Cape boys’ basketball drops 84-50 decision at CR
Senior guard Syed Myles poured in 23 points and hot-shooting Caesar Rodney led from start to finish for an 84-50 dismantling of Cape Henlopen in boys’ basketball action Jan. 14 in Camden.
The Riders played inspired basketball out of the gate, knocking down 12 of their first 14 field goal tries and frustrating the Vikings with their signature pressure defense to take a 31-9 lead late in the first quarter. Myles and senior wing Kamal Marvel poured in 12 points apiece in the opening frame, helping CR end the game before it started. Cape never got within 15 points the rest of the way, enduring a mercy rule running clock throughout the final period.
The Vikings (3-5, 2-4 Henlopen North) got 18 points from junior guard Ja’Vaughn Burton and a 12-point, three-assist outing from senior swingman Sh’Kai Chandler, but they didn’t have the firepower or the physicality to hang with CR. The Riders used a frenzied pace to score at will in the first half, when they shot 63 percent from the floor and out-rebounded Cape 23-5 to take a 58-30 lead at intermission.
Marvel finished with 15 points for Caesar Rodney (7-2, 6-1 Henlopen North), while junior guard Brycen Williams added 11 points including three three-pointers.
Cape head coach Shemik Thompson wasn’t happy with his team’s shot selection, which often led to fast breaks and run-outs the other way.
“We got away from driving the basketball,” Thompson said. “We got into shooting threes and trying to rush. When we settled down and got the ball to the basket, good things happened. We just need to do more of that. We were undermanned today, so I just wanted to see if they would come out and compete, and they did that.”
The Vikings played without starting guards Kris Rushin and Collin Mallet, who were both sidelined by illness.
Thompson singled out reserve Ronnie Lofland for praise.
“Ronnie played great for us,” Thompson said of the sophomore guard, who tallied four points and two steals. “Last game and this game, he’s gotten into the flow of it more. I was happy to see him do that. He’s really progressing.”
Next on the slate for Cape is a visit to Smyrna Friday, Jan. 17.
