VIDEO: BUZZER BEATER! McCracken’s dramatic shot lifts Wildwood over Middle Township

Posted: February 20th 2024

Macie McCracken sank a long three-pointer at the buzzer to give Wildwood a 41-38 win over Middle Township

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

WILDWOOD – Macie McCracken has carved out a reputation as one of New Jersey high school girls basketball’s best outside shooters.

Those in attendance at Tuesday’s game can certainly understand why.

McCracken, a junior from Wildwood, buried a close to 35-foot three-pointer as time expired to give the Lady Warriors a thrilling 41-38 victory over Middle Township in a regular-season finale for both teams that was played under playoff-like intensity.

Wildwood inbounded the ball with 4.6 seconds prior to the winning shot. Angela Wilber dribbled toward the left wing and flipped a short pass back to McCracken, who stepped back to an area just in front of her own bench to create space. The ball left McCracken’s hands at .7 seconds, the buzzer sounding shortly before the ball went through the hoop.

Wildwood went ahead by five with 2:35 to play after Rebecca Benichou scored off an offensive rebound. Baskets by McKenzie Palek and Reagan Powell brought Middle to within a point, and the Lady Panthers later tied the game on a Powell free throw with 1:28 to go.

Middle would never possess the ball again. After McCracken rebounded the miss of a teammate’s missed three-point attempt with a little more than a minute remaining, the Lady Warriors were able to hold the ball until the finish, setting up McCracken’s buzzer-beating heroics.

McCracken, who leads the state in three-point field goals with 92 and has 260 three-pointers in her career to date, led Wildwood (19-7) with 13 points. She also had 10 rebounds and four steals. Benichou added 12 points and Sophia Wilber chipped in 10 points. 

Powell posted nine points and Abbey Cappelletti chipped in eight for Middle (19-8).

The state tournament is up next for both teams, both of whom have the potential to make a long run in their respective brackets. Middle is the No. 2 seed in South Jersey Group II and will host No. 15 Pennsauken Tech on Wednesday. Wildwood is the No. 2 seed in South Jersey Group I and will host No. 15 Paulsboro on Thursday.