Seaford senior Evans named DSBA High School Male Athlete of the Year

The Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association (DSBA) named Seaford’s Vince Evans III as the High School Male Athlete of the Year. Evans received the award at a recent banquet held in Wilmington. 

The three-sport 2026 Seaford graduate will also play in the Carpenter Cup in New Jersey. Evans, a left-handed pitcher who can reach almost 90 miles an hour with a fastball, also plays center field. Evans signed with Division I Presbyterian, where he will play both positions. 

Evans said the work for the next level began long before the accolades. “I have been in travel ball when I was in the 8 and under group, and I played through 17,” he said.

Evans said when he reached high school, he began to work out and as a sophomore committed time with a trainer. His sessions were a one-way, 35-mile drive, sometimes at 7 a.m. or after school into the night, and other days Evans worked out on his own. “The commitment is real, and you have to understand why you are putting in the work, the bigger picture and goals,” said Evans.

Evans also played basketball most of the year. “I worked in the gym and played with older players and watched the work they put in and put that ‘dog’ in me; I saw what it takes. I take my hat off because without them, I would not be where I am today.”

“I was in travel ball all summer, in the gym playing basketball, in summer league basketball, weekends going to Baltimore, Georgia, Florida to play baseball,” Evans said, “That is what a true athlete must do to excel.” 

The fierce competitor in him sometimes comes off as arrogant, but Evans has no apologies and said he learned from the best, and being competitive takes confidence. “Being from Seaford, everyone knows everyone, and it is mainly family; everybody is connected. We all grew up together; we trash talk. We all loved competition, and we all wanted to win and beat each other. That is energy when you step on the court or the field,” said Evans.

In his final baseball season, Evans was joined in the dugout by his uncle Stoney Briggs, a Seaford High School stand-out athlete and baseball player who played 10 years of professional baseball, reaching the AAA level. “Stoney is a great role model for all of us and someone you can look up to and pick his athletic brain. He is really funny, and I feel the vibe of him out there on the field,” Evans said.

Evans also scored 1,097 points in basketball, joining former players like Delino Deshields, Lovett Purnell, Kenny Norwood, and Brent Ricketts, to name a few former standout basketball players of Seaford High School. In football, as quarterback, he led the team to a Division 1A State Championship.

“I think the championship brought attention to the other sports because no one thought we would win a championship,” Evans said of the football season. “Everyone started watching, and it just did not help me; it helped my teammates, the school, it helps the future of Seaford.” 

Evans said their goal in basketball fell short, but life is sometimes about lessons, “Basketball is hard as a one true state champion, and we have to beat any team in the state to make it to the final round. Every piece has to be there; some nights you have it going, and some nights you don’t. I was off that night, but I know I cannot do what I do without you, my teammates. It just didn’t work for us.”  

Evans said he will now focus on his next chapter with his eyes on the ultimate goal: “My hope and dream is the MLB.” But Evans admits, “I have the heart and talent, but I need to strengthen my commitment to the game. Being around Seaford, it is mostly basketball and baseball, and in recent years is not a big success at our school. My mindset will change when I go south and around a baseball environment.” 

Evans said of the award, “It is unbelievable; everybody in the state and I am that one small person from Seaford to be chosen. It shows the hard work, but I cannot stop now and must keep going in college.” Evans said he appreciates the honor. “Not many people can say they achieved Athlete of the Year in Delaware, and I take pride in it. I do like the bragging rights sometimes.”

Leaving the nest is something Evans is trying to prepare for, “Without my mom and dad, I had nothing. I would not be where I am today and the sacrifices of money for equipment, food, travel, hotels, having my back at all times, and so much more. I am nervous to be away from them but I know what I gotta do.” 

Evans said he is glad he has left his mark on Seaford and he hopes his teammates looked at him as a leader, helped the community, and made Seaford a better community through all the sports.”