By D. Matt Dale
MaxPreps.com
Of the 24 girls that played in the annual McDonald's High School All-American basketball game last Wednesday night, only one was from Delaware. And only one recorded a double-double.
Ursuline’s Elena Delle Donne went 5-for-12 from the floor for 10 points and added 11 rebounds and two blocked shots in her 27 minutes of work at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee.
Although Delle Donne’s East team lost the game, 80-64, a majority of the West’s points came while she was on the bench. When she was in the game, the West focused on her defensively and would not let her get settled. Despite facing double and triple teams, Delle Donne still made her presence felt and managed to stand out against the best players in the country.
Baseball: St. Mark’s Wins Season Opener
Thanks to a stellar effort on the mound and at the plate by pitcher Ryan McCallin, the St. Mark’s baseball team was able to come away with a convincing, 7-2, come-from-behind victory over Sussex Central on Wednesday, March 26.
St. Mark’s began their 2008 season with two errors in the first inning, giving Sussex Central a 2-0 lead. McCallin gave a solid effort on the mound and did not allow another run.
Central gave up a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the first to make it a 2-1 game. In the third inning Frank Devonshire hit a two-out single to score McCallin and tie the game 2-2. The game remained tied until the fifth inning when McCallin crushed a solo homerun to give the Spartans a lead that they would not surrender. In the sixth, Jordan Oncay and Branch Murray each hit RBI doubles, resulting in 7-2 St. Mark’s lead.
Softball: Sussex Tech Pitching Too Much for Padua
Junior Brooke Tull of Sussex Tech had 17 strikeouts and gave up only two hits in a 7-0 victory over Padua on Sunday, March 29. Tull did not give up a hit after the second inning and both hits surrendered were singles. At one point Tull retired nine consecutive batters. Over 68 percent of Tull’s pitches were strikes as Sussex Tech cruised to a non conference win that improves the Raven’s record to 2-0.
The defending state champs were able to back up Tull’s pitching performance with a solid offense. Logan Pavlic went 2-for-3 for four RBI and Kelsey Doherty added two hits and two runs batted in.
Padua freshmen Paige Lloyd had four strikeouts and pitched a complete game in her first start. Despite Lloyd’s commendable performance, Sussex Tech showed why they are the team to beat this season.
Swimming: Sallie’s Hyman and Tatnall’s Vernon Named Swimmers of the Year
Senior Josh Hyman of Salesianum was named the boys’ swimmer of the year in Delaware. Hyman led Sallies to the school’s 25th state swimming championship by winning the 200 individual medley and the 100 breast stroke at the state meet. After graduation, Hyman will swim for the University of Delaware.
Freshmen Nicole Vernon of Tatnall was named the girls’ swimmer of the year. The 15 year old came within less than a half a second of breaking the state record in the 500 freestyle. Vernon led Tatnall to a second-place finish at the state meet this year.
D. Matt Dale covers Delaware for MaxPreps.com. He may be reached at dmdale.del@gmail.com.
