A Thirty-Four Point 2nd Half is too much for the Cougars
Kinnelon runs to Championship Game (3-2-07)
Every time Kinnelon tried to put the game out of reach, Cresskill’s Colleen Ahern had the answer. The Colts battled through a slow tempo and methodical first half only to explode for 34 points in the second. The Colts had no answer to stop Ahern in the first, so what do you do in the second? Switch the tempo and play Colt’s style basketball. The quiet first half was a vast contrast to the scoring bonanza of the run-and-gun, fast paced style at which Kinnelon excels. Kinnelon improved to 18-7 with a 56-48 victory over Cresskill in Group I action. Kinnelon, the top seed in Group I – Section I advances to the finals against Butler. The Bulldogs beat New Milford in overtime. The Championship Game will be held at Bayonne HS on March 5 at 6:00 PM. It will be the first game of a double-header with the second being the North I, Group III Final - Old Tappan v. Teaneck at 8:00
Kinnelon opened to a quick 9-2 lead just 2 minutes into the first quarter. Stephanie Prall hit for five of the nine in the run, but five straight points form Colleen Ahern cut the lead to two as the quarter expired.
Prall dropped a bucket just 15 seconds into the quarter, but Cresskill may have just found their legs between quarters. The Cougars jumped to 14-11 lead with about 4 minutes left in the half. Then, both teams unleashed their offensive weapons. Prall, Vicky Koziol and Hayley Ryan combined for the Colts’ thirteen points of the second frame. Most importantly the trio helped spark a 7-0 run to close the half and give the 1-seed a 22-18 lead going into the intermission. With single digits on the clock and the Colts up by one, Hayley Ryan took a rebound off of a desperation three and put it back for the basket and one. Ryan completed the traditional three-point play.
Kinnelon reverted back to the style of play that guided them to 17 victories prior to this afternoon’s show. Prall and Masterson, both seniors playing in their final game in the Kinnelon gym, combined for 28 of the Colt’s 34 second half points. Kinnelon may have turned up the heat just at the right time. The Colts did not have an answer for the sophomore standout from Bergen County. Ahern connected on nine field goals and went 12 of 15 from the free throw line to lead all scorers. Ahern not only dropped 30, she added 15 rebounds, most on the offensive end. Cresskill Senior Megan Thomas added six points in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars could not cut the lead below six in the closing 
The Colts looked much more comfortable running and pushing the ball and were able to answer every all but one of Cresskill’s scores in the fourth. Kinnelon held a 50-38 lead with 3 minutes left on the clock when Thomas and Nicole Barretta converted baskets. Barretta’s basket and one cut the lead to 50-43. Seven points was as close as this strong Kinnelon squad would allow. Thomas’ basket with 12 seconds left closed the scoring at 56-48.
The Colts led for all but 5 minutes in the second quarter, but seemed control the pace of the game. Cresskill managed to stay within striking distance, but the Kinnelon Seniors would not allow a comeback. Kinnelon starts four seniors. Stephanie Prall finished with 20. Melissa Masterson knocked down 17. Hayley Masterson added 11 and Vicky Koziel scored four with 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
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KINNELON (17-7): Prall 5-4-2-20, Masterson 6-2-1-17, Ryan 4-3-0-11, Koziol 2-0-0-4, T. Prall 2-0-0-4 Totals: 19-9-3-56 CRESSKILL (16-8): Thomas 3-0-0-6, N. Barretta 1-1-0-3, Ahearn 9-12-0-30, Cerone 1-1-0-3, Azelby 1-0-0-2, Durakis 2-0-0-4 Totals: 17-14-0-48
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