HOPATCONG _ Randolph claimed its first championship of the girls basketball season quietly, without fanfare, on Wednesday night.

The air was thick in the gym where the Rams, benefiting from a stifling press and double-figures scoring efforts from three players, defeated Newton 52-23 for the title of the Hopatcong Summer League.

Whitney Dugan is 23 years old now and quick to point out that she’ll be 24 in late September.

Dugan’s age may be an issue to some but certainly not to her and those who know her well. Recently named head coach of the Newton High School girls basketball team, Dugan plans to use her youth to her advantage.