The winter season is coming to an end soon but some local athletes continue to shine.
Kelly Campbell hit five three-point field goals on her way to scoring a game-high 20 points as St. John Vianney’g girls’ basketball team routed Immaculate Heart, 72-31, to win its second straight NJSIAA Non-Public A state title at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River.
Campbell, who won this year’s Kerwin Award as the best player in the Shore Conference, scored 17 of her 20 points in the first half when the Lancers raced out to a commanding 40-9 lead. She also had six assists.
The state championship was the Lancers’ record 17th overall.
Hannah Fisher scored 13 points, including three three-point field goals, and Erin Seppi pulled down 15 rebounds as Monroe defeated Hunterdon Central, 48-35, to win the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship.
This was the team’s first-ever state sectional championship and the Falcons won it on their home floor.
Isla Brennan (13) and Alexandra Balsamo (12) combined for 25 points in Middletown South High School’s loss to Old Tappan in the NJSIAA Group III final at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River.
The Eagles were taking aim at a second straight Group III state title.
In the state semi-final, Stephanie Karcz had a game-high 19 points for the Eagles as South defeated Ocean City, 51-41.
The Old Bridge High School boys’ distance medley relay team of Gerard D’Ambrosio, Mike Delvecchi, Scott Belton and Rey Rivera earned All-America recognition by finishing fifth at the New Balance Indoor Nationals at the Armory in NYC. The quartet posted a school record 10:13.60.
The time could ear n the Knights an invite to the Penn Relays next month.
Colts Neck High School’s Jordan Brannan, ran the year’s fastest two-miles, 9:10.22, in finishing 13th at the New Balance Indoor Nationals.
The Colts junior won the Meet of Champions 3,200-meter crown earlier this winter.
Old Bridge’s Rey Rivera (800) and Matawan’s Thomas Kalieta (200/400) turned in the fastest times among New Jersey runners in their respective races at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. Rivera was 13th in the 800 running 1:55.08. Kalieta’s 49.06 in the 400 was good for 13th overall and he clocked 22.09 for the 200 taking third in his heat.
Red Bank Catholic’s girl’s Sprint Medley Relay team of Abby Collins, Sam Spallanzani, Carly Friend and Gabriella Ferrigine was the fastest New Jersey team at the New Balance Nationals. They finished 15th posting a 4:12.46.
