VIDEO: Seasoned Middle team overwhelms upstart Hammonton in CAL semifinal to earn chance to defend title

Posted: February 18th 2026

Abbey Cappelletti made five three-pointers, one of which came on a halfcourt shot, and scored 17 points to lead Middle Township past Hammonton in a CAL semifinal game Wednesday evening.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township High School girls basketball team could not have started or finished the first half of Wednesday's Cape-Atlantic League playoff tournament semifinal game any better.

The Lady Panthers used a set play off the opening tip to get an easy basket by Reagen Powell seven seconds into the game before later getting the final three points of the half on a halfcourt shot at the second-quarter buzzer by Abbey Cappelletti.

In between those two plays, the Lady Panthers were pretty darn good, too.

Middle, a team much more accustomed to being on a big stage than its opponent, ran out to a 17-1 lead to start the game and was ahead 43-21 at the half on its way to overwhelming Hammonton, 67-34, to check into the league title game for the second straight year.

Middle, the top seed in the tournament, will look to defend its 2025 championship when it faces local rival and third-seeded Wildwood Catholic on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Egg Harbor Township High School. Wildwood Catholic was a 58-45 winner over EHT in the other semifinal.

Middle won twice over Wildwood Catholic during the regular season.

“It’s fantastic to have the opportunity,” Middle coach John Leahy said. “Obviously, both teams are super familiar with each other and we played two good games against each other so far. I know they’re going to be ready. We’ll try to have two great practices to get ready. I think it’ll be a good game like it always is.”

In addition to her halfcourt shot, Cappelletti sank four other three-pointers in the opening half and finished with a game-high 17 points. Sarah Farrow chipped in 15 points and Mya Robinson added 10 points.

Each of Middle’s five starters had at least two field goals by halftime. With Cappelletti leading the way, Middle made nine three-pointers for the game.

“We talked about trying to be physical and trying to make it tough on them, especially at the start,” Leahy said. “We came out and set a strong tone right at the beginning, especially on the defensive end. But then on the offensive end, we get a layup right off the tap and it just settles everybody down and makes everybody ready to make plays. And then when Abbey shoots like that from the outside, we’re really tough to beat.”

No. 5 Hammonton (21-4), which won the CAL National Conference regular-season title and was appearing in the league semifinal round for the first time, received 13 points from Sarah Griffiths.