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High School Basketball:
Sterling Withholds Haddonfield's Rally

Thursday, January 17, 2002

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

There were two undefeated teams in the Colonial Conference that battled hard not to get that first loss of the season in league play. Haddonfield traveled to Sterling's new gymnasium with their loyal fans looking to move on top of their conference. Pat Bentley did everything he could to come away with a road victory, but the Knights worked together for a 5 point win. Bentley and Sterling's Dan Terrell showed why these teams remain on top the Colonial Conference. Sterling posted a 69-63 win to remain undefeated.

In every close basketball game, the coach's responsibility is to look for that weakness that they have discovered to give their team that winning edge. Each team in this game had their go to players like senior Pat Bentley from Haddonfield and senior Dan Terrell from Sterling. Both can put some serious points on the scoreboard with their ability to hit the three pointer from anywhere on the court.

The initial quarter was intense with both teams moving the ball well looking to establish the edge in this game. Dan Terrell and Jay Cage highlighted the quarter connecting on three 3 pointers for Sterling. Terrell's second 3 pointer ended the quarter with a buzzer beater to give the Knights a 15-11 lead. That basket must have inspired Pat Bentley as his 10 point second quarter rallied the Bulldogs.

After a deadlock first half ended, the Knights began working the ball inside to center Dave Cogan. His six points led the way in the third quarter. Sterling gained what looked like a large lead, 37-31, when Haddonfield called a timeout with 4:17 remaining in the quarter. Bentley single-handedly brought the Bulldogs back in this game to close the deficit to only two points.

That's when the Knights, shooting 79% from the free throw line for the game, began opening up their lead. Their margin grew to as much as 65-52 with 1:23 remaining in the game. Not even Bentley's three 3-pointers, six three's for the game, could not close the gap. Bentley finished with a game high 36 points for Haddonfield. Dan Terrell led Sterling with a team high 20 points, Chad Lewis added 14 points and both Jay Cage and Tim Parker each finished with 13 points. This game was really decided at the line where Sterling finished the final quarter converting on 9 of 12 attempts.

Photos by Art Redd

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