JANUARY 6, 2016
BY J.C. BAUMULLER
SPORTS EDITOR | NORTHERN VALLEY SUBURBANITE
CRESSKILL – Emerson sophomore Haley Piccinich hit a third quarter buzzer-beater to cut Cresskill’s lead to 28-26 and spark Emerson to a 38-31 victory Dec. 22.
“That was a big shot,” said Emerson coach Colleen Malzahn. “She doesn’t think she’s a great offensive player. I beg to differ. That was some confidence to come in and hit that shot right there. It was big for her.”
Cavos sophomore Jenna Cooper was strong inside, scoring most of her 12 points from in close.
After Piccinich’s shot the Cavos opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to earn their first win of the season.
Sophomores Jenna Cooper and Carly Petrower took care of the inside and outside, respectively, combining for 26 of Emerson’s points.
“This is only our second game,” Cooper said, “but I hope to continue working hard in the middle – that’s my main position. That’s where I’ve always been working – the layups, rebounds and everything like that.”
“They’ve (Cooper, Petrower) played together for a really long time and they complement each other,” said Malzahn. “Carly did not stop playing basketball since last March. She did not stop running and going to the court with her dad every day. That’s definitely paid off. She’s improved so much from last year – her ball handling, her shooting, her attacking the basket, everything.”
