CAPE MAY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Posted: December 15th 2025

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Ready or not, here comes a new high school basketball season.

Some local teams are in action as early as Monday evening, while others will begin later this week.

The following is a look at each of Cape May County’s high school girls basketball teams:

CAPE MAY TECH

Head coach: Mackenzie Ironside (first season)

Assistant coaches: Savannah Holt, Taryn Repici

Last season: 14-14

Varsity returnees: Junior - Emma Oravits (5-5 F).

Varsity newcomers: Seniors - Riley Duvilla (5-6 G), Kylie DiCola (5-9 F), Hayli Estes (5-8 G), Olivia Kiser (5-10 F); Juniors - Aarayanna Crawley (5-3 G), Annabella Culican (5-5 G); Sophomores - Brynn Bonner (5-9 F), Bobi Fanshaw (5-9 F); Freshmen - Sofia Alegre (5-5 G), Sam Cabral (5-5 G), Camryn James (5-7 G), Maddie Scheuermann (5-5 G).

Outlook: With a new head coach in Mackenzie Ironside and a nearly entirely new varsity roster, this sets up as a classic rebuilding season for Cape May Tech. Junior Emma Oravits is the lone holdover who saw significant playing time on last year’s Cape May Tech team, which set a program record with 14 victories. Senior Kylie DiCola is expected to take a step forward and be one of the team’s leaders as well. Ironside is high on freshman Sam Cabral, who’s projected to start as the team’s point guard.

Season opener: Monday vs. Salem Tech

Seniors Kiley Dicola (foreground), Olivia Kiser (left), Hayli Estes (right) and Riley Duvilla (standing) lead Cape May Tech into the new season.

LOWER CAPE MAY

Head coach: Scott Douglass (fourth season of second stint, 186-157 career)

Assistant coaches: Paul Baruffi, Greg Douglass

Last season: 8-19

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Meredith Lutjen (5-8 G), Ainsley Reed (5-8 F); Juniors - Brooke Robinson (5-10 F), Savannah Wareham (5-5 G); Sophomore - Lex Domanowski (5-6 G).

Varsity newcomers: Senior - Nouran Moustafa (5-5 G); Junior - Violet Vitelli (5-5 G); Sophomores - Stephanie Byrne (5-7 F), Raegan Notch (5-5 G); Freshmen - Finnley Arenberg (5-8 F), Aubrey Gamble (5-5 G), Avery Hanson (5-7 F), Abby Verity (5-4 G).

Outlook: Lower Cape May was more competitive than its 8-19 record last season might suggest and is hoping to take the next step this winter. Junior Brooke Robinson is the team’s top returning scorer at 7.5 points per game last season. She’s also the club’s top returning rebounder. Seniors Meredith Lutjen and Aisley Reed can stretch defenses with their outside shooting. Junior Savannah Wareham returns as a more experienced point guard. Head coach Scott Scott Douglass is very optimistic about his program’s freshmen group, which is filled with excellent athletes. Junior Violet Vitelli is expected to contribute once she becomes eligible after sitting out due to state transfer rules. With more athleticism and a bit more depth, the Lady Tigers could challenge for a winning record this winter. Douglass enters the season 14 wins shy of 200 for his career.

Season opener: Saturday vs. Barnegat

Ainsley Reed and Meredith Lutjen are two key seniors for the Lower Cape May girls basketball team.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

Head coach: John Leahy (23rd season, 419-167 career)

Assistant coaches: Brynn Caraballo, Brandee Day

Last season: 27-6, CAL playoff tournament champions, South Jersey Group II champions

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Abbey Cappelletti (5-4 G), Alexia Davis (5-9 F), Sarah Farrow (5-6 F), Reagen Powell (5-9 G/F), Mya Robinson (5-8 F); Juniors - Ainsley Frederick (5-10 F), Ella Leahy (5-8 F); Sophomore - Hannah O’Neill (5-7 G).

Varsity newcomers: Senior - Essence Still (5-9 F); Juniors - Izzy Miller (5-4 G), Allison Nagle (5-6 G); Sophomore - Alex Grier (5-5 G); Freshman - Casey Day (5-7 G).

Outlook: Middle Township enjoyed a dream season last winter, winning the Cape-Atlantic League playoff tournament and its third straight South Jersey Group II championship. The Lady Panthers have the talent and experience to achieve both accomplishments again in 2025-2026. Seniors Reagen Powell (16.6 ppg, 5.9 ppg), a Division II Caldwell signee, Abbey Cappelletti (7.1 ppg, 47 three-pointers), a Division II Mansfield signee, and Sarah Farrow (7.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg) are among the most talented and experienced players in the CAL. Many consider Powell to be the league’s best player overall. The team’s depth is solid as Ainsley Frederick, Alexia Davis, Mya Robinson, Ella Leahy and Hannah O’Neill each bring some varsity experience as well. Izzy Miller, Allison Nagle and debutant Casey Day could also crack the rotation. Middle is considered by many to be the team to beat in both the CAL and South Jersey Group II. There’s no denying that the team’s seniors would love nothing more than to finish their careers with four sectional championships.

Season opener: Saturday vs. Atlantic City at Ocean City High School

Six seniors lead Middle Township into the new season. They include (from left): front row - Mya Robinson, Abbey Cappelletti, Sarah Farrow; back row - Essence Still, Alexia Davis, Reagen Powell.

OCEAN CITY

Head coach: Trish Henry (third season, 21-32 career)

Assistant coaches: Abbey Fenton, George McNally, Sue Repetti

Last season: 14-14

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Kaia Chew (5-4 G), Scarlett Fletcher (5-10 F), Gabby Henry (5-4 G), Allie Hudson (5-4 G), Lilly Murphy (5-6 G); Juniors - Casey Adamson (5-3 G), Cecelia Mirsky (5-10 F), Marley Ostrander (5-8 G);

Varsity newcomers: Seniors - Delaney Ireland; Juniors - Meagan Kitchen, Madison McHale, Morgan Williams; Freshmen - Mya Dever, Camryn Schiemer.

Outlook: Ocean City brings back a good portion of its varsity lineup from a season ago but will have to replace leading scorer and rebounder Naomi Nnewihe, who’s now playing soccer at Brown University. One of the challenges for the Raiders will be finding a player or two to put the ball in the basket consistently as junior Marley Ostrander is the team’s leading returning scorer at 6.5 points per game. Players such as seniors Scarlett Fletcher, Gabby Henry, Allie Hudson and Kaia Chew each averaged around five to six points per game last season and will be counted on to produce just a bit more. Junior Cecelia Mirsky also should contribute more. With solid all-around athletes who play multiple sports, the Raiders should be rather competitive in the CAL National Conference.

Season opener: Thursday at Vineland

WILDWOOD

Head coach: Teresa Cunniff (ninth season, 166-56 career)

Assistant coaches: Jim Clarke, Nicole DeHorsey, Steve Prince

Last season: 22-8, South Jersey Group I finalist

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Kiana D’Antuono (5-6 F), Cydnee Kilian (5-7 F), Angela Wilber (5-1 G); Juniors - Rebecca Benichou (5-3 G), Sarah Djellal (5-7 F); Sophomores - Lily Atkinson (5-1 G), Julia Ennis (5-2 G), Laila Fathi (5-3 G), Addison Troiano (5-7 F).

Varsity newcomers: Juniors - Joelle Murphy (6-2 F), Cara Millard (5-1 G); Sophomores - Emma Contreras (5-11 F), Antionette Cooper (5-9 F), Ellasyn Morey (5-2 G); Freshmen - Aubrey Bradway (5-0 G), Sabrin Fathi (5-4 G).

Outlook: Wildwood enters the season without the services of Macie McCracken, one of the program’s all-time great players who scored nearly 2,500 career points. She’s now contributing as a freshman at West Chester. But the Lady Warriors bring back two players in senior Angela Wilber (10.1 ppg, 166 career three-pointers) and junior Rebecca Benichou (12.2 ppg, 153 career three-pointers), two terrific outside shooters who are both on pace to reach 1,000 career points. Senior Kiana D’Antuono and sophomore Addison Troiano are also returning starters and senior Cydnee Kilian and sophomore Laila Fathi are returning contributors. Wildwood is expected to receive a major boost from junior Wildwood Catholic transfer Joelle Murphy, a versatile 6-2 forward who will add scoring, rebounding and a defensive presence in the paint. Quite a few sophomores and freshmen could also crack the rotation, giving Wildwood excellent depth. The Lady Warriors are a favorite to win the Tri-County Classic Division title and should also challenge for their seventh straight appearance in the South Jersey Group I title game. Wildwood is playing a very difficult non-league schedule, facing quite a few Group IV schools as well as local rivals Wildwood Catholic, Mainland, Ocean City and Lower Cape May.

Season opener: Monday at Atlantic City

Angie Wilber, Kiana D'Antuono and Cydnee Kilian are the seniors on the Wildwood girls basketball team.

WILDWOOD CATHOLIC

Head coach: Steve DiPatri (29th season overall, 13th at Wildwood Catholic after 16 seasons at Sacred Heart; 598-159 career)

Assistant coaches: Kate Caruso, Chris Israel

Last season: 23-6, CAL American Conference regular-season champion

Varsity returnees: Senior - Lily King (5-11 G); Sophomores - Damiya Carter (5-9 G), Dani Daley (5-8 G/F).

Varsity newcomers: Senior - Sophia Sarri (5-8 F); Sophomores - Peyton Hill (5-11 F), Sophia Lutz (5-11 F), Reilly Kelso (5-8 G), Juniper King (6-0 G), Abby Vessels (5-6 G); Freshman - Blake Barnoski (5-9 G).

Outlook: Wildwood Catholic has a small roster this season. Dynamic point guard Lola McGonigle suffered a knee injury in the spring that will keep her out for the season. A couple of other players transferred out. But Wildwood Catholic’s top three players in Lily King (11.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Damiya Carter and Dani Daly (10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) are as good of a trio as anyone’s in the CAL. They should be able to lead the Crusaders to another very successful season. King has committed to Division II East Stroudsburg, Carter is already receiving Division I college interest and Daly is one of the CAL’s best all-around young athletes. The key for Wildwood Catholic will be developing solid depth behind that top three. Players such as Peyton Hill, Reilly Kelso, Juniper King and Blake Barnoski are among those ready to step into important roles. Expect Wildwood Catholic to again emerge as one of the CAL’s best and challenge for a 20-win season and the CAL playoff tournament title. With the right draw, the Crusaders could also make a lot of noise in the loaded South Jersey Non-Public B Tournament. Veteran coach Steve DiPatri enters the season two wins shy of becoming just the 17th high school girls basketball coach in state history – and only the fifth from a South Jersey school – to win 600 career games.

Season opener: Thursday at Absegami