Ocean City High School Girls Basketball Team To Play For State Title Sunday

DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — After falling short in last year’s state semifinals, the Ocean City High School girls basketball team found redemption in a thrilling overtime victory Thursday night at Deptford High School.

The South Jersey Group 3 Champion Red Raiders defeated Central Jersey Group 3 Champion Ewing, 58-57, in overtime to advance to the NJSIAA Group 3 State Championship Game on Sunday, nj.com reports. Ocean City (30-1) faces Pascack Valley (29-1) at 2 p.m. at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River.

Ocean City trailed by eight points at halftime on Thursday night, but came all the way back to take a slight lead in the fourth quarter. Ewing’s Mya Grimes tied the game with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter to force the extra session.

After the teams traded blows, Ocean City seized a three-point lead on a jumper by Alexis Paone, and late free throws by Grace Sacco sealed the win.

Ewing had one final shot that fell short, but had one more chance on a pair of free throws at the end.

However, Ocean City was able to escape and advance to the state championship game.

Paone led Ocean City with 22 points and four rebounds, followed by Sacco with 13 points and six rebounds. Rosalia Daddi had 10 points and four rebounds. Grimes led Ewing with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Ocean City’s opponent on Sunday, North 1 Champion Pascack Valley, defeated North 2 Champion Somerville, 66-53, to advance to the finals.

Ocean City’s win came two days after the Red Raiders captured their second-consecutive South Jersey title with a 38-31 win over Mainland.

Earlier in the tournament, Ocean City defeated Pinelands, 49-19.

In the quarterfinals, Ocean City defeated No. 8 Toms River East, 51-25, behind a 16-point performance from Paone.

In the semifinals, it was a 47-34 win over No. 5 Woodrow Wilson. Paone led the way with a game-high 15 points, followed by Sacco with 12.