The Absegami High School girls’ basketball team faced a tough challenge as they took on Wildwood Catholic in an intense matchup that ended with a 63-44 victory for Wildwood Catholic. The game was a battle from the opening tip, with both teams showcasing strong defensive efforts and fighting for every possession.
Wildwood Catholic Takes Control Early
Wildwood Catholic came out strong, building an early lead thanks to key contributions from multiple players. Lola McGonigle led the charge for Wildwood Catholic with 13 points while also coming up just short of a double-double, pulling down 9 rebounds and dishing out numerous assists to keep her team in control. Lily King added 12 points, while Arcadia commit Anastasia Bowman contributed 10 to round out a balanced scoring attack for Wildwood Catholic.
Absegami’s Comeback Effort
Despite falling behind, Absegami refused to back down. In the second quarter, they made a strong push to trim Wildwood Catholic’s lead, led by standout player Reece Downey. The Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) commit put on a scoring clinic, finishing with a game-high 22 points. Downey’s aggressive play and determination gave Absegami life and momentum heading into halftime.
Chippy Play in the Third Quarter
The game reached its boiling point in the third quarter as the intensity ramped up on both sides. The matchup turned physical, with players from both teams diving for loose balls and battling hard for every rebound and possession. Wildwood Catholic managed to weather the storm, thanks in large part to McGonigle’s steady playmaking and her ability to find open teammates in critical moments.
Wildwood Catholic Closes It Out
While Absegami continued to fight until the final buzzer, Wildwood Catholic’s balanced scoring and defensive pressure proved to be too much to overcome. With McGonigle leading the way and contributions from King and Bowman, Wildwood Catholic was able to maintain their lead and secure the 63-44 victory.
Final Thoughts
This game showcased the grit and determination of both teams. Absegami’s Reece Downey put on an impressive performance, leading all scorers with 22 points, but Wildwood Catholic’s team effort and defensive resilience were the difference-makers.
As the season continues, both teams will look to build on this game—Absegami with hopes of learning from this tough loss and Wildwood Catholic aiming to carry their momentum forward.
