Atlantic City Press 3/5/09: Bridgeton falls to Haddonfield
Haddonfield knocks out Bridgeton with basket in final seconds
By AARON BRACY For The Press
(Published: Thursday, March 05, 2009
)
HADDONFIELD – The finality of a season-ending loss can be difficult to handle, especially for a senior who has played his last game.
Sadly, that’s what Bridgeton High School’s outgoing class faced after a heartbreaking 66-64 defeat to Haddonfield Wednesday night in a thrilling South Jersey Group II quarterfinal contest.
Mike Steinberger followed his own miss with 3.5 seconds left to break a 64-64 deadlock and send fourth-seeded Haddonfield (21-7) into Friday’s sectional semifinal against top-seeded Camden.
Fifth-seeded Bridgeton (18-9) had a chance to send the game into overtime, executing a surprisingly crisp full-court play in three seconds, but Kevin Elliott’s double-clutch running jumper from the right elbow banked off the rim as time expired.
A distraught Elliott, one of six seniors who saw action Wednesday, fell to his knees and tugged his jersey over his head as the buzzer sounded not only the end to the game but his and many of his teammates’ high-school careers.
“It’s hurting right now, knowing I’m never going to put on a Bulldog jersey again and I have to turn my uniform in,” said senior forward Davon McClendon, who led Bridgeton with 14 points. “I wish I had another year, man.”
That was a familiar sentiment in an emotional postgame setting outside of the visitors’ locker room.
“Because it’s my last year it’s like, ‘What now?’” said senior Bartae Stubbs, who scored nine points off the bench. “This is what I’ve been practicing for all year, even in the summer, and to find out we lost today”
Stubbs’ follow layup with 46 seconds left put Bridgeton up 64-62. Haddonfield’s Anthony Parenti was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and made both free throws to tie the game. Bridgeton had a chance to retake the lead, but Tommy Harris’ driving shot with 30 seconds left banked in and out and the hosts took possession.
Steinberger took advantage, driving to the lane and following his own miss with a layup that put the five-time state champs up two.
With exactly three seconds left, Bridgeton’s Hikeem Pruitt threw a long pass to Olajuwon Rainner, who passed to Elliott for the final shot.
“Whoever delivers the last punch is going to win and they delivered the last punch,” said Elliott, who played a strong floor game at the point while tallying seven points.
“We gave it all we got. That’s all I can say.”
Bridgeton coach Osco Williams felt for his seniors, especially after they directed a turnaround from last season’s 4-21 campaign.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better group of seniors,” he said. “Those guys have been the catalyst for us getting back in the right direction.”
Wednesday certainly was no different.
“Bridgeton was impressive and they play as hard as anyone we’ve played,” Haddonfield coach Paul Wiedman said. “We couldn’t breathe. They attack and are relentless, and we’re fortunate to win.”
“They made the city proud, made our school proud and our community proud,” Williams said of his disappointed players. “And we told them to pick their heads up.”
Bridgeton19 13 19 13 – 64
Haddonfield17 19 14 16 – 66
B-Nock 2 4-5 9, Elliott 2 2-4 7, Pruitt 2 2-2 6, McClendon 6 2-3 14, Fentress 2 2-2 6, Harris 2 0-0 5, Stubbs 4 1-2 9, Rainner 4 0-0 8, Chatum 0 0-0 0. Totals-24 13-18 64.
H-Devlin 0 0-0 0, K. Davis 2 2-4 7, C. Davis 3 2-2 9, Polk 12 0-1 25, Steinberger 7 7-8 21, Parenti 0 4-4 4, Tritt 0 0-0 0. Totals-24 15-19 66.
3-pointers-Nock, Elliott, Harris B; K. Davis, C. Davis, Polk H.
Records-Bridgeton 18-9; Haddonfield 21-7.
