VIDEO: Pennington breaks through, knocks out Newark Academy | ||
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Recent trips to play Newark Academy hadn't worked out very well for the Pennington girls' basketball team. But in the semifinals of this year's Prep B state tournament, the Red Raiders were able to turn the tables. Led by a terrific all-around performance from Carly Rice, Pennington led from start to finish in a 49-30 victory. The win ends Newark Academy's bid for a third straight Prep state title.
Rice scored 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had four assists for Pennington. Ayanna Johnson contributed 11 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocked shots. After a slow start for both squads, Pennington built a 10-4 lead after one quarter. The lead was still six points entering the second half, but the Red Raiders outscored the Lady Minutemen 16-7 in the third quarter to take control. Karina Mehta led Newark Academy with 10 points. Rachel Neiman added eight points and four assists for the top-seeded Lady Minutemen, who fall to 8-9 this season. Newark Academy clearly missed its 1,000-point scorer, Jocelyn Willoughby. The junior has only played six games this season due to injury. Pennington is 12-9. The fourth-seeded Red Raiders will take on Morristown-Beard in the Prep B state final. For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school prep girls' basketball tournament game, click play in the box at left. |