Thweatt hits scoring milestone as Crusaders enjoy successful weekend

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

Taj Thweatt and the Wildwood Catholic High School boys basketball team enjoyed an excellent weekend.

Thweatt became the Crusaders’ latest career 1,000-point scorer in Wildwood Catholic’s 74-63 win over Plainfield at the Valarie Fund Basketball Showcase at Marist High School late Sunday afternoon.

Thweatt, a 6-7 junior, reached the milestone on a free throw in the third quarter. He finished with 18 points in the game. Fellow junior Jahlil White tallied a team-high 22 points in the win.

Wildwood Catholic (16-1), which won its 11th straight game, used strong defense to race out to a 38-14 lead before cruising in the second half against Plainfield (8-9).

One day earlier, the Crusaders won a thriller at the Jeff Coney Classic at Rancocas Vally, rallying from a 15-point deficit after three quarters to beat Cherokee, 65-58, in overtime.

Jacob Hopping scored all of his 22 points after halftime to help spark Wildwood Catholic’s comeback. Thweatt had 25 points and eight rebounds and White chipped in 10 points and eight boards.

Cherokee fell to 13-4.

Wildwood Catholic is next in action Wednesday at home against Cape May Tech.