Delmarva Christian girls’ basketball upsets Conrad 47-45
“This one's for the underdogs, the good guys, the comeback kids and the long shots” – Jimmie Allen.
Most basketball pundits penciled in the Conrad team to defeat Delmarva Christian by 15-20 points in their Friday night game. The only thing is, they didn’t tell the Royals. The 18th seed upset the No. 2 Red Wolves 47-45 to move the 165-student school into the Elite Eight and a game against No. 10 Woodbridge Monday night in Bridgeville.
Junior Sierra Troyer led the Royals’ scoring with 18 points, while snagging seven rebounds and making two steals.
“I’m just speechless,” Troyer said. “We lost our focus in the second period, but we just stuck together, got our composure back as a team and did what we’ve been working for all season.”
This was the Royals’ seventh game above the canal this season, making them the most traveled team in the state.
Senior Gracie Fetterman, who played the final stanza with four fouls, added 14 points, six assists, four steals and a block.
“They were pounding me with defense at the beginning of the game,” said Fetterman, who was double-teamed all night. “It was sort of hard for me to get the ball and do what I usually do and create what I can create. Thankfully, I have teammates I can trust, and they got the job done. They are amazing. I had to do what I could do, putting aside the four fouls, and get some assists, play tough defense and help out where I could.”
Sophomore Ainsley Bell scored nine points, three rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.
With her team ahead by one, Bell was on the line with a one-and-one with just seven seconds left to try and make it a three-point game.
“I was thinking I had to make the shot and get a three-point lead,” Bell said. “I missed the shot, but I knew I had to get back on defense.”
Kandice Schlabach scored four points, six rebounds, an assist and a steal.
“I’m so excited,” said the senior forward. “I’m overwhelmed. It’s like a big rush of energy. I knew we could do it because we all came together. It’s a huge upset.”
The Royals’ 5-foot-10 sophomore Evelyn Jensen matched up against the Red Wolves’ 6-foot-4 center Ja'Nylah Whittlesey and held her own, grabbing five rebounds and a steal, holding the senior to just eight points.
“I didn’t want her to get the ball at all costs,” Jensen said. “I had to stand in and act big, even if I’m not.”
Sophomore Tess Kwiatkowski contributed three boards.
“I was a little nervous,” she said. “I just want to help my team.”
The win gave Royals coach Jedidiah Roach his 50th career win (50-12). It’s the most playoff wins in the school’s history.
“When we went down by eight in the third quarter, I told the seniors this could be their last game,” Roach said. “You better get it together and believe you can do this or you’re going to be sitting at home on your phone. They did it. I’m in awe of my team. It’s crazy.”
The Royals and Woodbridge are the only downstate schools left in the DIAA tournament.
“I like that there will be a downstate team in the Final Four,” Roach said.
Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs.
