VIDEO: Middle shoots past Mainland for CAL championship

Posted: February 18th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Due to its massive success over the years, the Middle Township High School boys basketball program has long been considered a Cape-Atlantic League blueblood.

But Middle entered this season not having won an overall league title in more than 2 ½ decades.

That drought is now over.

Thanks to a sizzling shooting effort from the floor and excellent halfcourt defense, Middle Township took down Mainland, 61-45, in the CAL title game Saturday afternoon in front of nearly 1,200 fans at Egg Harbor Township High School.

The overall league championship is Middle’s first since 1998. Middle’s victory also prevented Mainland from winning the title for the second time in three seasons.

“To me, they’re the champions because they have a lot of guys on that team that won it two years ago,” Middle coach LaMarr Greer said. “To win championships, a lot of times you have to beat the champions. We were looking forward to this game. Those guys are a great team.”

Top-seeded Middle (25-2) led the game nearly from start to finish. The Panthers made 11 of 13 shots from the floor in the opening period, including four three-pointers, and rushed out to a 27-15 lead after the first quarter. Mainland never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Middle shot 60.9 percent from the floor for the game, making 24 of 41 shots from the floor. The Panthers were 11 for 23 from three-point range for the game.

“People don’t realize it, because they don’t get to see it, but it’s a testament to the hours our kids put in in the gym shooting the ball,” Greer said of his team’s shooting prowess.

Five different Middle players made a three-pointer, led by four from Anthony Trombetta, who topped four Middle players in double figures with 14 points.

Jamir McNeil, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, filled the stat sheet to the tune of 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and six steals.

“He’s bought into being an all-around player,” Greer said of McNeil. “He’s taking pride in it. He’s always worried about his assist-to-turnover ratio. For him it’s not about the points. It’s how he’s controlling our team. I’m proud of the way he’s growing as a player.”

Mike Zarfati made three three-pointers and scored 13 points and Re’Ale Basquin chipped in 10 points and six rebounds for the winners.

Third-seeded Mainland, meanwhile, made only 17 for 45 shots from the floor. The Mustangs also struggled mightily from three-point range, making just 2 of 16 shots from that distance.

Cohen Cook and Jamie Tyson each scored 14 points for Mainland (22-6). Stephen Ordille added 10.

Both teams will now turn their attention to the South Jersey tournament, which begins this week. Each is the top seed in their respective brackets, Middle in Group II and Mainland in Group III. Middle is the defending South Jersey champion.

“This championship means a lot to us,” Greer said. “But the hard part is that you have to put it behind you and get ready for the next challenge. We have a hard road in Group II but we’re looking forward to it.”