Delmarva Christian wins 10th game on Senior Night

Cupid isn’t the only one playing matchmaker in February, as the shortest month of the year is also the biggest month of the season for basketball teams to build their resumes.

After just barely missing the state tournament last year, the Delmarva Christian boys’ team has a good chance to finish with 13 wins on a four-game winning streak after they toppled Salisbury School 44-29 on Senior Night Feb. 6.

Before the battle, three ballers were celebrated for their efforts.

“You just don't realize how fast it comes up,” said senior Andrew Collins. “Watching all the other seniors graduate the last three years, and then Seth [Mifflin], Gideon [Woods] and I tonight was a special moment for the three of us.”

“It meant the world to me,” Woods said. “I haven't played basketball in two years, so it was good to get back and have this experience. I thought I was going to miss it for the past two years. It’s special to play for coach Pat [Woods] and with Asher [Woods].”

Woods' uncle, Pat, is the coach and his cousin, Asher, led the Royals in scoring against the Dragons with 14 points.

“We were able to execute, stay together,” Pat Woods said. “The conversation was, can we adjust? Can we function as one? Can we communicate with one another?”

A big part of the early lead was the play of Mifflin, who scored 12 and hauled in seven rebounds.

“It was really good to see Seth go off like that,” Pat Woods said. “We all know that he can, and this was a great game for him to do so. We tell him he has this raw, athletic ability that's been given to him by God, [and] now it's on him to use it.”

Mifflin struck with a dagger from deep early, drawing attention of fans with S-E-T-H spelled out on black shirts in the front row.

“My friends randomly came up with it today,” Mifflin said. “They just texted me, and said we're making shirts with your name on it. It's just great to have friends like that to come out and support.”

Freshman Aarian Tucker led the Royals with 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, while Collins finished second on the glass with nine rebounds. 

The coach’s nephew resumed his role of doing the small things to help his team win.

“Gideon's kind of like a rock – he's solid for us and does all the dirty work,” Woods said.

Delmarva Christian wraps up the regular season with three straight away games before opening the ESIAC playoffs.