Cherokee 59, Gloucester Tech 23: Gabby Recinto led the way with a game-high 19 points as No. 1 seed Cherokee (23-3, 11-1) routed visiting No. 16 Gloucester Tech (10-17, 0-8) in the first round of the NJSIAA South Group 4 playoffs Feb. 28.
Katie Fricker chipped in 10 points, including two 3-pointers, as the Chiefs won their third consecutive game since a 23-17 loss at Shawnee Feb. 22.
“It went well,” said Cherokee coach Ron Powell. “No one got hurt and everyone got a chance to play. It will obviously get more difficult as we move along.”
Sophia Molinari had a dozen points for Gloucester Tech.
Cherokee will host No. 9 Toms River East, a 35-29 winner over No. 8 Egg Harbor Township in the first round, in the quarterfinals 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2. The Raiders snapped a three-game losing streak with their first-round win.
The Chiefs last met Toms River East in 2015 when they rolled over the Raiders, 53-20, in the first round of the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs.
NJSIAA South Group 4 First Round
Feb. 28, Marlton
Cherokee 59, Gloucester Tech 23
Gloucester (10-17) 9-2-4-8 – 23
Cherokee (23-3) 21-15-14-9 – 59
Gloucester Tech: Sophia Molinari 12, Kera McKnight 2, Ava Friel 4, Tamia Scott 2, Brianna Gibson 3; 3s: Gibson.
Cherokee: Surina Leszkowicz 4, Katie Fricker 10, C.J. Apistar 3, Olivia Selverian 8, Brianna Wegner 4, Courtney Furman 9, Gabby Recinto 19, Delaney Jackson 2; 3s: Furman 3, Fricker 2, Selverian 2, Apistar.
Lenape 52, Washington Township 26: Kaitlyn King led all scorers with 15 points as No. 4 seed Lenape (18-8, 8-4) doubled up visiting No. 13 Washington Township (6-17, 2-10) in the first round of the NJSIAA South Group 4 playoffs Feb. 28.
Ava Doughtery had nine points and Kristen Cortese…