VIDEO: Wildwood Catholic wins playoff opener, earns matchup with powerful Rutgers Prep

Posted: March 3rd 2025

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

NORTH WILDWOOD – The Wildwood Catholic Academy girls basketball team was forced to wait a week from its final regular-season game to its first state playoff game.

The long layoff wasn’t a hindrance.

The Crusaders, who enjoyed a first-round bye, returned to the court Monday and whipped Stuart Day School, 79-43, in a South Jersey Non-Public B quarterfinal that served as the team’s final home game of the season.

Wildwood Catholic (23-5) placed four players in double figures in the lopsided victory.

Wildwood Catholic seniors Anastasia Bowman, Reagan Flickinger and Kristen Wareham were sent out as winners in the final home game of their high school careers.

“The fact that we’re now sitting at 23 wins, matching our total wins from last year and now going further in the state tournament than we did last year, is a testament to our seniors and our group overall,” Wildwood Catholic coach Steve DiPatri said. “We lost 80 percent of our starters from last year, yet here we are. I think the consistency of the program speaks for itself.”

Lola McGonigle sank six three-pointers and scored 21 points to lead the Crusaders. Dani Daley scored 20 points, Lily King added 18 points and Damiya Carter chipped in 10 points.

Wildwood Catholic raced to a 25-11 lead after one quarter and never looked back. They built a lead as high as 43 points early in the fourth quarter.

The victory sends third-seeded Wildwood Catholic into a sectional semifinal matchup Thursday at No. 2 Rutgers Prep, which entered the state tournament ranked 14th in the state. Rutgers Prep (19-6) beat Holy Cross, 89-31, in its quarterfinal game Monday.

“I love challenges,” DiPatri said. “My kids love challenges. We’ll be ready to play.”