Summit vs West Essex 1/30/2007
 1st2nd3rd4thTOTAL
Summit78151545
West Essex918151052
PlayerFG3PTFTMPTS
Danielle Scott501020
Shannon Murphy1046
Emily Cristaldi 3 0 0 6
Meghan Osmulski1105
Mellisa Scott1013
Jenna Wilson1002
Jamie Osmulski1002
Alex Reid0011
Danielle Allocco0000
Deanna Nelson0000
Katelyn Allocco0000
Game Totals1011645
The Lady Hilltoppers traveled to 11-2 WE tonight and knew they were in for a tough game against the disciplined Lady Knights.  The first quarter was excellent, as WE scored in the first 4 seconds on the opening tap and took an early lead, only to have the strong play of Danielle Scott, who hit for 7, and also assisted on a Jamie Osmulski drive, for a 9-7 Hilltopper lead after one. Summit’s fortunes were about to change when their point guard, Jenna Wilson, went down with an ankle sprain, and Shannon Murphy and Alex Reid each picked up two fouls.  These events seem to deflate the Lady Hilltoppers, who lost their defensive and offensive intensity.  WE went on a 17-0 run, and nothing Coach did seemed to stop the run.  A basket and 3 foul shots by Scott helped slow the bleeding, and a nice free throw by Scott’s sister Melissa helped to close the gap to a “within earshot” 15-27 at half.  The Hilltoppers came out on fire in the third quarter and got their intensity back.  Wilson came back for a few tough minutes and scored a driving bucket, and Megan Osmulski took over some of the scoring burden and drained 5 in the period to go along with Danielle Scott’s 8.  But some defensive lapses and some costly turnovers allowed WE to score 5 lay ups in the period, which quieted Summit’s rally.  But as they have done all season, the ladies showed no give up and began to attack WE all over the court.  They got numerous steals from Melissa Scott, Danielle Allocco, Katelyn Allocco, and Reid, and the lead was down to 10.  With three WE players fouling out, the crowd knew they were in for a fantastic finish.  Coach began substituting like crazy, and found a great combination when he inserted freshman Emily Cristaldi and junior Deanna Nelson, who pressed all over the back court creating  6 WE turnovers in 2 minutes.  Two foul shots by Reid got the lead down to 6 with 2 minutes to go, and a clutch basket by Cristaldi off a steal by Nelson got it to 4!  When Shannon Murphy, who finished with 7 tough boards, hit three free throws in a row the ladies were right back in it.  But a couple of fouls and some decent foul shooting by WE in the final minute quieted the rally, and only Emily Cristaldi could find the hoop in the last few minutes. She finished with 6 points in the quarter, a remarkable performance by a freshman seeing her first varsity time.

JV Result

Won 37-35    The Summit JV Lady Hilltoppers opened the game with WE and dominated the first period, getting off 25 shots with tremendous offensive rebounding of Cassie Hall, Deanna Nelson, and Claire Cummins, but at the buzzer had 6 points to show for it. This kept WE in the game and they had a terrific second quarter while coach rested his starters.  This pattern remained in the third quarter and only some nice hoops by Najla Austin and Cassie Hall kept Summit close.  The fourth quarter pitted the best of both teams, including many varsity players, against one another and what a show they put on.  Hall continued her torrid game, getting two buckets and dishing for 3 assists.  Emily Cristaldi, having a cold shooting night, passed for some key points and had three steals.  Candy Marchell had a monster quarter, hitting on 8 points and 6 rebounds to propel Summit into the lead. But WE hit an improbable outside shot with 30 seconds left, and when Summit couldn’t hold onto the ball the tide turned in WE’s favor.  But the JV Lady Hilltoppers raised their game one more time, stole the ball, and set up a nice play on the left post for Mickey Brown to hit a terrific turnaround with 4 seconds left to seal the 2 point victory!