Senior Night works out just right for Red Raiders
OCEAN CITY – It was all smiles on Senior Night for the Red Raiders girls basketball team Thursday night.
“We were laughing a little more, and when we goof off it either goes really well or really bad,” senior Marin Panico said.
Ocean City sprinted out to an early lead and enjoyed every minute of the 51-20 win over Cape May Tech.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Panico said. “I love our team.”
Avery Jackson was on fire early as the Raiders opened with a 13-0 run.
“The girls were having a good time,” head coach Mike Cappelletti said, “and at the end of the day it’s all about the experience, especially after a COVID season last year. Everybody lost so much. To get back somewhat to normalcy is just fantastic and I’m happy to be a part of that.”
Jackson scored 10 in the first quarter, after which the Raiders led 17-2.
“We moved the ball really well and got the looks we wanted in the offenses we like to run against those defenses,” Cappelletti said. “I couldn’t ask for a better start and finish.”
Ocean City was stifling on defense throughout, jumping passing lanes and getting out on the fast break.
Panico got rolling on offense in the second, while the defense continued to rack up steals to make life easy on the other end.
“We always want to have the identity of a strong defense,” Cappelletti said.
Particularly outstanding on the defensive end was the Raiders’ ability to get off screens to take away space.
“I think we have a lot of experience with that,” Panico said, “and a lot of our younger players have played in tough games. We know how to get around that. In practice we work on that, getting around screens. That’s a strength of ours at Ocean City.”
She poured in 10 in the second quarter as the Raiders all but put the game away by halftime, leading 29-4.
“It was awesome,” Panico said. “We just have to keep working. I know it wasn’t the best team we’ve played against but we have some tough competition coming up. So it’s nice to know exactly what to do on the court. Whether it’s a game we’re winning big or not it’s always good to work and practice things the way we normally do. We still are preparing for bigger games.”
For Panico and fellow senior Taylor Wenner, the second half served as practically a victory lap.
After three quarters it was 42-11.
For most of the fourth quarter the Raider bench was able to get some valuable time on the court.
“It was nice to get everyone in the game,” Cappelletti said. “Tonight is obviously about our seniors. We’re fortunate to be able to keep them in the game and play a ton. They played well and both did a really nice job. So all around just a good night, a good atmosphere.”
“We have a solid group, and then a solid second group,” Panico said. “So I think it’s nice to be able to switch each other around. Everyone is useful in a different way. But wins like this are fun, and we really seem to do well when we’re in a happy mood. We connect really well.”
The reserves didn’t let up a bit.
“A lot of the younger girls are doing a really nice job,” Cappelletti said. “We’re bringing a lot of players back so that’s exciting for me as a head coach. We’re just going to keep trying to improve and achieve to our potential every day. I keep preaching to the girls, ‘Play for the person next to you.’”
Jackson led the Raiders with 14 points, Panico joining her in double figures with 12.
Tori Vliet added 8 and Wenner 7.
The Raiders are playing their bast ball of the season at the right time.
“It’s definitely been tough this year,” Panico said. “My sophomore year we went to states, and then my junior year – COVID. So it’s been a tough couple of years. This year it took us a while to really come together, but we always end up in a good spot. It’s been more of a normal year but it’s been tough.”
After alternating wins and losses through the first seven games of the season, Ocean City has won five of its last seven games to sit at 9-6.
“We’re starting to come together,” Cappelletti said. “The girls have really bought into what we’re trying to do. We’ve been really spread out with our success and I think it makes us a tough team to deal with. We have so many girls who are dependable.”
The Raiders will host Vineland at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday as they look to build momentum down the stretch.
“I think we should be pretty good,” Panico said. “Of course it depends on how we play that day. We can beat any of the teams out there, it’s just about how we come together. Once we come together it makes a huge difference. We could take down the better teams.”
“I just want them to show and play hard, and make the most of every opportunity we encounter,” Cappelletti said. “Attitude and effort are the two biggest things for me.”
By KYLE McCRANE/Sentinel Sports