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Winslow Twp. dominates boards, tops C.H. West

Rebounds were the coin of the realm, and nobody cashed in like Geoffrey Jones.

Winslow's Issac Merriel (center) battles for a rebound in traffic. (Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer)
Winslow's Issac Merriel (center) battles for a rebound in traffic. (Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer)Read more

Rebounds were the coin of the realm, and nobody cashed in like Geoffrey Jones.

Jones, a senior forward, collected 13 rebounds along with nine points to spark Winslow Township to a 54-43 victory over Cherry Hill West Tuesday night in an Olympic Patriot boys' basketball game.

Senior guard Stephen Jones scored 15 and senior forward Stacey Upshaw-Goree added 11 with six rebounds for Winslow Township (9-4, 4-1), which tightened its grip on first place in the division.

Freshman guard Rodney Williams scored 15 and senior forward Terrell Williams added 12 points and eight rebounds for Cherry Hill West (7-8, 2-3).

"We played hard," Cherry Hill West coach Hamisi Tarrant said. "I was happy with our effort. Winslow is a big, athletic team, and they got a ton of rebounds."

Winslow Township's trapping defense was a big factor in the first half, but the Eagles' dominance on the boards was consistent for four quarters.

"When we outrebound the other team, we usually win the game," Winslow Township coach Jared Price said. "I've been preaching that, and Geoff takes it to heart."

Geoffrey Jones' final two rebounds were something special.

On both plays, he missed a free throw. On both plays, he was the lone Winslow Township player in the lane. On both plays, he beat four Cherry Hill West players to the basketball.

"I was mad I missed those foul shots," the 6-foot-2 Jones said. "I had to get the ball back."

On the first offensive rebound, Jones missed a put-back layup. On the second, he converted a put-back layup.

"That shouldn't happen," Tarrant said.

The plays were typical of Jones' hustle and determination.

"When I do something to mess up, it motivates me to work harder to help the team," Jones said.

Winslow Township displayed a balanced offense, with scoring from nine players. Juniors Billy Johnson and Issac Merriel each scored six off the bench.

"Our offense is very well-rounded," said Price, whose team is scheduled to play at Lenape, the No. 3 team in South Jersey in The Inquirer Top 10, Thursday night. "Whoever is open, whoever has the best look, it doesn't matter who it is."

Winslow Township built a 21-12 lead at halftime, thanks to a pressure defense led by senior guard Richard Smith, Stephen Jones, and Johnson.

Cherry Hill West settled down in the second half, as Rodney Williams scored 13 of his 15 and Terrell Williams scored 10 of his 12.

"We brought it close, but that's a well-balanced team," Tarrant said of Winslow Township. "They are tough to defend."

About halfway through the regular season, Winslow Township has the upper hand in a division that includes contenders Shawnee and Timber Creek as well as darkhorses Triton and Cherry Hill West.

"This was a good win in the division, but we've got to keep pushing forward," Price said.

Cherry Hill West   3 9 12 19 – 43

Winslow Township   9 12 12 21 – 54

CHW: Derrick Ray 10, Marquis Goodman 2, Rodney Williams 15, Terrell Williams 12, Ryan Lee 4.

W: Richard Smith 2, Stacey Upshaw-Goree 11, Stephen Jones 15, Geoffrey Jones 9, Adonis Melvins 1, Billy Johnson 6, Issac Merriel 6, Austin Walker 2, Tory Hendricks 2.