ATLANTIC CITY – The Buccaneers of Atlantic Cape Community College kick off their season today (Wednesday) against Cumberland County, the NJCAA Division III reigning national champion.
The team is on the road for that game, but will face the same team at home at Surf Stadium in Atlantic City on Friday at 3:30 p.m. The Buccaneers have a lot of talent from the Cape-Atlantic League, including players from Mainland Regional High School and Ocean City High School.
Among the former Mustangs are Nick Atohi and Logan Petty and they are teamed up with Ocean City High School graduate Frankie Piernikowski.
Other former CAL players include Mo Antoncinelli from Wildwood Catholic, Egg Harbor Township’s Alex Gallagher, Frank Moreta and Angel Murray; Atlantic County Institute of Technology grads Philip Santa Maria and Javier Vega; Jacob Brennan of St. Joe’s of Hammonton; Absegami’s Omar Hernandez and Shane Nanek; Pleasantville’s Sleiter Suriel and Anyelo Nicasio; Cedar Creek’s Nate Goodrich; Buena’s TJ Cheli; Middle’s Collin Bradley, Millville’s Omar Luis. Other players include Clayton’s JB Barron, Trenton Catholic’s Latrell Reid, and Peter Calanda from Mingus, Ariz.
Led b co-captains Nick Atohi (Mainland), Jake Brennan (St. Joseph, Hammonton), Angel Murray (EHT) and Sleiter Suriel (Pleasantville), the Buccaneers are fielding one of their most talented squads they ever have, according to coaches. They are also performing in the classroom. The Buccaneers boast of a 3.08 team average GPA.
Friday’s game begins a three-game home stand featuring a double-header against Union County College at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20 and a game against Salem County College at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.
Other home games include another pair of double-headers, noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 27, against Middlesex Community College and noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 3 against Mercer County College.
They host Brookdale Community College at 3 p.m. April 7, Sussex County College at noon and 3 p.m. April 10; Salem County College at 3:30 pm. April 19, Delaware County College at noon and 3 p.m. April 24, Camden County College at 3:30 p.m. April 30; Delaware Tech Community College at 1 and 3 p.m. May 2, and Rowen College Gloucester County at 3:30 p.m. May 5.
