Cape girls’ basketball falls in DIAA second round
The Cape girls’ basketball team’s dream of a DIAA state title fell short, as the No. 2 Vikings dropped a 47-34 decision to a physical Ursuline squad March 4 in the second round of the DIAA tournament. Cape finished the season with a 19-3 record.
The Raiders had already handed the Vikings one of their two regular-season losses, defeating Cape Jan. 6 at Ursuline.
Senior Amalia Fruchtman led the Vikings with 13 points, while junior Ally Diehl added nine. Maya Yngve scored five points.
Ursuline connected on eight three-pointers in the contest.
Cape opened the game with the first two baskets, but Ursuline responded, and the Vikings trailed 11-6 at the end of the first quarter. The Raiders extended their lead in the second quarter, sending Cape into halftime down 28-14.
The Vikings showed resilience in the third quarter, outscoring Ursuline 14-7 to cut into the deficit. However, Cape was forced to foul late in the game to regain possession, allowing the Raiders to secure the win from the free-throw line.
“I really think this is the best group of girls I’ve ever played with,” said Yngve. “Even from the start of the season, this was the group we thought could go all the way. I’m not really that upset that we didn’t. I had so much fun playing with these girls and forming the connections we did. We worked so well as a team. Our shots just weren’t dropping tonight, and that’s okay. I’m content with how our season went, and I’m really proud of this team.”
“I think coming into the season with a new coaching staff and some new players, everyone was a little nervous about what the future held for us,” said Fruchtman. “I can say that I couldn’t have had more fun. All of my teammates made sure I had a wonderful experience every day at practice. Obviously, we didn’t want it to end like this. Nobody wants their season to end. Someone has to lose, but every second we were on the court we gave it everything we had.”
“I’ve said multiple times that this group of girls, as a whole team, is the best group I’ve ever coached,” said Cape coach Ron Dukes. “They were just a fun group to coach and be around. No drama. The kids worked hard every day. This isn’t the way we wanted to end our season, so it’s disappointing. Ursuline is a very good ball club. Every time we made a run, they seemed to hit a three. I don’t think they’ve ever hit that many threes.”
Dukes, in his 20th year coaching girls’ basketball, was quick to praise his senior class.
“I feel bad for the seniors,” Dukes said. “I know they didn’t want their year to end with a loss in the second round of the playoffs. They really wanted it, and I’m proud to have been a part of coaching them.”
Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs.
