Atlantic City boys roar into Cape-Atlantic final
In the space of three possessions in the fourth quarter, Ray Bethea Jr. splashed a three-point jumper from deep on the right wing and slammed a dunk at the end of a fastbreak.
In the space of three possessions in the fourth quarter, Ray Bethea Jr. splashed a three-point jumper from deep on the right wing and slammed a dunk at the end of a fastbreak.
It was a display of the dynamic Atlantic City junior's ability to score.
But it wasn't the half of his contribution to Atlantic City's imposing 68-52 victory over Wildwood Catholic in the semifinals of the Cape-Atlantic League tournament on Thursday night at Absegami High School.
"Ray was the key," Atlantic City coach Gene Allen said. "He's bought in to what we're doing, and it's become infectious because he's the team leader."
The 6-foot-4 Bethea generated 14 points with 11 rebounds and five assists as Atlantic City (20-5), the No. 2 seed, advanced to face St. Augustine in the conference title game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Stockton University. St. Augustine beat Mainland, 69-35, to advance to the final.
Junior swingman David Aikens scored 18 points and junior forward Nah'Sir Morgan collected 11 points and 11 rebounds as all five starters reached double figures for Atlantic City, the No. 5 team in the Inquirer Top 25.
"This is how we've got to play in the playoffs," Bethea said. "Coach always says, 'Defense travels.' "
Junior guard Caleb Fields scored 22 and senior guard Trey Smith added 15 for third-seeded Wildwood Catholic (15-10), the No. 9 team in the rankings.
"It was a very good night for them and a very bad night for us," Wildwood Catholic coach Dave DeWeese said. "That's the best I've seen [Atlantic City] play."
Atlantic City's defense was the difference, especially in the first half. The Vikings held the Crusaders to 17 points on 6-for-26 shooting (23 percent) with eight turnovers, several of which led to transition baskets.
Bethea affected the game as much on the defensive end as with the basketball in his hands. He finished with four steals and was part of a tenacious, full-court man-to-man defense that harassed the Crusaders into numerous ill-advised shots.
"That's the way we have to play," Allen said. "That's who we are."
Allen said Bethea Jr. has embraced the team's defense-first philosophy over the second half of the season.
"The example I used with him is Dayshawn [Reynolds]," Allen said. "He scored eight points a game and was the player of the year. Ray is so athletic, he can do so many things on the court, rebound, he's a great passer, defend."
Bethea said his father also has encouraged him to look to make his mark in every game in ways other than his point total.
"My dad talks with me about that all the time," the younger Bethea said. "Rebound, boxing out, defense, passes. I try to do everything I can to help the team win."
Wildwood Catholic 9 8 15 20 - 52
Atlantic City 11 15 21 21 - 68
WC: Trey Smith 15, Caleb Fields 22, Ryan Legler 5, Charles Fields 3, Taj Thweatt 7.
AC: Nah'Sir Morgan 11, David Aikens 18, Nazir Moore-Derry 13, Ray Bethea 14, Juanye Colon 10, Zione Montague 2.
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