EAGLES RIDE DEFENSE TO STATE PLAYOFF VICTORY

A strong third quarter showing by Middletown South gave the Eagles a win over Nottingham in the quarter-finals of the Central Jersey Group III, 39-33.

The game was a defensive battle throughout, with both teams playing zones for large periods of time and not allowing many offensive rebounds.

Nottingham held the lead at the end of the first half 19-16, but the game was still up for grabs.

The teams continued to halt each other’s offenses during the third quarter and a fee throws by the North Stars’s Brianna Lucas at the end of the third period gave Nottingham a one point advantage, 26-25, as the teams headed into the final eight minutes of play.

Still in their zone defense, the Eagles sat and watched as the North Stars crossed the half-court line for the first possession of the final period. But as they crossed the timeline, the Nottingham point guard stood their and let the seconds tick away off the clock.

After almost burning two minutes of time, Danielle Pankey sprinted towards the ball. After a couple of quick passes by the North Stars, Pankey stole the ball at the high post.

Pankey pushed the ball up the floor and found teammate Megan McGuiness in the corner for a three-pointer, and the lead, which the Eagles would never give back.

On the ensuing possession, McGuiness blocked a pull-up jump shot attempt and drove down the floor for a lay-up.From there, South’s defense took over. The Eagles held Nottingham scoreless until there was just 1:55 left in the game and after South had built up a substantial lead.

Shawna Hagen was the leading scorer with 11 points, while Pankey netted 9 of her own after coming off a stretch where she scored 60 points in her last two games.