Cape boys knock out Central 61-50 in DIAA first round
It’s not easy beating a team thrice in one season.
But that’s just what No. 21 Cape managed to do Feb. 27, defeating No. 12 Sussex Central 61-50 in the opening round of the DIAA Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
“That was a great environment, sold-out crowd, and we probably had a lot of people against us because we are the lower seed,” said Cape senior Kam Trammell. “They were 0-2 against us this season, so I don’t know why they thought it would be different tonight. Great team win as well. Jayden Dukes, Jameson Tingle and everybody who played this game today played great.”
Cape dominated host Sussex Central in the opening frame 20-5 on the strength of pinpoint shooting and selfless attitudes.
“Coach [Steve] Re tells us all the time to always look for one more [pass] if you don’t have the shot,” Trammell said.
Led by senior Manny Ortiz Villaman, the Vikings maintained their five-possession advantage with a 34-19 lead at the break.
“We came out and we just started throwing haymakers right from the jump,” Re said. “Guys making extra passes, knocking down catch-and-shoot rhythm jumpers like we practice. Manny had a huge first half for us, and guys were sharing the ball early.”
Ortiz Villaman netted all of his game-high 13 points in the first half, going 3-for-4 from deep. As a team, Cape shot 54% from the field and 36% from three in the first half.
“I just wanted to play my role today,” Ortiz Villaman said. “I knew I needed to step up along with everyone else. I wanted to do my part and have a team win. Today, I took a little bit more of a scoring role in the beginning, but I still tried to keep my energy over on defense and continue to communicate.”
The Vikings got into foul trouble early in the third quarter, leading to a 12-6 quarter win for the Golden Knights and putting Sussex Central within three shots, 40-31.
“We got in foul trouble, and that’s when the game changed for us a little bit,” Re said. “But we were able to maintain our composure.”
Each time the Golden Knights got within seven points, the Vikings buckled down on defense to stretch their lead back to double figures. Sequences from Jack Schell and Jayden Dukes electrified the crowd to shift momentum back to Cape’s side. Unfortunately, emotions got the better of Dukes following a personal 5-0 run and he picked up a technical foul, and Sussex Central netted two more buckets to give the home team, down eight, one final breath of hope.
With under two minutes to go, Trammell found himself open with his teammates and fans behind him, literally. The senior unleashed a no-doubter from downtown to drive the final nail in the coffin. Dukes ensured a double-digit victory for the Vikings with a crowd-pumping, game-ending dunk to put a cherry on top of a first-round treat.
Freshman Jameson Tingle led the Vikings with 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks, while Dukes’ two steals were a team high and his 12 points tied Schell for second on the squad. Schell’s six rebounds and two assists were also second on the team. Trammell registered 11 points to give Cape four players in double figures.
The Vikings (11-10) travel to No. 5 Sanford (16-4) Thursday, Feb. 29, for their second-round game.
