Boardwalk Classic recap: Boys - Crusaders stifle LCM, Wildwood breezes; Girls - Lady Warriors survive challenge, long scoring drought hurts Tech

Posted: December 23rd 2024

Ryan McGrath and Alex Daniel each scored in double figures to help Wildwood Catholic beat Lower Cape May at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

WILDWOOD – The Boardwalk Basketball Classic kicked off Sunday with the two-day Crest Savings Bank Battle of the Boards at the Wildwoods Convention Center.

There were four games involving Cape May County teams.

Here are recaps of each:

CRUSADER DEFENSE TIGHT IN WIN OVER LCM

Through three games, the Wildwood Catholic Academy boys basketball team has proven it can defend.

The Crusaders held Lower Cape May to no more than 10 points in any quarter and pulled away for a 48-35 victory in the Dave DeWeese Showcase game.

Wildwood Catholic (2-1) has held all three of its opponents so far to 45 points or less. They’ve conceded less than 40 points in both of their victories.

“Through three games now, we’ve really been hanging our hat on our defense,” Wildwood Catholic coach Will Wareham said. “We’ve done a good job cutting the court in half and kind of keeping a team to one side of the floor. I think we’ve been doing a good job with our defense.”

Ryan McGrath broke out of an early-season shooting slump by making three three-pointers and scoring 14 points in the win. Alex Daniel also scored 14 points and posted five rebounds and four assists.

Ty Bonner sank a game-high 18 points for Lower Cape May (1-2).

WILDWOOD ROLLS PAST CAPE MAY

The Wildwood High School boys basketball team faced Cape May Tech in the Jack Buchanan Memorial Showcase game.

Mr. Buchanan, a former longtime recreation leader and basketball coach in Wildwood Crest, would have been proud of the Warriors’ defensive effort.

Wildwood held the Hawks without a field goal in the second half and rolled to a 67-15 victory.

Ahead 26-11 at the half, Wildwood used an 18-3 run in the third quarter to completely pull away.

Brian Cunniff (16 points) and Nolan Mawhinney (15 points) each scored in double figures to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Warriors (2-1), who had 10 different players score in the contest.

Alec Dooley scored seven points to lead Cape May Tech (1-3).

Brian Cunniff and Nolan Mawhinney each scored in double figures in Wildwood's win over Cape May Tech.

WILDWOOD GIRLS SURVIVE CHALLENGE

The Wildwood High School girls basketball team opened a lead as large as 12 points in the third quarter of the Kaitlin Anzelone Memorial Showcase Game against Lower Moreland (Pa.).

But a big run in the middle of the period allowed the Lions to take a brief lead before Wildwood settled the proceedings and eventually posted a 50-46 victory.

Rebecca Benichou sank six three-pointers and finished with a game-high 20 points for Wildwood (3-0). Macie McCracken struggled with his shooting but still managed to post a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. And Angela Wilber, after not scoring in the first half, finished with nine points and five assists. Wilber went 3 for 4 from the foul line in the final 30 seconds to help seal for the Lady Warriors.

The showcase game was named in memory of the former Wildwood High School three-sport standout who passed away at age 20 in July 2005 after a battle with leukemia.

Wildwood's girls basketball team won the Kaitlin Anzelone Memorial Showcase Game over Lower Moreland.

CAPE MAY TECH GIRLS FALL

The Cape May Tech girls basketball team held an 8-7 lead over Kingsway late in the first quarter of its game with Kingsway. But the Lady Hawks didn’t score again in the first half as the Dragons finished the half on an 18-0 run and eventually posted a 52-22 victory.

Anna Delaney scored nine points to lead Cape May Tech (2-2).