Seahawks bitten by Bulldogs to start Henlopen South schedule

’Tis the season for making wishes come true.

Heading into the holiday break 0-3 may not have been on the Sussex Academy girls’ basketball team’s wishlist, but the Seahawks’ first half in the 37-16 home loss to Laurel Dec. 11 is something the short-handed Seahawks can build from.

The Bulldogs led 8-4 following the first quarter, but a 5-4 second quarter won by the Seahawks put the home team within three points at the break.

“That first half is exactly the adjustments that we've been working on,” coach Rayona Benson said. “It was an acceptable first half – better than what we've been doing – but it is definitely something we can continue to work off of.”

Four quick points were scored by Laurel before freshman Reilly Mobilia connected from beyond the arc to make it 16-12 early in the third quarter, but a 21-4 run to close the game led to a 37-16 Laurel win. Benson said Laurel’s second-half intensity matched Sussex Academy’s first-half energy.

“They came out, and then they became the aggressors, and we just couldn't take care of the ball,” Benson said. “Even as far as rebounding goes, I just feel like it's a lot of tipping the ball instead of actually grabbing it.”

Laurel sophomore Mon’Shayla Louis led all scorers with 23 points and tied classmate Tyra Kane for the team lead with 10 steals. Louis’ 12 boards were second on the team, but enough for her to claim a triple-double. Freshman Jai’Lah Shockley’s 16 boards were a game high.

Sussex Academy will resume its schedule after Christmas, opening its post-break schedule with the Governor’s Challenge in Salisbury, Md.