VIDEO: All-around performance allows Middle to clinch third conference title in four seasons

Posted: January 31st 2025

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

OCEAN CITY – With the chance to secure a regular-season championship, the Township High School boys basketball team put forth one of its best all-around performances of the season Friday evening.

The Panthers used pinpoint outside shooting and stifling defense to run away from Ocean City, 65-38, and clinched the Cape-Atlantic American Conference championship for the second straight season in the process.

Middle improved to 13-6 overall, 10-1 in CAL American games with one conference contest remaining.

“This means everything to us,” Middle junior forward Chase Moore said. “To go back-to-back, this should help us get that No. 1 seed for the CAL Tournament and it’s good for our momentum as a team.”

Middle began the game on fire from the outside. The Panthers made four three-pointers in the first quarter and another three in the second and ran out to a 32-17 lead at halftime. Middle then put the game away in the third quarter, highlighted by a pair of steals and dunks by Jamir McNeil and a steal and dunk by Moore.

In all, Middle sank 12 three-pointers in the game. Amir Elston, Mason Murawski and Adam Bouabbache led Middle with three apiece.

“It’s good to shoot like that, but we can’t depend on it,” Middle coach LaMarr Greer said. “You have to be able to depend on defense and rebounding. That’s what’s going to get you to Rutgers (for a state title game) and that’s our goal, to get to Rutgers.”

That defense was on point against the Raiders. Middle held Ocean City to only 12 field goals for the game, just five in the second half.

“We emphasize defense and rebounding, so that’s what we’re supposed to do,” McNeil said.

Middle placed four players in double figures in scoring. McNeil led the way with 16 points before leaving with an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter (he said he was fine after the game). Moore scored 12 points, Murawski added 11 points and Amir Elston chipped in 10 points.

“That’s been another emphasis for us, to get some more scoring balance,” Greer said. “It can’t just be Jamir and Chase. It has to be a collective effort. Now that we’re getting toward the end of the year the kids have a little more experience and they have to step up.”

The regular-season conference title is Middle’s third in four seasons. Two seasons ago, when the team did not win the conference, it went on to win a South Jersey title.

“We have bigger goals but winning the conference means a lot to us,” Greer said. “I’m proud of these seniors. Every year they’ve been here they’ve been able to put a banner on our wall. It’s amazing they’ve been able to do that.”

Ben McGonigle scored 13 points and Luke Tjoumakaris added 11 points for Ocean City (13-4, 7-3).