The Ocean City fifth and sixth grade boys travel basketball team completed an undefeated season recently by defeating Upper Township, 31-29, in an exciting game at the Crest Memorial Pier in Wildwood Crest to earn their second consecutive South Shore League championship.
The team finished the regular season 10-0, then defeated Lower Cape May in the semi-finals before besting Upper in the championship game.
The championship was a back-and-forth affair, with Upper jumping out to an early 14-6 lead before Ocean City scored the last 17 points of the first half to take a 23-14 lead at the break.
Upper chipped away and eventually tied the game at 29 with just under a minute remaining. But Ocean City scored to give the Raiders a 31-29 lead. Their defense forced a turnover in the final seconds to seal the victory.
The Ocean City team consisted of sixth-graders Paxton Brunetti, J.R. Dinsmore, Anderson Wisnefski, Landon Oliver, Steven Resetar, Nick Gelegonya, Freddy Tafankaji, Carter Madden and Nick Datti, and fifth-graders Aidan Smith and Nathan Woodside. The team was coached by Kevin Smith and Ken Wisnefski.
It was a successful season all around for the Ocean City travel basketball program. The girls fifth and sixth grade team reached the championship game in their division before falling to North Wildwood. The girls seventh and eighth grade team also fell to North Wildwood in the finals, while the seventh and eighth grade boys team lost a close game in the playoffs to eventual champion Upper Township.
Congratulations to all who were involved!
