Fiore is part of a solid, pass-friendly group which also defends with gusto. Its pressure on the ball, particularly during a 16-3 third-quarter run, created turnovers and also led to missed shots by the Mount as another opponent was put to rest.

“It all comes down to defense for us,” said Caldwell coach Amanda Keenan. “We have a group of girls who enjoy that part of the game, and we can continue to be successful if our defense is there.

“Today was a good win because we came out strong and never let up even with coming off some really good wins last week.

“Our girls are determined to take each game one at a time and this win was another important one plus seeing Tea score her 1,000th-point if just fantastic because she has been such an important player and leader for us in what we’ve been building here the past couple of seasons.

“And, she knows - like all our girls – that there is so much more to do for this team in order to achieve what we want to accomplish this season!”

NOTES- The Mount, under the direction of second-year head coach Brian Dorf, is an extremely young squad with just one senior and started two freshmen – Hailey Root and Sofia Gonzalez – in Tuesday’s game at Caldwell. The Lions have struggled of late, losing four of their last five games, including in SEC-American Division action vs. Glen Ridge, University and now the Chiefs…the Mount’s outstanding junior Bella Iannitelli (7 points, 4 rebounds) is wearing a mask as she continues to heal from a fractured nose…Essex County Executive Joe D’Vincenzo was in the gym as he frequently is to watch his granddaughter Haily Root and the Lions…the Mount’s state championship softball coach Rob Stern was also on hand to take in Tuesday’s action in the JCHS gym…Addy Keenan was a terrific distributor in Tuesday’s game with 7 assists  to go along with 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 13 points ina strong all-around performance…Chiefs sophomore Elena Kearns also had a strong floor game with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals to go along with her 3 points…Caldwell hosts another neighborhood rival West Essex 4 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 22), before taking on Glen Rock, 1 p.m., Saturday, in the Zach Latteri Foundation Benefit Games being played at Immaculate Heart in Washington Township…The Mount faces a tough task in its next SEC game at West Orange, 5:30 p.m., Thursday. The Lions gave the Mountaineers all they could handle in their first SEC-American Division game of the season back on Dec. 16, at the Mount’s Codey gymnasium before being edged, 54-49, in overtime.

Super Essex Conference-American Division Game, Tuesday, Jan. 20:
MOUNT ST. DOMINIC (8-6, 1-4)     10     5    3    9      - 27
CALDWELL (11-0, 5-0)                      17    7   16  16     - 56

Mount: Gia McArdle 3-0-3-9, Hailey Root 1-1-3-8, Bella Iannitelli 3-0-1-7, Izzy DeLorenzo 0-0-0-0, Sofia Gonzalez 0-0-0-0, Sarah Critchett 1-0-1-3, Olivia Picillo 0-0-0-0, Ciaran Fernandez 0-0-0-0. Totals: 8-1-8-27

Caldwell: Addy Keenan 2-3-0-13, Fallon Fiore 1-0-1-3, Tea Fiore 5-4-2-24, Elena Kearns 1-0-1-3, Aaliyah Rodriguez 2-0-2-6, Adriana Brown 2-0-1-5, Kaci Pace 0-0-0-0, Scarlett Schlomann 1-0-0-2, Bella O’Donnell 0-0-0-0, Siena Leone 0-0-0-0. Totals: 14-7-7-56          

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