24 and More Vol. 3 – Jockeying for Position

By Chris Stevens, Editor

We officially have just two weeks of regular season basketball left and while conference championship races are just about settled, there’s still the matter of who will be seeded where once the DIAA basketball committee meets on Friday February 24.

That means every game around the state has some importance. Here are the latest tournament projections from First State Hoops Report.

Boys

Flight A

Safe: Middletown (14-2), St. Georges (12-4) Appoquinimink (11-4), William Penn (10-6), Mt. Pleasant (11-5)

On the bubble: Newark (8-8), Hodgson (10-6), Delcastle (7-8).

Outlook: You’d probably have to go deep into the record books to find the last time an entire conference was still alive for a state tournament berth with two weeks left in the regular season, but Flight A is pulling it off.

Middletown can clinch Flight A with a win at Mount Pleasant on Valentine’s Day while St. Georges and Appo are still very much alive for first round byes. Mount Pleasant has pulled itself off the bubble while Hodgson, Newark and Delcastle could crash the party if teams around the state suffer hiccups down the stretch.

Flight B

Safe: Howard (11-3), A.I. duPont (12-5), Odessa (11-5).

On the bubble: Christiana (6-9), Glasgow (7-7), John Dickinson (7-8).

Outlook: Howard continues to lead Flight A by a single game over A.I. while the Tigers and Odessa (up until a Tuesday loss at Mount Pleasant) keep rolling. Glasgow and John Dickinson are hanging on while Christiana might be in miracle mode.

Diamond State

Safe: Conrad (12-5), St. Elizabeth (12-6).

On the bubble: Newark Charter (7-8), Archmere (8-6).

Outlook: The Red Wolves have three tough games left – at home vs. Newark, at Archmere and a pesky Wilmington Charter team so they have to stay sharp though they’re in good shape for the tournament.

St. E is still alive for a first round bye while Archmere is close to entering safe territory. Newark Charter can help themselves with a strong finish but help outside of conference may be needed as well.

Henlopen North

Safe: Polytech (13-3), Dover (12-6), Cape Henlopen (11-5).

On the bubble: Sussex Central (9-7), Milford (8-8)

Outlook: Polytech can officially clinch the Henlopen North with a win vs. Cape on Thursday. The Vikings won’t go down without a fight, especially since they’re in contention for a first-round home game. Dover is safe as well while Sussex Central and Milford are hanging in there.

Henlopen South

Safe: Seaford (14-1), Laurel (12-4), Indian River (11-5).

On the bubble: Lake Forest (9-6), Woodbridge (8-9).

Outlook: Not much has changed with Seaford and Laurel, though it appears the regular season finale between these two will finally decide the Henlopen South title.

Indian River has moved into safe territory while Lake and Woodbridge are building late but strong cases for a tournament spot.

Independent Conference

Safe: Tower Hill (12-3), Sanford (11-4), Wilmington Friends (10-3).

On the bubble: Tatnall (7-8), St. Andrews (5-8).

Outlook: The Hillers and Warriors meet Saturday to decide the conference title and who gets a little closer to top 4 seed status. Friends continues to win the games they’re supposed to win while making Tower and Sanford work for their wins.

Tatnall still has an outside shot while St. Andrews may need help from other results around the state to get in.

Non-Conference/Catholic Conference/ESIAC

Safe: Salesianum (10-7), Caravel (10-5).

On the bubble: Delmarva Christian (12-5), Saint Mark’s (7-8).

Outlook: Salesianum had their win streak snapped by Sanford at UnLocke The Light, then promptly defeated Caravel Tuesday. The Buccaneers are safe, but if they want a first-round bye, finishing strong is a must.

Delmarva Christian and Saint Mark’s are two teams who we’ll likely need to see how the bonus points add up for them.

Girls

Flight A

Safe: Appoquinimink (12-3).

On the bubble: Middletown (10-6), St. Georges (9-6).

Outlook: The Jaguars can’t look past any opponent coming down the stretch, but if they can finish with 15-17 wins, a first-round bye is likely theirs.

Middletown was free falling until a win at Brandywine broke a four-game losing streak, but they’ll likely have the points for the tournament.  St. Georges could use some wins though they may have enough bonus points to make the dance.

Flight B

Safe: A.I. duPont (16-1)

On the bubble: Howard (10-5), Concord (9-9)

Outlook: A.I. is in contention for a first-round bye and will have two chances next week to clinch Flight B outright. Howard and Concord meet Thursday in a must-win for both teams, but more so for Concord than Howard, who has a schedule full of bonus points outside of their 10 wins so far.

Diamond State

Safe: Archmere (12-3), DMA (12-3), Wilmington Charter (10-5), St. Elizabeth (7-8).

On the bubble: Conrad (8-8).

Outlook: Archmere and DMA meet tonight to settle first place in the Diamond State Conference while Wilmington Charter continues their quest for a first-round home game.

Conrad’s shocking win over St. E last week gets them closer to the field of 24 while it pushes the Vikings further away from a first-round bye. A home game is still very much on the table for St. E.

Henlopen North

Safe: Cape Henlopen (15-2), Polytech (13-4), Smyrna (11-5).

On the bubble: Sussex Tech (10-6), Dover (7-11).

Outlook:  Cape Henlopen can clinch the Henlopen North outright Thursday against a streaking Polytech team, who is locked into a first-round home game. Smyrna’s hot streak prior to their Tuesday loss to Poly has them in good shape for the tournament while Sussex Tech needs wins and help.

Dover has an outside shot but it went even further outside after a stunning loss at Caesar Rodney on Saturday.

Henlopen South

Safe: Woodbridge (12-3).

On the bubble: ECHS (13-2), Seaford (8-8), Laurel (8-10).

Outlook: Woodbridge is still in contention for a first-round bye, but will likely need some help to get there. ECHS should make the tournament if they keep winning while Seaford has to keep winning to stay alive. Laurel’s solid play as of late has them in the conversation, but they could use some help elsewhere.

Independent Conference

Safe: Sanford (13-3), Tatnall (12-2).

On the bubble: Tower Hill (10-5), Wilmington Friends (5-8).

Outlook: Sanford has their biggest test of the season Friday when they visit Ursuline, though the Independent Conference appears to be theirs for the taking. Tatnall continues to win while looking to break into the top 4 seeding range.

Tower should help themselves with another win while Friends needs a couple of wins down the stretch to stay in the hunt.

Non-conference/Catholic Conference/ESIAC

Safe: Ursuline (17-0), Delmarva Christian (15-1), Caravel (10-5), Saint Mark’s (12-4), Red Lion (11-3).

On the bubble: Odyssey Charter (9-7), Padua (5-11).

Outlook: Ursuline defeated Caravel Tuesday so now it looks that all that stands between them and a perfect regular season is Sanford this coming Friday. That should be fun. Caravel and Saint Mark’s are still in contention for first-round byes while Delmarva Christian’s shocking loss to Saints Perter and Paul likely ended their bye hopes. Red Lion is in good shape while Odyssey Charter and Padua are close to their respective bubbles bursting.