St. Joe girls drop three games

by Dan Russoman, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—It was a tough week for the St. Joseph High School girls basketball team, which lost its final three regular season games last week, falling to Buena Regional, Wildwood and Lower Cape May.
“We didn’t get off to a great start in those games, especially defensively. Buena is a much improved team from the first time we played them, and we rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Wildwood played well, especially in the first half on their senior night, and so did Lower Cape May,” St. Joseph coach Jay Reed said.
“But I like playing in places like that before the [state] tournament. It gets you ready for an intense environment during the tournament,” he said.
The Wildcats’ week began with a 54-49 overtime loss at Buena. Trailing by nine to start the fourth quarter, St. Joe went on a 12-3 run to tie that game. Jade Howard’s basket with 43 seconds left in the game tied the score at 43-43. She led the Wildcats with 15 points in the game, while Molly Spadaro and Melissa Senese each added nine.
Against Wildwood, St. Joe fell behind 22-6 in the first quarter and eventually lost the game 56-40. Aliyah Nelson’s eight points led St. Joseph.
St. Joseph also failed to overcome a slow start against Lower Cape May, falling behind 12-5 in the opening period before losing the game 51-36.
Howard scored a team-high 11 points for the Wildcats.
The three losses dropped St. Joe’s record to 14-12 entering this week’s South Jersey Non-Public B playoffs, which begin on February 27 when the Wildcats host Wildwood Catholic.
St. Joe has beaten Wildwood Catholic twice this season.
“Any coach will tell you it’s tough to beat a team three times in a season, but right now we’re only focused on that first game,” Reed said.
Reed feels playing the game at home will be an advantage for the Wildcats.
“It’s important because of the opponent. It is extremely difficult to play in their [Wildwood Catholic] gym, and beating them there this season was huge. Our kids will be a bit more relaxed at home, and not have to take the long bus ride that we had to do two seasons ago,” Reed said.
Despite the tough road ahead, Reed has been pleased with his team’s performance this season.
“We only won seven games last year, so to have 14 wins and be back in the tournament is a huge accomplishment. This group of kids has been the hardest working bunch of team players I’ve had in six seasons here.
“The chemistry between the players has been outstanding, and the future looks very bright with our returning players,” he said.