Photos by Alan M. Dumoff/More photos www.ccdphotoalbum.com
The 12th annual Boardwalk Basketball Classic, featuring 49 different high school boys and girls basketball teams from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, took place from Dec. 26-31 at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Above, the Wildwood Catholic and Wildwood High School Boys fight for the opening tip-off in their Dec. 27 game, which saw Wildwood Catholic come out on top, 60-55, in the Andrew Alameno Memorial Boys Island Championship. Below, the Paul VI and Sacred Heart girls play on Dec. 30 in the Jersey Shore Girls Bracket Championship, which saw Sacred Heart come out on top 47-41.
WILDWOOD — The Wildwood Catholic Crusaders started the season with a victory over highly rated Middle Township High School that gave them a jump start on the 2009-10 season. After defeating cross town rival Wildwood High School 60-55 at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic, they are a legitimate contender for the Cape-Atlantic League (CAL) National Conference title.
The game was the nightcap of the Andrew Alameno Memorial Island Championship. The first game was also won by the Wildwood Catholic girls as they downed Wildwood 58-50 giving the Crusaders a sweep of the games. The games were played on Sunday Dec. 27.
Four Crusaders hit double figures with David McCallion and Brian Toland each with 13 points, T.John Casiello with 12 and DaQuill Gibbs with 11. McCallion also pulled down a game high 15 rebounds.
The Crusaders jumped out to a 14-10 lead after the first period and stretched it to 7 points at the half with McCallion and Casiello doing most of the damage.
Wildwood was down by 9 points and made a late charge but was not able to overcome Catholic’s lead. Joe Stafankiewicz led all scorers for the Warriors with 23 points on 10/18 shooting. Teammate Rick Palmer added 14 but it was not enough to overtake the Crusaders.
Wildwood Catholic sewed the game up at the foul line making 17 free throws in the second half.
The first game saw Emily Whissell score 16 points to lead the Lady Crusaders to the victory. Teammates Laura Martin (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Carlie Senatore (six points, game high 12 rebounds) helped out in a big way for Catholic. Loretta Kelly led the Warriors and all scorers with 23 points.
FOUL SHOTS: The Boardwalk Basketball Classic in Wildwood is the largest co-ed basketball tournament in the country with up to 80 teams competing in a bracket format. Most teams usually play two games during the Christmas week affair. The Tournament is held at the Wildwood Convention Center and has been a successful venture since 2001 and the proceeds go toward scholarships to graduating seniors from Wildwood and Wildwood Catholic High Schools. Information about the Tournament can be found at www.bbclassic.net
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