By Chris Stevens, Editor
We go from 16 teams to eight tonight in the boys’ basketball state tournament. There’s a rematch in New Castle, two former players returning to their old school and much more. Let’s preview tonight’s games.
No. 9 Howard (14-8) at No. 8 William Penn (16-4, 7-1 Flight A)
Key regular season wins: Howard defeated St. Georges 65-51 Dec. 16, defeated Appoquinimink 63-60 Jan. 23, defeated McKean 80-57 Feb. 7, defeated Middletown 69-64 Feb. 21. WIlliam Penn defeated Odessa 61-51 Jan. 30, defeated Howard 55-46 Feb. 10, defeated St. Georges 52-51 Feb. 15, defeated Appoquinimink 65-58 Feb. 19.
Key matchup: The entire Howard team vs. Emmanuel Vonhm/Jah’Ri Coles/Andy Webb
Outlook: The Colonials took the regular season meeting by nine points nearly three weeks ago, so the Wildcats are looking to get back to the quarterfinals against a really good team.
Penn’s size advantage helped them outrebound Howard, so that will be the area of focus as the entire Wildcat team (with no one on the active roster above 6’3) will try to keep the trio of Emmanuel Vonhm, Jah’Ri Coles and Andy Webb off the glass.
No. 10 St. Georges (14-7) at No. 7 Seaford (18-3, 13-1 Henlopen South)
Key regular season wins: 13. St. Georges defeated Conrad 61-46 Dec. 12, defeated Odessa 48-45 Jan. 23, defeated Appoquinimink 68-61 Feb. 6. Seaford defeated Lake Forest 65-62 Jan. 30, defeated Woodbridge 69-65 Feb. 6.
Key match-up: Omari Nichols vs. Kionne Lang
Outlook: Seaford has picked up where they left off a year ago in spite of some high-profile departures, winning the Henlopen South and picking up a top 8 seed. They’ll be tested tonight by a hungry St. Georges team, who could be the bracket busters this tournament is looking for.
Blue Jays junior forward Omari Nichols will do battle in the post with Hawks senior forward Kionne Lang. Whoever can control the boards and protect the rim in that matchup gives his team the best chance to win.
No. 11 Appoquinimink (14-7) at. No. 6 Saint Mark’s (16-4)
Key regular season wins: .Appoquinimink defeated Mount Pleasant 63-60 Jan. 17, defeated Odessa 54-52 Feb. 3, defeated Delcastle 53-51 Feb. 14. Saint Mark’s defeated West Philadelphi (PA) 57-50 Dec. 17, Conrad 59-55 Dec. 29, defeated Delaware Military Academy 67-54 Feb. 2
Key match-up: Rey Carrier vs. Alassan N’Diaye
Outlook: Appo took care of business Tuesday against Woodbridge, now business picks up with a Spartan team that looks to prove their 16-win season was no fluke.
Super soph Alassan N’Diaye is the player to watch for Saint Mark’s and the task of watching him for 32 minutes goes to Jaguars senior forward Rey Carrier.
N’Diaye is an athletic, exciting player who can get the crowd going with one dunk or blocked shot. Carrier must keep him from giving the home crowd an emotional boost.
No. 21 Cape Henlopen (11-10) at No. 5 Sanford (16-4, 8-0 Independent Conference)
Key regular season wins: Cape Henlopen defeated Smyrna 61-44 Dec. 12, defeated Sussex Central 48-47 Dec. 14 and 56-43 Feb. 8.
Key match-up: Jameson Tingle vs. Marquis Newson
Outlook: Cape Henlopen did indeed make it three wins in the same season against Sussex Central, a real confidence booster heading to Sanford, who looks to be a serious state title contender this season.
With upperclassmen experience available on both sides, a couple of freshmen should take center stage as the Vikings’ Jameson Tingle squares off with Sanford’s Marquis Newson. These two exciting young players are a part of Delaware’s bright basketball future and the winner of that matchup goes a long way to contributing to their team’s chances of victory.
No. 13 Delaware Military Academy (13-8) at No. 4 Salesianum (12-8)
Key regular season wins: DMA defeated Delcastle 53-50 Jan. 8, defeated Archmere 43-37 Jan. 18, defeated Conrad 67-62 Jan. 15. Salesianum defeated Appoquinimink in overtime 74-71 Dec. 20, defeated William Penn 64-55 Jan. 12, defeated Sanford 62-55 Feb. 3
Key match-up: Gabe Swift vs. Kareem Thomas
Outlook: DMA advanced past Smyrna in an intense first-round game Tuesday night, which should prepare them for the raucous Sals crowd at the Birk. The Seahawks will look to get Gabe Swift going early and somehow find a way to slow down Sals’ Kareem Thomas, who has done literally everything but sell popcorn at the concession stands this season.
Salesianum is the state champion until further notice, and they’ll look to make that statement loud and clear tonight.
No. 19 Conrad (13-8) at No. 3 Middletown (16-5, 8-0 Flight A)
Key regular season wins: Conrad defeated Brandywine 63-60 Dec. 19, defeated MOT Charter 58-49 Jan. 29, defeated Delcastle 59-43 Feb. 20. Middletown defeated Sanford 53-51 Dec. 14, defeated Salesianum 57-55 Jan. 25, defeated William Penn 60-54 Feb. 2, defeated Appoquinimink 98-87 in triple overtime Feb. 10.
Key match-up: Latrell Wright vs. Clyde Frasier
Outlook: The youthful Red Wolves picked up a first round win at MOT Charter Tuesday but their next trip below the canal gets even tougher with a Cavaliers team that has been consistently tough all season long.
The point guard match-up is the one to watch as Conrad sophomore Latrell Wright faces a mirror image in Middletown senior Clyde Frasier. Both floor generals are not only responsible for getting their teammates open looks but creating their own offense as well. The point guard who does these things better than other likely advances his team to Quarterfinal Saturday
No. 15 Lake Forest (16-5) at No. 2 Dover (19-2, 14-0 Henlopen North)
Key regular season wins: Lake Forest defeated Laurel 72-64 Jan. 18, defeated Seaford 63-60 Feb. 3, Archmere 56-53 in overtime Feb. 10. Dover defeated Sanford 61-59 Jan. 6, defeated Salesianum 72-52 Feb.
Key match-up: Darrius Miller vs. Dorell Little Jr.
Outlook: Lake Forest has been up and down in spots this season, but still have advanced to the second round where they’ll have a bit more consistent. The 19-2 Senators made it through Henlopen North play unscathed and have a win over Sanford as well as a game of the year candidate with St. Elizabeth under their belts.
Two scoring machines will square off tonight at Lake’s Darrius Miller takes on Dover’s 1000-point scorer Dorell Little Jr. Both are capable of explosions at a given moment, so whoever blasts off first will have the decided advantage.
No. 17 Mount Pleasant (14-7) at No. 1 St. Elizabeth (19-1, 8-0 Diamond State)
Key regular season wins: Mount Pleasant defeated Conrad 57-51 Dec. 14, defeated Caravel 50-43 Jan. 3, St. Georges 43-31 Jan. 11. St. Elizabeth defeated Salesianum 84-77 Jan. 7, defeated Dover 61-60 Jan. 20, defeated Middletown 74-63 Feb. 20.
Key match-up: Jayden Lawrence vs. Aiden Tobiason
Outlook: Mount Pleasant held off Odessa in overtime Tuesday and two former Vikings return to their school to try and upset the top-seeded team in the tournament. St. Elizabeth has incredible depth on the wings and perimeter while the Green Knights play a style that slows the game down and forces the opponent to play at their pace.
Mount’s leading scorer Jayden Lawrence will match-up with leading Player of the Year candidate Aiden Tobiason and since these two know each other very well, it should be a fun duel tonight.
