By LESLEY GRAHAM
The Ocean City boys basketball team came up just short against the visiting Vikings of Atlantic City in Cape Atlantic League action Friday night, losing 43-42
The loss brings Ocean City’s record to 7-7, while Atlantic City improves to 10-3.
Ocean City’s Gannon Brady led all scorers with 26 points. Brady started the contest along with teammates Joe Repetti, Tom Finnegan, Brad Jamison and Mike Rhodes.
In what was an evenly matched back and forth game, Ocean City and Atlantic City battled for the full 32 minutes, exchanging leads multiple times throughout the night. At the end of the first quarter, the Red Raiders held the lead, 12-11.
As the second quarter got underway, Ocean City found its rhythm on the offensive end, increasing its lead to a seven-point margin. Brady tallied 11 of his 26 points in the second quarter, single-handedly outscoring the Vikings, who converted for only nine points. Ocean City led going into halftime, 27-20.
The Vikings, though, came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter. With under three minutes to play, the Red Raiders, who were struggling to get the friendly roll on easy layups, found themselves trailing, 30-29. As the clock was dwindling down, Atlantic City got a last-second shot off to extend its lead to 34-31.
With the final eight minutes to play, it seemed both teams saved their best for last. The quarter got very physical, with both teams diving for loose balls and sacrificing their bodies to keep the ball inbounds.
With three minutes left to play, Atlantic City was up 40-37. The Red Raiders stepped up their defense to make some steals from the Vikings, but were unable to convert on the other end.
In the final minute of play, Repetti stole the ball and was fouled by an Atlantic City player, making both his free throws to keep the margin to three.
His free throws were followed by two more steals by the Red Raiders, but they were once again plagued by missed shots, including three, three-pointers in the span of 20 seconds. The score remained 42-39 in Atlantic City’s favor.
Ocean City then lost possession on a potentially uncalled tripping foul, forcing them to foul Atlantic City. The Vikings converted on one of two free throws, bringing the score to 43-39.
As the clock ran out, Brady hit a last-second three-pointer, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Vikings.
