High School Basketball: Cherry Hill East Secures Win against Mainland Wednesday, March 2, 2005 By Crystal Parker SJSports Staff Writer The second seed Lady Cougars from Cherry Hill East were hosting their second round girl’s South Jersey Group 4 game against Mainland. After enjoying a first round bye, East would see very quickly that the seventh seeded Mustangs were ready to play. There were seven lead changes in the first quarter alone that indicated that this game would not be a blowout. With Mainland regaining the lead midway through the fourth quarter, Shea Belte’s 14 second half points and Ivy Abiona free throw shooting was enough to hold off the charging Mustangs. East now advances by defeating Mainland by a 47-42 margin and will host Shawnee in the next round. During the first half of this game, the Cougars would maintain a modest lead through the second quarter. Jen Bradway’s three pointer tied the game early in the quarter and then the game was knotted at 14 apiece with 5:02 remaining. From that point, East went on a 10-5 run to end the half and lead by a 24-19 margin. Mainland had problems trying to slow down Abiona who had 12 first half points. Mainland would start the second half on a 5-0 run to tie and then take the lead on Sarah Cohen’s three pointer. The Cougars would regain the lead with Belte controlling the boards and getting to the free throw line. She went 4 for 7 from the line during the second half. Mainland took the lead 40-39 with 4:39 remaining in the game, but Belte who finished with 20 points and Abiona added 19 points would account for the 14 fourth quarter points to stay ahead of the Mustangs. Sarah Cohen would led the Mustangs in scoring with 12 points. Photos by Art Redd