East, West Basketball Teams Stumble in Season Openers

Cherry Hill East kept it close at the half and made a third-quarter run, but visiting Timber Creek was too strong late in the game, as the Cougars girls fell in their home opener, 57-37, Friday evening.

The Cougars led briefly, 26-25, in the third, but couldn't keep the shots falling as the Chargers ratcheted up the pressure on both ends of the court.

Aliyah Godwin and Zoe Schlessel led East, scoring seven points each, and Jazz Sullivan and Brooke Rose each scored six.

Timber Creek won with a one-two punch of Brittany Martin (19 points) and Amanda Riff (14), who dominated the second and first halves, respectively. The Chargers also went 12-of-17 from the free throw line in the third and fourth quarters.

Cougars senior Darby Festa was sidelined with an injury in the second quarter and did not return to the game.

Girls

Camden Catholic 51, Cherry Hill West 26

Sasha Williams scored 11 points and Chelsea Holiday added nine, but the Lions succumbed to an Irish team that piled on the points in the second and third quarter. Camden Catholic was led by Julia Braungart's 16 points.

Boys

Camden Catholic 61, Cherry Hill West 38

Will Plenty's 12 points led the Lions, and Rod Williams chipped in another 10, but it was Camden Catholic's first-half offense that dictated the game, as the Irish went to the locker room at the half up, 33-14, in the season opener. Temple-bound Kyle Green topped the scoring for Camden Catholic, pouring in 21.

Timber Creek 63, Cherry Hill East 49

The Cougars hung with the Chargers for three quarters, but Timber Creek owned the fourth quarter to take the win in their home opener. East's Andrew Brown led all scorers on the night, dropping 18, and teammate Jake Silpe scored 12.