VIDEO: Daley and surging Crusaders enjoy big first half en route to CAL semifinal win over EHT

Posted: February 18th 2026

Dani Daley erupted for 18 of her 21 points in the first half to help Wildwood Catholic get past Egg Harbor Township in a CAL semifinal game Wednesday.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Wildwood Catholic Academy girls basketball team lost twice to Egg Harbor Township in the regular season.

That wouldn’t have seemed apparent by the way the Crusaders played Wednesday evening.

Dani Daley and Wildwood Catholic jumped all over EHT early in the contest, using a terrific offensive first half to build a double-digit lead at intermission, en route to a surprisingly comfortable 58-45 win in a Cape-Atlantic League playoff tournament semifinal game at Middle Township High School.

The result sends Wildwood Catholic to the CAL title game for the second time in three years and third time in the last five. The Crusaders will face Middle for the championship Saturday at 2 p.m. at Egg Harbor Township High School. Middle was a 67-34 winner over Hammonton in the other semifinal. Wildwood Catholic will be seeking the program’s first victory in the girls CAL title game.

It’s a golden opportunity for a Wildwood Catholic team that lost several players to injury, transfer and decisions not to play prior to the season.

“Everybody thought we were done,” Wildwood Catholic coach Steve DiPatri said. “We lost our point guard. We lost our center. We lost our depth. But here we are, taking care of business and doing what we have to do. We’ve gotten better throughout the year. We’re looking forward to playing Saturday.”

Daley’s offensive explosion in the opening half allowed third-seeded Wildwood Catholic (19-7) to lead from start to finish against No. 2 EHT (19-8). The sophomore guard netted 12 points in the first quarter and six more in the second in scoring 18 of her game-high 21 points before halftime as the Crusaders built a 36-20 lead at the break.

“Dani wills her way to score,” DiPatri said. “She has the heart of a lion. She’s one of the toughest kids I’ve coached in all my years.”

EHT made a few mini runs at Wildwood Catholic in the second half but never got its deficit lower than 11 points. The Eagles struggled mightily with their outside shooting.

“I thought we had enough looks at them during the season with the two games we had against them,” DiPatri said. “We were able to come up with a good game plan to keep them out of the lane. I think as the season’s gone on we’ve gotten stronger inside and we’re rebounding better and better.”

Lily King sank four three-pointers and added 16 points to go with 12 rebounds and four steals and Damiya Carter added 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Crusaders.
Elaina Kraybill posted 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots for the Eagles.