Delmarva Christian boys’ basketball under new leadership

Games for the Delmarva Christian boys’ basketball team will be a family affair for new head coach Pat Woods.

“My son [Asher] decided he wanted to transfer because he wants to go into the ministry,” Woods said.

Asher, a sophomore, will be playing alongside his cousin Gideon, a senior back after a two-year hiatus. The defending ESIAC champions should have made the state tournament last season, going 16-5, but some of their opponents did not play enough games to qualify for the DIAA formula. Unfortunately, they are not returning the same cast of characters, but there are some familiar faces, and the lads remain hungry for a tournament berth.

“We return 269 varsity points in the whole program – there's not a lot of varsity experience,” Woods said. “That doesn't mean we don't have ability; it just means they haven't been varsity players, or some of the guys were role players.”

Two of those role players, Seth Mifflin and Andrew Collins, along with Gideon form the team’s senior trio. The duo is optimistic about their chances, thanks in large part to their off season. 

“If we come out just as aggressive, then we're gonna be a really good team,” Mifflin said. “We're gonna give a lot of teams that don't think we're going to be good some trouble.”

Woods is happy with his players’ willingness to learn in practice. 

“They're like sponges,” he said. “They want to learn. They want to grow. They work hard. They care about each other.”

Mifflin believes the Royals will control their conference again, but he and the team know they need to beat the bigger schools to achieve their goals.

Mifflin showcased an ability to live above the rim last year, and along with the rest of the returning varsity players, the team has gotten visibly bigger.

“I'm just looking to dominate more,” Collins said. “I was kind of getting into it toward the end of last year, but this year I'm just trying to take it to the next level and just impose myself on the other team and just show them what I can do.”

Collins is also excited to have Gideon back on the squad. It’s one of the things he looks forward to most, along with a holiday tournament.

“Playing with all my friends, Gideon, and I've known them for a long time,” Collins said. “Coach Pat and I go way back, so it's just fun to have everybody here for my senior year.”

Gideon is happy to make some memories in his senior year too.

“I got my uncle coaching and my cousins playing on the team,” he said. “It's been really awesome to play with them.”