Boardwalk Classic: Crusader girls rally, Wildwood rolls (with photo gallery)

WILDWOOD — Wildwood Catholic High School’s girls basketball team rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Clearview while Wildwood rolled to a comfortable win over Lower Cape May as the 2018 Boardwalk Basketball Classic got underway Saturday.

The games were part of the event’s Crest Savings Bank Battle at the Boards showcase day.

Wildwood Catholic failed to score in the third quarter and trailed by as many as seven points early in the fourth before finishing on a 16-7 run to win, 46-44.

The Crusaders were helped by Clearview’s late free-throw shooting woes. The Pioneers missed four straight foul shots in the final minute, including two that would have tied the game with 0.1 on the clock.

Marianna Papazoglou finished with 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals to lead Wildwood Catholic (3-2). Gabby Turco added 15 points.

With Wildwood Catholic down 37-30 early in the final quarter, Papazoglou scored eight straight points to give her team a lead it never relinquished.

Bella Steidle led three Clearview players in double figures with 15 points.

Wildwood began its game with Lower Cape May with a 12-2 run and never looked back. Ahead by 10 at 27-17 at the half, Wildwood went on a 16-7 surge over the course of the third quarter and finished with a 54-36 victory.

Maddie McCracken posted 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to lead Wildwood (5-0). Imene Fathi added 11 points and five steals and Jenna Hans recorded eight points and 10 rebounds.

Wildwood shot 19 for 49 from the floor. Eight of the field goals were three-pointers.

Ashley Jackson led Lower Cape May (1-3) with 19 points. She shot 12 for 13 from the foul line. Annabella Halbruner added 12 points.