LINWOOD — The girls basketball team at Mainland Regional High School snapped a two-game losing streak last week with a dominant win over previously undefeated Haddon Township High School.
Led by sophomore Brielle Smith, the Mustangs cruised past the Hawks 41-21 on Jan. 4 with an efficient game on both sides of the court. Smith led all scorers with 17 points as the newcomer continued her strong start to the season.
She was a constant force all game long as she managed to score from anywhere on the floor. Smith was aggressive with the ball in her hands and attacked the rim with quick drives that led to layups. She also made both of Mainland’s three-pointers, which put her point total over 100 only seven games into the season.
Fellow sophomore Sammy Funk added 10 points in the win for her fifth game this season in double figures. The duo has been at the center of Mainland’s offense so far this season and seemed to always have a response to any Haddon Township score.
After Mainland took a commanding 23-10 lead at halftime, Haddon Township had a small scoring run that was ended by Smith’s play of the game. On defense, she stripped the ball and sprinted down the court into two defenders. Once she reached the paint, she elevated around the defense for a layup and drew a foul for a three-point play.
The entire Mustang defense came to play as they held the Hawks under double digits in each quarter. Reilly Nagle anchored the Mustang defense, which did not allow easy shots throughout the game and limited the offense to only one shot per possession often. She also made her mark with three steals that turned into points.
Nagle is one of the few remaining players from last season’s state championship team. As a freshman she got consistent minutes on the floor along with the senior class and was a key player in the title run.
Now Nagle is part of a fresh Mustang lineup that features mostly sophomores such as Smith and Funk. Jade O’Neil and Callie Smith round out the new starting lineup that has improved with experience.
Mainland improved its record to 4-3 with the win and has an impactful week of Cape-Atlantic League games ahead.
The Mustangs’ next group of games are bundled together as they will play three games in a five-day span against quality opponents.
They start their gantlet of games on the road at Wildwood Catholic Academy on Jan. 9 to take on the 6-2 Crusaders. It will be a rematch of last year’s CAL championship game in which Mainland took home the trophy with a 61-52 win. Tip-off for the rematch is set for 6 p.m.
The last two games of the set will be at home for Mainland with the first against 5-1 Moorestown High School on Jan. 11. Then the Mustangs will wrap up the week with a pivotal game against Absegami High School at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13. The Braves are off to a hot 7-1 start to the season with their only loss coming against Wildwood Catholic.
– By WILLIAM TRUITT/For the Sentinel
