Central Regional Basketball Season Wrap-up

The basketball season ended earlier than the Central Regional High School girls and boys teams would have hoped, but both teams show promise for next season.

 The Golden Eagles girls team lost the NJSIAA Group III South Jersey quarterfinals to Moorestown, 52-44, to finish 17-6.

Heather Tice scored 16 pints and Rachel Iozzia added 14.

Central Regional held a seven-point lead in the third quarter when Moorestown ran off 10 straight points and never looked back.

 "We were severely outrebounded," said coach John Truhan. "They got a lot of weakside rebounds. Their toughness and size took over. We were one quarter from going the farthest in school history."

But the Golden Eagles did capture their first division title in 20 years, winning Shore Conference B South.

 The boys team continued its thrilling finish before being eliminated in the second round by Ocean City, 59-57, on a three-point play with three seconds left. Casey Allender sank a layup with 7.5 seconds left to put Central Regional ahead before Ocean City hustled down the other end for its winning score.

 Missed free throws in regulation haunted Central Regional, which finished 12-11. The Golden Eagles also went into overtime when they won their state tournament opener over Camden Wilson, 60-58, as Joe Hardy’s three-point play forced the overtime and Jeremy Wozniak’s two free throws sealed the victory.

They closed their regular season when they lost at the buzzer to Monsignor Donovan.

"We were playing pretty good basketball," said coach Mike Clemente. "The last few weeks Jeremy Wozniak and Joe Hardy were doing a good job for us. The three-point shooting got better and then consistently good."

For the girls, Tice and powerful rebounder Julia Dickhaus leave behind a great career but Tice is certain success can continue for the Golden Eagles.

 "I definitely think we can keep it going," said Tice. "I knew starting the season we could do what we did if we could believe in what we do. I’m proud of what we did. We played as a team, not separating the freshmen and sophomores. Anyone can step it up,"

Iozzia proved that and the sophomore guard got a vote of confidence from her coach. "We’ll ride her shoulders next season," said Truhan, who also welcomes back starters Tiffany Williams, Ashley Barnuth and Jocelyn Mayo with prospects Brianne Allender, Ashley Marino, Kayla Haline and Michelle IoIozzia, Rachel’s sister.

 "Rachel struggled from beyond the arc, not like last season," said Truhan. "Then I was impressed with the way she started going to the basket and beating opponents off the dribble. It’s something we look for her over the next few years."

"I guess I have to take charge next year," said Iozzia. "I have to be more of a leader and take more control of the game."

Truhan praised the commitment many players who are coming back next season showed last summer in their off-season preparation and the cohesion they showed playing in a team tournament at Kutztown University and an early season trip to Orlando.

"I think we’ll be good," said Truhan. "Were losing a key player but there are talented players coming back."

Clemente shares the same optimism for the boys.

 "Everyone but Joe (Hardy) is coming back and Steve Uhrak. We had a relatively young team and then they picked it up a little as they got experience," said Clemente.

Hardy averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds a game.

 "That’ll be tough to replace," admitted Clemente. "But we’ll have a bigger number of players and will be more as a team. I hope next year we get off to a quicker start and not just one but five or six players who can score double-figures for us."

Sophomore starters Austin DeRose and Damium Moore will look to pick it up a bit more with Allender behind high scoring Wozniak, who dropped in 14 points a game and played many good games this season.

Davanta Bernier, a center, and his brother, Vaneck, also will be key parts of the team.