Fri. S.J. boys roundup: Holy Spirit fends off Absegami

Paul Moore picked up 18 of his 24 points over the second and third quarters, providing just enough cushion for 10th-ranked Holy Spirit to avert an upset and edge visiting Absegami, 58-54, on Friday night in Cape-Atlantic League boys' basketball.

Larry Jones, with 11 points, was the only other double-figure scorer for the host Spartans (12-1 overall, 9-0 conference).

Richie Sandoval (19 points), Lamar Monroe (13), Darryl Loveland (12) and Abdul Anderson (10) accounted for all the offense for Absegami (7-6, 3-5).

Also in the Cape-Atlantic:

Brent Slotoroff and David Sullivan combined for 35 points for fifth-ranked St. Augustine, which took control over the final two quarters to hand host Hammonton a 56-41 defeat. The Blue Devils kept it close early behind 18 points by Christian Mortellite.

Trailing by two at intermission, Egg Harbor Township saw Rahim Bunch (19 points) and Khari Harley (18) ignite a 40-23 second-half outburst that made the host Eagles 65-50 winners over Vineland.

Bobby O'Donnell (20 points), Vance Matthews (16) and Shaq Lovelace (10) supplied all the scoring for Lower Cape May in a 19-4 third-quarter blitz, rallying the host Tigers past Bridgeton, 59-54. Dontae Stubbs' 13 points paced the Bulldogs.

Matt Bosch converted 7 of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter to finish with 15 points and seal Ocean City's 46-35 victory over visiting Oakcrest.

Tyler D'Amelio had a team-high 16 points, Marco Hernandez-Colon contributed 15 points and four blocks, and Andrew Ordille chipped in five steals and six assists in guiding host St. Joseph past Cape May Tech, 48-43. The Hawks' Jake Heminway scored 18.

Millville ran out to an early 15-point lead, with Davonte Tull's 16 points helping to pave the way for a 63-38 romp at Cedar Creek.

Matt Lewis scored 16, including 10 in a 22-6 second-quarter explosion, putting host Sacred Heart on track for a 68-42 blowout of Buena.

Tri-County. Classic Division leader Pitman ruled the boards, with Tim Delaney totaling 22 points and 11 rebounds and Jon Boyd grabbing a dozen off the glass to sink visiting Salem, 60-42.

Nonleague. James Bullock of Overbrook outscored Triton's Donte Vaughan, 29-25, and his team also came out on top with a 78-71 road win. Tynir Gale (17 points), Mike Diaz (15) and Justin Hagains (11) aided the Rams' high-octane offense.

Junior guard Trey Thatcher scored 6 of his 20 points in a 13-6 third-quarter run, allowing host Haddon Township to pull away from Pennsauken Tech, 55-46. Dave Cuneo recorded a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) for the Hawks.

Kyle McCulley's 13 points led four Delsea scorers in double figures, and Cedric Elleby came through with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots as the host Crusaders cut down Timber Creek, 59-37.

Brad Fagan scored 17 and Ray Lawry netted 16 as Kingsway escaped with a 55-49 win at Woodbury.

Host Cumberland won for just the third time in 16 games, getting balanced scoring from Chris Burch (17 points) and Kevin Pierce (16), and a solid all-around performance from Patrae Thomas (16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists) to turn back Camden County Tech, 71-59. The Warriors fell despite 19 points apiece by Devon Ellis and Armond Foster.