Share: 

Delmarva Christian girls’ basketball reloads for new season

With ESIAC teams not playing, Royals load schedule with upstate schools
Delmarva Christian girls’ basketball Class of 2021 members are Grace Fetterman, left, and Kandice Schlabach. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
January 7, 2021

Losing three all-star-caliber players to graduation would normally be a problem for a coach, but for Delmarva Christian girls’ basketball head coach Jedidiah Roach, it’s just a chance to reload with a younger group of skilled players who were waiting for their chance to shine.

The Royals went 21-2 in the 2019-20 season, winning the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference title before eventually falling to Caravel in the second round of the DIAA State Tournament.

“Last year was amazing,” Roach said. ”We are focused on this year and how we can improve. We just have to continue to work hard and get better each and every day.” 

Returning to the Royals for the 2020-21 season are senior point guard Grace Fetterman, an ESIAC all-star who makes the defense stare with bewilderment at her athletic finesse. She averaged 16 points per game in 2020. Also returning is high-scoring 2020 ESIAC Player of the Year Sierra Troyer, who as a sophomore in 2020 averaged 18 points per game. Senior forward Kandice Schlabach will bring her big play at the post position along with guard Ainsley Bell at the shooting guard spot. Sophomore Evelyn Jensen will be asked to snag rebounds in the post position.

Rounding out the varsity spots will be sophomores Tessa Kwiatkowski, Lizzie Moyer and Myra Browning, and freshmen Maggie Kwiatkowski, Karoline Carey, Giovanna Donoflio, Mia Elliott, Grace Fiorilla, Ryley McCluskey and Josephine Peranteau.

“It’s going to be hard to top last year’s record,” said Fetterman. “We are playing a lot of upstate teams that are really good-quality programs. We are practicing hard. I think we’ll do OK.”

“Last season was awesome, and it’s going to be tough to match it,” Troyer said. “But as long as we push ourselves every practice and every game, we’ll be able to stick with anybody.”

Delmarva Christian plays in the ESIAC, which comprises Maryland schools that have canceled their seasons, so the Royals had to fill out their schedule with upstate teams because Henlopen Conference teams are only playing in-conference opponents.

Added to the Royals schedule for the 2020-21 season are Saint Mark’s, Caravel, Ursuline Academy, Conrad, Padua, Wilmington Friends, Tatnall, Wilmington Christian and MOT Charter.

The Royals will open their 2020-21 campaign hosting First State Military Academy Wednesday, Jan. 13. No visiting spectators are allowed.

 

Royals senior Kandice Schlabach, left, looks to go up strong against sophomore Lizzie Moyer.
Back for the 2020-21 season is 2020 ESIAC Player of the Year Sierra Troyer.
Sophomore guard Tessa Kwiatkowski will add depth to the Royals squad.
Royals head coach Jedidiah Roach, right, will be joined at the bench by assistant Jeff Bell.
Royals head coach Jedidiah Roach, right, reviews a play with sophomore Evelyn Jensen.
Senior point guard Grace Fetterman pulls up for a deuce.
Royals sophomore Ainsley Bell takes a three.
Royals senior Kandice Schlabach puts up a shot.
Royals junior Sirerra Troyer, 2020 ESIAC Player of the Year, hits a lefty.

Most Popular

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter

Most Popular