Nine is fine as Crusaders clinch another CAL United title

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Wildwood Catholic High School boys basketball program has built an exceptional resume over the past decade or so.

Three Cape-Atlantic League championships, an appearance in a South Jersey title game, victories over some of the best teams in the region and places near the top of various media polls.

But one of the program’s least heralded accomplishments during that span is one of its most impressive — its run of consecutive conference championships.

The Crusaders clinched the outright championship of the Cape-Atlantic League’s United Conference for the ninth straight season behind Thursday’s 66-44 win over Middle Township.

Wildwood Catholic has won the United Conference championship in every season since the United was created when the CAL realigned into three conferences ahead of the 2011-12 season. The Crusaders shared the title with Pleasantville in the first season and with Sacred Heart in the second season of their current run. They also tied St. Joseph for the 2017 United crown. They’ve won the championship outright the other six times.

Wildwood Catholic’s road loss to St. Joseph last week left the door open for St. Joe to tie the Crusaders for this year’s title, but the Wildcats dropped a game to Pleasantville this week to fall a game back in the loss column. Wildwood Catholic (17-7 overall) finished its conference slate at 9-1.

Jahlil White scored 17 points, Martin Anguelov added 16 points and Taj Thweatt added 12 points for Wildwood Catholic in the win over Middle. The Crusaders pulled away behind a big third quarter after leading by nine at the half.

Jeremiah Camacho sank 16 points and T.J. Harris added seven for Middle (10-13, 3-7).

The Crusaders enter next week’s Cape-Atlantic League playoff tournament as the No. 1 seed. They’ll host No. 8 Ocean City on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in a game that will be broadcast live on 98.7 The Coast radio, with live video available on the Coast Sports Today Facebook page.

Wildwood Catholic is the two-time defending CAL playoff tournament champion.