Cape girls’ basketball beats Stephen Decatur 50-31

Crossing state lines and entering unfamiliar territory didn’t seem to faze the Cape girls’ basketball team, as the Vikings triumphed over Stephen Decatur 50-31 Dec. 18.

Defense ruled the day, as Cape held an 8-5 lead at the end of the first quarter before taking an 18-14 edge into the halftime locker room.

“It was really intense practicing beforehand, knowing that we were gonna have a hard matchup,” senior Maya Yngve said. “It was just a matter of turnovers, not fouling, and then the foul shots that we were making.”

On Cape’s first offensive possession, they were bitten by the shot clock used in Maryland, but the Vikings’ modifications to accelerate things worked in the long run.

“Having the shot clock really helped us push the ball into the basket,” Yngve said. “It was definitely an adjustment, but we got it down under control.”

After the first 16 minutes, it seemed like anyone’s game, and the Seahawks opened the second half with some quick baskets to tighten things up. But, the Vikings trusted their game plan and locker room tweaks.

“They actually came out and scored the first two buckets to start the third quarter, and then we got a composure back,” coach Ron Dukes said. “We changed our offense a little bit – ran something a little bit different – had some backdoor cuts, made some easy baskets. They got a little confidence. Some other shots started to fall. And it just went from there.”

Senior Amalia Fruchtman led all scorers with 27 points and made it a double-double with 10 boards. 

But it was selfless play that opened things up.

“We just have a lot of talent, and we know who to find,” junior Ally Diehl said. “We obviously know Amalia is amazing, but she can't do it all on her own. We're trying to set her up all the time; we're also trying to find all the open players. Passing the ball around creates so much more than just doing it by yourself.”

Diehl had nine points. She also had to mix it up quite a bit with an effort-filled Stephen Decatur squad. Whistles were staying in pockets, too.

“They were kind of letting us play more – they weren't calling as much,” Diehl said. “It did get more physical, which I liked, and we were able to use our bodies and really prove that we can handle a physical game.”

Diehl helped spark a big fourth quarter when she buried a three-pointer at the buzzer of the third frame.

“I just heard everybody counting down, and I figured I have to shoot it,” Diehl said. “It was really cool.”

Cape won the fourth quarter 15-4 to arrive at the 50-31 score, showing the squad only gets better as the game goes on.

“We talked about that a lot, and we've done it against everybody we've played,” Dukes said. “If we play that defense for three good quarters, in the fourth quarter, they are going to be tired, and then they're going to do things they don't normally do, and I think that's what we did to them tonight.”

Yngve hit a three just over halfway through the final stanza to put the nail in the coffin, much to the delight of her teammates and the Cape faithful.

“It was definitely exciting,” Yngve said. “I love how supportive our team is.”

Cape will enjoy a long break before heading up to Ursuline Academy for a 7:15 p.m. tip-off Tuesday, Jan. 6.