The Red Raiders erupt in a post-game victory celebration.
By LESLEY GRAHAM
The Ocean City girls basketball team captured the Group 3 state tournament semifinal by defeating Westampton Tech on Thursday night, 50-38.
Ocean City’s Abbey Fenton led all scorers with 17 points, while fellow seniors Delaney Lappin and Lauren Mirsky chipped in 12 and 11, respectively. Emma Finnegan brought down 11 rebounds for the Red Raiders, the Group 3 South Jersey champions.
Due to concerns with the coronavirus, the game was played in a closed gym at Deptford High School with no fans in attendance. Although the stands may have been empty, both teams played their hearts out in a battle for advancement to the state championship game.
However, the Red Raiders won't get a chance to play for the state Group 3 title. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association announced late Thursday night that the remainder of the girls and boys championship games have been canceled and will not be rescheduled because of the coronavirus crisis.
The Red Raiders will now have to settle for their semifinal victory over Westampton Tech.
The game was close for the first three quarters of play, as Ocean City started out with a 4-0 run. But Westampton Tech quickly found its footing and ended the second quarter on a 7-0 spurt to tie the game at 16 going into halftime.
As the second half unfolded, Ocean City stepped up its solid defensive pressure, which it has relied on all season, to widen the gap over Westampton Tech, the Central Jersey Group 3 champions.
Fenton scored 10 of her points in the final two quarters to help the Red Raiders to a 50-38 finish.
The Red Raiders erupt in a post-game victory celebration.
