VIDEO: Crusaders move atop CAL American after using big second half to beat Middle

Posted: January 27th 2025

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

NORTH WILDWOOD – The Wildwood Catholic Academy girls basketball team lost the momentum of Monday’s important Cape-Atlantic American Conference game against Middle Township when the Lady Panthers went on a 10-3 run to close the first half to tie the score at 20-20.

The Crusaders grabbed that momentum back right at the start of the second half, however.

Wildwood Catholic scored the first five points of the third quarter and never looked back, the Crusaders opening up a lead as large as 14 points in the fourth quarter before settling for a 60-51 over one of their biggest rivals.

The victory puts Wildwood Catholic (14-3 overall, 9-1 CAL American) in sole possession of first place in the conference and gives the team the inside track to earn the No. 1 seed for the upcoming CAL playoff tournament.

“This is a big win for us but every night is a battle,” Wildwood Catholic coach Steve DIPatri said, quickly referencing his team’s next game with Mainland on Wednesday. “We think this is the most competitive conference in the state, top to bottom. Every night is a challenge. It’s one game at a time, one possession at a time and try to get better along the way.”

Junior guard Lily King, who was instrumental with 22 points when Wildwood Catholic posted a 42-37 win over Middle earlier this month, enjoyed a productive second half for the Crusaders. She scored 13 of her team-high 16 points after the break. 

King’s three-pointer with 6:40 to play gave Wildwood Catholic its first double-digit lead at 41-31. Senior forward Anastasia Bowman extended the lead to 49-35 by converting a traditional three-point play with 4:18 to go.

Sophomore point guard Lola McGonigle added 14 points and five assists and freshman forward Dani Daley added 10 points for Wildwood Catholic. Daley had nine of her points in the second half.

Wildwood Catholic turned the game in its favor after switching from man-to-man defense in the third quarter, forcing Middle into seven turnovers in that period alone.

“We believe in that zone,” DiPatri said. “We think it can be a big weapon for us.”

Wildwood Catholic iced the game in the fourth quarter by taking care of the ball and making free throws. The Crusaders made their first eight free throws of the period and finished the quarter 11 for 12 from the line overall.

“I think the second half was about our turnovers, and when you turn the ball over good teams are going to convert them into baskets,” Middle coach John Leahy said.

Wildwood Catholic, which began the season with four new starters, including two freshmen, has won nine of its last 10 games.

“The kids are growing up before our eyes,” DiPatri said. “Every game we get a little bit better. The road to success isn’t always a straight line. Our lightning bolt has been a little jagged but it’s getting smoother as the season has gone on.”

Reagan Powell paced Middle (13-3, 7-2) with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Abbey Cappelletti chipped in 11 points.

The Lady Panthers, however, began the game without two usual starters in the starting lineup due to a discipline issue. Although Middle rallied to tie the game at halftime, the team never held a lead in the contest.

“When we get everyone making good decisions on and off the floor, we’ll have an opportunity to grow,” Leahy said. “And if we grow, we’ll have an opportunity to hang banners. But if don’t, sure, we’re going to beat some teams but we’ll lose to more connected teams.”