http://www.nj.com/hssports/blog/girlsbasketball/index.ssf/2012/01/this_week_in_union_county_girls_basketball.html

This week in Union County girls basketball

Published: Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 4:00 AM

By Chris Orlando/For The Star-Ledger
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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kate Martino, Summit

The play of senior guards Kelly Osmulski and Kate Martino has Summit off to a 6-3 start.

After starting the season 2-3, Summit won its fourth straight on Sunday, defeating Orange, 48-43, at Shabazz in Newark.

Osmulski, who is averaging 14.8 points this winter, had a game-high 17 points along with 11 rebounds in the victory. Martino, scoring at a 14.0 per game clip, contributed 13 points and dished out eight assists.

Summit, which was 14-11 a year ago, will play at Plainfield on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before playing as host to Westfield on Saturday at 1 p.m. Both games are Union County Conference Watchung Division contests and Summit currently owns a 3-2 conference record.

Shannon Wheeler, Linden

TEAM TO WATCH

Linden has won five of its last six games and will take a four-game winning streak into play this week.

Linden (8-3), under the direction of second-year coach Paul Gorski, has received solid efforts from guards Shannon Wheeler (16.5 ppg.) and Jada Lewis (13.8 ppg.). Keajah Hall (7.4 ppg.), Na-Quasia Robinson (5.4 ppg.) and Jada Johnson (4.7 ppg.) round out the top scoring threats.

Lewis was the star on Jan. 7, scoring with just 1.9 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Linden to a 60-59 victory at Somerville. On Friday, Wheeler sank two free throws with three seconds left to key a 44-43 decision over Cranford.

Linden, up to No. 4 in the Union County rankings, will next play on Thursday at Irvington at 4 p.m.

GAME TO WATCH

Dayton (7-3), which already owns victories over Roselle Catholic and Cranford , will face a resurgent Hillside team Tuesday at Hillside at 4 p.m.

Hillside, which was 3-16 a year ago, improved to 8-1 under third-year coach Sjocquelyn Winstead by defeating Lindenwold, 62-11, on Saturday.

Afeni Richardson (11.7 ppg.), Jasmine Lombard (8.7 ppg., 5.0 rebounds) and Khadijah Callahan (8.9 ppg., 2.3 assists) have been the catalysts for Hillside.

The triumvirate of Emily MacDonnell (14.0 ppg.), Jen Kuczynski (9.9 ppg.) and Anna Lies (7.1 ppg.) have been the key players for Dayton head coach Dave Rennie.