Cape Tech Girls Work To Find Identity At Holiday Basketball Tournament

BOURNE – Cape Cod Tech girls basketball coach Nick Conti is remaining patient.

Although the Crusaders have started the season with a 1-4 record, Conti understands that this year’s team is a work in progress as a collection of underclassmen play pivotal roles for the team.

The growing pains included two losses in the Cape Cod Holiday Tournament at Upper Cape Tech, where Conti and Cape Tech suffered a 65-24 loss to St. John Paul II in the semifinals on Dec. 27 before falling to Tri-County, 46-25, in the consolation finals one day later.

“I think my girls played as well as they could today with the pressure that they had,” Conti said after the St. John Paul II loss. “St. John Paul has had girls that have played together since fifth or sixth grade, and I have girls that have played together since this year or last year. You’re talking about a different animal. We may have lost, but we played hard.”

Cape Tech was led by sophomore Julianna Santana’s team-high eight points, while sophomore Gianna Lubash, senior Lindsay Payne and freshman Addison Sundby added four points apiece. St. John Paul II was anchored by sophomore Marlo Jumper, who led all scorers with 25 points.

The Lions went on to win the tournament with a 46-28 win over Upper Cape Tech in the championship game.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game,” Conti said after the team’s loss to St. John Paul II. “Our girls are still trying to find our identity. We’re going to find it soon enough, and once we do we’re going to be unstoppable.”

The two tournament losses extended Cape Tech’s losing streak to three games following a 28-24 win over Sturgis East on Dec. 18.

Conti was especially thrilled with the Crusaders’ resiliency in the win.

“The girls were determined to come back,” he said. “We were behind and we came back when the adversity was there. They answered the call.”

As the team continues to search for its identity, Conti said he’ll count on Santana to be a leader after gaining valuable varsity experience as a freshman last season. He’s also been encouraged by the contributions of the team’s three freshmen, specifically Sundby.

“Addison is definitely a great addition,” Conti said. “She’s hardworking, she’s very caring and loves the game.”

Tech will look back to get in the win column this week with games against Sturgis East on Wednesday and Tri-County on Thursday.