By LESLEY GRAHAM
The Ocean City girls basketball team captured the South Jersey Group 3 championship Tuesday afternoon by defeating the top-seeded Mainland Mustangs, 31-29.
The Red Raiders and the Mustangs have battled for the South Jersey Group 3 title the past four years. Mainland was victorious last year on its way to a state title, but Ocean City was triumphant in 2017 and 2018.
Now, the Red Raiders have rounded out their third title in four years.
Leading the way was Ocean City senior captain Abbey Fenton, who dropped in a game high 15 points with the help of four three-pointers.
Ocean City trailed after the first half, 16-8, in what proved to be a low-scoring affair. As the second half got underway, the Red Raiders fought their way back to tie the game at 20 with only a quarter remaining.
In what was a down-to-the-wire game, both the Mustangs and the Red Raiders were not about to let the championship slip away without giving it their all.
Ocean City held a slight lead with 20 seconds remaining, but Mainland hit a big three-pointer to close the gap to one point.
With under 10 seconds to play in the game, Mainland was forced to foul, but the Red Raiders were able to make a free throw, giving them a two-point lead and ultimately securing the victory.
Fenton, who leads the team in points this season, was thrilled with the victory.
“We have worked so hard to get to this game, and to win it and overcome the odds feels so great,” she said.
Ocean City will face Central Jersey Group 3 champion Westampton Tech in the Group 3 state semifinals on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Deptford High School.
