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Four local teams reach finals of Capital Classic

Beacon teams, Fred Thomas boys and Sussex Academy girls advance
Sussex Academy girls’ basketball celebrates their 29-28 win made possible by a lay-up as time expired to defeat Fred Thomas Middle School in the Capital Classic Feb. 9. AARON R. MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
February 12, 2026

Cape basketball’s future remains shimmering, with both Beacon teams and the Fred Thomas boys’ squad advancing to the finals of their respective Capital Classic brackets.

Day one of the annual middle school tournament saw Cape host four games. The Mariner girls’ squad opened play for the evening, losing 27-16 to Smyrna. The boys from Milton were toppled by Newark Charter 35-28 in the second game of the day.

Fred Thomas’ boys tallied Cape’s first win, besting Fifer to book a date with Newark Charter in the title game set for 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at Sussex Academy.

In what proved to be the game of the day, the Sussex Academy girls beat the clock on a game-winning layup as time expired to upend the Fred Thomas girls 29-28.

During the second day of play, at Fifer Middle School, Beacon continued its dominance to move to 11-0 on the season by doubling up Chipman 44-22. The girls will try to complete their undefeated season Valentine’s Day afternoon at Sussex Academy in the championship game of their bracket.

On the flip side, it’s been a trying year for the boys, but they vanquished Holy Cross for the team’s first win of the season.

 

Fred Thomas eighth-grader Malia Jackson puts up a layup.
Fred Thomas sixth-grader Ellis Hays shoots inside.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Malia Jackson keeps her eyes on the prize.
Fred Thomas sixth-grader Emma Gambale passes the ball.
Fred Thomas sixth-grader Ellis Hays looks for a teammate.
Fred Thomas seventh-grader Cali Smith runs to catch up to a loose ball.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Sophia Connelly loads up for a jumper.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Sophia Connelly runs by the press box.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Malia Jackson heads up for two.
Fred Thomas seventh-grader Cali Smith releases her shot.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Arristyn Richards fights through some resistance.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Cameron Bell forces his guy left.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Arristyn Richards showed some effort to try and save this ball.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Robbie Myers shoots from distance.
Fred Thomas cheerleaders encourage the lads.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Cam Bell starts the offense.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Cam Thomas fights for a rebound.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Robbie Myers shoots a high-percentage shot.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Robbie Myers tries to get clear for a shot.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Arristyn Richards avoids a block.
Fred Thomas eighth-grader Cam Bell dashes into the lane.
Fred Thomas seventh-grader James Frederick drives the baseline.
Mariner eighth-grader Liam Tyndall reaches up for a steal.
Mariner eighth-grader Liam Tyndall has a look from deep.
Mariner seventh-grader Melody Sivels begins to cross mid-court.
Mariner eighth-grader Mackenzie Bean brings the ball up.
Mariner eighth-grader Ondra Massey-Schiazza beats her mark.
Mariner eighth-grader McKenzie Russell gets one off in close.
Mariner seventh-grader Melody Sivels progresses toward the arc.
Mariner sixth-grader Kaimara Toppin absorbs some contact.
Beacon eighth-grader Kelly Neustadter locks in on defense.
Beacon seventh-grader Aaliyah Fruchtman rises above the Spartans.
Beacon eighth-grader Addison Wilson leaps up for a pass.
Beacon eighth-grader London Steigerwalt brings the ball up.
Beacon celebrates seventh-grader Aaliyah Fruchtman’s buzzer beater to end the first half.
Beacon eighth-grader Addison Wilson didn’t convert this field goal, but she showed her athleticism by catching the ball to her right, rocking mid air to her left and shooting in one motion.
Beacon eighth-grader Addison Wilson shoot a long two.
Beacon eighth-grader Kelly Neustadter gets props after sinking a three.
Beacon eighth-grader London Steigerwalt leaps up to escape trouble.
Beacon eighth-grader Kelly Neustadter shoots.
Beacon eighth-grader Carlee Cabello looks to keep the potato hot.
Beacon eighth-grader Kelly Neustadter drives inside.
Beacon eighth-grader Kelly Neustadter makes a difficult lay-up.
Beacon eighth-grader London Steigerwalt begins the motion offense.
Beacon eighth-grader London Steigerwalt beats her defender.
Beacon eighth-grader Emma Rowley drives into the arc.
Beacon eighth-grader Emily Hilton keeps the ball moving.
Beacon celebrates their 11th win of the year and their appointment in the title game.
The Beacon girls support the Beacon boys after the former continued its undefeated season and before the latter picked up its first win.
Beacon seventh-grader Lucas Skonieczki enters the paint.
Beacon sixth-grader Bryce Leinbach thinks about his next moves.
Beacon seventh-grader Lucas Skonieczki starts the offense.
Beacon seventh-grader Lucas Skonieczki locks in on defense.
Beacon sixth-grader Bryce Leinbach shoots in the corner.
Beacon seventh-grader Lucas Skonieczki shoots with a defender in his face.
Beacon seventh-grader Lucas Skonieczki strikes from downtown.
Beacon seventh-grader Lucas Skonieczki goes with the underhand.

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Aaron Mushrush joined the sports team in Summer 2023 to help cover the emerging youth athletics scene in the Cape Region. After lettering in soccer and lacrosse at Sussex Tech, he played lacrosse at Division III Eastern University in St. David's, PA. Aaron coached lacrosse at Sussex Tech in 2009 and 2011. Post-collegiately, Mush played in the Eastern Shore Summer Lacrosse League for Blue Bird Tavern and Saltwater Lacrosse. He competed in several tournaments for the Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, which blossomed into the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL). Aaron interned at the Coastal Point before becoming assistant director at WMDT-TV 47 ABC in 2017 and eventually assignment editor in 2018. 

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