Wildwood fights off OLMA rally to win at Shootout

OCEAN CITY — Wildwood High School’s girls basketball team staved off a late rally and picked up a 48-38 victory over Our Lady of Mercy Academy Saturday at the ESPN 97.3 Girls Shootout at Ocean City High School.

Torrence Gallo’s three-point shot on the first possession of the fourth quarter gave Wildwood its largest lead of the game at 33-21, but the Villagers rallied back behind Ava Casale. She scored nine straight points as OLMA drew to within two at 33-31 with 3:29 to play.

But Wildwood’s Winter Favre scored while being fouled and made the ensuing free throw. Following another basket by Casale, Imene Fathi scored two straight buckets and Favre scored again to swell Wildwood’s lead to eight points with 1:30 to play. OLMA got no closer than six points the rest of the way.

Favre finished with 18 points and seven rebounds to lead Wildwood (13-1). Imene Fathi, despite not playing the entire third quarter due to foul trouble, added 10 points. Leah Benichou chipped in nine points and three steals.

Casale scored 16 points to pace OLMA (10-3). Sydney Prescott added 10 and Jaiden Harris posted seven points and 22 rebounds.