Chatham Defeats Mountain Lakes, Moves On to State Semifinals

A quality team often has key players that step up in big situations.

On Thursday evening, Chatham's star players did just that, as they led the 23-5 Cougars to a 42-31 victory over the 17-8 Mountain Lakes Lakers in the second round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 state tournament.

"We had to win to keep the season going, so the win was crucial," said Chatham senior Caroline Murphy. "We were able to buckle down on defense and I think we were able to keep them on their toes."

The first quarter started slowly, but three minutes in the Cougars picked up the pace with an 8-0 run that was led by junior Kelsey Hart and sophomore Amanda Berntsen. Highlights of the run included a steal and breakaway layup by Berntsen and an acrobatic layup by Hart.

"Chatham played how I thought they would; that is, disciplined and structured," said Lakers Head Coach Mike Killingsworth. "They play with solid defense and hard-nosed offense."

Mountain Lakes sophomore Katie Reese and the Lakers fought back in the second quarter with better shot selection and tighter defense. The Lakers held Chatham to only six points in the period and pulled to within 21-14 at the half.

"We played all right but we still made bad decisions and had trouble setting up our offense," said Hart. "We could also do better boxing out and not giving them second chances."

Chatham came out firing in the third quarter with back-to-back field goals and a long three-pointer by Berntsen. The Lakers' Reese followed with a three-pointer of her own, helping Mountain Lakes close the quarter on a 6-0 run.

Murphy was just another star that stepped it up for the Cougars in the fourth quarter. She opened the period with successive free throws and hit a clutch three-pointer with two minutes to play. 

"I had to sit out in the third because of foul trouble, so I came out in the fourth re-energized and knocked down some shots," she said.

With a minute and a half left, Lakers freshman Sarah Bozzo got her team to within eight points on a three-point play. But the Cougars' stellar foul shooting helped them maintain a comfortable lead. They were six of seven from the foul line in the fourth quarter and eight of 11 on the night.

"We are really excited and hope this game will bring us strong into the next round," said Hart.

Murphy led the Cougars with 13 points, while Hart contributed 12 and Berntsen added nine. On the other end of the ball, Reese finished with 11 and junior Amanda Faulkenberg had 10.

"It's definitely nervewracking because when you lose you're out, but we are excited," said Murphy.

Chatham will next play Newark Tech at home at 6 p.m. Saturday in the state tournament semifinals.