Rebels snap Eagles A North win streak
Howell visits CN tomorrow for critical game
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
WhenMiddletown South's 29-gameA North Division winning streak came to an end, it was only fitting that itwas theHowell Rebelswho put a stop to it. The last teamtowin theANorth title before Middletown South's two-year undefeated spree was Howell.

On Jan. 7 inHowell, theRebels rode their defense and the hot shooting of JacquieWard to ground the Eagles, 54-38, set up a threehorse race in the conference with the Rebels on top.

"Both teams played tremendous defense," said Howell coach Bill Gallacher. "Everyone had to work hard to get open shots. Fortunately, our outside shooting was just a little better."

It was sophomore Ward who rose to the occasion netting a game-high 24 points. SeniorMichelle Blumsupported her with 16 including three 3-pointers.

"When South assigned a player to shadowDeniseCrudup all over the court,we let Jacquie Ward take the point to conserve Denise's energy, and Jacquie did a nice job starting up the offense."

Margauz Pickell held South's Shawna Hagen to just eight points, another factor in the win.

Howell outscored South in every quarter gradually building up its double-digit victory. The Rebels led by seven at intermission (22- 15) and eight (33-25) heading into the fourth quarter. A 21-13 margin in the fourth broke it open.

The Rebels followed their big win over South with a 59-35 win atMarlboro. Pickell (18) and Ward (17) teamed up for 35 points as the Rebels improved to 9-1 overall and 6- 0 in the division.

While Howell was staying perfect in A North, Middletown South's losing streak reached two as Colts Neck beat the Eagles, 60-38, in Middletown to stay right on Howell's heels.

Lauren Clarke pumped in a game-high 24 points, and Brooke Hampton (11) and Brittany Howe (10) scored in double figures for the 10-1Cougars,who trailHowell by just one game in division play.

ColtsNeck broke the game open outscoring Middletown 30-12 in the second and third periods.

South fell two games off the pace andwill need help if the Eagles are to win a third straight title.

The second half of the ANorth season is underwaywithHowell the teameveryone is chasing.

Howell travels to Colts Neck tomorrow night in it what will be the biggest game of the year to date.

The Cougars would like nothing more than to avenge their only loss of the season and move into a first-place tie with the Rebels.

Both teams head into the game playing well. Each won a tournament over the holidays (Bayshore forHowell andWOBMClassic for Colts Neck). Howell has won nine straight and Colts Neck, 10.