MOORESTOWN (N.J) - The Cinnaminson High School girls basketball team was looking to continue its undefeated conquest of South Jersey heading into Thursday night's matchup with former Burlington County Scholastic League foe Moorestown.
Cinnaminson's Brooke Sztenderowicz, pictured, led all scorers with 22 points in a 38-29 win over Moorestown at Moorestown High School on Tuesday, January 12, 2023. Chris Baker/D2 Sports Network
The Lady Pirates did just that.
Moorestown started off hot and established a 9-5 lead after the first quarter.
Once Cinnaminson's Brooke Sztenderowicz hit her stride, the Lady Pirates took the lead and never looked back.
Cinnaminson pulled away in the third quarter with Sztenderowicz scoring eight of her game-high 22 points in the period. The Lady Pirates knocked down their foul shots late to hold on for a 38-29 win.
Rhochelle Johnson added eight points for Cinnaminson.
Rima Takla led the Lady Quakers with 11 points and Analyse Intenzo chipped in nine.
The Lady Pirates looked erratic at times and struggled to establish their game in the first quarter. The lack of control contributed to a slow start and forced Cinnaminson to adjust its approach.
"I feel like we came out too fast and unorganized to start," Cinnaminson coach Bret Jenkins said. "I told them, 'just slow down and relax.' We're in no rush to set up our offense and defense.'"
Once the Lady Pirates settled in, the rest was history.
"This was a big win for us," Jenkins said. "Moorestown is a talented team and this is going to give us the momentum we need moving forward for the rest of the season."
Sztenderowicz and her teammates' ability to regroup at halftime proved to be a major key to victory.
"At halftime we finally settled in and went over our adjustments," the senior said. "We came out on the floor and and tried to execute to the best of our ability and came away with the win.
"We have goals to win the division and anything else moving forward. But right now, we're just focused on playing team ball and taking things one game at a time."