By Jerome Michaels
SJSports Staff Writer
This year’s Olympic-Cape Challenge to benefit the Shoot Down Cancer Foundation was held at Hammonton High School. This two day scheduled event was shortened down to just one day due to the area’s first significant snowfall. Several Olympic Conference boys’ basketball team competed against the Cape Atlantic Conference on Saturday that turned out to be the highlight of the weekend. The winner’s on the first and only day were St. Joseph over Cherry Hill West, Wildwood Catholic defeating Washington Township, Camden triumph over Egg Harbor, Middle Township downing Cherokee and Shawnee having their way against Holy Spirit.
Middle Township used the first two quarters to establish control of their game against the Chiefs from Cherokee. The Panthers held Cherokee to just six points in the first quarter to set the tempo for the rest of the game. Middle Township, seeded 4th in the South Jersey Group 2 bracket, led by a 25-16 score to start the second half. That lead expanded as Middle Township earned the 51-39 victory. Mike Wise lead all scorers with 14 points, Matt Maher scored 13 and Kyle Wakefield added 11 points for Middle Township. The Chiefs’ T.J. Quimby finished with a team high 11 points.
Later that evening, Shawnee and Holy Spirit had a closer game to display for the crowd enjoying this challenge. Shawnee would outscore the Spartans 17-9 during the second quarter to open the door for the Renegades to walk through. Despite Holy Spirit’s efforts in the final quarter, it wasn’t enough to come away with the win. Shawnee held on to defeat the Spartans 51-46. Dan McDonald had a team high 15 points, Tyson Hartnett and Bill Kurtz each finished with 10 points apiece for the Renegades. Holy Spirit received a game high 19 points from Jon Mimmo and Joe Alexander dropped in 12 points.
Earlier in the day, the Crusaders from Wildwood Catholic jumped out to an early lead and finished strong during their game against Washington Township. Scoring most of their points in the first and last quarters, the Crusaders showed why they earned the fourth seeded position in the Parochial B playoff bracket. Andrew Morrison and Fran Kelly helped Wildwood Catholic post a 63-48 victory. Morrison finished with a game high 22 points while Kelly added 21 points for the Crusaders. Dave Darby had a team high 18-points for Washington Township.
Everyone on Camden’s bench got a chance to score during their game against Egg Harbor Township. It was supposed to be much closer and the score indicated, but the Panthers seem to want this game more than their opponent. The Eagles main problem was stopping Camden’s Shomari Moore who caused Township to put up some ill-advised shots to overcome their deficit. The Panthers had little problems scoring and play aggressive defense to cruise to the 80-54 win. Moore led all scorers with 29 points, Wayne Small finished with 15 and Dwight Cass added 11 points for the Panthers from Camden High. Egg Harbor Township had three players with double figures, Manuel Perez (15 points), Kenny Johnson (14 points) and Bruce Davenport (11 points).
High School Basketball:
