MOUNTAIN LAKES _ Brielle Kelly's inside game was never classified as soft and dainty.

It just wasn't as tough and brash as it is now. During her first two seasons at West Morris, Kelly, a 6-foot forward, only had moments when she exhibited physical, hard-nosed play. However, as a junior, Kelly became more of a presence near the basket.

LAWRENCEVILLE _ After engaging in all-out battles with Whippany Park over the few seasons, Villa Walsh's Kerri Clifford never imagined this scenario.

The unthinkable occurred in the second half of the New Jersey Scholastic Association North-South All-Star Classic on Sunday, March 17 when Clifford sent a bounce pass to the Wildcats' Alana Dudley that resulted in a basket.

TOMS RIVER _ With less than one minute left in the Group III final, Jefferson coach Jim O'Connor went down the bench and patted each of his players on the head.

"Thanks," O'Connor repeated over and over again, going down the line as the seconds ticked off the scoreboard and off his 26-year tenure as head of the Falcons' program.