High School Basketball (Playoffs):
Shawnee Wins In Regulation

Saturday, March 7, 1998

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

The Shawnee girl's basketball team continued their winning ways this weekend on the road to the Group 4 South Jersey Championship game on Monday. The Lady Renegades advanced to the finals with a 56-43 victory over Toms River East at home. Shawnee had an easier time in this game than their past two games.

Their road to the finals started with a triple overtime 66-60 win against Lenape and a regular overtime win 58-57 over Toms River North. The Lady Renegades got the early lead and never lost it.

Shawnee would jump out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on their ability to clean up on the boards. The Lady Raiders finally got on the scoreboard with 59 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Shawnee was not going to wait around for their opponent to turn things around in their favor. The Lady Renegades would go into the locker room at the half with a 23-11 lead.

After the whistle sounded the beginning of the second half, Toms River went on an 8-4 run to pull them within 8 points, 27-19, late in the third quarter. The Lady Raiders would put together another run late in the quarter. Kristy Murray would connect on two 3-pointers and Kim MacMillen also hit a 3-pointer to cap an 11-2 run to end the third quarter. Shawnee would only own a 3-point lead.

Toms River was not going to let their hard fought road to this game just disappear without a fight. Their road to the semifinals included a 63-47 win over Triton and a 57-42 victory over the tough Rancocas Valley.

The Lady Renegades didn't want another close game and went on a 14-3 run in the final quarter with 4:16 remaining. When the game was under the three-minute mark and Shawnee up 49-35, Toms River was forced to foul. The Lady Renegades would advance to the finals against Washington Township.