The Wildwood High School boys basketball team was eliminated from the South Jersey Group I playoffs Tuesday night with a 54-38 loss at Riverside in the first round.

As has been the case for much of the season for the team, the 10th-seeded Warriors fell victim to poor shooting. They shot just 30 percent from the field overall (15 for 50), made only 2 of 14 three-point attempts and shot just 6 for 14 from the foul line.

Still, Wildwood managed to cut a 10-point Riverside lead to 21-16 by the half to remain very much in the game. But Riverside, the seventh seed, went on a 12-3 run to start the second half to establish a double-digit lead it never relinquished. Riverside star dave Laury scored 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half.

Ryan Hall scored 13 points and James Bevans added 10 points and 12 rebounds for Wildwood, which finished its first season under Mario Montanero at 13-13.


No area teams in action on Wednesday, but it gets real busy Thursday night as the Middle Township boys, Lower Cape May girls and Wildwood girls each play their first state playoff games. Check back later for the 98.7 The Coast radio broadcast schedule.