VIDEO: Middle shoots past LCM in regular-season finale

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

ERMA — The Middle Township High School boys basketball program might want to try to figure out a way to play more games in Lower Cape May Regional’s gymnasium.

Middle, after making 10 three-pointers in a win at Lower Cape May last month, made 12 more Friday in a 68-60 road win over the Caper Tigers in a Cape-Atlantic League consolation game that also served as both teams’ regular-season finale.

“The strength of this team, the one thing we do well, we can shoot the ball,” Middle coach Tom Feraco said. “We have four or five guys that can stroke the ball.”

Five Middle players made at least one three-point shot in the game. Senior T.J. Harris and junior Jeremiah Camacho did the most damage, making four apiece. Harris sank all of his in the opening quarter. He finished with a game-high 22 points. Camacho, who hit the game-winner in the final seconds against Lower last month, came off the bench and added 19 points. Matt Marino was also in double figures for Middle, scoring all 14 of his points in the second half.

Middle led for much of the game, until Lower took a one-point lead early in the second half on a three-pointer by freshman Archie Lawler. But Middle went on an 11-2 run immediately after, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers by Marino, to take a 37-28 lead. Lower got no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Lawler led Lower with 19 points. Damyon Bencievengo added 15 points and Jordan Pierce chipped in 12 for the Tigers, who made nine three-point shots of their own in the contest.

Middle (11-14) now turns its attention to the South Jersey Group II Tournament, which begins Tuesday. The Panthers, seeded 13th, will travel to No. 4 West Deptford for an opening-round game.

“We’ll pray we can get better every day (in practice) over the next three days,” Feraco said. “We have to deal with a team that’s every bit as good as a Pleasantville or a St. Joseph. Every year you want to have a signature win or two and we really don’t have one so we’d sure like to get one there. We’ll be going into a tough atmosphere against a team with all seniors. But I want it so bad for these kids because they’ve been such a great group to work with all year.”

Lower Cape May (10-16) is also in the South Jersey Group II Tournament. The 16th-seeded Tigers will play top-seeded Camden, the top-ranked team in the state, in the opening round.