Royals sink scrappy Bucs 33-28 in season opener

A win is a win, but a victory in the first game of the high school basketball season starts to build a much-needed cushion for when the calendar year flips.

Grittiness dominated the court in the Delmarva Christian girls’ basketball team’s 33-28 triumph over Milford Dec. 3. Both teams had plenty of effort, but early-season rust surfaced on the offensive ends for both teams.

A Buccaneers’ buzzer beater made it 8-6 at the end of the first quarter.

“The first quarter was a little shaky because we were nervous. As this was our first game of the season, we wanted to win,” senior Riley Barto said. “The Milford girls were very, very, very aggressive, and so it kind of threw us off a little bit.” 

“Milford brought it, especially man-to-man defense,” coach Frank Roach said. “They're a little handsy, so you have to be strong with the basketball.”

The Buccaneers hit from deep to start the second frame, building a five-point lead, but 11-6 would be the biggest lead the home team held. Trailing 16-14 out of halftime, Delmarva Christian made good use of the break.

“We realized that we needed to up our game, and we needed to be more aggressive than them in a defensive sense,” Barto said. “It kind of transferred to offense, and we started getting more points, and if not points, our attacking led to getting fouled and then doing well at the free-throw line.”

Senior Eve Bohinski had to wear a few caps in the game, but she scored no matter what role she had on offense, leading the Royals with 24 points.

“We needed a little more scoring, so I had to step up with that aspect,” she said. “And we didn't have Eva [Elliott] to help dribble the ball, so I had to do like a little more dribbling tonight. But I think it was good, because that's what I'm gonna have to be doing for the rest of the season.”

“That happens when you don't have your point guard,” Roach said. “Some of the drives are not like you're normally used to, so other people got a chance to handle the ball more.”

Bohinski tallied seven of her points in the third quarter, laying in a buzzer beater to give Delmarva Christian a 23-19 edge at the end of the frame.

Lead in hand, the Royals relied on their stingy defense to quell any comeback attempts Milford tried to mount in the fourth quarter. Outside of four quick points the Bucs generated off back-to-back steals, Delmarva Christian stayed disciplined after early foul trouble to pull out the 33-28 victory. 

“Early close games are good for everyone,” Roach said.