Sports

Sports & Recreation www.oceancitytoday.com Jan. 14, 2022 Page 44

Del. and Md. state champs battle, Cape edges out SD

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 14, 2022) Cape Henlopen, the defending Delaware state wrestling champions, and Stephen Decatur, Maryland’s 2A reigning state titleholder, were both slated to participate in the Iron Horse dual tournament last weekend. When the event got canceled, the two teams decided to go head-to-head on Decatur’s mat in Berlin last Saturday.

The squads battled hard, with the Cape Henlopen Vikings edging out the Berlin squad, 34-27.

“They have one of their studs out and we had one of our studs out. I thought [Cape was] the better team today. I thought we wrestled tough,” said Decatur Coach Todd Martinek. “Overall, we were hitting a lot of the things we were working on over the break. I didn’t feel like we were tired. Things are progressing.

“I told the kids, ‘it’s not the end of the world. You got about 34 days to win a state title. They’re going to try to win theirs and we’re going to try to win ours and hopefully, they do and hopefully we do,’” Martinek continued.

Cape earned a decision in the first match of the meet, 138 pounds.

Decatur senior Tyler Long then won his 144-pound match, 8-6 in overtime.

The Vikings recorded a decision at 150 pounds and a pin at 157-pounds to take a 12-3 lead.

Senior captain Noah Reho won 63 at 165 pounds, then senior Jack Quisgard and senior captain Alex Koulikov scored pins at 175 and 190 pounds, respectively, to pull ahead 18-12.

Cape took the next two matches –215 and 285 pounds – earning a major decision and pin to gain a 2218 advantage.

Decisions at 106 and 113 pounds by freshmen Juan Hinojosa (5-3) and Aaron August (6-2), respectively, put Decatur back on top, 24-22.

The Vikings got pins at 120 and 126 pounds for 12 points to secure a team victory.

Senior Cody Drummond earned three points for Decatur with a 6-0 decision at 132 pounds in the last match of the day.

“Today is the third anniversary of our last loss. Exactly three years ago today was the last time we lost, at Iron Horse Duals, because we didn’t have a season last year [due to covid] and we went undefeated the year before that,” Martinek said. “They’re more upset about it then me. I was happy with what I saw, happy to be wrestling. With covid and snow, so much stuff can get shut down that I’m just happy to be out here. It was a good loss. I’m proud of my guys. They wrestled well. We’ll just learn from it.”

Decatur hosted the North Dorchester Eagles on Wednesday and won, 78-6.

Drummond (138), Koulikov (195), Hinojosa (106), August (113), freshman Liam Hugues (120), sophomores Gavin Solito (145) and Parker Intrieri (160) and junior Evan Haworth (152) pinned their opponents.

North Dorchester forfeited matches at 126, 132, 170, 220 and 285 pounds.

“We were aggressive, we were healthy,” Martinek said. “I think all the kids and myself are looking forward to the this weekend’s War on the Shore. We’re hoping to have a good tournament.”

Decatur will host its annual War on the Shore tournament today and Saturday at the Berlin school.

Seventeen teams – from Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey – are slated to compete.

“It’s the toughest tournament in the state. Our kids will get tested individually,” Martinek said. “It has all been team stuff so far, and I like them focusing on the team, but a lot of these kids have individual goals and they’re going to see where they stand against the best kids.”

Martinek thinks Decatur has a chance to place top three in the event.

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY (Top, left) Stephen Decatur freshman Juan Hinojosa earned a 5-3 decision in his 106-pound match last Saturday. (Top, right) Decatur senior captain Alex Koulikov pinned his 190-pound Cape Henlopen opponent in 3:14. (Bottom) Senior Jack Quisgard scored a pin at 175 pounds in 2:15. Cape Henlopen, the defending Delaware state champions, edged out Decatur, Maryland’s 2A reigning state title holder, 34-27.

JANUARY 14, 2022 Decatur wrestling to host War on the Shore tournament

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The squad is currently ranked fourth overall in the state, behind Loyola, St. Mary’s Ryken and Mt. St. Joe, respectively. Those three are all private schools, while Decatur is a public school.

Mt. St. Joe will be participating in WOTS.

“The normal indicator, if you can place at War on the Shore you can place at states,” Martinek said. “I think we have a legitimate chance at placing eight kids at states (in the top six) so maybe we place eight kids at War on the Shore.”

No spectators will be allowed. Visit the Stephen Decatur wrestling team’s Facebook page for a list of links to live stream the competitions.

There will be two mats in the main gym, two in the cafeteria and one in the back gym. Each mat will have its own live stream.

To view information about the tournament, visit www.trackwrestling.com and search War on the Shore.

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY (Left) Stephen Decatur freshman Zakhari Baker takes the ball to the basket during Tuesday’s game against James M. Bennett in Berlin. Decatur lost, 78-55. (Right) Senior captain Joe Buxbaum makes a layup.

Decatur boys’ and girls’ swim teams top Cambridge

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 14, 2022) The Stephen Decatur swim teams both won their first meet back after winter break against the Cambridge Vikings, last Thursday at the Cambridge YMCA.

The Lady Seahawks came in first place in all 11 events. They outscored Cambridge, 132-23.

“Without a [full team official] practice in the last three weeks [because of holiday vacation and snow school closure], they looked a little tired, which was to be expected,” said Decatur Coach Kristina Watts. “A majority of the team isn’t new too swimming, so the time off doesn’t make too much of a difference [skillwise] … It was a good first meet to come back. We look forward to improving from there.”

Decatur swimmers who won their individual races were: sophomore Trista Harner (50-yard freestyle, 27.15 seconds; 100-yard freestyle, 1:01.41), juniors Emma Coyman (200-yard freestyle, 2:28.21), captain Natalie Canham (200IM, 2:32.59; 100 breaststroke, 1:20.56) and captain Katelyn Pizlo (500-yard freestyle, 6:46.28), and senior captain Sierra Wakefield (100-yard butterfly, 1:07.46; 100-yard backstroke, 1:13.65).

The 200-yard medley relay team of Canham, Coyman, Wakefield and Harner won their race in 2:08.91.

Pizlo, Canham, junior Kayden Hamby and freshman Molly Hoffman took first in the 200-yard freestyle relay race (1:58.94).

Hamby, Wakefield, Pizlo and Harner out-swam their competition in the 400-yard freestyle relay race (4:26.65).

“We have a whole solid week to get some workouts in and build endurance because they’re getting tired in longer races,” Watts said as the team didn’t have a meet this week.

She said the group planned to work on mechanics, turns, starts and breathing while in the water, during this week’s practices.

The Decatur boys’ team scored a 61-49 victory, coming in first in seven of 11 events.

“It was good to get back in the water. They were a little bit rusty, but it was still good,” said Coach Steve Deakyne. “I think a decent amount of them swam during break.”

Decatur boys who won their events were: sophomores Mason Castanares (200-yard freestyle, 2:17.10), captain Dan Karchewski (100-yard butterfly, 57.96 seconds; 100-yard backstroke, 1:03.95), and junior captain Gavin Stearn (200IM, 2:22.18; 100-yard breaststroke, 1:07.20).

The 200-yard medley relay team of Karchewski, Castanares, Stearn and freshman Bryce Gill took first with a time of 1:54.96).

The foursome also was victorious in the 400-yard freestyle relay race (4:03.65).

“We’re looking forward to a full week of practice [this] week,” Deakyne said. “It will be a mix of working on fitness again and stroke work as well.”

The next swim meet is Tuesday with Cape Henlopen and Pocomoke at the Pocomoke YMCA.

Seahawks show strong team unity

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 14, 2022) The Stephen Decatur boys’ basketball team kicked off the week with an 80-14 victory on the road over the Mardela Warriors.

“With everything going on, we’re just excited to be playing. I’m excited for the kids to be playing,” said Decatur Coach BJ Johnson. “It was good for our kids to get out and run.”

The visiting Seahawks led, 20-9, at the end of the first quarter. They outscored the Warriors, 23-3, to go into the halftime break on top, 43-12.

The Berlin squad added 23 points in the third and held Mardela to two points. Decatur scored 14 in the fourth, while shutting out its opponent.

“The little things I thought we did well. We rebounded pretty well and communicated on defense,” Johnson said. “One good thing about this team is the unity. They bond well together.”

Freshman Zakhari Baker led Decatur with 21 points. Junior Luke Mergott chipped in with 15 points. He also had three rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Freshman Trybe Wise contributed 12 points and four rebounds, and sophomore Brycen Coleman had 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Decatur had 14 steals and scored 34 points off Mardela turnovers.

Decatur will host the Snow Hill Eagles on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Berlin.

Girls play ‘fast and aggressive’ and put game out of reach

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 14, 2022) The Stephen Decatur girls’ basketball team put 62 points on the scoreboard and held the James M. Bennett Clippers to 12, during Wednesday’s competition in Salisbury.

“We came out a little slow. We just needed to settle down,” said Decatur Coach Scott Kurtz.

Decatur led, 12-5, at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Seahawks outscored the Clippers, 25-5, in the second quarter to go into halftime on top, 37-10.

“We finished the first quarter on high and just never let that go,” Kurtz said. “The second quarter we really got going. See TEAM’S Page 46

PAGE 46 Team’s ‘big three’ show confidence and leadership

Continued from Page 45 We switched up the defense at the start of the second quarter … [and] we started playing fast and aggressive.”

The Seahawks turned it up even more in the third quarter.

“They were more settled down, they were patient and were taking higher quality shots. We scored seven points in a matter of seconds and it was 44-10,” Kurtz said.

Junior Shelby Rosemond hit a three and was fouled. She sunk the free throw to make it a four-point play. She had another three and foul shot in the quarter for a total of eight points.

Decatur added 18 points in the third quarter and held Bennett to two, to extend its advantage to, 55-12.

“Our half-court defense only gave up two points in the second half,” Kurtz said. “We got a lot of girls in. Nine girls and everyone played quality minutes and everyone helped us.”

Rosemond led the team with 16 points. Junior captain Mayah Garner scored 14 and senior captain Nadia Bullock chipped in with 13 points.

“The big three, they play with such leadership and confidence. They took care of business tonight,” Kurtz said of his veterans. “They each contributed at different times. They’re good at getting the ball in the basket.”

Decatur’s next game is Tuesday on the road against the Snow Hill Eagles at 5 p.m. When the two teams went head-tohead on Dec. 14 in Berlin, Decatur won, 63-11.

Ocean City Today WP girls’ basketball team’s big second half leads to win

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 14, 2022) The Worcester Prep girls’ basketball team came on strong in the second half of Wednesday’s game against The Salisbury School Dragons in Salisbury and pulled out a 45-27 victory.

“It was a little sloppy at first, but we got better as the game went on,” said Prep Coach Mike Kelley.

Salisbury held a 10-4 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Worcester cut the lead in the second and at halftime only trailed by one point, 16-15.

“The second quarter was better then the first, but we missed too many easy shots,” Kelley said. “We were able to get good ball movement and more shots in the second quarter.”

Six of Salisbury’s first-quarter points were scored by senior Kellyn Hanna. She netted four points in the second quarter, but the Lady Mallards’ defense held her scoreless in the second half.

Kelley made some offensive adjustments for the second half, which included having senior captain Morgan White bring the ball up the court.

“That freed up our offense tremendously. We put the ball in Morgan’s hands and it helped generate movement of players more as team,” Kelley said. “It helped us become more balanced as a team.”

Worcester outscored Salisbury, 133, in the third. After three, the Berlin squad led 28-19.

The Mallards added 17 points in the fourth and held the Dragons to eight.

“We scored 30 points in the second half. That’s a testament to the athletes we have,” Kelley said. “Our defense is what caries us … We play man-to-man [defense] from start to finish. Our plan is to wear you down.

“We’re in much better shape and if we don’t turn the ball over, teams have trouble scoring on us,” he added.

Senior captain Lily Baeurle led Worcester with 16 points. White had 11 and senior captain Myranda Beebe chipped in with six points.

“It was a good rebound coming off a tough [43-34] loss to Delmarva Christian on Monday,” Kelley said.

Worcester will host the Salisbury Christian Jaguars today, Friday, at 6 p.m. in Berlin.

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY Worcester Prep senior captain Morgan White takes a shot during Monday’s game against Delmarva Christian in Berlin. She scored 10 points in the 43-34 loss.