High School Basketball: Lady Cougars Make Every Shot Count Tuesday, January 3, 2006 By Joyce Sagerty SJSports Special Correspondent A basketball schedule is designed to give every team a chance to compete against every team from a division in order to determine who’s the best and claim the title. When that time comes when a division match up takes place, it’s very important early in the season to come away with the win. Two teams that knew the importance of their time to compete against one another were Cherry Hill East and the Minutemaids from Washington Township. After three quarters of play were completed, the Cougars would watch their double digit lead shrink down to just two points. East would rely on converting their free throws down the stretch to preserve their 50-45 victory over Township. The Lady Cougars were ready to defend their Olympic Conference American Division title and return to the South Jersey Group 4 finals. Ivy Abiona was one of several players returning for East and looking to repeat as champs. For Washington Township, Amanda Jennings would be one of many talented players on the team looking to win pick up a division game on the road. Township would find themselves trailing 27-18 at the start of the third quarter only to rally and outscore East 16-9 and only trail by two during the final minutes of the game. The Cougars would get four big-time free throws by Tina Regan to finally put away a stubborn Township team. Britney Vespe would lead the Cougars in scoring with 14 points while Ivy Abiona added 13 and Tina Regan finished with 11 points. Kate Montgomery led Township in scoring with 13 points and Amanda Jennings would finish with 10 points. Photos by Hugh Tsung