Early barrage powers WCHS past previously unbeaten OLMA

NORTH WILDWOOD — The Wildwood Catholic High School girls basketball team faced an unbeaten opponent Friday evening.

That opponent was no longer unbeaten when the game finished.

The Crusaders blitzed Our Lady of Mercy Academy, 71-36, in a Cape-Atlantic United Conference contest played in front of a rather large crowd, which was no doubt curious to see the upstart Villagers.

But Wildwood Catholic (10-2 overall, 4-1 CAL United) never allowed OLMA to believe it had a chance. The Crusaders raced to a 13-2 lead midway through the first quarter and ended the period with a comfortable 22-8 advantage. Wildwood Catholic then reeled off a 20-6 run in the second quarter to take a commanding 42-14 lead at intermission.

Gabby Turco and Marianna Papazoglou shared top scoring honors with 22 points apiece for Wildwood Catholic. Alyia Gray-Rivera and Kimmy Casiello each added nine.

Jaiden Harris had 13 points and nine rebounds for OLMA (10-1, 7-1).