Cape middle schools hoop at Capital Classic

Mariner’s Nick Cox is hacked by Gunning Bedford’s Isaiah Hynson while going to the hoop in the finals of the Pepsi Division of the Capital Classic. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

February 19, 2019

The basketball teams of Mariner and Beacon participated in the annual Capital Classic at Delaware State University Feb. 16-17. When the final buzzer sounded, the Cape middle schools had garnered a two second-place finishes, a third and a fourth.

The Mariner boys finished off the weekend with a 49-28 loss to a tough Gunning Bedford team. They had previously defeated Laurel in the semifinals. Isaiah Ayers had eight points to lead the Vikings. Nick Cox and BJ Mosley each scored six. Dylan Henry, Cody Trivits, Kaim Bickham and Derrieus Johnson each put up two.

The Mariner girls’ squad made it to the finals of the H&R Block Division, where they lost 21-10 to Selbyville Middle. They had previously downed their district rivals Beacon 14-12 in the semifinals.

The Milton Vikings got balanced scoring from Shaniya Miller, Morgan Newcomb, Jayla Johnson, Emma Maxwell and Grace Feather with two points each.

Beacon Middle girls placed third with a win over Milford Middle in the H&R Block Division.

Allison Head led the way with 12 points, while Diana Nauman scored 11. LuLu Rishko and Brianna Loper added six points each, while Haley Archambault chipped in two.

The Beacon boys dropped a close 38-36 loss to Woodbridge to garner fourth place in the McDonald’s Bracket.

Dylan Fannin led Beacon with 14 points. Daeshaun Lewis added 11. Jeremiah Jackson scored five, while Owen Daminger hit for a three, Jahden Cannon scored a deuce and Stephane Etienne hit a foul shot.

Mariner’s Nick Cox is hacked by Gunning Bedford’s Isaiah Hynson while going to the hoop in the finals of the Pepsi Division of the Capital Classic. DAN COOK PHOTOS

BJ Mosley goes in strong for two in the Mariner loss to the Gunning Bedford Panthers.

Mariner guard Kai Bickham moves the ball upcourt in the fourth quarter.

Mariner guard Isaiah Ayers lines up one of his three-point shots. He led the Vikings with nine points.

Derrieus Johnson shoots and scores for Mariner.

Mariner boys’ coach Terry Hazzard doesn’t like a call in the fourth quarter.

Mariner boys’ coach Terry Hazzard holds the second-place trophy with Sportsmanship Award winner Cody Trivits, left, and All-Tournament selection Kai Bickham.

Mariner eighth-grader Cailyn Bledsoe blocks a Selbyville shot. CINDY BROWN PHOTO

Mariner’s Ava Iacono goes in for a shot. CINDY BROWN PHOTO

Mariner Middle coach Katie Tingle, center, stands with Sportsmanship Award winner Mackinzie Brown and All-Tournament selection Jessica Ashley. CINDY BROWN PHOTO

Beacon’s Diana Nauman goes in strong for two and is fouled.

Beacon’s LuLu Rishko grabs an important rebound in the fourth quarter.

Allison Head hits for two of her 12 points.

Faith Re starts a fast break for the Beacon Vikings.

Beacon head coach Sam Purple goes over timeout strategy.

Lindsay D’Ambrogi sets up a Beacon offensive play.

Awards at the Capital Classic were presented to (l-r) Beacon’s Diana Nauman and Jeremiah Jackson for All-Tournament Team, and Allison Head and Dylan Fannin received Sportsmanship Awards.