Delmarva Christian holds on in final seconds, advances to round two of DIAA tourney

March 2, 2021

Kenny Christopher,

GEORGETOWN, Del.- Behind 11 points from Chase Hesson (go ahead shot for win) and Jayson Handy, the number 37 seed Delmarva Christian Royals defeated the number 28 Sussex Central Golden Knights in the final seconds 39-38. The Golden Knights finished their season with a 7-7 record.

For the first time since 2013, the Sussex Central Golden Knights were making an appearance in the DIAA boys basketball tournament. That season, the Knights finished 12-8 with a 9 point loss to Newark. Central (7-7) came into tonights game on a rough three game losing streak with the Royals (2-9) not any hotter, 7 losses in a row. But, you can throw the records out the window when it comes to the DIAA tournament, anything can happen!

Delmarva Christian came out hot, a 6-1 run to open the game was followed by a 6-0 run by Central as the Knights took a 7-6 lead after the first quarter. The scoring picked up a little more in the second quarter, as DC took a 19-18 lead into the break. Jayson Handy (Delmarva Christian) and Malachi Waters (Sussex Central) each led the way for their teams with 6 points each at the half.

We would go back and forth for the next 16 minutes, five lead changes in the third quarter as Central took a 29-26 lead at the half. The Royals came back and with 2:03 left in regulation, a Chase Hesson shot gave Delmarva Christian the 39-38 lead. With 18 seconds to play, the Golden Knights had one last possession and chance to retake the lead but could not get a shot to fall as Delmarva Christian holds on for the 39-38 win, advancing to round two of the DIAA playoffs.

The Royals draw No. 5 Seaford in round two this Thursday at 6:30.

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