Gloucester Catholic beats Camden Catholic in Non-Public semifinal

The line for tickets before the game stretched out the door. The Gloucester Catholic girls' basketball team, a team used to playing in front of big crowds, had yet to come across an atmosphere like this.

The Rams had lost just three times in 27 games this season, and once had played on this floor, against this team.

There were distractions in the opening minutes of Monday night's Non-Public South A semifinal. "It was insane - our whole season was on the line," said Rams guard Becky Pund. "But we kept our composure."

Pund was a calming influence for her team in its 47-41 win over top-seeded Camden Catholic (23-5).

The senior guard scored 17 points. She nailed three of her four three-pointers in the first half, helping fifth-seeded Gloucester Catholic (26-3) establish a lead it never lost.

Pund was an effective floor general in the absence of star forward Mary Gedaka, who missed the final two minutes of the first quarter after twisting her ankle.

The 6-foot sophomore was hobbled for most of the first half, finishing the half with only four points. But Gedaka netted nine points in the third quarter and finished with 17 points and six rebounds.

When she got hurt, "I was screaming, 'Get me back in there right now,' " Gedaka said. "I knew I had to be there for my team."

Gloucester Catholic moves on to play St. John Vianney Wednesday night at Jackson Liberty High in Ocean County.

This was the third meeting between Gloucester Catholic and Camden Catholic this season. Camden Catholic won the first game at home, 48-46, on Jan. 22. Gloucester Catholic bounced back and won 61-47 in the South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament championship on Feb 16.

Pund netted the Rams' first eight points of the second quarter, helping Gloucester Catholic establish a lead. And strong team defense allowed the Rams to hold the lead the rest of the game.

"Defense won the game," said Gloucester Catholic coach Lisa Gedaka. "I don't think they ever really got into a flow. And I don't think we ever really got into a flow. But I thought our defense was the difference."

The Irish were led by sophomore guard Julia Braungart's 14 points.

"Offensively, we just weren't in sync all night. We didn't hit our shots and they played better than us," said Camden Catholic coach Chris Palladino. "But we played well this year, we had great senior leadership and we had some great games."

Gloucester Catholic 7 13 11 16 - 47

Camden Catholic 8 9 6 18 - 41

GC- Becky Pund 17, Mary Gedaka 17, Maggie McIntyre 9, Kennedi Thompson 2, Emily Lyons 2.

CC- Cara Hardy 6, Julia Braungart 14, Michelle Obasi 8, Taiah Thornton 8, Sierra Taylor 3, Cara Racobaldo 2.