Crusaders roll as DiPatri wins 600th career game

Posted: December 21st 2025

Wildwood Catholic coach Steve DiPatri celebrates his 600th career victory with his players and assistant coaches.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Steve DiPatri has joined a rather exclusive list.

The Wildwood Catholic Academy girls basketball coach earned his 600th career victory Sunday afternoon when his Crusaders dominated from start to finish in a 57-11 win over Atlantic County Institute of Technology at the Ocean City PBA Tip-Off Weekend showcase event at Ocean City High School.

DiPatri, in his 29th season as a high school girls basketball coach, improved his career mark to 600-159. He’s now the 17th high school girls basketball coach in state history to win at least 600 career games. He’s the fifth from a South Jersey school.

Dani Daley sank 22 points, Damiya Carter added 17 points and Lily King chipped in nine points for Wildwood Catholic (2-0) in the win.

DiPatri coached at Sacred Heart High School in Vineland for 16 seasons, winning two state titles and three South Jersey championships while compiling a record of 352-89 before the school’s closure due to low enrollment. He landed at Wildwood Catholic the following season and is now 248-70 with the Crusaders.

Wildwood Catholic next plays in a local rivalry game Tuesday against Wildwood at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic.

(photos courtesy Beth Daley)