High School Basketball: Defensive Minded Haddonfield Controls Sterling Friday, March 3, 2006 By Susan Hall SJSports Special Correspondent The Lady Knights from Sterling have had their share of close games during their run at the South Jersey Group 2 title. No matter how close you come to picking up the victory, what matters is that your team is on the winning side of the game. Sterling had upset the number two seed in this tournament and they were looking to knock off one more from the bracket. Third seeded Haddonfield would not take any chances of being upset by the Knights as they played an aggressive defense through four quarters. That defensive stand would be enough for the Lady Bulldogs to post a 38-29 victory over Sterling and move into the South Jersey Group 2 finals against Haddon Heights. This was a very close game from start to finish despite the appearance of the final score. Sterling would jump out to an early lead, but the Bulldogs would respond to and lead after one quarter 12-8. Both teams were aggressive on defense eliminating the easy baskets. Only a total of thirteen points would be scored during the second quarter with Ryanne Donnellon scoring all of Haddonfield’s six points during the quarter. Leading by a 28-21 lead heading into the final quarter, Sterling would make their run. The Knights would get as close as 30-29 late in the game, but free throws down the stretch allowed Haddonfield to pick up the win. Annie Maloney led Haddonfield in scoring with 14 points while Ryanne Donnellon finished with 13 points. Sterling’s Kate Brennan and Karima Blackwell both finished the game with 8 points apiece. Photos by Mark Fletcher