VIDEO: Grimley helps shoot Raiders past LCM in regular-season finale

Posted: January 1st 1970

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

ERMA – Pat Grimley and his teammates looked as if they were shooting at a soccer net rather than a basketball hoop Friday evening.

Grimley led a torrid second-half shooting effort as the Ocean City High School boys basketball team ran away from Lower Cape May, 67-53, in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Grimley scored 19 of his career-high 21 points and the Raiders made 18 of 24 shots (75 percent) from the field after halftime in the victory.

But while the end result of many of his team’s second-half possessions ended with a made shot, Ocean City coach John Bruno was more impressed with the proceedings that led to those shots.

“When we move the ball, we seem to shoot better shots and shoot shots that we have a good chance to make,” Bruno said. “I thought in the second half we played more team basketball and we handled the ball really well. I thought we shot it well but I didn’t realize we were 18 for 24. That’s really, really good.”

Grinley made 8 of 10 shots from the floor and all three of his free-throw attempts in the second half.

Kori Segich led Ocean City with 22 points. He missed just two of his 11 shot attempts for the game. Segich had 14 of his points before halftime. He also had five steals.

“I thought Kori really carried us in the first half,” Bruno said.

Despite Ocean City’s shooting efforts, the game was close throughout. Lower Cape May held a 25-22 lead at the half and remained close until midway through the fourth quarter. Ocean City scored 30 points in the final period.

The Raiders enjoyed a lot of easy looks at the basket in the final period by beating Lower Cape May’s trapping defense with smart cuts toward the basket and quick, efficient passing. Senior guard Dylan Schlatter was instrumental in those situations for the Raiders.

“When we can spread you out, that’s when we’re most effective,” Bruno said. “We got some easy baskets that way.”

Lower Cape May coach Scott Holden agreed, stating that Ocean City’s ball handling abilities make matters difficult for opponents late in games.

“They’re just so hard to play against when they get a lead,” Holden said.

Charlie LaBarre added 10 points and eight rebounds and Ben McGonigle dished nine assists for the Raiders.

Josh Greta came off the bench to score 14 points to lead Lower Cape May. Ty Bonner added 12 points and Macky Bonner produced eight points, six rebounds and six assists.

Ocean City (23-3) was eager to play another game after losing a close contest to Mainland in the Cape-Atlantic League playoff tournament semifinals. Ocean City is next in action Thursday against Pemberton in a first-round South Jersey Group III playoff game.

“We really wanted to play this game, no question,” Bruno said. “You want to be ready to play. And with the playoffs starting a little later, it’s good to play. There are some teams out there probably going six, seven days without a game. So it was good for us to get out there and play.”

Lower Cape May (20-6) will open the South Jersey Group II playoffs Wednesday against Camden Academy Charter.