VIDEO: Proven star, more experienced group give hope to Cape May Tech

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

The first thing you notice about the Cape May Tech boys basketball team is, yes, Dylan Delvecchio is still there.

Now a senior, the 6-3 forward and four-year starter has been one of the Cape-Atlantic League’s top players for the past couple of seasons.

Delvecchio gives the Hawks some star power. With two other starters returning and a couple of others with at least some varsity experience, Cape May Tech is optimistic it can show drastic improvement over last season’s 2-10 campaign.

Delvecchio, quickly approaching his 1,000th career point, averaged approximately 17 points and seven rebounds per game last season.

“In basketball, probably more than any other sport, one player can dictate a lot,” said Cape May Tech coach Sam Picketts (second season, also coached two seasons at Bridgeton, 15-45 overall). “Dylan’s already been a two-time all-CAL player and he’s the second leading scorer coming back in the entire league.

“As far as the production, it’s been there consistently the last couple years, but now he’s grown into a leadership role where he’s incorporating the younger kids.”

Alongside Delvecchio are returning starters Joel Hutchinson, a 6-3 senior forward, and Pat Bean a 6-0 sophomore guard. Hutchinson is expected to at least miss Friday’s season opener, however, after injuring his ankle.

Others in the regular rotation with some experience include 6-1 senior guard Tyler McDaniel, 6-4 senior forward Luke Czarnecki, 5-11 senior guard Mark Richie and 5-7 sophomore guard Luke Basile.

Juniors Jared Knights (6-0 F), James Murray (5-9 G) and Adam Dille (5-7 G) also may see some time.

“Overall, we have a really good group of kids,” Picketts said. “The best thing for us is that they really like each other, they worked out together in the offseason and they’ve really gelled together.”

Cape May Tech opens the season Friday at home against rival Middle Township at 5:30 p.m. The game will air live on 98.7 The Coast radio, with a live video stream available at CoastSportsToday.com.

Tech will compete in the CAL American Conference this season, alongside Middle, Wildwood Catholic, Ocean City, Absegami, Atlantic City and Bridgeton.

“I think we can surprise some people,” Picketts said. “Overall, the CAL, and our division particularly, is maybe a little down from what it had been. There are some teams retooling and there are a whole bunch of new coaches. We’ll see what happens.”

Picketts is assisted by Travis Amstutz and Ryan Gill.