Ball Night in De La Warr: December Recap

After a full month of great games and elite performances, the high school season is well under way. Teams from every corner of the state are turning heads. So I had to caught up with my guy Devaughn Bynum to recap it all:   1) Which team impressed you the most during the first month of the season?   DB: Cape Henlopen   Cape Henlopen is off to a 5-1 start. Despite losing to Henlopen North rival and the state's top team Dover, they're looking like the next best downstate team. The keys to this hot start are [player_tooltip player_id='2364685' first='Jameson' last='Tingle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2698355' first='Stephen' last='Sivels']. Tingle, University of Delaware football commit, is making an early 1st team all state case filling up the state sheet averaging 15.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='2698355' first='Stephen' last='Sivels'] has also taken a leap averaging a team-high 16.3 points. [player_tooltip player_id='2375193' first='Braxton' last='Figgs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2371044' first='Geordan' last='Downing'] are two other key contributors who have the potential to go up another level and make them a legitimate Bob contender. They have a big test coming up against Howard that could show how high their ceiling is.   CG: St. Georges   The Hawks are a talented defensive team on paper, but they're outdoing themselves so far this season and have punched above their weight class in some high level games. In the jumbo lineups, [player_tooltip player_id='2461962' first='Elijah' last='Coates'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2564246' first='Corey' last='Williams'] can apply as much pressure as they want on-ball because [player_tooltip player_id='2352452' first='Josh' last='Obiora'] is either freelancing or clogging up the lane, while [player_tooltip player_id='2387969' first='Jayden' last='Reid'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2488689' first='Amere' last='Rhoades'] are cleaning things up at the rim. They're also shooting it well from deep. [player_tooltip player_id='3068030' first='Devon' last='Jackson'] has proven to be one of their better shooters, while [player_tooltip player_id='2812230' first='Ayden' last='Davis'] is playing as well as any starter. So far, they look like the most consistent two-way team, to me.   2) Which team has caught you by surprise thus far?   DB: Caravel   Coming into the season, I did not have Caravel starting the season 6-0 on my bingo card, but here we are. After two big in-state wins over Smyrna and St. Elizabeth, they dominated their holiday schedule, winning the Pittman Classic tournament by average margin of 26.5. Sophomore transfer Prince McKnight has raised the Buccaneers' ceiling averaging 15.3 points, and has displayed a his high level of versatility with a 23 point, 15 rebounds, 11 assist triple-double versus Trinton (NJ). Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2371040' first='Michael' last='Sheehan'] (13.7 ppg) has been shooting the leather off the ball, already making 14 three pointers through six games. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2371045' first='Niquan' last='Lee Jr'] (15.4 ppg) is also taking a step forward in being a more consistent scoring option Night to night. With fourteen games to go, we'll see if Caravel's momentum can sustain. Right now they're looking like a legitimate tournament who'll be a tough out on a night to night basis.   CG: A. I. duPont   When I peeked in on the Tigers last season, they looked like a squad full of hoopers, but I'm December they looked like a cohesive team of ball players. Yes, the likes of Amir Drummond, [player_tooltip player_id='2698327' first='Gi'lyl' last='Conrad'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2698326' first='Tko' last='Jones'] can & do score the ball. Tevin Cannon, [player_tooltip player_id='2849654' first='Kaisan' last='Hale'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2836089' first='Tyaire' last='Herring'] bring their own mix of connecting and complimentary skills to the mix too. The Tigers play at a pace that is tough for almost anyone to keep up with and they have no less than four players on the court, at any given time, who have the green light from three. As a whole, the Tigers also bring the intensity on defense. They don't have a rim protector but it doesn't matter because they force double-digit turnovers every game. So don't be surprised if the Wilmington public school makes an appearance in the second round of the tournament.   3) What player has made the most noise in the first month? (Underrated or under the radar guys)   DB: [player_tooltip player_id='2473347' first='Vinny' last='Starr'] | 5'9 G 2026 Conrad   Over the first month of the season, [player_tooltip player_id='2473347' first='Vinny' last='Starr'] has been the best shooter in Delaware by a significant margin. Thus far, he's led Conrad to a 4-2 record, averaging 22.2 ppg, and has made at least two three-pointers in every single game. He's also demonstrating the ability to put up a lot of points in a short amount of time. At a game I've attended versus Saint Mark's, Vinny put up 21 of his 23 points in the second half. In addition to his scoring, he's shown a lot of growth in being an advantage creator, getting constant paint touches, and making plays for others. If he continues at this pace, he should be a lock for All-State, and come February “The Star Factory” will be a tough out for anyone with hopes of getting to The Bob.   CG: [player_tooltip player_id='2566681' first='Graling' last='High III'] | 6'4 W 2027 MOT Charter   Not enough people are paying attention to MOT, but those who are know that High III is having a breakout season. The junior wing is averaging over 4 stocks (steals + blocks) per game while also leading the team in scoring and rebounding. He wrecks opposing offenses whether he's shutting down the best player or flying around as a team defender. High III is always good for a fastbreak dunk off of one of his steals, he's turned into an automatic and he does it all with a calm demeanor. It's safe to say he's put in an early bid for all-state.   4) Player of the Year Check: Who is the frontrunner one month in?   DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1755072' first='Mason' last='Collins'] | 6'7 G/W 2028 Tatnall   [player_tooltip player_id='1755072' first='Mason' last='Collins'] is not only the top talent in the state, he's also the most complete player. Through the first month, he's leading his team in all major categories averaging 17.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.7 blocks. The thing that has impressed me the most after watching him in person is his gravity and willingness to make the right play. Don't mistake his willingness to pass for passivity. He has also flashed his ability to go for big games against good competition, i.e. his 30 point, 16 rebounds, and 5 block performance against Academy of New Church (PA). Although they've lost their last four, losing to some good Pennsylvania competition, Tatnall will be a tough out for anyone in state from here on out. And that all centers around the overall impact of [player_tooltip player_id='1755072' first='Mason' last='Collins'].   CG: [player_tooltip player_id='2364685' first='Jameson' last='Tingle'] | 6'4 W 2027 Cape Henlopen   Collins is absolutely deserving of the award, but if we're comparing resumes, Tingle's is as pristine as anyone else's. Yes, he's a multi-sport star, committed to play QB for University of Delaware and I've been as high on him as any other fam. But I didn't see this coming.In December, he led the Vikings in every status category, encapsulating how he does everything on the floor. Tingle is liable to pin a shot on the backboard on one possession then throw an alley oop on the following one. Above all else, his competitive drive makes him capable of doing whatever the team needs in clutch situations.   Who are your four Bob teams as of today?   DB: Dover, Howard, Sallies, St. Georges   Dover: I don't have to say much about the Senators. They're the best defensive team in Delaware, again. They still have the nucleus of a team that has been to the last two state championship games. If they're not playing March 4th or beyond, we will all be shocked!   Howard: The best back court, and arguably the best starting five in Delaware. This is exactly where I predicted this 2026 class to be when the came into high school in 2022. Led by [player_tooltip player_id='2352458' first='Bryson' last='Lane'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2352456' first='Nick' last='Baysah'], and a plethora of scrappy players, Eastside High will be a force to be reckoned with on the way to The Bob.   Sallies: So far, Salesianum has had an up and down year. They had big wins against good out of state teams-Penn Charter (PA), Camden (NJ), and Potomac (MD). They also suffered an upset loss to William Penn and a home opener loss to a young but talented Tatnall team. I just feel that once we get to February and March they'll be able to string some wins together to get to the Final Four. They have the veteran presence of [player_tooltip player_id='2352451' first='Latrell' last='Wright'], [player_tooltip player_id='2365472' first='Mark' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='2365471' first='Dominic' last='Downs'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2352454' first='Kevin' last='Coleman']. Their young freshmen, [player_tooltip player_id='2767447' first='Brae' last='Sosa'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2767451' first='Zion' last='Rothwell'], have also shown their ability to be two-way impact players already. If history holds up, The Broom St. Boys will be looking to make a run once they start to dig into their in-state schedule from here on out.   St. George's: I think we all agreed coming into the year St. George's has the best frontcourt in Delaware. With defending Gatorade Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='2352452' first='Josh' last='Obiora'], [player_tooltip player_id='2387969' first='Jayden' last='Reid'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2488689' first='Amere' last='Rhoades'], the Hawks are not lacking in size. My big question coming into the was how their young, small, but talented guard room mesh together. Sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='2461962' first='Elijah' last='Coates'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2564246' first='Corey' last='Williams'] have combined for around 20 points per game; Coates gives constant rim pressure, while Williams gives them a reliable floor spacer. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2812230' first='Ayden' last='Davis'] has also been a great two-way spark off the bench, highlighted by his 13 point performance against PCL-powerhouse Neumann-Goretti. St. George's has a lot of firepower and look to be contenders this year and beyond.   CG: Dover, Howard, Cape Henlopen, & Tatnall   I second all of DB's points on Dover, Cape, and Howard. So I'll just speak on Tatnall. To put it simply: the Hornets have the best player in the state, they have a well-balanced team around him, and they can win ugly. [player_tooltip player_id='1755072' first='Mason' last='Collins'] anchors that defense with his rebounding and shot-blocking. But [player_tooltip player_id='2773627' first='Ayinde' last='McLendon'] is the tip of the spear who gives them an edge. Physically and mentally tough, he has turned over every guard he's faced. McLendon doesn't need to get going on offense because he habitually creates transfer opportunities for himself. On the glass, [player_tooltip player_id='2818415' first='Jalen' last='Littlejohn'] does yeoman's work down low too, in addition to his selfless play as a glue guy. [player_tooltip player_id='3149525' first='Ellis' last='Jarrett'] and Nolan shoot the cover off the ball. Then when you factor in guys like James Hall, Justen Wright [player_tooltip player_id='2536606' first='Brian' last='Lightner'], there's nothing they can't do; no team they can't matchup with or give problems to. The record just doesn't show it yet because they played tough out-of-state schedule. That'll correct itself this month and once the seeding is complete heading into the tournament.

After a full month of great games and elite performances, the high school season is well under way. Teams from every corner of the state are turning heads. So I had to caught up with my guy Devaughn Bynum to recap it all: