Cranford Patch - Cranford Defeats Somerville For First State Sectional Title Since 1973

Cranford Patch - Cranford Defeats Somerville For First State Sectional Title Since 1973

By Mike Curci |

1973. It was the year the Carpenters hit the top of the music charts with a song called "Top of the World." It was also the last time the Cranford girls' varsity basketball team captured a state sectional title.

Until now, that is.

Led by the senior trio of Danielle Gross, Jamie Webb and Taylor D'Antico, the Lady Cougars sit on top of the New Jersey basketball world after their convincing 46-34 victory over Somerville in the NJSIAA state sectional championship game in Cranford Tuesday night.

Gross led the way with 15 points and seven rebounds, Webb added 13 points and five assists and D'Antico chipped in with nine points.

"I feel great," said third year head coach Jackie Huber. "I'm so happy for the girls, they worked really hard. They deserved it."

"I'm so excited, I'm kind of speechless that we won this game," said Gross. "My senior year, I wanted to look up at that banner and see the year I graduated for the section title. Now it's going to be there, so I'm really excited."

The Lady Cougars not only hit big baskets from the field, but went 14-of-15 from the free throw line, while Somerville was just 3-for-14.

Somerville ran out to an early seven-point lead, but Cranford quickly caught up and took a 13-10 advantage after the first quarter. The Cougars held a 23-20 lead at the break, but in the second half, they outscored the Pioneers 23-14 to put the championship on ice.

"We're a really hard working team and even when we were down by seven points, we're going to come out here strong and we're never going to give up," said D'Antico. "I have to give credit to every single person on our team. It's a great feeling."

"The second half, we really picked it up," said Huber. "We live by, offense wins games, defense wins championships. We said to the seniors, that in order for us to do this, you have to be a big presence on the floor, especially Danielle, you're the biggest girl out there, grab every single rebound, fight underneath the basket and that's exactly what she did."

Jamie Webb also received high marks from her coach.

"Jamie is a great leader for us," Huber said. "She just brings a feeling of power and this is what we can do. She's extremely intense, and when you see she's intense, everyone's going to be intense."

For now, though, it's time to focus on the celebration.

"It feels amazing," said Webb. "Because now we're putting '10 up there (on the banner). We havn't won since '73, it's a great feeling."

And let's not forget the young players, who have played brilliantly considering the pressure of playing on the tournament stage leading up to this crown.

"We just want to keep them relaxed," said Gross. "They were nervous at the beginning I just think it's the beginning of the next great years, these freshmen could do this again."

Cranford (21-7) defeated Carteret, Mendham and Voorhees to make the final, and now will face Pascack Valley Thursday night at Ramapo High School in the North Jersey state final.