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Cape girls’ basketball wins Henlopen Conference

The Cape girls’ basketball team defeated Early College High School 67-35 to take home the Henlopen Conference Championship. Shown in back are (l-r) Mikaela Gordon, Haley Gamuciello, Sydney Whetzel, Maya Yngve, Jurnee White, Jordynn Bowe, Amalia Fruchtman and Mairead Rishko. In front are Ally Diehl, Amara Fruchtman, Natalie Horsey and Erinn Rodriguez. DAN COOK PHOTO
Dan Cook
February 22, 2026

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The Cape girls’ basketball team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, defeating Early College High School 67-35 to capture the Henlopen Conference Championship Feb. 21 in Dover.

With the win, the Vikings improve to 18-2 on the season. They earned the No. 2 seed in the DIAA state tournament and will host the winner of No. 15 Ursuline Academy and No. 18 Wilmington Friends in the second round, currently scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28.

Cape carried a commanding 41-15 lead into halftime, and maintained the same enthusiasm in the second half, rotating players freely as the bench made significant contributions to the victory.

Junior Ally Diehl delivered her strongest offensive performance to date, pouring in 20 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter.

“We wanted this really bad,” said Diehl. “We’ve had a few slow games lately, so we wanted to come out fast and show people what we can do. It’s really special. We’re really good friends on and off the court, and it means a lot to all of us.”

Amalia Fruchtman added 14 points, while Mairead Rishko scored 12, including two three-pointers. 

“Every day we come into practice, we work hard, and this shows it pays off,” said Fruchtman. “Winning it freshman year and bringing it back home senior year feels like going full circle. I’m just grateful for everyone. We had fun today. We’ve been emphasizing that in practice – just have fun and make the most of the moment.”

Maya Yngve chipped in nine points, highlighted by a key three-pointer in the second quarter that helped extend the lead.

“It is amazing,” said Yngve. “I think we all played so well together. Our word of the day was enthusiasm, and I think we showed a lot of it. I love these girls so much. We’re going to hang onto this moment as we head into the state tournament.”

“The subs did well, which gave us confidence to keep rotating players,” said Cape coach Ron Dukes. “This team is awesome. Everyone asks what’s so special about this group. They work hard, they pay attention, they ask questions. I couldn’t ask for more. No matter what’s happening in the game, they’re smiling the whole time.”

Marshay Brown led the Hornets with 12 points. Ashyra Brown contributed 10. 

 

Giving each other a congratulatory hug at the final buzzer are (l-r) Mairead Rishko, Ally Diehl and Mikaela Gordon.
Cape junior Mairead Rishko drives on Early College’s Marshay Brown.
Cape’s Jurnee White goes up strong on Early College’s Jayla Dukes.
Cape senior Amalia Fruchtman goes up to the hoop on Early College’s Sharon Rodney.
Cape coach Ron Dukes meets with the refs with Vikings’ captains Amalia Fruchtman and Maya Yngve.
Cape senior Amalia Fruchtman goes strong to the basket on Early College’s Marshay Brown.
Cape sophomore Mikaela Gordon plays close defense on the Hornets’ Marshay Brown.
Cape junior forward Ally Diehl goes in on Early College’s Marshay Brown.
Cape senior Amalia Fruchtman snatches a rebound from Early College’s Jayla Dukes.
Cape senior Maya Yngve hits a three.
Cape junior Ally Diehl hits in the paint.
Junior Amara Fruchtman plays defense on the Hornets’ Marshay Brown.
Cape’s Ally Diehl hits in close.
Cape senior Amalia Fruchtman blocks a shot by ECS’s Ashyra Brown.
Maya Yngve brings the ball up the sideline for the Vikings.
Cape senior Amalia Fruchtman goes up and under ECS’s Jayla Dukes.
Senior Maya Yngve hits a free throw.
The Cape bench celebrates a shot by senior Maya Yngve.
Mairead Rishko gets fouled in the paint by ECS’s Londyn Days.
Cape sophomore Mikaela Gordon puts on the breaks and hits thew basket behind ECS’s Marshay Brown.
Cape’s Mairead Rishko plays defense on Early College’s Ava Brickhouse-Reid.
Maya Yngve gets a put back.
Cape coaches John Gordon, left, and Ron Dukes reviews a play for the fourth quarter.
Cape’s Mikaela Gordon makes a lay-in.
Senior Amalia Fruchtman hits a shot over Early College’s Jayla Dukes.
Ally Diehl hits with Early College’s Jayla Dukes in her face.
Cape sophomore Jordynn Bowe grabs possession from Early College’s Jayla Dukes.
Cape head coach Ron Dukes calls out a defense.
Cape’s Mairead Rishko goes for the block on Early College’s Ashyra Brown.
Cape senior Erinn Rodriguez denies Early College’s Ava Brickhouse-Reid.
Mikaela Gordon is fouled by Early College’s Ashyra Brown.
Cape’s Jordynn Bowe hits in the paint.
Senior Jurnee White drives to the paint.
Junior Haley Gamuciello sets up a Cape offense.
Mairead Rioshko hits a free throw down the stretch.
Cape reps six-seven for their final score. Shown are (l-r) Amalia Fruchtman, Haley Gamuciello, Amara Fruchtman, Natalie Horsey, Sydney Whetzel, Erinn Rodriguez, Mikaela Gordon, Ally Diehl, Maya Yngve, Jurnee White, Jordynn Bowe and Mairead Rishko.
Earning Coach of the Year honors for the Henlopen Conference are Ron Dukes for the girls and Steve Re for the boys.
Maya Yngve welcomes Amalia Fruchtman to the bench for the last minute of the game.
Jordynn Bowe says it taste like a Henlopen Conference Championship.
Posing with the Henlopen Conference trophy is the Cape team. Shown in back are (l-r) assistant coach John Gordon, head coach Ron Dukes, Jordynn Bowe, Natalie Horsey, Jurnee White, Ally Diehl, Sydney Whetzel, Maya Yngve, Erinn Rodriguez, Haley Gamuciello and assistant coach Sam Purple. In front are Mairead Rishko, Amalia Fruchtman, Amara Fruchtman and Mikaela Gordon.
Cape junior Ally Diehl snags a steal from Early College’s Jayla Dukes.
Celebrate good times.

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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. 

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