Ocean City Wins Thriller Against Mainland

By LESLEY GRAHAM Ocean City scored a three-pointer to start the game Sunday evening and never looked back. The Red Raiders girls basketball team took down rival Mainland High School, 51-49, to improve to 10-5 on the season. With the loss, Mainland also stands at 10-5. Kylie Watson, a senior from Mainland, led all scorers with 22 points, while sophomore Marin Panico paced the Red Raiders with 18. In what was anticipated to be a hotly contested game, the storied rivalry of Ocean City and Mainland did not disappoint. In front of a packed house, both teams battled for the full game, but Ocean City was able to keep the lead for the entire way. Ocean City's Marlee Bristle (2) directs her teammates as the packed crowd watches the action. Although Mainland threatened a few times and outscored the Red Raiders in the final two quarters, it was Ocean City that put together the complete game. Ocean City held a six-point lead at the end of the first quarter with a strong steal and score by Marlee Bristle with under 20 seconds to go. The Red Raiders ended the quarter ahead 16-10. As the second quarter got underway, Mainland found its footing on offense as it closed the gap to 16-14 with five minutes to play, but Ocean City held steady. The Raiders continued to maintain their pace of play, allowing them to close out the half up 23-19. Ocean City was not about to rest on their laurels as the second half got underway, and they had a big third quarter to show for it. Marin Panico shoots a three-pointer while scoring her team-high 18 points for Ocean City. Panico had two big three-pointers in the second half to pace the Red Raiders along with senior teammate Abbey Fenton, who included a three of her own and a strong offensive rebound to maintain possession for Ocean City. As the fourth quarter was about to start, Ocean City held a comfortable 10-point lead, but the Mustangs came roaring back, closing it to two with under two minutes to play. With the clock ticking down, Fenton again hit a big three, followed by a huge steal from senior teammate Delaney Lappin to regain possession for the Red Raiders. Mainland was forced to foul, but Ocean City kept calm, hitting its final free throws to expand the lead to five. A last-ditch effort by Mainland’s Watson for three was successful, but the Red Raiders held on to win 51-49. The Red Raiders close out the game with strong team defense.