DEPTFORD (N.J.) - The Shore Regional High School girls' basketball team was looking to get back to the big stage after it fell short to University in the NJSIAA Group 1 state final last year.
Shore's Reese Fiore scored 17 points, collected five rebounds, and dished out two assists to power Shore past Woodstown, 67-50, in the Group 1 state semifinals at Deptford Township High School in Deptford, New Jersey on March 2, 2023. Chris Baker/D2 Sports Network
The Blue Devils knew what it took and delivered.
Shore cruised to its second straight state final appearance with a 67-50 win over South Jersey Group 1 champion Woodstown in the state semifinals at Deptford Township High School on Thursday night.
The Blue Devils stretched their lead to 30 points multiple times throughout the contest and established their largest lead early in the third quarter.
University of Rochester commit Rylee Drahos led Shore with a team-high 19 points and six rebounds. Reese Fiore added 17 points and Ava Coyle chipped in 13.
Woodstown sophomore Megan Donelson posted a game-high 20 points in the setback. The Wolverines concluded their season with a 20-7 record.
Shore drained nine 3-pointers as a team with Drahos and Fiore combining for five of them.
"We like to utilize our shooting ability behind the arc," Fiore said. "I think we all know we're pretty good shooters so we find pockets in the defense and knock down our shots."
Drahos was emotional talking about her final run as a high school basketball player with Shore grabbing a spot in the Group 1 state final. The Blue Devils will get a chance at redemption as they visit University in the state championship at RWJBarnabas Health Arena on the campus of Toms River North on Sunday at 4 pm.
"I'm really excited we made it back," Drahos said. "I'm sad that it'll be my last high school game, but I want to make sure I go out on top and bring a championship to the school."
Shore coach William Wishart is spoiled with a mixture of youth and talent on this year's team and moving forward.
"This team is special," Wishart said. "They're young, talented, and gritty. Woodstown made a huge push at the end, but these girls gutted out the win and made sure they kept their foot on the gas pedal."