VIDEO: Strong defense carries Wildwood past LCM

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

WILDWOOD — The Wildwood High School girls basketball team’s offense eventually caught up to its game-long defensive effort in the opening game at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic Thursday afternoon.

Wildwood forced 33 turnovers and allowed Lower Cape May to attempt just 24 field goals for the game in a 52-17 victory in the Tony Calogero Memorial Showcase Game.

Sophomore guard Imene Fathi led all scorers with 16 points and senior guard/forward Winter Favre, a transfer from Lower Cape May, added eight points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals for Wildwood (3-0).

Wildwood held Lower Cape May scoreless for long stretches during the contest. Even as the Lady Warriors struggled to score themselves to start the game, they held Lower without a point until 2 minutes, 19 seconds, remained in the first quarter in taking an 8-5 lead after the period. Lower then went the first 5:20 of the second quarter without scoring as Wildwood took a 22-11 lead at the half.

Wildwood pulled away in the third quarter, holding Lower Cape May to one point in the period. Fathi heated up in the quarter as well, making a pair of three-pointers and a layup in an 18-point outburst by the team.

Sophomore guard Linday Holden scored nine points to lead Lower Cape May (0-2).