By Brian Clayton
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – The Camden County College women’s basketball team defeated Sussex County Community College 74-28 on Nov. 26 at Papiano Gymnasium.
Entering the game, the CCC women’s basketball team had a record of 1-3 but was able to take advantage of a Sussex CC team with only seven players.
About the large margin of victory over the Sussex CC team, CCC women’s basketball Coach MollyAnne Light said, “We were surprised by the margin of victory over Sussex. We knew they were one of the weaker teams in the conference, but we play(ed) good basketball.”
The CCC women’s team got big contributions in the game from starters Kamari Talley and Kathleen Velez. Talley led the team with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Of those 13, seven were offensive rebounds. After the game, Light said, “Talley grabs a majority of our rebounds. She has always been a great rebounder given her size and strength around the basket. As a team, we need to supplement her average.”
Velez had 17 points and shot 5-for-7 from the 3-point line. She made four of those 3-pointers in the first half, which helped the CCC women’s team get off to a big lead. About Velez’s shooting, Light said, “Velez has been shooting the ball better and better as the season is progressing. She came to us as a true point guard out of high school and did not have shooting on the mind. We have been encouraging her to ‘let it fly,’ and I’m confident that she will continue to improve and maybe even be in the top contenders for field goal percentage in our region.”
Siani Blackson and Ayanna Williams both came off the bench for CCC and supplied 12 and 15 points, respectively. Williams shot 4-for-6 from the field and shot 6-for-10 from the free-throw line.
James Owens, a spectator, said about the game, “This is the best I’ve seen the CCC women’s team play all season and hopefully they can start a winning streak now.”
Light expressed optimism about her team, saying, “It’s a long season, and we expect to surprise a few teams and give others a good run for their money. Our program has been in the rebuilding stages the past couple of years, so we are considered the dark horse of the conference.”
Papiano Gymnasium held the women’s basketball game between Camden County College and Sussex County Community College on Nov. 26. By Brian Clayton, CCC Journalism Program