Cape girls’ basketball beats Central in Big House 52-29

The Cape Henlopen girls’ basketball team, playing in front of the biggest home crowd of the season, defeated Sussex Central 52-29 Jan. 18, taking control of the Henlopen Conference Northern Division.

Cape, now 10-1 overall, was paced by Dania Cannon with 21 points, while Mehkia Applewhite added 12. Designated defender Lexy Watkins limited Central’s high-scoring Raeonna Stratton to a pair of field goals and six free throws for 10 points, while Ambria Stratton had nine points for Central.

“[Raeonna] Stratton can get hot and go off,” said Cape coach Pat Woods after the game. “We played a more disciplined style than when we faced Central [and lost] on their court the second game of the season. We scripted our offensive set and plays, and we were getting great shots and missing layups. It was really the middle of the game when we relaxed and played at our best.”

Cape led 7-5 after the first quarter, but dominated the second and third quarters (34-16) to enter the final frame with a cushion of 41-21.

“I missed too many layups,” Applewhite said with a smile. “We are all happy with a big win, but we will need to play better.”

Cape will host powerhouse St. Elizabeth at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26, then host a strong Polytech team at 5:15 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29.

St. E is unbeaten in Delaware, having recently waxed Sussex Central 74-36. They also own a 62-33 win over Padua.

Polytech lost to Cape early in the season 43-41 and is currently riding a five-game winning streak.

Sussex Central will host Smyrna Tuesday, Jan. 22, and Caravel Thursday, Jan. 24. Both varsity games begin at 5 p.m.