Cape Tech Girls Basketball Can’t Keep Pace With CCA In Season-Opening Loss

HARWICH – Although there were flashes of greatness, the Cape Tech girls basketball team couldn’t stick with Cape Cod Academy during the teams’ season opener Friday night. 

 Led by senior Lili Shanahan’s game-high 32 points — including five made 3-pointers — the Seahawks pulled away to earn a 48-33 victory over the Crusaders, who were led by junior Mia Gonsalves (10 points).

“We had a tough game,” Cape Tech’s second-year coach Nick Conti said. “The first half was a rough half for us, but I think if we can put two halves together we’re going to have a great team.”

CCA showcased its offensive prowess in the opening quarter, building a 14-3 lead by the end of the first frame after Cape Tech managed to make just one field goal during the opening eight minutes. 

Although the Crusaders were able to generate some open shots, they struggled to maintain possession and appeared to be experiencing first-game jitters with sloppy passes and turnovers. 

“We had five players that were trying to learn to play together,” Conti said of the first-half struggles. “There are a lot of moving parts and they were trying to find the right fit. Honestly, I couldn’t be prouder of our starters and our bench for the effort they gave starting off.”

Cape Tech came alive with a pair of 3-pointers during the second quarter, cutting their deficit to 21-13 before CCA took a 30-13 lead into the intermission. The Crusaders allowed just two points during the third, trimming CCA’s lead to 32-23 before the Seahawks pulled away in the fourth.

Sophomore Addison Sundby finished with eight points for the Crusaders, while sophomores Senny Walton and Cassidy Nicholson chipped in with five points each. 

With Maggie Brookshire the lone senior on this year’s team, Conti said he will be relying on his six juniors and seven sophomores to help lead the scoring efforts.

“It’s lucky but not lucky at the same time,” Conti said. “We only have one senior, but we have girls that step up in huge ways that are sophomores and juniors. I think they are going to do great things.”

Gonsalves’ performance proved to Conti that her hard work during the offseason paid dividends.

“Mia put in the work this offseason and she’s worked hard,” the coach said.

 Cape Tech will return to action on the road at Sturgis East at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center.