Ball Night in De La Warr: 2026 Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Your favorite duo (Devaughn Bynum + myself) is back together to share our thoughts on the 2025-26 Boys Basketball State Tournament. The delayed start has only given us more time to gather intel and to let our takes marinate. Here's how we see it:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. What was your immediate reaction when the bracket was released?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: Shocked on how the seedlings turned out. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I couldn't believe Tatnall was the 15 seed! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CG: How the brackets shook out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of the 7 teams I think have a realistic chance of winning the tournament, 5 are in the bottom half of the bracket and 2 are without first round byes. So we could see some incredible matchups and “upsets” in the second round top 4 teams (based on the seeding) who don't make the quarterfinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Who is the team in the 9-24 range that nobody wants to play? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: Sanford </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanford was at risk of missing the tournament for the first time since 1982. Fortunately for them, they kept their streak alive squeezing into the 24th and final spot. After an up and down 10-10 season, they come into the tournament as an underdog for the first time…ever? I believe that Sanford has a road to get to the quarter finals. With [player_tooltip player_id='2352450' first='Trevor' last='Webster'] coming back from injury, it gives them more versatility on the wing as well as some much needed size that they've lacked for most of the season. [player_tooltip player_id='2364703' first='A'zir' last='Ellegood'] is one of the best point guards in Delaware. [player_tooltip player_id='2607491' first='Jacob' last='Allen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2380968' first='Nyle' last='Watson'] have been sophomores who've stepped up in bigger roles this year. And 8th grade sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='3335104' first='Jonny' last='Pechickjian'] is already showing he's one of the state's top marksmen. I have Sanford getting past Appoquinimink in round one, and I believe they match up favorably with Smyrna in round two. It may be a “down year”, but the defending champions are no one to sleep on in this year's tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CG: Appoquinimink </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Year in and year out, the Jaguars lose all-state caliber talent and yet they always find a way to compete with the best of the best. Setting into a key role as a senior, TJ Harvey is a lights out shooter and their #1 option. But their two-sport athletes are their secret sauce. In addition to their talent as actual ball players, [player_tooltip player_id='2759656' first='Desai' last='Drummond'] (Albright QB commit), [player_tooltip player_id='2614928' first='Donovan' last='Griffith'] (DB), and Dominic Monteball (Millersville WR commit) bring a physical dimension to the team that allows them to play up and compensate for their lack of height. So if they get past Sanford, Smyrna could be in for a dog fight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Which team are you excited to watch?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: A.I. Dupont</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When A.I. is good, Delaware basketball is just better. Historically, they're a school that produces great athletes and has a great atmosphere. This year feels like they've gotten back to the essence of what made A.I., A.I.. After an abysmal 2-18 season in 2024-25, A.I. has managed to nearly flip their record to a monstrous 17-3. Led by their prolific back court trio of [player_tooltip player_id='2625272' first='Amir' last='Robertson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2698326' first='Tko' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2698327' first='Gi'lyl' last='Conrad'], A.I. scored 67.7 points per game and had one of the state's most exciting offenses. Despite not having a lot of size, they're also very scrappy on defense. This mixture of face paced high scoring offense and rugged defense will be a tough out for any team on the path to The Bob. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CG: Middletown </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers hit their stride over the last month of the season, including a 8-1 record since inserting Brian Carey into the starting point guard spot. [player_tooltip player_id='2386202' first='Jaelen' last='Murphy'] has been one of the best on-ball defenders in the state, while also playing a critical role on offense as a slasher. In crunch time throughout several games, [player_tooltip player_id='2442708' first='King' last='Savior'] has played as well as any prospect in the state. In addition to them, [player_tooltip player_id='2364683' first='Shane' last='Lopez'], [player_tooltip player_id='2565811' first='Isaiah' last='Ngugi'], [player_tooltip player_id='2622944' first='Logan' last='Eldridge'], [player_tooltip player_id='2622948' first='Sona' last='Mukwele'], and Bashir Holmes have all had bright spots during this stretch. So it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone if Mtown makes it to the Bob because they have the talent and varied skill sets to match up with anyone in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Who is one player that can break the tournament wide open? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='2352458' first='Bryson' last='Lane'] | 6'2 G 2026 Howard</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilmington University commit [player_tooltip player_id='2352458' first='Bryson' last='Lane'] has had the reputation throughout his high school career as being one of the state's top shooters. Although this year his three-point shooting has been below average (24 percent from three), there's always the threat of him going on a heater at any point. If he can go on a four game stretch of high percentage shooting, the already prolific Howard offense will be unstoppable and could be hoisting the state championship trophy at The Bob. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CG: [player_tooltip player_id='2773627' first='Ayinde' last='McLendon'] | 6'0 G 2026 Tatnall </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1755072' first='Mason' last='Collins'] is the head of the snake for Tatnall, consistently putting up about 16 points, 12 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. But his running mate, McLendon, has been the perfect compliment. The senior guard chips in 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2 steals, a block every game. Role wise, he takes the toughest opposing guards on defense and finds avenues to get to the cup on offense. His dynamic movement skills allow him to play bigger than he is. As such, McLendon is the x-factor for Tatnall and the biggest x-factor in the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Who wins it all, and why? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: Howard </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dover is the prohibited favorite going into the tournament. With back to back state championship game appearances and a title in 2024 they should be. I believe Howard has the formula to knock them off. Dover did beat them in the regular season 74-61 on the strength of a huge fourth quarter comeback. But Howard was up double figures in that game. Athletically, Howard matches up with Dover as well as anyone. [player_tooltip player_id='2352456' first='Nick' last='Baysah'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2352458' first='Bryson' last='Lane'], the likely All-State backcourt, will be the two best offensive players on the court in this match up. Plus, their role players- Mink Handy, [player_tooltip player_id='2411598' first='Dominic' last='Awahmukalah'], [player_tooltip player_id='2759059' first='Ghazi' last='Abdurrafi'], and others-give them enough depth to weather Dover's athleticism. With all that being said, Howard is not just going to walk to the state championship. They have a gauntlet on their side of the bracket. After their first round bye, they're likely going to have to play Tatnall who has the #4 sophomore in the country [player_tooltip player_id='1755072' first='Mason' last='Collins']. If they weather that storm, they'll have a likely quarter final rematch against Cape Henlopen who they lost a double-overtime classic to in January. If they make it out of that, they'll have whoever makes it out of the lower fourth of the bracket- Salesianum, William Penn, Seaford, etc. I believe Howard has the talent and experience to win all of those games and the title. The biggest opponent the Howard Wildcats will have to face is the Howard Wildcats… </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CG: Dover </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm making this pick with my head and not my heart. While other teams have a better fast ball or individual talent, the Senators are battle-tested and well-rounded. They defend in the half and full court, rebound extremely well on both ends, and can run with anyone, pace-wise. Making them even more dangerous of late is [player_tooltip player_id='2352457' first='JayVion' last='Denis']. His jumper has been more consistent and he's still giving maximum effort on the glass. [player_tooltip player_id='2375192' first='Kameron' last='Jackson-Dickson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2375232' first='Kareem' last='King'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2352455' first='Tarrance' last='Williams'] have all been steady as well. So no matter what any team throws at them, I have a feeling that Dover will weather the storm and figure it out. They've done it all season long. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">To keep up with all of his work behind the camera, follow DB on IG @ BruceWain11</mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->