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Previewing the top contenders in every Delaware spring sport entering high school playoffs

brandon holveck, delaware news journal
·6 min read

Fourteen state championships will be awarded over the next three weeks as Delaware's busiest sports season comes to a close.

Here is a preview of each sport, with the most likely contenders and schedule information as organized on May 14.

Baseball

William Penn's Michael Baker singles and drives in a run in the third inning of the Colonials' 5-0 win against Sussex Tech at William Penn, Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
William Penn's Michael Baker singles and drives in a run in the third inning of the Colonials' 5-0 win against Sussex Tech at William Penn, Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

The most competitive tournament of the spring, as perhaps a dozen teams or more have shown the potential to make a deep postseason run.

Sussex Tech, Sussex Central and Cape Henlopen have been ranked 1-2-3 for much of the regular season. Defending champion Delaware Military Academy is strong again. Sanford has the state’s best record at 15-1.

William Penn has earned some big wins and suffered some close losses. Caesar Rodney and Dover have been toughened in the Henlopen North. Concord and Brandywine have been strong in Blue Hen Flight B.

Saint Mark’s and Caravel may have more losses than usual, but it’s never wise to count out the Spartans or Buccaneers at this time of year. And don’t sleep on Polytech, Delmar, Archmere, St. Georges or Salesianum, either.

The 24-team bracket will be determined on Saturday night, with first-round games to be played Thursday, May 23 and the championship game on Saturday, June 1 at Frawley Stadium.

Softball

Caravel's Kasey Xenidis sends a pitch over the outfield wall for a fourth-inning home run in the Bucs' 12-2 win against Appoquinimink at Caravel Academy, Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Caravel's Kasey Xenidis sends a pitch over the outfield wall for a fourth-inning home run in the Bucs' 12-2 win against Appoquinimink at Caravel Academy, Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Caravel (11-1) has displayed a ton of offense in pursuit of its fourth consecutive DIAA title, already scoring nine runs or more eight times.

Lake Forest, Saint Mark’s and Sussex Central are all 14-2, and All-State senior pitcher Madge Layfield gives the Golden Knights a chance against anybody.

Polytech, Appoquinimink, Cape Henlopen and Laurel are also having good seasons and could barge into the semifinals – or more.

The bracket will be determined Saturday night, with first-round games played on Tuesday, May 21 and the championship game on June 1 at the University of Delaware.

Boys lacrosse

Salesianum's Rowyn Nurry (left) tries to move past Archmere's Jack Chesman in the first half of Salesianum's 14-4 win at Abessinio Stadium, Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Salesianum's Rowyn Nurry (left) tries to move past Archmere's Jack Chesman in the first half of Salesianum's 14-4 win at Abessinio Stadium, Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Nationally-ranked Salesianum will vie for its 11th state title in the last 13 years. At 12-2 entering Tuesday's regular-season finale at Cape Henlopen, the Sals have had one of the most impressive regular seasons in recent history. They have multiple wins over out-of-state teams that have received national poll votes and have outscored their opponents 195-81.

After losing to Salesianum 14-4 on April 10, Archmere has strung together an eight-game win streak, including wins against Caesar Rodney (13-3 on May 8) and Cape Henlopen (11-6 on May 10).

The Archmere game was so far the Vikings only loss to a Delaware opponent. Cape (11-3) has played in the championship game seven times in the last nine years.

Caesar Rodney, Wilmington Friends, Saint Mark's, Smyrna, Charter of Wilmington and St. Georges have also reached double-digit wins.

The 16-team tournament begins May 21-22 at home sites, with the final being played May 30 or June 1 at Delaware Military.

Girls lacrosse

Tatnall's Madelyn Farwell is checked by Ursuline's Isabelle Tesche and Hannah Lucey (right) in Tatnall's 14-9 win at Tatnall School, Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
Tatnall's Madelyn Farwell is checked by Ursuline's Isabelle Tesche and Hannah Lucey (right) in Tatnall's 14-9 win at Tatnall School, Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Several strong programs have traded wins throughout the regular season, but Cape Henlopen remains the favorite, entering the state tournament undefeated.

The Vikings (15-0) started their season with four games against strong Maryland opponents then proceeded to win every in-state game by at least 10 goals. Twenty-two Cape players have scored goals, including team leaders Claire Lopez, Lindsay D'Ambrogi and Lulu Rishko.

Tatnall is the last team to have beaten Cape. That game was last year's state championship. The Hornets (14-1) are one of the strongest challengers again. Their only loss came on April 6, 12-9 against Sussex Academy. They've since won 11 straight, led by junior Charlotte Wilkinson and eighth-grader Madelyn Farwell.

Caesar Rodney (12-3) won every game on the Delaware portion of their schedule, with the exception of their April 24 matchup at Cape Henlopen. Ursuline (10-5) and Sussex Academy (11-4) are also among the top seeds.

The 12-team tournament begins Tuesday and Wednesday at home sites, with the final being played Thursday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at Caesar Rodney.

Girls soccer

Middletown's Kaitlyn Joshua works on defense in the second half of the Cavaliers' 5-0 win against Smyrna at Middletown, Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Middletown's Kaitlyn Joshua works on defense in the second half of the Cavaliers' 5-0 win against Smyrna at Middletown, Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Defending Division I champion Middletown (13-0) has gone undefeated against most of the top teams in both divisions, so the Cavaliers have certainly earned the role of D-I favorite.

Caravel (10-0-2) and Saint Mark’s (11-2) have been the best in Division II so far, with the Buccaneers edging the Spartans 1-0 on April 24 on Grace Slapcinsky’s goal eight minutes into overtime.

Defending D-II champ Archmere (11-2) is also having a strong season and has the potential to repeat.

The eight-team Division I and 12-team Division II brackets will be determined Wednesday. Division II games kick off Saturday, with D-I starting Wednesday, May 22. The championship doubleheader will be held on Friday, May 31 at a site to be announced.

Boys volleyball

Salesianum's (from left) Andrew Mahoney, Cody Popp, Colin McLaughlin, Aiden Dietrich, Ronan Landis and Reid Maas come together after winning a point in Salesianum's 3-0 win at Charter School of Wilmington, Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Salesianum's (from left) Andrew Mahoney, Cody Popp, Colin McLaughlin, Aiden Dietrich, Ronan Landis and Reid Maas come together after winning a point in Salesianum's 3-0 win at Charter School of Wilmington, Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Top-seeded Salesianum is 16-0 and hasn’t lost a set all season.

The Sals were on a similar run last spring until Cape Henlopen shocked the favorites 3-0 in the championship match of the first DIAA Boys Volleyball Tournament.

The Vikings (12-2) are competitive again, along with Charter of Wilmington, Caesar Rodney, Appoquinimink and Delaware Military Academy.

First-round games in the 16-team tournament will be played Tuesday and Wednesday, with the final set for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at Smyrna High.

Golf

This appears to be a tight, four-team race, as Caesar Rodney, Archmere, Salesianum and Tatnall have all displayed the depth to have four players shoot in the 30s in nine-hole matches.

The 36-hole DIAA Tournament is the ultimate test, and it will be played May 28-29 at Maple Dale Country Club in Dover.

Girls tennis

Tower Hill's Ava Emrich reacts to a point in the first set as she eventually drops the first singles title match in three sets to Wilmington Friends' Aubrey Nisbet during the DIAA state tennis championships at St. Andrew's School, Thursday, May 25, 2023.
Tower Hill's Ava Emrich reacts to a point in the first set as she eventually drops the first singles title match in three sets to Wilmington Friends' Aubrey Nisbet during the DIAA state tennis championships at St. Andrew's School, Thursday, May 25, 2023.

Tower Hill’s Ava Emrich should be a strong contender in girls first singles after reaching the final last spring.

The girls teams from Caesar Rodney, Tower Hill and Archmere are a combined 37-0. But obviously, they haven’t played each other. St. Andrew’s and Sussex Academy may also be in the mix.

The brackets will be determined Thursday, with first- and second-round matches to be played Saturday. The 10 championship matches are set for Wednesday, May 22 at St. Andrew’s.

Boys tennis

Archmere senior Andy Zhu competes Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Zhu is poised to win a fourth straight DIAA first singles title.
Archmere senior Andy Zhu competes Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Zhu is poised to win a fourth straight DIAA first singles title.

Archmere senior Andy Zhu will be looking to become the second-ever four-time No. 1 singles champion. Zhu lost his first game of the season on April 30 and has only dropped five on the year. He has not lost a set.

Charter of Wilmington (9-0) has been the top team in the regular season. Tower Hill is 11-1, with their lone loss to Charter on April 25. St. Andrew’s, Archmere and Caesar Rodney also appear to be in contention for the boys title.

Girls track and field

Padua's Sophia Holgado crosses the finish line in first place in the 1600 meter race during the New Castle County track and field championships, Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Abessinio Stadium.
Padua's Sophia Holgado crosses the finish line in first place in the 1600 meter race during the New Castle County track and field championships, Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Abessinio Stadium.

Padua has won nine consecutive Division I titles and appears well-positioned to win again after taking the New Castle County championship last week.

Smyrna won the Henlopen Conference meet, which concluded Monday night. Blue Hen Conference winner Middletown and Henlopen runner-up Caesar Rodney will also be in the mix.

Tatnall, the indoor team champion and New Castle County runner-up, is the favorite in Division II. With a strong sprints group, Saint Mark's poses as the largest threat.

The state meet will be held at Dover Friday and Saturday.

Boys track and field

Saint Mark's Chad Dohl (center) anchors his team to a win in the 4x100 meter race during the New Castle County track and field championships, Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Abessinio Stadium. Dohl earlier won the 100 meter dash.
Saint Mark's Chad Dohl (center) anchors his team to a win in the 4x100 meter race during the New Castle County track and field championships, Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Abessinio Stadium. Dohl earlier won the 100 meter dash.

Salesianum, Caesar Rodney, Cape Henlopen and Dover will be among the top contenders in Division I, in what will likely be the most competitive of the four team track and field championships decided this weekend.

New Castle County champion Saint Mark's is the favorite in Division II. Caravel and Tatnall will also be in the mix.

Brandon Holveck and Brad Myers report on high school sports for The News Journal. Contact Brandon at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Contact Brad at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware high school sports: Spring playoff preview 2024