Red Raider Boys Can't Match Height of Middle Township

Before the season started Ocean City boys' basketball coach John Bruno warned there would be nights his team's lack of height would be an issue.

The Red Raiders attempted to combat the size difference with Middle Township with a slower tempo, tenacity and smart basketball, however, in the end height and sized won out.

Middle Township controlled the lane and glass in a 50-41 victory Sunday at the Ocean City PBA Tip-off Weekend at the Dixie Howell Gymnasium in Ocean City.

The Panthers feature five players that are 6-feet, 2-inches tall or taller. Ocean City has two such players. 

"It was hard to play with them because they were so long and athletic," said Chris Turner, who scored 10 points, and is the shortest Red Raiders player. "In the second half we started to play together and play as a team."

The Red Raiders (1-1) scored 10 of the last 12 points in the third quarter to make it a 32-28.

Dylan Canova and Tom Ballezzi, who scored 10 points, hit back-to-back three-pointers, and Turner made the final two baskets of the quarter to bring the Red Raiders within four points.

Ballezzi converted a layup and a foul shot with 7:32 left in the game to make it 34-31.

However, Middle Township (1-0) soon regained the momentum behind the play of Marcus Harmon, who scored a game-high 15 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.

"I thought we played well overall," said Ocean City's Luke Hogan, who added nine points. "Of course, you always want to win. When we down four points going in the fourth quarter I thought maybe we are going to win this game. Coach Bruno said we may not always win the game, but let's compete and that's what we did."

"I thought for us to win the game we had to play a near perfect game and they have to play a game that was below their level," Bruno said. "At times they played at their level, and some times they played below. They missed some putbacks and turned the ball over, and we had to take advantage of that."

He added: "I'm proud of the kids, and the way we played."

The Red Raiders have another challenge looming with St. Augustine Prep on the schedule on Tuesday.

Even in defeat the Red Raiders believed they gained from the game.

"This is probably one of  the hardest teams we are going to play," Turner said. "As long as we go like this at any team, play hard like we did, we can have a good season this year."