Cape girls defeat Smyrna 55-41; host CR Jan. 16

Improvement through learning and hard work along with comradeship and teamwork should never be followed by the words ‘losing streak.’ But in sportswriting, it’s “take the easy one,” like a layup in the open court. The only choice is whether to use the backboard or lift the ball over the lip of the rim.

Cape (4-5) defeated an improving Smyrna team Jan. 12, 55-41, with a pair of “bigs” to snap a four-game slide. Cape was paced in points by Niya Mosley, 12, Lexi Watkins, 11, and Sydney Pedersen.

The Eagles got 12 points each from Marquisha Smith and Jayla Bennett, and fell to 2-8 on the season.

“We have been playing well and competing hard,” said third-year Vikings coach Lauren Carra. ‘We’ve lost some close games - 48-46 to Dover and 38-35 to Appoquinimink - we sometimes play down to the competition but we always play up.”

The Vikings still have 11 games to play, with chances at a winning record and the playoffs.

“No one in our conference can pencil us in as a win,” said Carra. “The players have responded to tough challenges, like Caesar Rodney coming to Cape this Tuesday night, we will be ready.”

The Vikings hung close with visiting Appoquinimink Jan. 11, outscoring the Jaguars 11-4 in the fourth quarter but falling 38-35.

‘We just couldn’t find the bottom of the basket early in the game,” said coach Carra.

Sydney Pedersen led Cape with 11 points, while Niya Mosley chipped in 8.  

Penn State commit Sha’nia Davis had 20 points for the Jaguars.