Cape Tech Boys Basketball Establishing Defensive Identity

HARWICH – The Cape Tech boys basketball team has established an identity under first-year coach Kevin Furey. 

 The team’s commitment begins at the defensive end of the floor.

 Although the Crusaders showcased their dedication to defense at the start of the season, the team has amplified its full-court press in recent weeks to help its offense turn a corner. 

 “It always starts defensively. That’s our benchmark in terms of our standards,” Furey said following the team’s 69-39 victory over Norfolk Aggie on Thursday in Harwich. “You’re not always going to put the ball in the hoop as much as you want to every night, but the defensive effort has been so much more consistent for the past two weeks. 

“We’ve lost some close ones along the way, but these last couple games the offense is really picking up the pace and we’re getting closer to our goal of where we want to be night in and night out offensively.”

Cape Tech (8-6) utilized its full-court press to stifle Norfolk Aggie early and often. The Crusaders wreaked havoc on the Rams in the first half to create turnovers that led to easy baskets in transition, building a 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 39-20 lead by the intermission. 

“That extra full-court pressure creates some easy looks in transition,” Furey said. “It can kind of ease the pressure if the half-court offense is stalling.”

Sophomore point guard Anthony Bartlett led the Crusaders with a team-high 14 points, senior Shaye Hautanen finished with 10, junior Amani Cole added nine and senior Joshua Cohan chipped in eight. 

Furey credited Cole for helping to set the tone at both ends of the floor. 

“He’s really come along the past couple of weeks in terms of how he can impact the game offensively and defensively,” the coach said. “He has a great IQ and reads the court really well. He’s really improved and has done a great job of seeing the openings and covering our butts when we’re out of position.”

Bartlett attributed the team’s recent success to the players coming together on the court. 

“It’s communication,” the sophomore said. “Our team is tight, we’re all like brothers. If we play to our best ability and our hardest every game, no matter whether we win or lose, we should still be proud. If we play our hardest, we’re a tough team to beat and I think we can go really far.”

With six regular season games remaining, Furey said he’s been pleased with the way the players have put the team’s success in front of the individual. 

“The kids have really bought in,” the coach said. “All of the kids are really accepting their roles on the team and want to make each other better. They’re in this together, so one win or success for a player is everybody’s success and they are cheering each other on.”