Red-hot OCHS boys move into virtual tie for first place

John Bruno and Ocean City’s boys basketball team felt pretty good after winning, 78-57, at Vineland tonight for their sixth straight victory.

On the bus trip home, they felt even better.

Holy Spirit defeated Lower Cape May tonight in Erma – Lower’s first loss in the conference – and that moved OCHS into a virtual tie with Lower Cape May for first place in the Cape-Atlantic League’s National Conference. Lower handed the Raiders their only conference loss.

It means that the Raiders (12-3) can control their own destiny. They would not need any help from any other games.

If they defeat Cedar Creek and Absegami later this week in the Dixie Howell Memorial Gymnasium; then Lower Cape May and Holy Spirit on the road next week; followed by Mainland at home on Feb. 14, they will win the conference.

Tonight, Luke Varallo scored 15 points in the first half to help the Raiders establish control of the game. Joe Sacco scored 11 points in the third period as Ocean City opened a 64-48 lead.

Varallo finished with 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting plus five rebounds. Sacco added a career-high 18, making eight of his 11 shots, and made five steals. As a team, the Raiders made 62 percent of their shots. Jake McQuarrie chipped in with 10 points and four assists and Donovan Graham scored nine. Eric Greenling scored six points and blocked five shots in less than nine minutes. Issac Robertson added six points, four steals and three assists.

Lamar Preston had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead Vineland.

FREE THROWS: The OCHS boys play at home on Wednesday (6pm) against Cedar Creek …. The Raider girls play the Pirates in Egg Harbor City on Wednesday …. The boys are home again with Absegami on Friday (live on 106.3-The Shore) while the girls go to Galloway Township …. box scores, schedules, results, stats and more are available at http://www.oceancitysports.com/OCDiary.html.

CAL National Boys Standings

1. Lower Cape May 7-1
2. Ocean City 6-1
3. Holy Spirit 6-2
4. Mainland 3-3
5. Oakcrest 2-5
6. Absegami 1-6
7. Cedar Creek 0-7

OCHS Boys Scoring
40 Luke Varallo       11.5
12 Donovan Graham     11.3
33 Jacob McQuarrie    10.0
11 Joey Sacco          8.9
13 Tom Jamison         8.3
3 Issac Robertson      7.8
35 Eric Greenling      4.7