VIDEO: Warriors limit Crispin but fall to Pitman in key Tri-Co Classic clash in Crest Savings Bank Game of the Week

Posted: January 4th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

WILDWOOD – The Wildwood High School boys basketball team held one of South Jersey’s most prolific scorers to zero points at halftime and only three field goals for the game.

The effort wasn’t good enough, however.

Stephen Devanney hit five three-pointers and scored a season-high 20 points to guide Pitman to a 55-46 victory over the Warriors in a critical Tri-County Classic Division clash Thursday.

Devanney gave the Panthers a major boost as Wildwood held Pitman star Elijah Crispin, who entered the game averaging 21.4 points per game, to just three field goals. The junior guard did not score in the first half and had just five points through three quarters. He finished with 15 points thanks in part to making 8 of 9 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Wildwood jumped out to a 6-0 lead but then went more than 10 minutes of game time without a field goal scoring as Pitman forged ahead by 13-7. But the Warriors finished the half on a 10-0 spurt to take a 17-13 lead into halftime.

Pitman, however, took the lead for good by outscoring Wildwood 17-8 to start the third quarter, the Panthers holding a 32-27 edge going into the fourth period.

Wildwood never got closer than that five-point deficit as Pitman extended its lead to as high as 12 points with three minutes to play.

Pitman (7-1 overall, 2-0 Tri-Co Classic) shot 13 for 15 from the foul line in the final quarter.

Junior Hans scored 21 points for Wildwood (5-3, 2-1). Jordan Fusik added 12.

The teams are scheduled to meet again on Jan. 30 in Pitman.