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Unified game opens play at Slam Dunk

Appo takes one-point win
December 29, 2017

The season’s first Unified high school basketball game opened the three-day action at the annual Slam Dunk to the Beach holiday tournament in Lewes. Cape Henlopen took on Appoquinimink, and the Jags squeaked out a 23-22 victory over the Vikings.

In end-to-end action, the Vikings dominated most of the the first quarter of play, but could only take a 7-4 lead into the second stanza. Appoquinimink outscored Cape 7-5 to go into the halftime break with the Vikings clinging to a slim one-point lead.

The Jags chipped away, outscoring the Vikings 6-4 in the third, taking a 17-16 lead into the final quarter. Cape had a 22-21 lead with four seconds left on the clock, but Appo’s Robert Jadick was fouled in the act of shooting. He hit both free throws, and the game ended with the Jags winning 23-22.

Unified guard Tommy Taylor led the Vikings with 10 points. William Barrow added six, and peer players Logan Shuttleworth and Mikiyah Ennals chipped in four and two points, respectively.

Appo was led by Jayon Fields with six points. Ezekiel Brister and Robert Jadick had four. Joseph Scott-Thomas added three, and Cassidy Baron, Matthew Beck and Renald Dugue had two.

“It was fun,” said Appo guard Kennedie Arthurs, who did Silento’s Whip/Nae Nae during the third-quarter break. “I really like playing with my teammates.”

“I love it out here,” said Appo senior peer teammate Robert Jadick. ”It’s so much fun just being with everyone, it’s awesome. It’s great energy. Our season is just getting started.”

“I thought the game was pretty good,” said Cape Unified player Tommy Taylor. “We made a few mistakes, but we’ll learn as we go forward.”

Cape Unified forward Hunter Wiswell, who played strong inside, was happy to play with good teammates from the Vikings squad.

“It was a very close game,” said Wiswell. “It was a fun game.”

“We got a lot to work on,” said Appo coach Chris Muscara. “It was great, though, and we couldn’t have had a better first game. Win or loss, it showed our team what they needed to do.”

“I’m really excited about our team,” said Cape coach Jen Hagan. “The kids are amazing. For just practicing for the game for one hour a week, we looked fantastic.”

“It was a great way to start Slam Dunk,” said Delaware Sports Commission Chairman Dr. Matthew Robinson. “It was great to see all the kids out there having a good time and just having fun. That’s what it’s all about. We’re happy to be a part of it.”

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