Upset Bug Running Rampant!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are heating up as we near Sectional Finals! Tuesday saw upsets (and narrow escape) across the state in Groups 1 &amp; 3 with some head-turning performances. Let's dive in and recap the madness March is bringing!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>South Jersey, Group 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-seed Haddon Township overcame a 25-18 first half deficit and withstood and furious surge from Woodstown in the 4th quarter to squeak by 46-44 and land in the Sectional Chip once again. Sophomore Abby Wiedeman had one of the best games of her young career, sinking four triples en-route to a game-high 17 points. She was a difference-maker on the glass as well, pulling down a game-high 8 boards and securing crucial rebounds down the stretch. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='600906' first='Kiersten' last='Callahan'] tallied 13 points and the two combined for over half of Haddon Township's total. They will host 3rd seeded (and defending champ) Wildwood in the Sectional title game on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Central Jersey, Group 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='601332' first='Annie' last='Conover'] was a woman possessed yesterday! She WENT OFF and had herself a career day against #4 Middlesex, dropping a 26-point, 16-rebound double-double to lead #1 New Providence to the Sectional final on Friday [vs #2 Thrive Charter]. She also distributed the ball equally as good, dishing out a game-best 5 assists! The Pioneers used a huge 3rd quarter to distance themselves and withstood a valiant effort in the 4th that saw star senior [player_tooltip player_id='414402' first='Jessica' last='Devine'] catch fire. Devine would finish with a game-high 30 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Central Jersey, Group 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Down goes #1! [player_tooltip player_id='913916' first='Tyeera' last='Howard'] has been on an absolute TEAR through the postseason and last night's game vs #1 Westampton Tech was no exception. She put forth a stellar performance, recording team-best totals of 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals to help #5 Neptune seal the deal in OT, 55-54. Senior back court duo [player_tooltip player_id='414290' first='Christa' last='Ramos'] and [player_tooltip player_id='879070' first='Bre' last='Evans'] combined for 30 points, played lockdown defense and made tremendous hustle plays. The Scarlet Fliers will take on #2 Red Bank Regional in the Sectional final on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a game that just didn't want to end, top-seeded Demarest withstood four quarters of regulation and some extra playing time... double overtime to be exact... to dispatch #5 West Essex 67-62 in the semis. [player_tooltip player_id='600897' first='Gabriella' last='Mittelman'] accounted for more than half of their total scoring, recording a career-high 39 points to lead the Norsemen. Efforts by [player_tooltip player_id='651513' first='Deana' last='Finkelstein'] should be noted, doing a great job on the glass and on defense. It was an arduous task, however, trying to contain [player_tooltip player_id='879566' first='Sasha' last='Resnick'], who had a career day of her own, recording a ferocious 24-point, 27-rebound double-double. The 1 &amp; 2 will clash for the Sectional chip, as Demarest takes on #2 Morris Knolls on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='414349' first='Bella' last='Curanovic'] put #6 Cranford on her back and led them to a stunning 52-46 upset of #2 Somerville. She took initiative from the jump and went on to record on of the best performances of her career, a monster 24-point, 16-rebound double-double. Junior Brooke Bentrewicz was the ying to Bella's yang, tallying 15 points to tie a career-high set in February vs Union Catholic. Her three triples also tied a career-high! Cranford meets defending champ and top seed Chatham in the Sectional final on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->