Cape unified basketball celebrates seniors, battles Milford
![The Cape unified basketball team took time before its game against Milford Feb. 6 to honor seniors. Shown are (l-r) John Huss, Vlad Ticala, Alejandro Alvarez-Roman, Charlotte Maxwell, Noah Ryan, Connor Pencek and Isaiah Magathan. Seniors Grace Wiggins and Addison Basile had to leave for field hockey immediately following the basketball game. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/02/field/image/DSC_1128.jpg)
Rivalry games can be tricky, just like goodbyes. The Cape unified basketball team needed to navigate both Feb. 6 in its Senior Night game against Milford.
“It’s really sad and I almost actually cried before the game, which I normally never do,” said senior Noah Ryan. “My playing career here is coming to an end, and we have one more game after this. Last game I hurt my ankle, still hurts now, but I just thought this one more home game my last year was going to be fun, and it was. I really enjoyed it.”
Ryan said he will remember the buzzer-beater he hit his junior year against Polytech.
“Noah and Connor [Pencek] are a tag-team duo,” said Cape coach Katie Collick. “No matter where you go, where one is, the other is. On the court, in the classroom or outside, they’re together. They are leaders as athletes.”
Another senior, Alejandro Alvarez-Roman, said it was exciting to be acknowledged alongside his family. He said his Senior Night will be a happy memory.
In the end, the Vikings came up short against a Milford squad that enjoyed stretching the floor and running. The Bucs staved off a Cape comeback in the fourth to hold on for a 39-29 win.
One thing Vikings fans can look forward to in the team’s final game against Woodbridge is the first career points for senior Isaiah Magathan.
“Isaiah has been with us for all four years and has never scored a basket. We tried tonight, but it just wouldn’t happen, so on Thursday [Feb. 8] we’re going to get him two points. He’s going to be a hard one to replace, because he’s here for the right reasons,” Collick said.
![Escorted by their families, the seniors on the Cape unified basketball team were showered with cheers before, during and after the Milford game.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/02/field/image/DSC_0495.jpg)
![After Cape junior Sara Davis, middle, makes a bucket, Cooper Forcucci, left, and Peyton Lamson-Reich celebrate.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/02/field/image/DSC_0738.jpg)