VIDEO, PHOTOS: Big first-half run sends Lady Warriors to victory at Boardwalk Classic

Posted: December 27th 2023

Wildwood's Macie McCracken shoots a free throw vs. Barnegat. She scored a game-high 23 points.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

WILDWOOD – The Wildwood High School girls basketball team was locked in an 11-11 tie with Barnegat late in the first quarter against Barnegat at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic Wednesday.

A steal by Kaliah Sumlin led to a layup by teammate Macie McCracken and the Lady Warriors never relinquished the lead.

McCracken’s layup kick-started a 19-6 run over the remainder of the half and Wildwood methodically pulled away from the Bengals on its way to a 58-36 victory in one of the tournament’s many showcase games.

McCracken led all scorers with 23 points, scoring nine during the decisive run. She also had 12 rebounds and six steals. Rebecca Benichou fired in eight of her 10 points during the run as well. Her three-pointer at the first-half buzzer gave Wildwood a 30-17 lead at the break.

Angela Wilber scored 11 of her 17 points in the second half. Sophia Wilber added eight points and eight assists.

Emma Thornton tallied 15 points to pace Barnegat (2-2).

Wildwood improved to 4-1 with the win. The Lady Warriors are set to play unbeaten Our Lady of Mercy Academy in another Boardwalk Basketball Classic game on Saturday.