Cranford 46, Somerville 34 (High school Girls Basketball scores and results) - NJ.com
Danielle Gross didn’t really believe Cranford’s post-season run was possible at the beginning of the season.
“I don’t think any of us really thought this would be happening,” said Gross, a senior center. “But we did know that we would work hard every game. And now it’s paid off.”
Gross recorded 13 points and seven rebounds and senior forward Jamie Webb collected 13 points, five assists and three steals to help Cranford post a convincing 46-34 victory over Somerville to capture the NJSIAA/ShopRite North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 championship last night in Cranford.
The sectional title is the first since 1973 for Cranford, which will meet Pascack Valley in a Group 3 semifinal tomorrow night at Ramapo. Pasacack Valley defeated Teaneck, 51-47, for the North Jersey, Section 1 title last night.
“To be able to play your final game at home in front of your fans and family and win a sectional title; that’s the best,” said Gross. “I’ll be able to come back to this gym forever and know I helped put that banner here.”
Cranford, which bowed to Rumson, 50-29, in the Central Jersey, Group 2 final last year, defeated Carteret, Mendham and Voorhees to earn another chance at the title.
Against Somerville, Cranford took the lead for good when Gross took a great pass from Webb, scored and was fouled with 6:10 remaining in the third. Gross’ ensuing foul shot gave Cranford a 26-24 advantage.
Taylor D’Antico, who finished with nine points, had a key steal late in the third and passed to freshman Morgan Miller, who scored to push the Cranford lead to 32-24 with just over a minute left.
“We have three freshmen on the team this year, but we all have a strong bond,” said D’Antico, a senior forward. “And we really focused on finishing our season strong.”
Cranford went 8-for-8 from the foul line in the fourth quarter, including Webb, who was 4-for-4 to help seal the victory.
Cranford finished 14-of-15 from the free throw line for the game. Conversely, Somerville shot just 3-of-14 from the charity stripe, including an 0-for-8 effort in the second half.
Somerville was paced by freshman guard Caroline Barberi, who had 13 points, and senior guard Sahara Sumpter, who added 11 points.
Sumpter and Barberi had 22 and 14 points, respectively, as Somerville knocked off West Morris, No. 20 in The Star-Ledger, 59-46, in the sectional semifinal round on Friday.
“We played hard and we did a good job in getting here,” said Barberi. “They have some very good players though and it was a tough game.”
Webb, who is averaging 15.3 points in four state tournament games, believes a lack of familiarity is helping Cranford advance in the states.
“I think because we haven’t played these teams before, that helps us,” said Webb, who added five assists and two steals against Somerville. “We just try to play consistently and not fall into patterns that we have against teams we’ve faced before.”
Cranford head coach Jackie Huber now owns a record of 54-26 in three seasons at the helm. The 21 victories is the most for Cranford since the 2005-’06 team went 21-8.
“I’m really happy for the girls,” said Huber. “We’ve had some lapses and losses this season but they’ve showed that they can get the job done.”
Somerville 34
Name 2-pt. 3-pt. FT Total
Alexis Appezzato 1 0 0 2
Caroline Barberi 2 3 0 13
Katie Bender 1 0 0 2
Rachel Jones 3 0 0 6
Jasmine Lichtman 0 0 0 0
Caroline Stires 0 0 0 0
Sahara Sumpter 3 1 2 11
Totals: 10 4 2
Cranford 46
Name 2-pt. 3-pt. FT Total
Taylor D'Antico 2 1 2 9
Jenna Goeller 0 0 0 0
Danielle Gross 4 0 5 13
Sara Gugliuci 0 0 0 0
Jessica McCoy 1 0 0 2
Kaitlin McGovern 1 0 1 3
Morgan Miller 3 0 0 6
Jamie Webb 3 0 7 13
Totals: 14 1 15
Cranford (21-7) 13 10 9 14 46
Somerville (19-9) 10 10 6 8 34
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