Daley paced Oakcrest’s (17-7) offense with 26 points. Senior Darrell Newton finished with 21 points and went 4-for-4 from the foul line in the fourth quarter en route to the victory.
Jake Silvestri led Haddon Heights (14-13) with 17 points.
Oakcrest now has a formidable challenge as it heads on the road Monday to take on top-seeded Middle Township, one of the best public school teams in the state.
Follow Brian Tortella on Twitter @tortreports
