VIDEO: Late three-pointer rims out as Middle falls to PCL power in Crest Savings Bank Game of the Week

Posted: December 23rd 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

WILDWOOD – The Middle Township High School boys basketball team got the look it wanted at the end of the game.

It didn’t go in.

That’s basketball.

A three-point shot from the left wing that would have given Middle a signature early-season victory rimmed out with a second to play and the Panthers went on to lose, 67-64, to Archbishop Carroll of the Philadelphia Catholic League after Carroll made a late free throw to set the final score at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic Saturday.

“I was happy about the look we got,” Middle coach LaMarr Greer said. “The only way you’re going to learn how to execute that is to be in that moment. To be in that moment in December, that makes you better in March.”

Carroll is one of the top teams in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The victory moved the Patriots to 7-0 on the season.

Middle (3-1) had trouble with Carroll’s secondary break, giving up numerous points in transition for much of the game before improving in that area in the fourth quarter. Middle also shot just 6 for 16 from the foul line in the loss.

“First, they’re a great team,” Greer said. “They’re very disciplined, they really run to their break spots and they can shoot the ball. For us, it came down to basic things – transition defense, free throws and rebounding. If we make more free throws, we probably win the game.”

Anthony Trombetta helped keep Middle in the game with his outside shooting. He made four three-pointers, three in the second half, and finished with a game-high 22 points.

“Trombetta lives in the gym,” Greer said. “I get people ask me how he can shoot the way he does and that’s why. He’s in the gym and he puts in the work.”

Jamir McNeil added 15 for Middle. Most of his seven field goals came on dazzling drives to the basket.

Re’Ale Basquin and Jermaine McNeil each added 10 points for Middle.

“This was a good game for us, because it shows us what our weaknesses are and what we have to work on,” Greer said. “We want to learn all our weaknesses in December, so we can try to fix them. We don’t want to find out about them in March.”

Ian Williams, Nasir Rolls and Luca Foster each scored 16 points for Carroll.