Cape Vikings Capture Henlopen Conference Championship with Dominant 67-35 Victory

The Cape girls’ basketball team secured the Henlopen Conference Championship with a commanding 67-35 victory over Early College High School on February 21 in Dover, according to game results.

The Vikings jumped out to an early lead and maintained control throughout the contest, improving their season record to 18-2 with the championship win. Cape’s dominant performance earned them the No. 2 seed in the DIAA state tournament, where they will host the winner of No. 15 Ursuline Academy and No. 18 Wilmington Friends in the second round, currently scheduled for Saturday, February 28.

Cape established a commanding 41-15 halftime advantage and continued their strong play in the second half. The Vikings’ depth showed as coach Ron Dukes rotated players freely, with the bench making significant contributions to the victory.

Junior Ally Diehl led the offensive charge with her strongest performance of the season, scoring 20 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. “We wanted this really bad,” Diehl said after the game. “We’ve had a few slow games lately, so we wanted to come out fast and show people what we can do. It’s really special. We’re really good friends on and off the court, and it means a lot to all of us.”

The Vikings received balanced scoring throughout their lineup. Amalia Fruchtman contributed 14 points to the championship effort, while Mairead Rishko added 12 points, including two three-pointers. Maya Yngve chipped in nine points, highlighted by a key three-pointer in the second quarter that helped extend Cape’s lead.

“Every day we come into practice, we work hard, and this shows it pays off,” Fruchtman said. “Winning it freshman year and bringing it back home senior year feels like going full circle. I’m just grateful for everyone. We had fun today. We’ve been emphasizing that in practice – just have fun and make the most of the moment.”

The team’s chemistry and enthusiasm proved crucial in their championship performance. “It is amazing,” Yngve said. “I think we all played so well together. Our word of the day was enthusiasm, and I think we showed a lot of it. I love these girls so much. We’re going to hang onto this moment as we head into the state tournament.”

Cape coach Ron Dukes praised his team’s depth and character following the victory. “The subs did well, which gave us confidence to keep rotating players,” Dukes said. “This team is awesome. Everyone asks what’s so special about this group. They work hard, they pay attention, they ask questions. I couldn’t ask for more. No matter what’s happening in the game, they’re smiling the whole time.”

Early College High School, despite the loss, received solid performances from their top scorers. Marshay Brown led the Hornets with 12 points, while Ashyra Brown contributed 10 points in the championship game.

The Vikings now turn their attention to the state tournament, where they will look to build on their conference championship success. With their balanced scoring attack, strong team chemistry, and the confidence that comes from a dominant championship performance, Cape enters the postseason as a formidable contender for the state title.

The championship marks a significant achievement for the Vikings’ program as they prepare for their upcoming state tournament matchup at home.