Diamond State Classic
by Jim Charles
(final edit 01-01-2010)
This year's Diamond State Classic - the 19th Edition - was a most enjoyable event. More so than in past years, it seemed that the games were competitive with tight scores that went down to the final minutes. Credit goes to the DSC organizers, chief among them, John Gretchen, for selecting such great teams and for assigning them to the right brackets.
As this website concerns itself chiefly with Delaware teams, it was clear as the tournament wore on that we in the First State have a lot of work to do in order to be able to hang with a Red Bank or a St. Frances. Out-of-state teams generally dominate even the best we can offer. There may be several good explanations. One, if you're coming a long way from Wilmington, you're probably not going to even apply to get into the Classic unless you think you can win. That means that most out-of-state entries are elite, top-of-the-line rosters. Other factors may be contributory, including length of schedules in other states. (The more you play, the better you should get.) In any event, we saw Delaware teams the caliber of Hodgson, Ursuline and Sanford all take losses to out-of-state teams. Only one cup championship went to a Delaware team - The Delaware Cup - in which three out of the four teams competing were home state lineups.
Having said all that, it was a good year for the Classic. All the games ran more or less on-time. The competition was fantastic. Even attendance seemed to bounce back a little from last year. Plus, the weather cooperated, which is always a good thing. It was hard to find anything to complain about. The only down notes were a couple of game-related injuries. Even though this can't be helped, it's tough to see a superstar athlete like Heather Corral come 3,000 miles to blow out an ACL. Or to see UA's own Lauren Baker suffer a tough knee injury.
It is hoped that the Classic goes on and on. I have gotten into the habit of scheduling vacation time from work around the Classic. And I'm probably not the only one! I can't imagine that week between Christmas and New Year's without the DSC.
UA's Lauren Baker in first day game action.
LB would later hurt her knee pretty good in second round action against Holy Cross.
Along with being a showcase for some of the best girls basketball in the nation, the Diamond State Classic has as its mission the betterment of the lives of young people facing extraordinary challenges. Through their "Heroes" program, children like those pictured above, are "adopted" by a team in the tournament and spend the week with them.
Aimeé Bouie (A.I. DuPont) working the more populated areas of the court.
CR's Deandra Scott
CR's Kadijah Carter
...And more Kadijah.
Wide-angle game action featuring Caesar Rodney and James Bennett High School.
What's this? More Kadijah?
She had 9 points against JMB and another 2 against Damascus.
Tipoff of the Hodgson / Paul VI game.
HVT's Tiffany Anderson. She dropped 14 points in this game - a tough 55 - 45 loss to the Virginians.
HVT's Coreenah Redden really got to display her talents in this tournament. She had 9 points in this game.
Hodgson's Coach Chris Jones dispensing words of wisdom to his Silver Eagles during a timeout.
Sanford's Andrea Hines is poetry in motion for the Lady Warriors.
Hines had 9 in the first round vs. St. Frances and another 9 against Prairie.
We're crazy about Naiesha Brown these days! This girl has so much spirit, determination and skill it's just insane!
She had 15 points in this game against Prairie.
Anjaleace White is 6 foot 2 inches of low post presence for Sanford. She had 12 in the first round and 16 in the second! With White on the floor, the Warrior guards, like Webb, Brown and Hines are a little more free to create trouble for their opponents.
Delaware Cup Final action as we see Caravel's Ellee Rollins and Padua's Tianna Wagner wrestle over the ball.
Caravel's Courtney Migliocco with the ball. Padua's Kate Donnelly defending. Donnelly scored a dozen for the Pandas.
Kristin Caldwell keeps her Lady Bucs focused on the plan.
Senior, Ashley Bonk
Another senior, Liz Wise.
A multi-player pile-up involving, top to bottom, Tianna Wagner, Mackenzie Chrisco, and possibly Padua's Kasey Kirker. Coach Joanna Pennell looks on.
Bonk with a shot, Kirker defends.
At the end of the day, the Caravelians won a hard-fought victory, 40 - 37, to take the Delaware Cup.
Left to right: Mackenzie Chrisco, Liz Wise, Ashley Bonk, and Ellee, Rollins.
Tianna Wagner was recognized for her all-out effort.
...As was Ellee Rollins, who picked up the bracket MVP.
Later that same night, Damascus won the New Castle Insurance Cup title.
The Red Bank Catholic Caseys won the Avon Cup Title on the tournament's final evening.
They are regulars at the Classic and always bring good teams.
In the DSC main draw, the St. Frances Academy Panthers defeated all comers to take the coveted First State Orthopaedic Cup.