OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City High School boys basketball team had an easy time in the opening round of the South Jersey Group III sectionals, but Mainland Regional High School’s team pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament.
The Mustangs, seeded 15th, knocked off No. 2 Shawnee (17-9) 44-39 Friday night.
Sean Burke led his team with 17 points. Down 15-13 at the half, the Mustangs outscored Shawnee 16-9 to get a lead heading into the fourth quarter and matched the Renegades with 15 points each to earn the victory.
Mainland’s Luke Kerrigan had 11 points and Dallas Rowell 10 points in the win. Colt Russo added four points and John Franchini two to advance to the quarterfinals against No. 7 Toms River South.
TRS (16-12) ended the Mustangs’ season Monday night 42-37.
Mainland (11-16) was again led by Burke, who scored 12 points.
Rowell contributed 10, Cole Stefano seven, Russo five and Luke Kerrigan three.
O.C. wins big
and just barely
Josh Lenko was the high scorer for the Red Raiders in their 69-50 opening-round win over Hammonton (13-13) Friday.
Ocean City (22-6) is the No. 3 seed. Hammonton was the No. 14 seed.
The Red Raiders led the game from start to finish.
Alec Bell scored 16, Chris Pontari 10, Luke Tjoumakaris 9, Dean Lappin 8, Tighe Olek 6 and Liam Zintner 1.
The Raiders didn’t have as easy a time with No. 11 Winslow (13-12) Monday evening, holding off the visitors for a 50-48 victory.
Tjoumakaris had 18 points and Lenko 16. Olek had 9, Lappin 8 and Pontari 2.
On Wednesday, Ocean City will host No. 7 Toms River South in the semifinals. No. 1 Deptford is hosting No. 4 Delsea in the other semifinal. The South Jersey finals are Saturday at the higher seed.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff