VIDEO: Pressure defense, Melo’s career-best scoring output send LCM past WCA in final Boardwalk Classic game

Posted: December 31st 2023

Josh Gretta (left) scored 12 points off the bench and Brayden Melo posted a career-high 14 points for Lower Cape May in a win over Wildwood Catholic.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

WILDWOOD – Pressure defense and scoring yet again from some unorthodox places carried the Lower Cape May Regional High School boys basketball team to another victory Sunday.

The Caper Tigers took down a local rival and won their fifth straight game since a season-opening defeat, scoring a 57-52 win over Wildwood Catholic Academy in the last of 74 games at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic.

Key baskets from Brayden Melo and Josh Gretta and four free throws by Gretta in the final quarter were crucial to Lower Cape May’s success. Melo, a junior in his first varsity season, scored a career-high 14 points, while Gretta, a sophomore who comes off the bench, added 12 points to reach double figures for the fourth straight game.

Lower Cape May (5-1) gained its victory much through its defense, which forced 21 turnovers by the Crusaders (2-5).

Lower led by five at the half, only to see Wildwood Catholic rally to take a lead as large as three points in the third quarter. But Macky Bonner, who also scored 14 points for Lower, scored six points and Melo added a basket as Lower retook the lead at 42-39 going into the fourth quarter.

Wildwood Catholic, behind a big second-half by Patrick Bean, who had 13 of his 16 points after halftime, made several charges and got to within a point on four occasions in the fourth quarter but could never tie or take the lead.

Charlie Dunner (15) and Nahseer Ruiz (11) also each scored in double figures for Wildwood Catholic.

Lower Cape May is next in action Tuesday against Atlantic City while Wildwood Catholic faces St. Joseph on Wednesday.