High School Girl’s Basketball Game of the Week: Conrad School of Science versus Cape Henlopen High School

The word student athlete is often taken for granted. There are actually two separate meanings for each word. As a student, I am challenged on a daily basis to learn and discover more. My progress and development is graded with tests and various exams. As an athlete, I am challenged physically to push my body to complete athletic feats; run faster, jump higher, and pull off the occasional euro-step (it is a specific basketball move where you are going in for a lay-up and instead of taking two steps forward in the same direction, you take the first step in one direction and then the second step in different direction). My progress and development are graded with games and team accomplishments. This week, my team is facing our hardest exam to date. 

302 Sports ranks the Conrad School of Science (Wilmington, DE) the #1 girl’s high school basketball team in Delaware. This Friday, January 31, the Red Wolves from Conrad will travel to our gym in a showdown of two of the top teams in the state. 302 Sports currently has our team ranked at #4 in Delaware. The game will be featured as 302 Sports Game of the Week. 

Conrad is the last remaining non-conference game on the Vikings schedule this season. The team will have to push ourselves against a very good upstate opponent. We believe two keys to the game will be:

• Limiting the amount of 3-pt attempts by Conrad
• Reduce the number of paint touches for Conrad

Limiting the amount of 3-pt attempts by Conrad is key because they have a pair of sisters who an shoot light out; Stephanie and Julie Kulesza. Julie is a senior and has signed to play basketball for Bucknell University this fall. Stephanie, a junior, stands 6’ tall and offers additional size on the inside. The head of coach of Conrad is their father, John Kulesza. Our second key, reduce the number of paint touches, is relevant because 6’ 4” center, Ja’Nylah Whittlesey is a force. Cape Henlopen head coach, Pat Woods, hopes that’ “Our teams size and athleticism will be able to defend Conrad’s offensive attack”. Woods went on to add; “We need everyone to be firing on all cylinders, compete every possession, and minimize our mistakes”. 

The size that Coach Woods speaks of is provided by Morgan Mahoney, Carlin Quinn, and myself; Abbey Hearn. We are also strong on the perimeter with Mehkia Applewhite, Dania Cannon, and Ella Rishko; who all provide speed and ball handling. Senior Dania Cannon has been telling the team; “We have to give it our all, play with no regrets, and play as a team”. Cannon believes that; “If everyone plays smart and we make shots - we will win”.

I am also excited about the game because it is going to be Factory Sports night (see attached flyer). As a coach and athlete at Factory Sports these nights always are special to me. To see the kids come out and high-five us during the starting line-ups is special. I heard that Factory Sports has something fun lined up for the crowd as well. The support of the home crowd always helps us play with more energy and enthusiasm. Mehkia Applewhite has a message for our local community and fellow students; “This is not only a great opportunity for you come to a game and support our basketball team, but it is an opportunity to support the southern Delaware region as we take on an upstate team team here at home - which is rare”. Bottom line she added; “It’s gonna be good. Be there”. 

About the Writer

Abbey Hearn is a senior at Cape Henlopen High School. She is a member of the Varsity Girl’s Basketball team and participates in the Career Pathways Program at Factory Sports. Abbey is a recent recipient of the UNICO Scholarship, which awarded monetary funds to the Cape Henlopen School District athletic program. The award goes to two students with Italian heritage who best exemplify the courage,loyalty,teamwork and dedication of the late Brian Piccolo. Abbey Hearn has signed with Kutztown University where she will play basketball starting this fall. She will be given us an inside look as the Girl’s Basketball Team chases their dream of a state championship title and Abbey chases career point 1,000. 

(Pictures via Cape Gazette and WDEL)