Cape unified basketball falls to Jays
The Cape unified basketball team moved to 1-4 with a 46-38 loss to Seaford Feb. 3 at Cape’s Little Big House.
The Vikings scored 14 points in the first half and added 22 in the second half.
Many plays brought the Vikings’ fans to their feet to cheer for the unified squad. Sophomore Xavier Zimmer got major air to hit an underhand shot. Jaxon Benton hit a Michael Jordan-like glide to the bucket. Sophomore Zackary Valles pulled off a few Kyrie Irving-like creative dribbling moves.
“It was a really fun game,” said Benton. “We started off a little slow in the first quarter, then we got our shots to go, and I think we finished up strong.”
Cape junior Robert Harman-Strike continues to be a force in the paint, while senior Zane Richardson remains a leader on and off the court.
“I felt we had a great game tonight,” said sophomore Norman Rust, who scored six points in the game. “I feel pretty good about how I played. Knowing my teammates and our connection in practice and in the games, I think we’ll continue to show improvement down the road.”
Freshman Julian Puente also scored six points. Austin Hastings, Erichson McMahon, Jwalit Patel and Robert Harman-Strike added four each. Jaylin Tingle, Xavier Zimmer, Zackary Valles and Jaxon Benton each knocked down a shot.
“I think I did fine today even though I only made one basket,” said Valles. ”I was really concentrating on my shot today, so I didn’t dribble between my legs much. I’ll show my dribbling next game.”
“Playing Seaford is always a good game,” said Cape coach Katie Collick. “They definitely have some players that love to give us some pressure defensively, and we did a good job of getting open and being successful. Norman Rust did a great job for us passing the ball around, and he hit a few shots. The whistle was a little challenging for us, but we were able to adjust on the fly and have fun. Being a little over halfway through the season, I am extremely proud of where this team is and how far we have come. We have come together as a family and uplift each other every single day on and off the court.”
Timothy White led the Jays with 11 points. Bricson Davis added 10.
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.
