Cape clips Baker in OT, 79-76
The Cape Coral Seahawks found a way to make one last defensive stop Tuesday night. In doing so, they secured one of their most exciting wins in recent high school basketball history.
The Seahawks’ 79-76 overtime victory over visiting Ida Baker at “The Nest” also ignited the crosstown rivalry, setting the stage for the return game later this season at Baker.
As the final seconds ticked down in overtime, Baker had one more chance to tie. Senior Xavier Battle got off a three-pointer, but Cape’s Wellington Tavarez partially deflected it.
After both sides looked at officials to make sure it wasn’t a foul, the Seahawks celebrated the dramatic victory.
“Usually a ref is not going to make that call at the end,” Baker coach Greg Coleman said. “We give all the credit to Cape, they played an outstanding game and wouldn’t give up.”
The final 20 seconds were played at Baker’s end of the court. They lost the ball once, but got it back by forcing a jump ball. They also had an errant pass intercepted by Cape’s Joel Hill, but he was standing out of bounds.
“We gave them possession after possession,” Cape coach Mark Rinehart said, “but our kids found a way to get another stop. That was all on our kids on the floor staying together.”
The Seahawks (6-1) needed a clutch shot to force overtime. Hill delivered an off-balance three-pointer with 3.5 seconds left in regulation, tying it 68-68.
Hill led the Seahawks with 23 points. Senior Yoko Roldan sank three three-pointers to finish with 22.
Ida Baker’s high scorer was senior John Skinner, who finished with 25.
Ida Baker 16 17 19 16 8 – 76
Cape Coral 11 19 14 24 11 – 79
Ida Baker (76) – Rodriguez 6, Campbell 9, Skinner 25, Rob Serrano 8, Ramos 5, Dobbins 2, Battle 6, Al Serrano 1, Ward 14. Totals: 30-59 14-24 76. 3-point goals: Rob Serrano 2, Battle 1.
Cape Coral (79) – Hill 23, Monteagudo 8, McIntyre 8, Mitchell 1, Roldan 22, Hall 9, Tavarez 8. Totals: 25-65 21-29 79. 3-point goals: Hill 3, Roldan 3, McIntyre 2.