WCA forward now just shy of milestone after fine junior season

Posted: March 25th 2025

Wildwood Catholic's Alex Daniel emerged as one of the top basketball players in the Cape-Atlantic League during the 2024-25 season.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

In early January, Alex Daniel was on track to surpass 1,000 career points before the end of his junior season. But while the 6-1 forward fell short of that mark by just six points, his impact on the success of the Wildwood Catholic Academy boys basketball team has been immeasurable.

Daniel, a unique talent due to his ability to impact a game in numerous ways, morphed into one of the Cape-Atlantic League’s most versatile players as the season progressed. Much of that was due to the presence of teammate senior forward Riley Powell, who emerged as one of the CAL’s top offensive players after becoming eligible in mid January,

In some respects, Daniel took a back seat to Powell in terms of personal offensive production. That, however, allowed the team to realize more of its potential.

“When you look at the numbers, when Riley became eligible, even though Alex’s scoring went down, our scoring as a team went up,” Wildwood Catholic coach Will Wareham said. “Alex was OK with that. He was OK with being more of a factor in other areas. I know his assists per game went up. As a matter of fact, every one of his percentages went up except his scoring. He just became a more efficient player.”

Daniel, who played his freshman season at Wildwood before transferring to Wildwood Catholic, finished his junior season with averages of 13.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

Daniel is the rare player who can make an impact from different areas of the floor. Despite being a power forward, he knocked down a modest 13 three-pointers. His ability to see the floor and pass to the open teammate was a welcome commodity for a team without much depth at the guard position. And, of course, he’s lethal around the basket when he’s able to use his dominant left hand.

Simply put, Daniel makes winning plays.

“I don’t care about scoring too much,” Daniel said late in the season. “I’m just glad we’re winning games.”

Wildwood Catholic completed a fine season earlier this month. The Crusaders finished 20-9 for their first 20-win season in five years and also made a nice run to the championship game of the Cape-Atlantic League Playoff Tournament. Those accomplishments don’t happen without the contributions of Daniel.

“I think it’s pretty evident how much more of a well-rounded basketball player he’s become the last couple years,” Wareham said. “He can do so much more facing the basket. He’s added a lot to his game and as unselfish as he is, he just keeps getting better. His intangibles are very good. He talks. He’s a good vocal leader. A lot of those things are going to help him keep getting better.”

Daniel should reach the 1,000-point milestone pretty quickly during his senior season. It’s an accomplishment that would mean a lot to Daniel. But it isn’t his main goal.

“I don’t care about scoring too much,” he said. “I’m just glad we’re winning games. But getting it will mean a lot. It would be for all my coaches and teammates who believe in me. I can’t thank them enough, along with my mom, my dad and God.”

Daniel is expected to be one of the CAL’s top returning players next winter.

“I think this year, with Alex playing with the ball in his hands a lot, that’ll be beneficial for him and us next year,” Wareham said. “With the way our roster could potentially look like, we may play an entirely different style of basketball. With the things Alex can do, that’ll help make that transition easier for him and us going into next season.”