VIDEO: Massive run in 4Q allows WCA to rally past Lower Cape May

Posted: January 19th 2025

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

NORTH WILDWOOD – All the good things the Wildwood Catholic Academy boys basketball team has done defensively for much of the season were pretty much non-existent for three quarters Sunday afternoon.

The fourth quarter was a different story, however.

The Crusaders held Lower Cape May to two points until a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer and rallied from a 12-point third-quarter deficit to post a 58-51 victory over the Caper Tigers in front of a relatively light crowd for a local rivalry game.

“The fourth quarter was more of a resemblance of what we’ve done all year versus the first three quarters,” Wildwood Catholic coach Will Wareham said. “Lower did a really good job the first three quarters with their dribble handoffs and we didn’t stick to our principles. … I thought in the fourth quarter we were able to use our length to trap a little bit, which I think kind of eventually wore them down.”

John Fernandez exploded for 26 points for Lower Cape May, scoring 24 of them through three quarters. The Tigers posted their largest lead at 44-32 in the third quarter.

But some missed shots and a slew of turnovers by Lower Cape May (6-7) allowed the Crusaders to chip away at the lead. Wildwood Catholic finally tied the game with 2 minutes, 50 seconds remaining when Ryan McGrath knocked down his 100th career three-pointer. A steal by Tayshaun Jackson led to a layup by Riley Powell with 1:50 to go as Wildwood Catholic took its first lead since the second quarter.

Powell, playing in his second game after becoming eligible as per NJSIAA transfer rules, posted 12 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-7 senior had 21 points and 14 rebounds in his debut, a win over Woodbury on Friday.

“He’s a huge difference, just on his sheer size alone,” Wareham said of Powell. “He has a tremendous skill set and his potential is through the roof but just on his size alone, you have to really account for him around the rim. He really helps our offense.”

Wildwood Catholic outscored Lower Cape May 21-5 in the fourth quarter.

McGrath led Wildwood Catholic (9-3) with 16 points. Jackson was also in double figures with 12 points.

Mason Cronin added 10 points for Lower Cape May.