Don’t count Oakcrest out just yet

Alex Nelson scored a game-high 18 points and teammate Ross Toth added 17 as the Oakcrest High School boys varsity basketball team rallied to defeat host Lower Cape May 45-44 on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

The Falcons improved to 8-9 with one scheduled game remaining before the NJSIAA playoff cutoff date. Basketball teams need to be at .500 or better by Saturday, Feb. 3 in order to qualify for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs.

Oakcrest led Lower Cape May 14-7 after the first quarter and held a three-point advantage 20-17 at hafltime. However, the Caper Tigers dominated the third quarter to take a 34-28 lead with eight minutes remaining.

That’s when Toth got hot.

The 3-point ace finished with four long-distance baskets and scored the bulk of his points after halftime.

The Falcons dominated the fourth quarter, 17-10, to sneak out the win.

Oakcrest began the season with a 5-1 run, but has won only three games since Jan.2 However, the Falcons defeated defending Tri-State Christian Academy 56-43 on Jan. 27.

So the Falcons carry a two-game winning streak in to Hammonton where they play the playoff-bound Blue Devils at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2 hoping to win to get to .500 and clinch a playoff berth.