VISAA Quarterfinal Boys Basketball – CHC 45, SSSA 79

Boys Basketball- CHC 45, St. Stephens, St. Agnes 79

#6 Cape Henry Collegiate traveled to #3 St. Stephens, St. Agnes for the quarterfinal matchup of the VISAA State Tournament on Wednesday night, and after a quick turnaround from Tuesday night’s win, the Dolphins struggled to lift the lid off the basket in a 79-45 loss to the Saints. The Dolphins hit the road after a come-from-behind victory the previous night, taking on a talented Saints program that finished the season 25-3. Cape Henry marched out to a 7-5 lead in the opening quarter, but the Saints answered with an 8-1 run to bring the score to 13-8 with three minutes remaining in the first. The Saints closed out the quarter leading Cape Henry 21-14 and raced out to a commanding 36-19 lead after the first five minutes of the second quarter. The Dolphins battled to find an offensive flow but the Saints’ intense pressure in the backcourt stymied Cape Henry’s rhythm, and as the teams broke for the half, the Saints led 40-26. The second half brought much of the same as Cape Henry wrestled with popping the lid off the basket, and after the third eight-minute frame was in the books, the Dolphins trailed 34-63. The Saints’ relentless pressure proved to be the difference maker in Wednesday’s quarterfinal matchup, and after 36 minutes of basketball, the Dolphins’ spectacular season came to an end with a 79-45 loss.

After fouling out in his final game in a Cape Henry Collegiate jersey, star forward, Dajour Rucker, received an ovation from the entire SSSA gymnasium for his efforts on the floor. Dajour Rucker led the Dolphin offense with 19 points, bringing his career scoring total to an astonishing 1,918 points. Danny Banister and Christian Moore added eight points apiece, with Kellen Marshall pitching in five for the Dolphin offense. Greg Melvin (2), Eric Clark (2), and George Cutler (1) rounded out the offensive efforts for Cape Henry. The Dolphins are grateful for the tremendous effort and dedication to the Cape Henry Collegiate basketball program from seniors Kellen Marshall, Danny Banister, and Dajour Rucker. After competing in Spring Athletics, Dajour Rucker will showcase his basketball talents at Marshall University, and Danny Banister will head down the road to compete collegiately for Hampton University.