Delmarva Christian girls’ basketball advances to ESIAC finals
The Delmarva Christian girls’ basketball team used a stingy defense and a powerful offense to ground the Gunston Herons 49-9 in the semifinals of the ESIAC tournament Feb. 14 at the Royals’ Mohr Floor.
The Royals scored all they needed to win the contest with 21 points in the first quarter. They finished the first half ahead 27-4, and then continued to a running-clock victory with a 22-5 second half. They will host Sts. Peter & Paul Monday, Feb. 17 at 3:30 p.m.
Senior Layni Dukes led the Royals with 19 points, five rebounds, four steals and four assists. Freshman Avery McCoy added 13 points, while Bella Marinelli chipped in 10.
“I thought the game went really well,” said McCoy. “It’s helping the team’s confidence. The girls are amazing. Our defense is really good, and as long as we hustle and just work together, we’ll do great in the playoffs.”
“We scored lot of points today,” said forward Eve Bohinski. “Everyone got a taste of the victory, and now when they get in, it will give them confidence like we already have confidence in them.”
“It’s nice getting in and helping run the offense, because I’m usually in to play defense,” said junior Riley Barto. “It was great seeing the girls work as a team, because when we all start connecting and playing together, we are a very good team.”
“It was more of a perimeter game because [Gunston was] sinking in the paint,” said Royals head coach Frank Roach. “We had some open shots and we took them. We dropped back into a zone in the second half. But if we keep our man-to-man principles whether we are pressing or in a half-court setting, it’s going to help our zone. We may not have the one gifted offensive person; we’ve got multiple girls that can do something that can help the team. We have girls that can shoot the threes, play inside, get the rebound, make the pass and get the steal. If we can put it all together, then we’ve got a great team.”
