Anguelov fires Caper Tigers to bracket championship

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

WILDWOOD — Anyone who’s seen Martin Anguelov play basketball knows he can shoot well.

All of Anguelov’s shooting talents were on display at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic Friday afternoon. But it was a play he made in the final minute right underneath the basket that impressed his head coach.

With Lower Cape May cooly grinding out a 54-46 victory over Phil-Mont Christian (Pa.), Anguelov cut to the basket on an inbound play, received a pass from teammate Angel Candelaria and scored while being raked across both arms. He, of course, went on to make the ensuing free throw.

“He might not have made that play last year,” Lower Cape May coach Scott Holden said. “He’s gotten stronger. But more than that, he’s one of the best free-throw shooters I’ve ever seen at this level and we told him we want him to keep the ball as much as possible when we have the lead so he can get fouled.”

Anguelov shot 11 for 19 from the floor overall and 3 for 8 on three-point shots en route to a game-high 31 points. He went 6 for 6 from the foul line.

After the teams were tied, 25-25, at the half, Lower began the third quarter on an 11-2 run and led by no less than four points the rest of the way.

Dave Durham also gave Lower Cape May (6-1) a boost during the game’s critical moments by scoring six of his eight points in the final five minutes.

“We faced some adversity with two of our guards out at the end of the game and the kids responded,” Holden said. “That’s nice to see. One of the things we’re finding out is that even though we’re a different team, we might be a little deeper than in the past. There have been years where we’ve played six, maybe seven kids. But we’re mixing in quite a few off our bench so far.”

The victory gave Lower the championship of the George Holden Memorial Boys Bracket, named for the former Lower Cape May coach and father of the current coach. Mr. Holden passed away in July.

“It means a lot to me and it’s really going to mean a lot to my mom,” Holden said.

Phil-Mont Christian (6-3) was led by Lyle Tipton, who scored 20 points, including the 1,000th of his career.