Lady Warriors Fall in South Jersey Group Championship, Senior Maddie McCracken Scores 2,000 Points

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Wildwood High School is full of pride and cheer for their basketball teams. For some, it’s a family affair. Scott McCracken coaches the boys’ basketball team, while his daughter, Maddie McCracken plays for the girls’ team.
The girls played Haddon Township in the South Jersey Group I championship game on Monday March 4. The Lady Warriors lost 45-39 to Haddon Township. The game was still important as Maddie McCracken ended her career on a milestone.
“Maddie is our lone senior star,” Coach Teresa Polini said. “She was 21 points away from scoring 2,000 career points, which she did last night.”
Maddie McCracken will be playing basketball at Widener University in the fall.
The girls’ team has nine players, comprised of a senior, a junior, three sophomores and four freshmen.
“They all have their own little unique personalities, but when they come together as a whole, they work as a unit,” Polini said. “Everyone works together to achieve our team goals.”
The team’s record is 21-9.
“We are having a good season thus far,” Polini said. “The reason for our success is good, old-fashioned hard work.  The girls have been practicing since November.  They show up motivated to practice hard, with a willingness to learn and they all work together to achieve our team goals.”
Faithful fans support the girls at each home game and some of the away games. The team is always thankful to have them there.
“When playoffs start, it’s like there is electricity in the air,” Polini said.  “Everyone is excited and there is a constant buzz around our team.  Our girls feed on this energy and play even harder.”
Polini said high school basketball playoffs are the best time of the year in the community.
“There is so much excitement, with everyone pulling for one another,” Polini said. “Wildwood Boys, Wildwood Catholic Boys and Girls, Middle Township Girls, Ocean City Girls and Mainland Girls are also all still alive in the play-offs.  We cheer for all of our local teams and wish them the best in their run to a championship.”
Polini is in her second year as head coach, with 22 years of assistant coaching under her belt. Her assistant coaches are Jimmy Clarke and Rich Hans, who she says are beyond great to work with.
“The girls are all great kids and our staff couldn’t be happier to work with them each and every day,” Polini said.