McNeil’s late FT helps Middle avoid upset in Crest Savings Bank Game of the Week

Posted: January 5th 2025

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Middle Township High School boys basketball coach LaMarr Greer called it “a sign of respect.”

He was referring to many of the team’s opponents playing zone defense against the Panthers in an effort to slow them down and keep the game close.

Holy Cross executed such a strategy to near perfection in a rare Sunday afternoon game but a foul committed by the Lancers near halfcourt with just 4.4 seconds remaining allowed Jamir McNeil to sink a free throw that provided the difference in a 42-41 Middle victory.

“Teams are playing zone and we have to figure it out,” Greer said. “It’s a respect thing for us. Some of these teams we’re playing, they normally like to go up and down a little bit but they’re trying to go slow against us.”

Middle controlled much of the first half and held a four-point lead at the break despite scoring just two points in the second quarter. Holy Cross then used a 15-8 advantage in the third quarter to take a 33-30 lead into the fourth.

Middle (5-2) seemed to restore its authority with a 9-0 run to open the fourth. Amir Elston had six of the points during Middle’s surge. But again, Holy Cross slowly chipped away. A basket by Jordan Owens tied the game with 1:08 remaining.

Middled called a timeout with 58 seconds left and decided to hold the ball for a final shot. McNeil was fouled with less than five seconds to go when he was knocked to the floor while trying to maneuver around a hedging defender on ball-screen action.

McNeil missed the first but swished the second. Following another timeout, Holy Cross could only get off a desperation 30-foot shot at the buzzer that had no chance of going in the basket.

Greer was pleased with how his players handled the final minute.

“We have experienced guards out there, so we should know how to hold the ball,” he said. “Two or three of them are going to be college guards. They’ve been in these situations before. They should know how to handle it.”

Middle was helped by Holy Cross’ struggles at the foul line, particularly in the fourth quarter. The Lancers made only 8-of-16 free throws for the game, just 3 of 8 in the final period.

The win was Middle’s second straight in a slow-paced game. The Panthers beat Lower Cape May, 46-36, in the final game of the Boardwalk Classic on New Year’s Eve.

“We have some things we have to figure out, but that’s OK right now,” Greer said. “We want to be at our best in March. Middle teams aren’t known for being at their best in December or January. We need to be at our best in March. That’s what we’re working toward.”

Elston scored 14 points and McNeil added 13 points for Middle.

Manny Doku netted 12 points and Liam Nesemeier chipped in 11 points for Holy Cross (4-1), which saw each of its starters play all 32 minutes.