VIDEO: Middle Township earns chance at championship four-peat after dispatching Haddonfield

Posted: January 1st 1970

Middle Township High School's girls basketball team will attempt to win its fourth straight South Jersey title Friday after Tuesday's win over Haddonfield.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Ever since winning their third straight South Jersey championship last season, the players from the Middle Township High School girls basketball team have had their eyes set on claiming a fourth straight this March.

The opportunity to do so has presented itself.

Middle checked into the South Jersey Group II championship game for the fourth straight season and will go for its fourth straight sectional title on Friday at home against Cinnaminson after a convincing 46-21 victory over Haddonfield in the semifinal round Tuesday.

“We’ve been talking about a four-peat for a year and our kids haven’t shied away from it,” Middle coach John Leahy said. “The kids have spent a lot of time during the offseason and have done a lot of work this season navigating through the schedule and the advantage is that we’ve put ourselves in a position to play for (the championship) on our home floor.”

While Middle’s defense was on point in the opening quarter against Haddonfield, its offense was a bit sluggish. But the Lady Panthers got a jolt at the close of the period when Reagen Powell sank a 35-foot three-pointer at the buzzer. Middle went on to dominate the second quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 19-5 to take a commanding 29-9 lead at the break. Abbey Cappelletti and Ella Leahy each hit three-pointers, Powell scored four points and Alexia Davis had a basket and four rebounds to highlight Middle’s efforts in the period. Cappelletti finished the half by sinking 2 of 3 free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt with less than a second to go.

“Reagen hits that buzzer beater and that kind of got us going,” Leahy said. “Ella hit a three and Alexia gave us good minutes, so our bench did a nice job helping out, too.”

Middle enjoyed a strong start to the third quarter but wasn’t at its best in the latter part of the second half, scoring just five points over the game’s final 10 minutes. But its defense never allowed Haddonfield to get back into the game.

For Leahy, the finish of the game indicates the team has some work to do to get ready for Friday’s title game.

“How many people would win a game by 25 in a (South Jersey) semifinal and wouldn’t be happy?” Leahy asked. “To me, it illustrates how good I think our team can be. When we’re right, we’re really good. But when we’re wrong, when we’re not all there, we’re average. I know there’s excitement and nerves – I get all that – but we have five upperclassmen in our starting five so we have to be a little better at handling a big game.”

Top-seeded Middle (25-4) enjoyed balanced scoring in the win. Ainsley Frederick scored 11 points and Cappelletti and Powell added 10 apiece. Mya Robinson chipped in eight points and seven rebounds.

No. 4 Haddonfield (21-9) had only seven field goals for the game.

Powell said the team is looking forward to the opportunity to play Friday for another championship.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a better ending for our last home game. It brings me back to every year and every game we’ve spent playing in here. It’ll be very special to play at home and try to get that win.”

It won’t be easy. Cinnaminson (29-1), which beat Haddon Heights, 49-40, in its sectional semifinal game on Monday, is considered to be one of the top teams in South Jersey. The Pirates are one of just two South Jersey teams with just one defeat, along with mighty Paul VI. The Pirates will be a familiar opponent for Middle's upperclassmen. Middle beat Cinnaminson in sectional title games in 2023 and 2024.

“Cinnaminson’s a really good team. Their coach (Bret Jenkins) does a great job and I have a ton of respect for them,” Leahy said. “We need to have a championship focus for the next two days to be able to come and play well Friday.”