Cape Tech Girls Basketball Hopes Time Off Leads To Strong Finish

HARWICH – The Cape Cod Tech girls basketball team couldn’t have asked for a better time to catch its breath. 

 Hobbled by a slew of injuries and illnesses, the Crusaders have enjoyed a week off from games between their 59-27 victory at South Shore Tech on Feb. 5 and their home game against Sturgis East at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

 “We’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of people sick, so it’s been good to catch up with that,” Cape Tech coach Nick Conti said after Monday’s practice. “It’s given people a few extra days to heal and feel better.”

 Cape Tech (8-9) is on the brink of qualifying for the Division 5 state tournament, but there’s still work to be done with three games remaining in the regular season. 

The Crusaders were ranked No. 36 in the MIAA power rankings released last Friday, and they can clinch a spot in the state tournament with a .500 record or by finishing in the top 32 of the rankings. 

After Wednesday’s home game against Sturgis East, the team will close out its regular season at Cape Cod Academy (Feb. 18) and at Sturgis West (Feb. 19).

“We’ve got to win two out of our last three,” Conti said. “They are all manageable games, it’s just a matter of who shows up and how we do. I have a good feeling that if we play well and together, we have a good chance to beat anybody.”

Managing injuries and illnesses has been a challenge for Conti and the Crusaders in recent weeks. The team received a major blow Jan. 24 when sophomore Addison Sundby suffered a shoulder injury during the team’s 49-45 victory over Upper Cape Tech. 

Although Conti said there is a good chance the injury will keep Sundby sidelined for the remainder of the season, he praised the team’s other underclassmen for stepping up to take on more responsibilities as the season has progressed. 

Among the rising stars is sophomore Zana’e Barrett, who has been a key piece in the lineup since returning from a concussion earlier this season.

“Zana’e has been a pick up for us,” said Conti. “She’s been working really hard.”

Returning to form wasn’t the easiest transition for Barrett, a North Eastham resident, though she said she’s finally feeling at full strength as the Crusaders prepare themselves for their final postseason push. 

“When I came back from my concussion, it was hard because my head was hurting all the time,” Barrett said. “I think looking up to the upperclassmen really helped me improve, and I spent some time at my basketball hoop at home and that helped a lot.”

Cape Tech will honor its lone senior, Maggie Brookshire, with a senior day celebration prior to Wednesday’s game. With a week off between games, Barrett said she’s hopeful the Crusaders will be able to hit the ground running with a more complete lineup against Sturgis East.

“[The break] has been really good, especially because we’ve been getting players back who have been sick,” she said. “We’re going to have everybody back for Wednesday’s game, so I think it’s going to be good.”