Sussex Academy girls’ basketball gets season underway

Two losses to open the season is the bad news for the Sussex Academy girls’ basketball team, but the good news is the Seahawks’ squad is an optimistic bunch who can only go up from here.

In the Dec. 4 season opener, the Sussex Tech Ravens swooped in from down the street to beat the Seahawks 39-12, thanks to a fast start and a 12-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Sussex Academy played the second quarter a bit closer, but trailed 21-10 at the half. The hosts played their best defensive quarter to start the second half, but the offense couldn’t find its groove. 

Sussex Tech’s offense, however, looked sharp and were led in the scoring column by senior Mariah McCabe’s 19 points. Her classmate Anyah Bailey finished second with 13 points, going 6 for 8 at the stripe. 

Facing a quick turnaround, the Seahawks flew north Dec. 5, taking on a Red Lion squad that won 13 games last year. Sussex Academy kept things close in the first quarter, trailing 11-8 following the opening eight minutes. Red Lion separated themselves in the second quarter to lead 30-11 at the break. A big third quarter put the game away, and the Seahawks were tagged with a 55-18 loss. 

“These last two games have been an eye opener to what our strong points are and what we need to go back and work on,” said coach Rayona Benson. “We knew we would have challenges since we have not had a scrimmage, but this is an opportunity to enforce our expectations. We will go back to the drawing board and see what we can come up with.”

Up next for the girls is a Laurel team that won 10 games last year, but split their two games with Sussex Academy last season.

The Seahawks will welcome the Bulldogs at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the division opener for both teams.