South Brunswick Girls Basketball Snaps State Playoff Victory Draught

The South Brunswick High School girls basketball team's 52-46 win over Marlboro in the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs really was a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment for the members of the Vikings.

Well, at least so far.

"We've been looking through the record books and it's been a long time since we had a state win," South Brunswick Coach Beth Barrio noted after her team's home win on Monday. "It's been at least 15 years, maybe more. As far as the last home playoff win? I don't know."

While this game was relatively close throughout, South Brunswick managed to take a 20-13 lead after the first quarter and hang onto most of that advantage for the rest of the game.

South Brunswick led 29-22 at the half and 42-33 after three quarters.

The main thing South Brunswick managed to do was get the baskets and the defensive stops it really needed. Once Bianca Celi connected on a three-pointer to put South Brunswick up 16-10 late in the first quarter, Marlboro never made it a one-possession game the rest of the way.

"We were having trouble getting into the flow (in recent games)," noted Danielle Roberts. "We were getting back in the flow tonight. And when we needed to make a stop, we got it."

When South Brunswick needed a basket in the third quarter, it turned to Roberts. She scored 10 of her 12 points in the third quarter.

When Marlboro cut the deficit to six points -- 36-30 and 39-33 --  Roberts responded both times with a three-point shot.

"I've been out a few days, so I needed to warm up," Roberts noted.

A steal and a basket by Brittany Fallon closed Marlboro to four points -- 46-42 -- with three minutes to play. Danielle Padovano (15 points) then responded with a jumper off an inbounds pass.

For Padovano, it was a thrilling moment on what was a thrilling night.

"It's one of the first times we ever had a playoff game here," Padovano noted. "We definitely felt good about that. It was awesome."

Marlboro had the game as close as 49-45 and 50-46, but South Brunswick just never gave in down the stretch.

"We have a good team, but we have fallen short of a few of our goals," Barrio said. "It's good that these girls have an accomplishment now. They are the first team here to win a playoff game in a long time."

Now South Brunswick will see what it can do against Trenton, the top seed in Central Jersey Group IV. That game is scheduled for Wednesday at 4 p.m.

"It would be nice if we didn't have to play Trenton, but the girls are excited for the opportunity," Barrio said. "We're just going to go there, play hard and see what the score is at the end of the game. We're excited to be the first (South Brunswick girls) team in at least 15 years to make it to the second round."