Atlantic Cape’s Christopher Parker and Millinda Marigliano Recognized by Board of Trustees for Men’s and Women’s Basketball Honors

MAYS LANDING — Standout Atlantic Cape Community College men’s and women’s basketball student athletes Christopher Parker and Millinda Marigliano, respectively, both had seasons to remember in 2024-25.

Thus, Atlantic Cape’s Board of Trustees recognized both Parker and Marigliano during its monthly meeting on March 25 at the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City campus. Trustee Rev. Dr. Thomas Dawson read a Board-approved resolution officially acknowledging the accomplishments of both student athletes.

Following the completion of his freshman year, Parker, a 6’5” sophomore men’s basketball student athlete originally from Columbia, South Carolina, was determined to put in the extra work required to take his game to the next level.

Throughout the summer, in the stifling heat and humidity on the outdoor basketball court blacktop, Parker and his father spent numerous hours taking jump shot after jump shot. Meanwhile, Head Coach Allen Ragland was sending workout videos to Parker for additional training and development in advance of his second season as a Buccaneer.

That dedication and perseverance paid off as Parker scored his 1,000^th career point on February 15 and helped lead his Buccaneers teammates to the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19 Division III playoffs. For his efforts, Parker was named All-Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Division III Player of the Year and All-GSAC Region 19 Division III First Team.

Parker, who recently earned a full scholarship to play men’s basketball for Division I South Carolina State University in the fall, had plenty of motivation going into his final season at Atlantic Cape.

“A lot of people put their trust in me and they believed in me, in what I can do and what I can accomplish,” said Parker, who admitted that coach Ragland convinced him to return for his sophomore season. “I was just going off of that as motivation all year.”

Ragland touted Parker’s commitment to his game over the past two years.

“Chris came in as a hard worker. When I recruited him, I told him that we were going to develop his talent and skills to play more of a guard instead of a big man. He just came in and worked hard,” said Ragland. “This summer we took him to the showcase where he was with other top junior college players and that’s where he saw that he had to take his game to another higher level. This year he took his game to another level and he still has levels to go.

“His hard work and dedication paid off and I am happy to see his accolades coming. To me, I think he really can be a draft pick. That’s what we talk about all of the time.”

While attending Atlantic City High School, Millinda Marigliano played on the junior varsity squad before getting her chance to showcase her talents on the varsity team in her senior year. During her freshman year at Atlantic Cape, Marigliano proved that she was more than capable of accepting a prominent leadership role with co-captain, Angelina Bell, on a rebuilding Buccaneers squad.

For her efforts, Marigliano was named to the All-GSAC Division III First Team and NJCAA Region 19 Division III Second Team.

On a team playing its first full season since the 2019-20 campaign, Marigliano and her fellow Lady Buccaneers finished as the eighth seed and earned a trip to the NJCAA Region 19 Division III playoffs where they were defeated by the top-seeded Montgomery County Community College Mustangs.

Marigliano is proud of the effort that her and her teammates put in this season to ultimately earn a trip to the playoffs.

“In the beginning of the year, it was definitely difficult because we were running low on players. Then we had a couple of girls join and I really appreciate them so much because without them we wouldn’t have had a team,” said Marigliano. “It was a really fun year. The girls put so much time and effort into this. We definitely made the best of it.”

Marigliano, who plays center and forward, and resides in Absecon, NJ, was second on the team averaging 17.1 points-per-game along with 11.4 rebounds-per-game. Marigliano finished the season first overall in the GSAC with 65 blocks, third with 133 field goals, fourth with 212 rebounds, fifth with 140 defensive rebounds and sixth with 329 points.

First-year Head Coach John Miller had glowing praise for Marigliano.

“It is so awesome for Millinda. She works so hard. It is also great for the women’s basketball program and Atlantic Cape Community College,” said Miller.

Marigliano has set lofty expectations for both herself and the team next season.

“I am very excited for next year. I think we could go very far. For those who hadn’t played before they now have the experience and I think we are all going to be prepared for next year. We know what we have to do,” said Marigliano. “We are going to be more committed and we definitely have high expectations. My goal is to win our region and a championship, and personally make First Team All-Region. I think we can do it, so we have to set the bar high.”

Visit atlanticcape.edu/mensbasketball and atlanticcape.edu/womensbasketball for more information.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 46 undergraduate degree programs, and 32 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.