Athletes of the Week Dec. 20
Ja’Vaughn Burton
“J-Roc” went off for career highs of 23 points and nine steals in the Cape loss to undefeated Caesar Rodney Dec. 13, putting the Vikings on his back as they cut into a huge deficit to put a scare into CR. Burton, a 6-foot junior guard, energized his team at both ends of the floor, playing lockdown defense on the Riders’ talented guards and scoring in bunches all night. At one point during the third quarter, he poured in eight points in less than three minutes, forcing a CR timeout and bringing the crowd to its feet. Burton, who has scored in double figures in all three of the Vikings’ games this year, led the team in scoring (10.7 points per game) and three-pointers (43) last season.
Dania Cannon
At just 5-foot-3, this Cape senior point guard is a giant killer on the hardwood. She runs the show for the Lady Vikings in every game. She tallied 10 points, eight assists and six steals in the win over Caesar Rodney Dec. 12. She followed that with a 21-point, eight-assist, seven-rebound performance against two 6-foot-3 forwards from American Heritage School. "Dania has shown incredible growth and leadership this year," said Cape coach Pat Woods. "Her communication and encouragement of her teammates has caught our attention, her teammates’ attention and college coaches’ attention. Also, she can really play. She is on the verge of a triple-double every game." Dania is a command sergeant major in Cape JROTC and performs community service with her command. She is undecided on what she wants to do after graduation, but has received interest from several college coaches.
Sh’Kai Chandler
This 6-foot-3 senior wing scored 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting and grabbed six rebounds in the 69-60 setback against Caesar Rodney Dec. 13, missing his career best by just three points and showing that he may be ready to deliver on his huge potential. A varsity contributor since his freshman season, Sh’Kai has all the tools – length, athleticism, instincts and a sweet stroke – to be a prime-time scorer every night. The Vikings will need to lean on him this year if they hope to improve on last season’s 8-12 mark. Chandler was Cape’s second-leading scorer (10.3 points per game) and top rebounder (7.1 per game) in 2018-19. He needs two more points to reach 500 for his career.
Abbey Hearn
This 6-foot-1 center/forward for the Cape girls’ basketball squad can run like a point guard, play powerful in the paint and hit from behind the three-point line. She recently went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc at Caesar Rodney and totaled 14 points. Against nationally ranked American Heritage, she scored 15 points. "Abbey has increased her ability to play on the perimeter both defensively and offensively," said Cape head coach Pat Woods. "She can defend nearly every position. Her high basketball IQ, rebounding ability and communication make her a great anchor for our defense." Abbey is an A honor roll student and is in the Cape Honor Society. She volunteers at her church and teaches youth basketball at The Factory. When she has free time, she is all "basketball, basketball, basketball." She will be attending Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
