High School Girls Basketball:
Township Plays Great Defense In Big Win

Tuesday, February 2, 1999

By Bob Stewart
SJSports Staff Writer

The Washington Township girl's basketball team traveled to Edgewood for an Olympic Conference game. The Lady Minutemen played a great game of pressure defense against a very young Lady Eagles team and turned turnovers into points. The Lady Minutemen would not let the Eagles get loose. Every time an Eagle would touch the ball, a Township player would be in her face. This fast paced pressure defense lead to a 22 - 0 first quarter score. At the end of the half it was Washington Township 22, Edgewood 6. Jennifer Scaffidi scored 14 points in the half, while teammate Jackie Sweeney collected 8 points.

The second half was again dominated by Township as they scored 39 points to Edgewood's 16. The game ended with the score of Washington Township 72, Edgewood 22. Edgewood's scorers included Shyron Alston with 9 points and Saya Minatee with 6 points.

Some memories were recalled when Township's assistant coach, Mr. Charles Blank came back to where he helped coach Edgewood to a couple of Championships. Some of his former colleagues, like Mr. Richard Stewart and Ms. Amy Kaneshiki were there to greet him. Mr. Blank was an assistant coach under Ms. Kaneshiki, and then later graduated to head coach. Mr. Blank and Mr. Stewart, then head coach of the boys basketball team, often had to compete for the same floorspace for practices on cold winter days.

Photos by Boog Williams