VIDEO: One’s offense, the other’s defense shine as Wildwood teams advance in playoffs

Posted: February 23rd 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

WILDWOOD – One team used efficient offense and the other employed stifling defense as the Wildwood High School basketball teams swept a state playoff doubleheader Thursday.

The victories set up another home playoff doubleheader on Tuesday.

LADY WARRIORS ERUPT IN FIRST HALF OF DECISIVE WIN

The Wildwood girls team was a bit sluggish at the start of Thursday’s South Jersey Group I opening-round game, failing to score on its opening three possessions.

The sluggishness quickly wore off, however, as the Lady Warriors raced out to a 28-0 lead after the opening period en route to a 77-27 win over Paulsboro.

One of the highlights of the contest came via sophomore Angela Wilber, who knocked down the 100th three-pointer of her career in the opening quarter. The basket was one of 15 three-point field goals made by Wildwood.

Macie McCracken sank 29 points, posted 11 rebounds and dished five assists to lead the Lady Warriors, the second seed in the tournament. Wilber added 19 points and Rebecca Benichou chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds. Sophia Wilber also made a major impact, passing out 10 assists to go with six points and six rebounds.

Brookelyn Graham scored 17 points for Paulsboro (7-13).

Wildwood (20-7) will host No. 7 Glassboro on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

ANGELA WILBER: 100th career three-pointer

STOUT DEFENSIVE EFFORT CARRIES WILDWOOD BOYS

Whenever you limit an opponent to just two points over the span of 13 ½ minutes of game time, you’re probably going to have a very good chance to win.

That’s exactly what the Wildwood boys did Thursday evening, shutting out Woodstown in the second quarter and holding the Wolverines to two points for the first 5 ½ minutes of the third on its way to a surprisingly convincing 46-25 victory.

It was a matchup that concerned the coaches of fourth-seeded Wildwood, considering No. 13 Woodstown features two players in its starting lineup who stand 6-6 and 6-4. But the Warriors, whose tallest starter is just 6-1, held Woodstown to a 9 for 39 shooting effort from the floor and outrebounded the Wolverines by 34-24.

“We really boxed out and kept them off the glass and we had a hand up on almost every shot,” Wildwood coach Scott McCracken said. “That was the best defensive effort we’ve had all season.”

Wildwood (15-12), which made five three-pointers in the first half to jump out to a 24-10 lead, was extremely balanced offensively in the victory. Jordan Fusik led the Warriors in scoring with 12 points and also had three steals. Brian Cunniff posted 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals and Junior Hans, despite missing a bit of time in the first half after injuring his hand, also scored 11 points. Ryan Troiano was influential as well, posting six points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Blake Bialecki scored 11 points to lead Woodstown (11-13).

Wildwood’s effort was a welcome one considering the team lost six of its final nine games of the regular season.

“We had an up-and-down season, but now it’s all about trying to win in the playoffs – winning and advancing and playing good basketball,” McCracken said.

Wildwood will host fifth seeded Audubon in the next round Tuesday.