By Chris Stevens, Editor
One team is making its third straight appearance in the championship game while the other is looking to finally break through in their sixth overall trip to the promised land.
Defending state championship Salesianum takes on Dover for the DIAA boys’ basketball state championship tonight at 6 p.m. and it promises to be a game for the ages.
Dover won the regular season match in February 72-52, but Sals was missing three starters and their head coach for various reasons, so tonight’s battle will be a much closer encounter.
Sals (15-8), looking to repeat for the second time in school history and win their fourth state championship in the tournament era, has a starting five to envy – Isaiah Hynson has made the Bob feel like shootaround the last couple of seasons with the ease of which he hits shots while Dartmouth commit Kareem Thomas does a little bit of everything offensively with zero wasted movement.
Justin Hinds is capable of taking over a game offensively while R.J. Johnson is a skilled post player in an NFL edge rusher’s body. The fifth man is Zack Swartout, an important part of Salesianum’s suffocating defense.
The only team that can counter Sals’ talent and depth will be on the other side of the floor tonight as the Senators (22-2) look to win the first championship in the program’s long history.
The backcourt duo of Dorell Little Jr. and Denim Perkins have proven to the best in the state.
At 6’5, Little can get to various spots on the floor and score while Perkins is pound for pound one of the best players in Delaware and easily the best point guard.
Dover also has a sharpshooter in junior guard Jay’Vion Denis and capable forwards (Istavan Norwood III, Tarrance Williams and Chase Little) who can supply defense, rebounding and timely scoring.
This promises to be an incredible matchup of two great teams, coaching staffs and programs with a sold-out crowd on hand cheering every step of the way. Whoever will hold that big trophy up at the end of the night will certainly have earned it.
