Cape unified basketball defeats Poly 54-48
The Cape unified basketball squad picked up its first win of the season with a 54-48 victory over Polytech Jan. 22 in Lewes. The Vikings are 1-3, while the Panthers are 2-2.
Jaxon Benton led the Vikings with 10 points. Xavier Zimmer had seven, including a bomb from way behind the three-point arc.
“It was great hitting that long shot,” said Zimmer. “I love to hear the crowd cheer.”
Senior Zane Richardson put up seven points. Luke Archer and Austin Hastings each tallied six points. Jaylin Tingle, Julian Puente and Jwalit Patel scored four points. Zackary Valles, Norman Rust and Daniel Gartman scored a basket.
“We love playing Polytech,” said Cape coach Katie Collick. “We know it’s going to be an amazing game for all the players, coaches and fans.”
She said it was great to see everyone have success on the court.
“And Jaxon Benton showing off his skills this season on the court was great – he tends to pass the ball to teammates than to take it himself,” Collick said. “X Zimmer hitting that three-point shot to just hype up the fans even more. Also all the partners do a terrific job, spread the ball around to everyone and get them in the right spots and have a ton of patience.”
She said her favorite part of the game was the celebration at the end because it is always the same for the team, win or lose.
“We got the W on the scoreboard, but the real win is knowing that both teams had fun perfecting their skills, and that we get to play each other again next month,” she said.
“Both teams played really well,” said Richardson. “Going forward, we have to improve our defense, offense and tough situations. I think we’ll do well.”
“I think we all work really well together,” said junior unified partner Brynne Fox. “Everyone is so supportive. There is always positive energy. That’s important for us. It helped boost our confidence. Since we just got our first win, I think we have great hope for our future.”
The Vikings travel to Lake Forest Tuesday, Jan. 27, to play the Spartans.
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.
