I caught up with several of the coaches of top-five teams to find out how each felt about the effects of the week-long layoff coming at such a critical time as teams head into the final stretch jockeying for berths and home-court advantage in the state tournament.
Boys basketball
1. Sanford (14-0)
2. Newark (13-2)
3. Delcastle (13-1)
4. Hodgson Vo-Tech (15-1)
5. Concord (11-3)
* Stan Waterman, Sanford: "The weather-related postponements and layoffs will have an impact on the remainder of the season. It will be a scheduling nightmare for athletic directors. Things to consider will range from mutual openings on schedules, availability of officials and facilities, as well as the impact on the start of the state tournament.
"As for the impact on teams, you run the risk of losing conditioning, continuity and momentum. If missed games are rescheduled, teams with the most depth may have an advantage as there will be a number of games squeezed into a short period of time. On the other hand, teams that may be struggling with injuries may have a bit more time to get healthy.
"With the severity of this storm, it's very difficult for players to get to the YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, PAL Centers, places where they may have been able to at least get up shots when schools are closed."
* Shannon McCants, Newark: "My first year (as head coach) and I have been hit with a lot of different scenarios, this snowstorm being the latest. Hopefully we can rest our legs and our minds and come back next week refreshed and ready to go. I told the guys to watch as much basketball as possible."
* Ralph Flowers, Concord: "With nearly six games being played in 14 days, we will be having a deeper rotation to close out the season. This is a great opportunity for other players to step up with quality minutes on the court, and we are confident they will."
Girls basketball
1. St. Mark's (12-0)
2. Sanford (13-4)
3. Smyrna (15-2)
4. Ursuline (9-6)
5. Cape Henlopen (10-3)
* John Fiorelli, St. Mark’s: "A two, maybe even a three-day rest is welcome at this time of the year, but after that, now players are beginning to lose their athletic shape and mental focus. Many of our girls have said that they're working out at home on their exercise equipment in order to stay somewhat fit. Some have gotten to the YMCA. But, of course, nothing beats 90 minutes in the gym working with your teammates and coaches.
"I can't see how this weather is having a positive impact for any team. Good players and good teams want to be in the gym, not lying around the house. What is going to be interesting for us is how we make up our postponed games in the remaining two weeks of the season. We're faced with the possibility of making up eight games in maybe 12 days."
* Marcus Thompson, Sanford: "Since our team has had difficulty remaining healthy this season, truthfully, a little time off has not been the worst thing for our team.
"I believe that the storms could cause trouble if we change the tournament schedule like last year. For example, last year the quarterfinals were moved from the Bob (Carpenter Center on the University of Delaware campus) to the higher seed’s home. This was a disappointment for the entire field.
"It will be a challenge for the entire state to get their engines re-started, but it will happen. Some of our girls have made it to open gyms so that they could remain sharp."
* James Kiger, Smyrna: "The layoffs are a major concern. However, the only good thing is that everyone in our league is suffering equally. Lots of teams, including us, will probably have to play at least three games next week. For us, it is tough because we don't have a lot of depth. But it is what it is, and hopefully with a break between the end of the season and the state tournament we can get back on track."
* John Noonan, Ursuline: "The missed practice time is the most difficult thing to overcome. We have a lot to work on and you don't get those days back. We tell our kids all the time, ‘We are here for 90 minutes today, let's do it right because we don't get another 90 minutes to do it over.’ The ‘snowcation’ prevents us from working on our deficiencies. Everybody is in the same situation, so it should be an interesting finish."
News and notes: Due to the number of weather-related cancellations, the DIAA announced basketball teams have until Feb. 26 to complete schedules, and have reduced the number of games required to be eligible for the state tournament to 16, down from 18. … St. Mark’s middle linebacker/offensive lineman Chaz Malewski and Salesianum center A.J. Dillione were named co-recipients of the annual Michael DeLucia Memorial Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented annually to a Catholic school senior football player or players who show outstanding effort on the field, attitude, character and sportsmanship.
