Coach Reflects On Ocean City Girls Hoops' Successful Year

The Ocean City High School girls basketball team's season featured a South Jersey finals appearance, coach Paul Baruffi earning his 400th career win and four seniors completing a successful Red Raiders era. The 23-7 season reflects the consistency the program has instilled.

"Really it’s just commitment from the players from when they come into the program to when they play through their four years," Baruffi said. "When new players come in, they see the work that the other group in front of them is putting in."

Ocean City won their sixth Cape Atlantic League title with a 39-33 victory Feb. 23 against Middle Township. The Red Raiders made the CAP championship for the fifth straight year.

The team graduates four seniors who made postseason runs each year: Danielle Donoghue, Savanna Holt, Molly Hoffmann and Tori Rolls. They won three South Jersey titles in that span.

Donoghue recorded 11.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.6 steals per game — all team leads. Holt recorded seven points per game and made 22 3-pointers. Hoffmann posted 5.6 points and 3.9 boards per game, while Rolls chipped in 4.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.

"Their dedication to the team really was something that provided the ability from us to achieve the goals that we set out," Baruffi said.

But several key players are set to return next season. Junior Emma Finnegen recorded 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per match this year. Junior Abbey Fenton posted 6.8 points per game.

Although Ocean City achieved several accolades this season, one of Baruffi's proudest moments came in a December tournament down south. The Red Raiders won their final two games of the three they played there. They defeated Washburn, 58-27, De. 27 in Washburn, Tenn. Then Ocean City beat Westminster Academy, 58-38, Dec. 28 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"I thought our third game was one of the best games we played of the year," Baruffi said. "That was a good experience and a good finish to that tournament."

Both Ocean City basketball teams reached a unique accolade this season. Each coach earned their 400th career victory. Boys coach John Bruno reached the milestone Jan. 17 against Lower Cape May.

Baruffi earned his 400th win Saturday. Ocean City defeated Toms River East, 46-41, in the South Jersey Group 3 championship, giving Baruffi an even nicer way to remember reaching the mark.

"Both of us were given a chance to do this long enough to achieve that goal because it’s a great place to teach and coach," Baruffi said. "I think it’s a testament the families, the kind of players that you get."