Athletes of the Week Nov. 17
Jason Baker
This Cape sophomore is the Vikings’ No. 1 cross country runner. Ironically, he gave up soccer after a freshman season where he was a JV goalie. At the Delaware State Championships Nov. 11 on the tough Brandywine Creek State Park course with its killer hills, the low-country flatlander from Mariner Middle School ran 17:11 to place third. Baker was the top Henlopen Conference runner in the Division I and Division II races; the next best was Maddox Downs of Caesar Rodney in 17:13. Cape’s second runner was Brayden Redd, clocking in at 18:15. On Sept. 30, at the Salesianum Invitational varsity boys’ race on the same Brandywine Creek course, Jason ran 17:22 for fourth and was the top runner from the Henlopen Conference. Baker is now out for winter track, where he will chase his older brother Ryan’s school records.
Morgan Newcomb
The clock wound down to zero Nov. 11, securing the Cape field hockey team’s 1-0 state championship victory over Smyrna. Goalkeeper Morgan Newcomb’s journey was completed, so let the music play – “Might as well jump!” Newcomb had five saves in the closely contested game. All saves were legitimate shots on goal. “The coaches agreed that Morgan was our MVP of the tournament,” said coach Kate Austin. “She had three shutouts [in the tournament] and 14 shutouts on the season. She has overcome a sudden-death goal in last year's final and a winning penalty stroke in a regular-season home loss to Smyrna. She ranks among the best Cape goalies ever.” Morgan was the starting sophomore goalie on the 2021 state championship team, and as a three-year starter, posted 39 career shutouts.
Liam Ramsey
Liam is a 10th-grade offensive tackle who stepped into the starting lineup for injured captain Saul Garcia and started the last three games of the season. “Liam plays with physicality and intelligence,” said coach Mike Frederick. “Liam is exactly what you want in a high school offensive lineman. He is big [230 pounds], tall [6-foot-4] and lean at this point. His football knowledge is growing daily as a young player. His intelligence levels off the field are elite, which helps him grasp assignments and coaching very quickly. He gives high-level effort on every play. For a player who started the year on JV, he has started the past three to four games at the varsity level due to injuries, and we have not missed a beat. He will be an anchor for the offensive line for years to come. He strives for perfection, which is good, but it makes him his most difficult critic. You can build a championship team around players, and more importantly people, like Liam Ramsey.”
Atia Sabbagh
Atia is the third daughter of Ron and Joy Sabbagh. Her older sisters played for hockey Cape and collegiately – Marcella for Christopher Newport and Noelle for the University of Delaware. Marcella, a defender, was known for defensive saves both as a Cape and college player. Atia stretched out as a ninth-grader, started on defense, then moved up to middie. Her hockey IQ is off the charts; she is the personification of relaxed reflexes. In the final minute of a 1-0 state championship final against Smyrna playing corner defense, Atia put her stick down and stopped a Dru Moffett backhanded chip shot from totally rolling across the goal line. Possession went to Cape. Only then did Sabbagh spike her mask. The horn sounded, and a satisfied smile crossed the face of a freshman with a lifelong memory. Atia has also scored her share of goals coming up on corner offense.
