TCA remains undefeated with win over RV
HAMILTON » Faced with one of its toughest challenges to date, the Trenton Catholic Academy found a way to hold on against Burlington County Scholastic League Liberty Division rival Rancocas Valley Thursday night at the Iron Palace for its ninth consecutive win to start the 2017-18 campaign.
Behind 19 points and three 3-point field goals from Giana Boulden, plus 15 rebounds, 13 points, five assists, three blocked shots and three steals from Jada Queen, the Mikes defeated the Red Devils, 58-44, to survive their closest contest thus far.
“We knew they were ranked just like us, so we were expecting a tough game,” said Boulden, a sixfoot sophomore guard/forward. “We approached this game with the same vibe we do every game. But we talked more on defense, which helped.”
Coach Anthony Corrado’s squad clamped down on defense as well and limited TCA to its second lowest output of the season (behind the 56 it scored in its season opener at Marist). It marked the third time this season that the Mikes have held a team to 44 points with only one team (Moorestown) having scored more than that (51) against coach Bob Fusik’s club.
“These are the kind of games we want to play,” Fusik said. “We got a great game from Giana tonight. It was the best I’ve seen her play all year.”
The way RV (5-2) refused to go away, the Mikes needed Boulden’s production.
Up, 14-7, after one quarter, the home team saw its lead whittled to 23-22 in the closing seconds of the half, only to extend it to 26-22 when sophomore reserve Sanaa Parks, a 5-foot-5 sophomore guard who was inserted for the final 13.5 seconds, hit a 3-pointer from the corner before the buzzer.
In the second half, Boulden took control, scoring 12 of her points to TCA gain some more breathing room.
“I try to bring the same energy every game,” Boulden said. “As long as we all do, we’ll get the win.”
The Red Devils used a balanced attack as Lauren Lewis led the way with 12 points, while Jaylin VanDunk and Kayla Williams added 10 points apiece.
But the Mikes’ smothering defense was able to limit Rancocas Valley to five field goals in the second half, compared to 11 for TCA, which saw all nine players who took the floor reach the scorer’s column.
If there was one area Fusik’s club knows it needs to work on, it was foul shooting. The Mikes’ only made 10 of 23 free throws (43 percent), while the Red Devils connected on 15 of 25 foul shots (60 percent).
Love 0-0-0, BBoyd 2-3-7, VanDunk 2-6-10, LLewis 3-4-12, KWilliams 4-1-10, Kailie 1-1-3, Walter 1-0-2, Linton 0-0-0, Coridon 0-0-0.
13-15-44.
Totals —
BreSeymour 1-0-2, Reed 0-1-1, Queen 6-1-13, Boulden 7-2-19, Maddox 0-1-1, Parks 1-1-4, Massenat 3-0-6, JBoyd 2-2-6, Elgizawy 2-2-6.
22-10-58.
Totals — RancocasV.(5-2) TCA (9-0) 3-point goals —
Parks (TCA).
7 14 15 12 10 18 12 — 14 — 44 58
LLewis 2, KWilliams (RV), Boulden 3,