Cranford Girls Cruise Past Roselle Park 58-30

After back-to-back nail-biters, the Cranford girls varsity basketball team had an easy Friday afternoon cruising past visiting Roselle Park 58-30.

With senior leader Jamie Webb sidelined due to sickness, junior Sara Gugliucci stepped up and hit for a season-high 17 points, including three three-pointers.

"The season is going very well. Everyone's putting a lot of effort in," said Gugliucci. "We're playing our 'A' game."

Morgan Miller added 10 points, while freshmen Jessica McCoy and Katie McGovern chipped in with nine and six points respectively.

"I was a little scared at the beginning of the season," said McGovern. "But everyone was really supportive. We work really hard in practice all the time and try to push ourselves. We never give up and we play well in the fourth quarter."

"Kate has been coming in and out for us the entire season," said Huber. "She's been doing a great job of stepping up, going to the basket strong, getting the rebounds. I'd also have to say Jackie Montegudo did well for us, especially in the second quarter. She got rebounds for us and put the ball back up."

"We have three freshmen on the team and they're all very good," said Gugliucci. "It's really cool to have them on the team. They're putting a lot of effort in."

Cranford led 12-4 after one quarter, getting off to that good start that they had been looking for. The home side then stretched their lead to 25-10 at halftime.

The Cougars held a commanding 41-20 advantage entering the fourth quarter, allowing everyone on the team to get some touches.

"When you play a team that has a little less ability, you find out things you need to work on," said Huber. "We'll be doing that in the next week."

Other players on the scoresheet: Taylor D'Antico with six points, Sara Geoller with five, Brittany Capese with three and Jackie Montegudo with two. Gina Clauer paced the Panthers with a game-high 23 points.

The victory improves the Lady Cougars' mark to an impressive 10-2, and now the fourth-ranked team in Union County will have a full week off before facing Arthur L. Johnson next Friday.

"Johnson's very good, we played them in the second game of the season and beat them by 15," said Huber. "But they also have improved, they have a very good player. We're going to have to step up and play great defense on them."

"Next week we have a big week," said Gugliucci. "We have Johnson, Roselle and Roselle Catholic again the following week, so we have to keep going strong."

Huber doesn't expect the break to ruin the team's positive momentum.

"It's a good rest, because right after the Johnson game, we go three games, then three games and then the county tournament starts," she said. "I think we'll be okay next Friday."