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Cape unified basketball finishes season with smiles and friendships

The Cape and Lake Forest unified basketball teams finished their seasons with a 67-67 tie. Shown are the teams as they congratulate each other on a great and unifying game. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 2, 2026

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The Cape unified basketball season came to a close Feb. 26, with a 67-67 tie. All players smiled and hugged their teammates as well as their opponents to merge the two teams in a friendship that will last forever.  

“This season on the unified basketball team has been filled with growth, excitement and unforgettable moments,” said Cape junior Bennett Steinmann. “Being part of this team means more to me than just basketball; it’s a family built on friendship, confidence and respect. And it’s made my high school experience truly special.”

That friendship, confidence and respect were never felt more than in the tie game between the two teams. 

“We absolutely enjoy playing Lake Forest,” said Cape coach Katie Collick. “They definitely represent what unified basketball is all about. This was such a fun game for everyone as a big finale for our season. The Cape and Lake teams don’t care to go to the DIAA playoff tournament. Both teams were champions this day. We believe our game is so much bigger than that. Coach [Darrell] Jones from Lake had a great idea of playing together one more time to finish such a great season. We were able to incorporate a three-point competition at halftime with an athlete and partner from each team. Lake senior Aliki Long was the champ for the first-ever three-point competition.“

The two head coaches thought it was important to celebrate the partners and all of their hard work and kindness this season to their teammates. So the teams played a fifth quarter for the partners, and the athletes loved cheering them on. That game was the inaugural Unified Partner Challenge, with Lake winning the game with a final score of 11-6. Lake Forest will hold the trophy for a year until they play again next season.

“All the athletes and partners have done such an amazing job this year and really have come together as one big family,” Collick said. “They have kept the spirit of unified basketball alive and well with their display of sportsmanship and kindness to everyone.”

Cape sophomore Xavier Zimmer said he had a great time this season and in the final game. 

“I like to drain threes,” he said. “Woo. It was fun to see coach Jones, my dad’s friend. I can’t wait to play again next year. It’s so much fun.” 

Zane Richardson was high scorer with 10 points. Jaylin Tingle, Zimmer, Luke Archer, Robert Harman-Strike and Austin Hastings each had six. Zach Valles, Aiden Curren, Michael Anthony, Jwalit Patel and Julian Puente scored four. Jaxon Benton had three, while Cullen Oliver, Norman Rust and Ronald LeRoy each had a deuce. 

Lake senior Aliki Long finished with 20 points. Delaney Martin scored 16 points. Hannah Alexander hit for 14. Mariah Quinones scored eight. Raven Jobes scored four, and Adrion LaTorre hit a three-pointer. 

 

Cape sophomore Norman Rust drives to the paint in the 67-67 tie.
Cape junior Brynne Fox takes a shot in the game.
Unified partner Aidan Wyatt takes a shot.
Coach Kyle Mansfield gets a chance in the Unified Partner Challenge.
Cape unified partner Darren Fraiman takes a shot in the Unified Partner Challenge.
Lake coach Darrell Jones presents the Unified Partner Challenge Cup to the Spartans.
The two teams trade game jerseys.
The two teams trade game jerseys for friendship.
Cape unified partner Bennett Steinmann dribbles the ball up the court.
Jaylin Tingle hits a deuce for the Vikings.
Cape senior Zane Richardson takes a three.
Cape’s Harlan Jones takes a shot with the assist by unified partner Brynne Fox.
Lake Forest players Barack Johnson, left, and Moreghan Morris give the game a thumb’s up.
Cape’s Xavier Zimmer takes a long three.
Jaxon Benton takes a shot for the Vikings.
Aliki Long hits a shot for the Spartans.
Lake’s Delaney Martin takes a shot for the Spartans.
Jwalit Patel runs to give a high five to referee JD Maull.
Cape sophomore Luke Archer hits a set shot.
Cape assistant coach Sara Davis speaks with her players during a time-out.
Lake’s Talan Gerardi takes a shot from the side in the three-point contest.
Cape’s Zane Richardson takes a shot in the three-point competition.
Competing in the three-point challenge are (l-r) Aliki Long, Talan Gerardi, Bennett Steinmann and Zane Richardson.
Lake senior Aliki Long wins the three-point contest.
Lake senior Aliki Long, left, wins the three-point contest over Cape’s Zane Richardson.
Cape coaches Tom Rushin, Sara Davis and Elle Nauman share a moment on the bench.
Cape senior Ronald LeRoy gets a put back.
Michael Anthony looks to take a shot for the Vikings.
Michael Anthony hits a shot for the Vikings.
Cape’s Robert Harman-Strike, right, gets a chest bump from teammate Zane Richardson.
Cape’s Julian Puente drives to the paint.
Cape’s Julian Puente hits a shot inside.
Robert Harman-Strike hits a shot off the screen of Elizabeth Sprague.
Delaney Martin takes a shot for the Spartans.
Hannah Alexander hits a short for the Spartans.
Mariah Quinones hits a shot for the Spartans.
Hannah Alexander takes a shot for the Spartans.
Junior unified partner Camilla Willis looks to pass inside.
Cape’s Austin Hastings pops in a jumper.
Cape’s Austin Hastings gets a basket.
Zackary Valles performs some ball handling before taking a shot.
Zackary Valles hits a shot.
Cape’s Luke Archer drives to the hoop.
Norman Rust hits a basket.
Luke Archer hits.
Xavier Zimmer takes a three.
Xavier Zimmer, right, gets a hug from unified partner Bennett Steinmann.
Lake’s Hannah Alexander, left, and Raven Jobes cheer on their team.
Senior Logan Felker takes a shot for the Vikings.
Cape senior unified partner Erichson McMahon takes a shot.
Cape senior Erichson McMahon moves the ball up the sideline.
Cape’s Jwalit Patel celebrates a made shot.
Lake coach Darrell Jones congratulates Aliki Long on a made 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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