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Cape girls’ basketball saddles Riders with 23-point loss

Cape junior Ally Diehl goes up strong on a crowd of Riders in the paint. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
January 12, 2026

The Cape girls’ basketball team got back into the winning column Jan. 8 with a 47-24 win over Henlopen North rival Caesar Rodney at Cape. Cape moves to 6-1. The Vikings had lost Jan. 6 to Ursuline 33-41 in Wilmington.

It only took a short few minutes for the Vikings to take a dominant 18-7 lead in the first quarter, but for a short time, the Riders pulled back into the mix, scoring a 13-8 second period. 

The Vikings’ speed, lights-out long shooting and versatility in the paint led the home squad to a 21-4 second half to move to 6-1 on the season. 

Cape senior Amalia Fruchtman hit for 27 points, including 6 from behind the arc. Junior Ally Diehl added 11 with one three-pointer.  

“I think coming off the loss to Ursuline, we all had a little fire in our system,” Fruchtman said. “We just really wanted to get back on that winning track. I think we did that tonight. We have our chemistry flowing now. We just need to keep improving 1 percent better each day and never stop. Always on the gas pedal.”

“It was really fun,” said Diehl. “Everyone works in different spots so we don’t get used to the same position. We want to be versatile. Everyone is so close on and off the court. I’m trying to do anything I can to help the team. I think we got our momentum back after the long break.”

“It’s nice to have a home game,” said Cape head coach Ron Dukes. “The first quarter looked like we were playing a statement game. We gave up too many points in the second quarter like we were a little tired, but then we only gave up four points in the second half. The word on the board at halftime was ‘urgency.’ Everything we do in the second half has to be urgent. Loose balls have got to be ours. Our chemistry is working. Our big game is on Tuesday at home with Smyrna.” 

 

 

 

 

 

Cape sophomore Jordynn Bowe drives to the paint on Caesar Rodney’s Gabrielle Obidike.
Cape junior guard Amara Fruchtman passes down low in the paint.
Cape sophomore Mikaela Gordon looks to go up strong from a Riders trap attempt.
Cape senior Amalia Fruchtman hits two of her 27 points in the contest.
Cape head coach Ron Dukes looks over his defense.
Junior Ally Diehl hits two of her 11 points.
Cape senior Amalia Fruchtman hits a long three.
Sophomore Mikaela Gordon drives the ball up the court.
Senior Jurnee White hits a deuce for the Vikings.
Sophomore Mikaela Gordon goes strong to the hole.
Cape sophomore Jordynn Bowe battles for possession with Riders junior Aniyah Irizarry.
Cape junior Mairead Rishko plays close defense on Riders junior Aniyah Irizarry.
Singing the national anthem are juniors Anna Currence, left, and Marly Fyock.
Cape sophomore Mikaela Gordon hits a basket.
Outta the way! Cape senior Erinn Rodriguez drives to the paint.
Cape junior Ally Diehl looks to pass to teammate Amalia Fruchtman.
The Cape dance team rocks with the pep band.
Cape senior Maya Yngve looks to pop a three.

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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. 

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