When he was hired in the spring of 2024, Atlantic Cape Community College Buccaneers women’s basketball Head Coach John Miller understood the challenges that accompanied his decision to take over a rebuilding ladies hoops program that had not played a full National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) season since 2019-20.
The long hours, weeks and months of recruiting, coupled with assembling a team and rounding it into a finely-tuned cohesive squad paid off. Following a 65-51 victory in the final game of the regular season over Lehigh Carbon Community College, the Buccaneers finished as the eighth seed and earned a trip to the NJCAA Region 19 Division III playoffs against the top-seeded Montgomery County Community College Mustangs (22-2 overall) on Tuesday, February 25, 5 p.m. in Blue Bell, PA.
“I am so very proud of this special group of ladies. They made the playoffs, which honestly wasn’t even in the equation this year,” said Miller. “I am excited for the College and these girls. There are a lot of emotions and I am very pleased with how this season has turned out so far.”
The Buccaneers started the season at 2-2 before dropping seven of its next eight contests, but important lessons were learned along the way and positive signs gave Miller hope. A December 5 contest against a tough Brookdale Community College squad resulted in a 62-60 Buccaneer setback, but it gave the team confidence internally and respect from the rest of their NJCAA opponents. The Buccaneers used this to their advantage on January 18 when they pulled out a riveting final-second 46-45 victory over Brookdale, who finished 18-8 overall and second in the GSAC this season, in front of their home fans.
“I knew we were going to make the playoffs after we beat Brookdale for the first time in women’s basketball,” admitted Miller.
The Buccaneers have been led this season by three of the top 25 student athletes in the nation, according to Miller, in freshmen Millinda Marigliano, Angelia Bell and Allison Giraldo.
Angelia Bell drives to the hoop against Rowan College of South Jersey – Cumberland
Marigliano, who plays center and forward, resides in Absecon, NJ and graduated from Atlantic City High School, was second on the team averaging 17.1 points-per-game along with 11.4 rebounds-per-game. Marigliano finished the season first overall in the Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) with 65 blocks, third with 133 field goals, fourth with 212 rebounds, fifth with 140 defensive rebounds and sixth with 329 points.
Bell, who plays forward, resides in Egg Harbor Township, NJ and graduated from Egg Harbor Township High School, led the Buccaneers in points-per-game with 18.6 and a 25.8% from three-point range. Bell finished first overall in the GSAC with 89 steals, second with 161 defensive rebounds and 73 free throws, and fifth with 335 total points, 210 total rebounds and 11.7 rebounds-per-game.
Giraldo, who plays guard, resides in Galloway Township, NJ and graduated from Absegami High School, was third on the team with 14.6 points-per-game and she finished fifth in the GSAC with 64 free throws.
Miller’s squad has received tremendous defensive play from freshman Egg Harbor Township, NJ resident Samantha Cosme; freshman Galloway Township, NJ resident Alexandra Montoya and freshman Nassau, Bahamas-native Lanique Brice.
If you are unable to attend the game in-person, you may live stream the game here.
Literary and photographic credit: Atlantic Cape Community College
