By Chris Stevens, Editor
One could make the argument that tonight’s DIAA boys’ basketball final four is made up of the Top 4 teams in the state from start to finish. As is, it promises to be a fun night with two very exciting matchups that will lead to an even more exciting championship game Saturday night. Let’s preview the matchups.
No. 2 Dover 21-2 vs. No. 3 Middletown (18-5), 6 p.m.
How they got here: Middletown defeated Conrad 67-61 in the second round Feb. 29, defeated Saint Mark’s 70-50 in the quarterfinals Mar. 2. Dover defeated Lake Forest 71-48 in the second round Feb. 29, defeated St. Georges 67-49 in the quarterfinals Mar. 2.
Key match-up: Denim Perkins vs. Clyde Frasier
Outlook: If you like rangy, athletic teams who can get up and down the floor and defend like crazy, tonight’s first semifinal game will be a treat as No. 2 Dover takes on No. 3 Middletown in the most intriguing of the two games this evening and lucky us, it’s the one that goes first.
Dover has had little trouble, in-state or elsewhere, so far this season, tying St. E for the most wins in the state (21) while winning another Henlopen Conference title and returning to the Final Four for the first time since a little thing called the pandemic began four years ago. Middletown is back at the Bob for a second consecutive year, fielding essentially a brand-new team founded on the same principles of shared work and success.
The key match-up is the battle of the point guards as Dover’s Denim Perkins and Middletown’s Clyde Frasier will look to guide their teams to the championship game. Both are quintessential floor generals – guards who pass first, play tough defense but can also make the tough shot when necessary.
No. 1 St. Elizabeth (21-1) vs. No. 5 Salesianum (14-8), 8 p.m.
How they got here: Salesianum defeated Delaware Military Academy 76-40 in the second round Feb. 29, defeated Sanford 50-45 in the quarterfinals Mar. 2. St. Elizabeth defeated Mount Pleasant 47-41 in the second round Feb. 29, defeated Howard 63-53 in the quarterfinals Mar. 2.
Key match-up: Aiden Tobiason vs. Justin Hinds
Outlook: The Vikings hold a regular season victory over Sals (84-77 Jan. 7), but the Bob is a totally different animal and this is Salesianum’s third straight trip to the semis while this is St. E’s first trip since their 2018 championship year.
The Vikings have the deepest team in the state, led by Temple commit and Player of the Year favorite Aiden Tobiason, who will have help from scorers Kenny Hunter Jr. and Julius Wright as well as do-everything guard Steven Nixon Jr.
The defending champion Sals have their big three of Kareem Thomas, Isaiah Hynson and Justin Hinds, who will likely draw the assignment of slowing Tobiason down. Hinds is not only an excellent defensive player, but can play inside-out offensively as well, giving Sals a much-needed weapon against St. E’s seemingly endless arsenal.
