Cape Tech Puts The Clamps On Sturgis East, Cruises In Home Opener

HARWICH – Once the nerves drifted away, Cape Cod Tech’s full potential was on display.

Although the Crusaders gained some momentum to take a 9-point lead into halftime, it was in the third quarter that the team showed just how daunting it can be.

Cape Tech showcased its relentless full-court press defense and its unselfish offensive ability during the third frame, where it outscored visiting Sturgis East 25-0 en route to a lopsided 78-34 victory in Monday’s home opener.

“That’s what we kind of expected to do in the first quarter,” Cape Tech coach Brent Warren said. “It was the home opener and I think everyone got a little nervous and a little shaky.”

Cape Tech (1-1) senior Trevor Ryone led the way with 17 points and six rebounds before sitting out most of the fourth quarter once the game was out of reach. Josh Cohan added 11 points, Daniel Colares finished with 10 and Matt Riker had nine.

The third-quarter surge allowed Warren to turn to his bench and make sure nearly everybody found their way onto the scorebook.

“We started playing with more intensity with our press and they just couldn’t break it,” Ryone, a Brewster resident, said about the third quarter. “We were getting steal after steal and bucket after bucket. After that, it was game over.”

It was a strong response for the Crusaders, who opened their season with a 52-50 loss at Tri-County on Dec. 11. The team was shorthanded for that game, however, and was missing most of its frontcourt due to injury.

“We were without three of our starters,” Warren said. “Trevor was our tallest player on the court.”

Senior Alex Valdovinos, Tech’s projected starting center, remained sidelined during Monday’s home opener as he continues to recover from a knee injury he suffered during the soccer season.

Warren said he was pleased with what he saw from Colares, who scored all 10 of his points during the third quarter, as well as freshman Anthony Bartlett, the team’s only underclassman, who provided a big spark of energy especially when the press defense was applied.

“Anthony is just a baller,” Warren said. “Daniel was doing incredible things on the boards. He’s a tremendous athlete.”

The added rest Warren was able to provide the starters late in Monday’s game should be beneficial as the team was set to host Falmouth Academy on Tuesday before traveling to Monomoy for a 6:30 p.m. start on Thursday.