Union County Tournament Semifinals Preview
Published: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 11:05 PM Updated: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 11:22 PM
The semifinal round of the 37th Frank J. Cicarell Union County Tournament will be held Monday night at Johnson High in Clark.
The schedule:
2-Cranford vs. 3-Dayton, 6
1-Gov. Livingston vs. 5-Summit, 7:30
Here is a brief look at each team:
Morgan Miller (#3) of Cranford, whon here driving to the hoop against Union Catholic, will be a pivotal player in tonight's UCT semifianl round. Photo by William Perlman2-CRANFORD (21-3): The Cougars enter the semifinal round on a season-high 12-game winning streak and haven't lost since it dropped a 42-38 decision to Gov. Livingston on Jan. 19. Split with Dayton, 1-1, in Union County Conference Mountain Division play.
Top players:
Morgan Miller (16.2 ppg.)
Jessica McCoy (9.3 ppg.)
Jenna Goeller (7.6 ppg.)
Kaitlin McGovern (6.0 ppg.)
Mairead McKeary (5.5 ppg.)
3-DAYTON (18-6): The Lady Bulldogs are in the semifinal round for the second straight year. Last winter, Dayton defeated Cranford in the quarterfinal round to reach the semis for the first time last year. Is 1-1 vs. Cranford in UCC Mountain Division action.
Top players:
Emily MacDonnell (13.6 ppg.)
Jen Kuczynski (11.9 ppg.)
Anna Lies, Dayton (10.0 ppg.)
Nikki Athan (4.8 ppg.)
Heather Fritzen (4.8 ppg.)
Lea Ginefra (4.5 ppg.)
"Both teams know each other well," said Dayton skipper Dave Rennie. "The semifinal will come down to who executes better. They run the floor very well and have players that cause problems. They defended us well the last game we played and are a very balanced team. They only have three losses and are very close to being undefeated. We moved up in divisions this year and that schedule has helped us. We're battle-tested and will be ready for what should be an interesting game."
Analysis: Dayton outlasted sixth-seeded Linden, 57-56, in overtime on Thursday in the quarterfinals and should be confident and prepared in reaching the semis for the second straight season. Cranford, which allows just 33.2 points a game, is playing to reach the county final for the first time since it won its only crown in 2006 and has been playing with a purpose for the last month. Morgan and company won the last meeting against Dayton, 54-36, on Feb. 2. Dayton will need to knock down the outside shot with consistency to prevail and has the players to do it. Cranford's defense is stingy as they come so points will be at a premium.
Mallory George (#15) of Gov. Livinsgton, shown here during UCT play last year, will be one to keep an eye on during tonight's second UCT semifinal. Photo By Andrew Mills.1-GOV. LIVINGSTON (21-1): The Lady Highlanders have seemingly been on a mission since losing to Roselle Catholic in last year's final, 33-26. Offense can spring from anywhere on this team, although just one player is averaging in double figures. Has not played Summit this season.
Top players:
Alyssa Polimeni (12.6 ppg.)
Mallory George (9.4 ppg.)
Sam Dowling (8.4 ppg.)
Erin Ferguson (8.0 ppg.)
Becca Johnson (6.0 ppg.)
5-SUMMIT (18-4): The Lady Hilltoppers put forth a great effort in defeating Roselle Catholic, 34-24, in the quarterfinal round on Thursday. Summit has not been in the county final since winning its only title in 1999. Has won nine straight and 16 of its last 17. Hasn't played Gov. Livingston this winter.
Top players:Kelly Osmulski (16.1 ppg.)
Kate Martino (14.0 ppg.)
Nicole Johnson (8.0 ppg.)
Ali Hoesly (2.4 ppg)
Carly Wilson (2.1 ppg.)
"We played with energy and emotion against Roselle Catholic and did all the little things that are needed to win a game like that. We blocked out well and got to the free throw line and then executed there," said Summit head coach Brian Erickson. "We look forward to the challenge that Gov. Livingston brings. There are no easy games at this point, nor should there be. G.L. has won 21 games and ranked first in the county all season. To be the best, you have to beat the best and right now, they're the team to beat."
Analysis: Another great matchup is on tap in the nightcap. Summit is playing as well as anyone in the county right now and has the confidence that dethroning a three-time county champ brings with it. Senior guard Kate Martino is a skilled a point guard and will dictate the offense. Osmulski can fill up the stat sheet as well as anyone and Johnson also poses a threat. The job here will be to convert on the opportunities that Gov. Livingston provides – and that isn't many. The Berkeley Heights school allows a scant 33.3 points per game. While Polimeni steers the ship at the point, George, Dowling, Ferguson and Johnson have been a dominant force on the boards all season. This should be a low-scoring affair that may come down to a final possession before it's settled.
The winners will meet in the 37th UCT final, to be held on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Kean University at 5 p.m.
Enjoy the hoops.
The schedule:
2-Cranford vs. 3-Dayton, 6
1-Gov. Livingston vs. 5-Summit, 7:30
Here is a brief look at each team:
Morgan Miller (#3) of Cranford, whon here driving to the hoop against Union Catholic, will be a pivotal player in tonight's UCT semifianl round. Photo by William PerlmanTop players:
Morgan Miller (16.2 ppg.)
Jessica McCoy (9.3 ppg.)
Jenna Goeller (7.6 ppg.)
Kaitlin McGovern (6.0 ppg.)
Mairead McKeary (5.5 ppg.)
3-DAYTON (18-6): The Lady Bulldogs are in the semifinal round for the second straight year. Last winter, Dayton defeated Cranford in the quarterfinal round to reach the semis for the first time last year. Is 1-1 vs. Cranford in UCC Mountain Division action.
Top players:
Emily MacDonnell (13.6 ppg.)
Jen Kuczynski (11.9 ppg.)
Anna Lies, Dayton (10.0 ppg.)
Nikki Athan (4.8 ppg.)
Heather Fritzen (4.8 ppg.)
Lea Ginefra (4.5 ppg.)
"Both teams know each other well," said Dayton skipper Dave Rennie. "The semifinal will come down to who executes better. They run the floor very well and have players that cause problems. They defended us well the last game we played and are a very balanced team. They only have three losses and are very close to being undefeated. We moved up in divisions this year and that schedule has helped us. We're battle-tested and will be ready for what should be an interesting game."
Analysis: Dayton outlasted sixth-seeded Linden, 57-56, in overtime on Thursday in the quarterfinals and should be confident and prepared in reaching the semis for the second straight season. Cranford, which allows just 33.2 points a game, is playing to reach the county final for the first time since it won its only crown in 2006 and has been playing with a purpose for the last month. Morgan and company won the last meeting against Dayton, 54-36, on Feb. 2. Dayton will need to knock down the outside shot with consistency to prevail and has the players to do it. Cranford's defense is stingy as they come so points will be at a premium.
Mallory George (#15) of Gov. Livinsgton, shown here during UCT play last year, will be one to keep an eye on during tonight's second UCT semifinal. Photo By Andrew Mills.Top players:
Alyssa Polimeni (12.6 ppg.)
Mallory George (9.4 ppg.)
Sam Dowling (8.4 ppg.)
Erin Ferguson (8.0 ppg.)
Becca Johnson (6.0 ppg.)
5-SUMMIT (18-4): The Lady Hilltoppers put forth a great effort in defeating Roselle Catholic, 34-24, in the quarterfinal round on Thursday. Summit has not been in the county final since winning its only title in 1999. Has won nine straight and 16 of its last 17. Hasn't played Gov. Livingston this winter.
Top players:Kelly Osmulski (16.1 ppg.)
Kate Martino (14.0 ppg.)
Nicole Johnson (8.0 ppg.)
Ali Hoesly (2.4 ppg)
Carly Wilson (2.1 ppg.)
"We played with energy and emotion against Roselle Catholic and did all the little things that are needed to win a game like that. We blocked out well and got to the free throw line and then executed there," said Summit head coach Brian Erickson. "We look forward to the challenge that Gov. Livingston brings. There are no easy games at this point, nor should there be. G.L. has won 21 games and ranked first in the county all season. To be the best, you have to beat the best and right now, they're the team to beat."
Analysis: Another great matchup is on tap in the nightcap. Summit is playing as well as anyone in the county right now and has the confidence that dethroning a three-time county champ brings with it. Senior guard Kate Martino is a skilled a point guard and will dictate the offense. Osmulski can fill up the stat sheet as well as anyone and Johnson also poses a threat. The job here will be to convert on the opportunities that Gov. Livingston provides – and that isn't many. The Berkeley Heights school allows a scant 33.3 points per game. While Polimeni steers the ship at the point, George, Dowling, Ferguson and Johnson have been a dominant force on the boards all season. This should be a low-scoring affair that may come down to a final possession before it's settled.
The winners will meet in the 37th UCT final, to be held on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Kean University at 5 p.m.
Enjoy the hoops.
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