By David Weinberg
Celebrations abounded for some local high school teams and competitors last weekend.
Absegami wrestler Lamiah Berry earned a state championship at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, a day after the Ocean City boys basketball team won its first South Jersey title in 26 years.
Berry scored a thrilling victory in the 132-pound final before a large crowd at Boardwalk Hall, rallying from a 10-5 deficit to pin Lily Massenzio of DePaul Catholic in the second period.
After her hand was raised in victory, Berry celebrated with a cartwheel. When coach Nate Ross got ready to hug her, she playfully tossed Ross to the mat.
“(Before the match) coach Ross asked me, ‘How bad did you want this?’” Berry said. “I wanted it real bad.”
Berry, a sophomore, became the third local girls wrestler to win a state title since the competition began in 2019, joining Cedar Creek’s Riley Lerner (2023) and Buena Regional’s Shea Aretz (2024).
Additionally, she became the ninth Absegami wrestler to win a state title, joining three-time champion Labe Black (1997, 99-00), two-time champs Ryan Bridge (2002-04) and Ryan Goodman (2003-04), Vinny Levin (1980), Johnny Martin (1992), Shawn Scannell (1996), Jeff Black (2002) and Nick Bridge (2004).
Berry, the third seed in her weight class, upset second-seeded Isabelle Konopka in the semifinals to reach the championship match.
She fell behind Massienzo 8-1 in the first period before starting her comeback.
“You can’t quit because quitters don’t get the results they want,” Berry told the The Press of Atlantic City.
Berry was among several local wrestlers to earn top-eight finishes at the state tournament.
Egg Harbor Township junior Cami Bird, son of former NFL player Cory Bird, placed third at 126 pounds. EHT teammate Samirah Duron placed seventh at 120. Ocean City’s Dannah Ramirez took fifth at 138 pounds.
On the boys side, St. Augustine Prep’s Anthony DePaul placed fourth at 144 pounds and Ocean City’s Clifford Dirkes took eighth at 285.
Ocean City’s main success, however, was accomplished by its boys basketball team.
The Red Raiders continued an amazing season by winning the South Jersey Group 3 title with a 66-53 victory over Timber Creek last Friday.
It was Ocean City’s first sectional title since 1999, when guard Mike Rowell and company upset Middle Township in overtime.
“I can’t tell you how stunned I am with what we accomplished,” Ocean City coach John Bruno told NJ.com. “I can’t explain enough how happy I am for the kids, for moments like this.”
The Red Raiders entered the season with just one returning starter – guard Ben McGonigle – and was not ranked among the top contenders in the preseason.
Ocean City (22-6) was slated to face Central Jersey champion Colts Neck (18-9) on Tuesday in a state semifinal. The Red Raiders haven’t won a state title since 1964.
“We took it personally that people said it was a rebuild season, that we wouldn’t be that good,” McGonigle told NJ.com.
MAAC Tournaments in A.C.
Speaking of basketball, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s and women’s tournaments are being held at Boardwalk Hall Tuesday through Saturday this week for the sixth consecutive year.
Regular-season champion Quinnipiac (19-12) is the men’s top seed, followed by Merrimack (17-14), Marist (20-9) and Iona (15-16).
In the women’s tournament, Fairfield (25-4) is the top seed, followed by Quinnipiac (26-3), Siena (17-12) and Mount St. Mary’s (14-15).
The winner’s receive automatic bids to the upcoming NCAA Tournament, otherwise known as March Madness.
Tickets to all games and sessions are available at Ticketmaster.com or via Boardwalk Hall box office.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
