Seaford boys’ basketball falls in second round of state tournament

The playoff curse hit the Blue Jays once again when Seaford fell to number 11 Salesianum in the second round of the DIAA State Tournament last Thursday in Seaford. The Blue Jays’ Vince Evans was held to six points while the team was led by Aizyon Matthews with 15 hard-earned points. The Sallies’ energy was palpable in a gym filled with local support. 

Both squads opened in man defense, and Evans scored the opening two points of the game. The Blue Jays’ offense worked to penetrate, but Sallies closed down the lanes, and the Blue Jays forced their shots. Seaford’s failed shots turned into points for Salesianum, which scored the next six points for a 12-6 lead after the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, the Sallies spread the lead to 10 points on a steal fast break score. Matthews sank a three-point basket, and an unassisted full-court transitional play by Uriah Taylor Brown gave the home crowd something to cheer about. Seaford played back with several steals and took control of the momentum in the final minutes of play, but remained down by one point at halftime, 21-20.

In the opening minutes of play of the third quarter, Matthews showed his court presence, and Areon Purnell scored to keep the game close. The Blue Jays were one play away from taking the lead, but instead gave up possession and trailed by five going into the final quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, the Seaford offense played frantic and disconnected, missing the open pass or lane to the basket. The Sallies committed another turnover, but on the next play, Matthews fouled out of the game, and Salesianum took a commanding 45-34 lead. The Blue Jays’ Enoch Duprey, in frustration, slammed the ball for a technical foul, and the Sallies made it hurt, sinking both shots with possession of the ball. Salesianum scored eight points from the foul line while being whistled for one foul in the quarter (19-11 fouls in the game). In the final minute, the Blue Jays were outscored and the Sallies took the win, 53-38. 

Seaford ended the season with a 17-5 overall record with some memorable wins and events.