High School Basketball: Sterling's Rallies Despite Dempsey's Efforts Thursday, January 27, 2005 By Jason Brown SJSports Special Correspondent So far this season, three teams have dominated the Colonial Conference in boy's basketball and those teams are Haddonfield, Sterling and Collingswood. On each of those teams you will find that go to guy or guys that have been called on to come through with that big basket when needed. Today's match up between the Knights from Sterling traveling to Collingswood was no difference. Senior Justin Dempsey broke Collingwood's school record during the game with his game high 31 points. But on this day, Sterling's fourth quarter was the difference and the game winner erasing their deficit to win by a 66-57 margin. The previous record held by Steve Selby back in 1997 was a feat that many thought would stand up even longer. Dempsey has been the scoring leader for the Panthers averaging over 21 points a game this season and he needed 15 points to break the 1,311 record. When he broke the record, the game was held up for a moment honoring his accomplishment. The home crowd also joined in giving their thanks for Dempsey's record breaking day. When this game started out, Collingswood had ended the first quarter with a five point lead by controlling the boards. Sterling began to get their shots to fall during the second quarter quickly regaining the lead. The Knights have two players who are amongst the scoring leaders in Matt Sosna and Art Ellis. Sterling and Collingswood would end the half tied at 28 points apiece. Collingswood held onto a two point advantage to start the final quarter and that's when Ellis began to lead the Knights toward their twenty-seven point quarter. It was a team effort that allowed Sterling to outscore their opponent by eleven points. With the win, Sterling increased their record to 12-1 overall while Collingswood now had loss twice this season to the Knights. The Panthers record dropped to an impressive 10-3 and was lead by Justin Dempsey's game high 31 points. Sterling was led by Matt Sosna team high 20 points, Art Ellis' 16 points and 10 points from Tim Skroski. Photos by Mark Fletcher