VIDEO: STATE CHAMPS!!! Ocean City dominates final three minutes to pull away from Colonia for Group III title

Posted: March 15th 2026

The Ocean City High School boys basketball team captured the state Group III title with a 55-46 win over Colonia at Rutgers University.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

PISCATAWAY – In 37 years of coaching, John Bruno never thought his program could compete for a state championship.

On Sunday, his Raiders didn’t just compete for it. They won it.

Thanks to brilliant offensive and defensive execution in the game’s final four minutes, Ocean City won the state Group III title with a 55-46 victory over Colonia in front of about 2,500 fans in Jersey Mike’s Arena at Rutgers University. It is the program’s first state championship since 1964 and third overall. The other came in 1955.

A back-and-forth affair for 3 ½ quarters, the game turned in Ocean City’s favor for good when senior guard Dean Lappin picked up a steal and scored a layup with a little more than three minutes remaining. The basket broke a 46-46 tie and began a 9-0 Ocean City run to close the game.

Colonia, which had not turned the ball over in the second half prior to Lappin’s steal, would go on to turn it over three more times against pressure defense by the Raiders. Junior Josh Lenko and senior Tighe Olek combined to make 5 of 6 free throws and senior Alec Bell mixed in a layup off a pass from senior Luke Tjoumakaris as Ocean City pulled away.

Its fate sealed after one final turnover with less than 30 seconds remaining, Colonia allowed Ocean City to dribble out the clock in the dying moments of the game. Olek had possession of the ball last, and tossed it in the air as the buzzer sounded. Ocean City’s bench players poured onto the court in euphoria as a large contingent of Raider fans gave their team a standing ovation.

Bruno was visibly emotional and fought back tears as he watched his players celebrate.

One game after netting 30 points in the state semifinal, Lenko was again brilliant in the final. The junior forward shot 8 for 11 from the floor, including 3 for 4 from three-point range, and led all scorers with 24 points. He posted 11 of those points in the fourth quarter. Tjoumakaris added 15 points, getting 10 of them in the second quarter when Ocean City rallied from a seven-point deficit to take a one-point lead at intermission. He also had a game-best 10 rebounds. Olek mixed seven points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Continuing the unselfish brand of basketball that carried them through the state tournament, the Raiders recorded assists on 17 of their 20 field goals in the game. Lappin, the team’s unflappable floor general, led Ocean City with six helpers.

Ocean City shot 51.3 percent from the floor for the game, making 20 of 39 shots from the floor.

Sophomore guard Jayce Rodriguez led Colonia (21-11) with 22 points.

Ocean City (26-6) tied the program record for victories in a season that was first set in 2023-24.

After postgame ceremonies on the court were complete, many of the Raider players ran into the stands to celebrate with their families and friends. It was a fitting end to an experience that will be long remembered by everyone associated with the Ocean City High School boys basketball program.