By TOM WILLIAMS

John Bruno had a good weekend.

On Friday night, his Raiders defeated St. Joseph of Hammonton in a very important game that left OCHS in second place, just a game behind Middle Township, in the Cape-Atlantic League’s American Conference. Middle comes to the Dixie Howell Gym on Jan. 31.

Then, on Saturday, the Raiders defeated Mainland before a spirited, nearly sellout, crowd. That win has little impact in the conference standings but – hey! – it’s Mainland.

Oh, and on Friday Bruno became the 14th boys basketball coach in South Jersey history to win 500 games.

Here is that list –

Bruno also became the first Ocean City coach in any sport to reach 500 career wins. Here are the other leaders in that category.

Are you curious which teams Bruno’s Raiders have beaten the most often? Here you are ….

There is still a lot of basketball to be played this season. Ocean City is currently #1 in power points in South Jersey Group 3, hoping to get to the South Jersey championship game a third straight year. And the Raiders figure to get a prominent seed in the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament, which starts three weeks from today (February 10).

Tomorrow, St. Augustine Prep and legendary coach Paul Rodio come to town. In their history, OCHS has only defeated The Prep four times. And three of them were the last three – two last season and one this year.

By the way, there is an exclusive interview with Bruno after win #500 over St. Joseph Friday. The video of that game is HERE.

And one final stat that is interesting.

When Bruno wins his 505th game (just 4 wins away) he will have won more basketball games at Ocean City than Dixie Howell and Jack Boyd COMBINED.