Ball Night in De La Warr: Mid-Season Review

Davaughn and I linked up again to reflect on how the season has gone so far. Here are a few things we considered:   1. What team has surprised you to start the season?   DB: MOT Charter   MOT Charter is coming off their best season in school history with a 16-4 record and the school's first state tournament appearance. After losing five contributing seniors, including HM All-Stater Carlton Smith and Eastern University's Justin Duncombe, most may have looked for this to be a rebuilding year for the Mustangs. As of today, MOT stands at a strong 7-2 with impressive wins against Early College, Glasgow and a five-overtime thriller against a talented West Philly team in the Viking Invitational. Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2454268' first='Kofi' last='Opoku'] is the leader of the bunch averaging 14.7ppg and 8rpg. But the breakout player for the Mustangs is junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2569493' first='Kaden' last='Briscoe']. Briscoe is leading the team in scoring averaging 15.7ppg and has made an impressive twenty-nine threes in the first nine games. Me being a close observer of MOT Charter over the last couple of years, Coach Eric Epstein and staff have made the absolute most out of what they've had. They play a great brand of team basketball and developed a culture of development. This year is proving that last year was no fluke and the MOT Charter is a program to be reckoned with from now on!   CG: Wilmington Friends   Ok, here me out. Friends has been in this place before, where they rack up wins against bad competition and inevitably lose in the first round of the tournament. But, currently 8-2, this squad is a little different. Harvard football commit [player_tooltip player_id='2613170' first='Ryan' last='Tattersall'] raises their ceiling as a do-it-all, two-way forward inside the arc. His fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='2746819' first='Joseph' last='Winchell'] compliments his game as a floor spacer and distributor. The Quakers also have a pair of underclassmen who replicate those skills in sophomore marksman [player_tooltip player_id='2703278' first='Bryce' last='Jackson'] and freshman forward Conner Brennan. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2746813' first='Ethan' last='Lukach'], [player_tooltip player_id='2746811' first='Cooper' last='Strauss'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2424739' first='Henry' last='Winn'] are key contributors too. As a whole, they're blowing out the teams they typically squeak by and hanging with the tougher teams they play. They move the ball unselfishly and execute very well. So don't be surprised if they finish with their best record in over a decade and win a couple games in the tournament.   2. Downstate doesn't get enough love in the various team and player rankings. So, other than Dover, who's the best team South of New Castle County?   DB: Cape Henlopen   As a Milford alum, Cape Henlopen is our biggest rival, at least when I was in school. So for me to say this should show my lack of bias. Cape Henlopen is easily one of the eight best teams in Delaware right now and no one is talking about them. Currently sitting at 6-3, they are the best team South of middle not named Dover High School. They have one of the most balanced lineups in the 302. They have one of the best young cores in the state with sophomore Magnetism [player_tooltip player_id='2364685' first='Jameson' last='Tingle'], [player_tooltip player_id='2698355' first='Stephen' last='Sivels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2371044' first='Geordan' last='Downing']. [player_tooltip player_id='2746830' first='Damian' last='Robinson'] is having a breakout season in his senior season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2375193' first='Braxton' last='Figgs'] has to be one of the most underrated forwards in the state with his great touch in the paint. In their loss to Dover, they were neck and neck the first three quarters, until Dover pulled away with a masterful fourth quarter. [player_tooltip player_id='2698355' first='Stephen' last='Sivels'] is looking much more comfortable in his sophomore year running the point and setting the table for others. [player_tooltip player_id='2364685' first='Jameson' last='Tingle'] is arguably the best sophomore in the state. His athleticism makes him a match nightmare and he uses his QB vision to make plays for others. Coach Steve Re has been at Cape for years getting the most out of the talent he has on the beach. Looking at their remaining schedule they should be a 15-17 win team that could grab a first round bye. If you're a team that has to drive down to Lewes in late February, it's going to be a long night on the bus and on the floor!   CG: Seaford   At 7-2 as of today, the Bluejays are perennial contenders who should appear in the Henlopen Championship game again. However, with the way this year's squad is constructed and playing, their sights should be set higher. [player_tooltip player_id='2364771' first='Vince' last='Evans III'] is playing like one of the 3 best guards in the state right now and should be in contention for postseason honors. He's their primary advantage creator, but other guys can go off too. [player_tooltip player_id='2365303' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] is lightning in a bottle with how he throws a wrench into whatever the opposing offense is trying to do, while getting wherever he wants with the ball in his hand. Evans III and Smith were a lethal combination last season too. But they can also play through [player_tooltip player_id='2364701' first='Mikey' last='Matthews']. His development as a slasher and his event creation on defense make Seaford very dangerous. His brother [player_tooltip player_id='2551577' first='Aizyon' last='Matthews'], [player_tooltip player_id='2375190' first='Enoch' last='Duprey'], [player_tooltip player_id='2369648' first='Omari' last='Nichols'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2746845' first='Areon' last='Purnell'] provide depth at the wing and forward spots. EVERYONE GUARDS. They have a clear pecking order, but they play for each other and can adapt to different matchups. As long as they remain locked in, I like Seaford to upset someone slotted ahead of them in the tournament.   3. Who is your mid-season surprise player?   DB: [player_tooltip player_id='2461953' first='Elijah' last='Farrington']   As a Milford alum, I've had my eyes on [player_tooltip player_id='2461953' first='Elijah' last='Farrington'] since last summer going into his sophomore year. For a guy with his size, standing at about 6'7”, he exhibits a fluidity and skill set that is rare to see out of the first state. Going into this season, I expected him to have a good season. But the performances he's been putting up thus far have been ridiculous! I was in attendance for Milford's first home game against Saint Mark's, which they lost 43-39. Farrington did not play that game. If he did, I believe Milford wins easily. Since that game here are some of his performances:   vs. Caesar Rodney (65-57 W) 40 points, 17 rebounds, 6 blocks   vs. Smyrna (65-63 2OT L) 27 points   vs. Pocomoke (75-72 W) 27 points, 22 rebounds   vs. Crisfield (MD) (55-50 W) 35 points, 25 rebounds   Milford is also 5-2 on the season thus far. If Farrington can keep up this Shaq like dominance and continue to propel Milford to wins, I don't see how you keep him off of first team all state (or even player of the year)!   CG: [player_tooltip player_id='2364703' first='A'zir' last='Ellegood']   The Warriors lost a lot of talent and experience over the past two years. But the ‘24-25 Sanford team has a chance to be better than all of them thanks Ellegood's rapid progression as their lead guard. After getting spot duty as a freshman, Ellegood established early as their floor general this season. He bends the defense with his quickness off the dribble and does his best to feed the open man, whether that's with a lob to [player_tooltip player_id='2352336' first='Jayden' last='Taylor'] or a kick out to [player_tooltip player_id='2352347' first='Khareem' last='Hart'] for three. The high volume of advantages he creates don't always show up as assists because he helps his teammates get to the free throw line. And although he's been intentional about pressuring the rim, Ellegood has countered with his mid-range pull-up on drives and/or threes off the catch. His play has been emblematic of the Sanford team overall 11 games in. It's no surprise that their the consensus #1 team in the state.   4. Are there any storylines you're paying attention to?   DB: Who is going to win Flight A?   Over the past few years, it's safe to say that Flight A has been the premier division in Delaware basketball. Even with Middletown being the three time defending Flight A Division and Blue Hen Conference champions, this division has produced the most talent in the state year in year out. Throughout the summer I had Appoquinimink as my favorite to win the division. But after a plethora of transfers and some key injuries throughout the division, there was no clear answer. A month into the season, I don't think it's that much clearer. The consensus three picks right now would be St. George's, Odessa, and Appo. But you can NEVER sleep on a Gary Lumpkin (William Penn) and Azeez Ali (Middletown) coached team. Both teams have young scrappy cores and senior leaders ([player_tooltip player_id='2449208' first='Andy' last='Webb'] for William Penn and Kaleb Ra'ifa for Middletown) who can win a game on any given night. Also, let's not forget the most dangerous team in February over the last few years, Delcastle. They've been known to adjust the division standings and sneak into the tournament over that last five game stretch. And to bring it back to Appo, many people thought they would be done after losing all state point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2352342' first='Daniel' last='Harvey'] to injury for the season. So far they're 5-2, with a division win over William Penn. As today, St. George's and Odessa would be my Flight A favorites…but if you're asking me to pick one, I still can't…yet…   CG: Can anyone unseat Dover for the Henlopen title?   The Senators are still the odds on favorite to win the Henlopen Championship. However, the field is not without legit contenders. Two of the biggest ones in Cape Henlopen and Seaford have already been mentioned. The hyper athletic Blue Jays have the talent to put on for Henlopen South, but a balanced Early College squad holds the tiebreaker and shouldn't be counted out either. For the North, Cape is in second place behind Dover. To DB's early points, the Vikings already showed they can hang with the Senators. They just have to finish. They have a chance at revenge this Friday and have to get through the rest of Henlopen North which has been for my money the best league this season. But if they can win out, they have what it takes to take the overall title on February 22. After them, it's Sussex Central. 7-3, the Golden Knights are who people a few upstate teams are. They don't have much size up front, but they're the best shooting team in the state. Whether it's [player_tooltip player_id='2629305' first='Phillip' last='Doughty Jr'] or [player_tooltip player_id='2735032' first='Dylan' last='Glanden'] running point, things can get dark QUICKLY if their archers [player_tooltip player_id='2551550' first='Brandon' last='Spencer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2375238' first='David' last='Maker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2375233' first='Jayden' last='Lewis'] get hot from deep. They play 1 game a piece versus Smyrna and Milford, their rematch with Cape, and 2 against Dover. It's an uphill battle, but expect Sussex Central to win some games people think they shouldn't.   DB: Will Sallies make the tournament?   If you've been around Delaware the last few years, you know Sallies has been the perennial favorites to win the state championship over the past three years. In the words of Coach Brahiem Wilson (Friends Select Girls), “the road to the state championship goes through Broom Street!” After three consecutive state finals appearances, a championship in 2023, and graduating arguably the best core of players in school history (Kareem Thomas [Dartmouth], Justin Hinds [Air Forces], and Isaiah Hynson [Bridgton Prep]), Sallies looked to be in a reload season. They have returning contributors [player_tooltip player_id='2352339' first='RJ' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2365471' first='Dominic' last='Downs'], [player_tooltip player_id='2387593' first='George' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2365472' first='Mark' last='Brown']. They also added Honorable Mention All-State point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2352451' first='Latrell' last='Wright'] from Conrad, [player_tooltip player_id='2352454' first='Kevin' last='Coleman'] from Tower Hill and [player_tooltip player_id='2392093' first='Kabali' last='Kajubi'] from Elkton. Coming into the season, most people, including myself had them at least being a final four team for the fourth straight year. As of today, Sallies is 1-9 at the midway point of the season. Now mind you, they played a very tough out of state schedule the first month of the season, which they typically do, but this year was a gauntlet of a schedule playing some of Pennsylvania's finest teams (Imhotep, Penn Charter, St. Joseph's Prep, Bonner, etc). But in that stretch, they also played three in state games. They escaped Appoquinimink in a 49-45 win on their Silent Night Game. Less than 24 hours later, they were upset by St. Andrew's 55-50. And on January 11, their first in state game in almost a month, they travel to Basin Road and lose to William Penn 59-51. With ten games left, they're in a deep hole, and their schedule is now getting any easier. Their next ten games go in the order of Middletown, St. Elizabeth's, Smyrna, Sanford, Howard, Saint Mark's, Odessa, Dover, Tower Hill, and St. George's. Outside of Tower Hill, Saint Mark's and maybe Smyrna, none of these games I would have Sallies as heavy favorites. For them to make the tournament they would have to go at least 7-3 and have to beat two of the state three best teams in Sanford, St. Elizabeth's and Dover. I'm not going to say it's impossible, but they'll need a miracle just to make it into the tournament. May the spirit of 2015 Donte DiVincenzo be with you!

Davaughn and I linked up again to reflect on how the season has gone so far. Here are a few things we considered: