By Lynn Schofer

The Governor’s Challenge included a matchup of Seaford and Parkside on Saturday at the Wicomico Civic Center. The Parkside Rams outscored Seaford, 65-61, for the round one Maryland win over Delaware.

Seaford was led by Vince Evans III who scored 33 points with eight rebounds and Parkside’s Javon Comegys led the Rams with 24 points and six rebounds. The two opposing guards were unstoppable for the defenses but it was Parkside’s power forwards Peyton Cropper and Jo’Ziah Sherwood who made the difference collectively scoring 27 points and grabbing 25 rebounds for the team.

Aizyon “Swag” Matthews led the Blue Jays with 22 points and 15 rebounds in the road win over Laurel last Wednesday.

In the first quarter, Seaford senior Enoch DuPrey (seven points) opened the game with the first score on a three-point basket. DuPrey’s first quarter play showed the senior forward has the shooting ability and power inside to make moves to the rim. Parkside pushed back pulling in offensive boards against the man defense of Seaford. After a timeout and change in strategy Seaford’s off ball movement improved and DuPrey scored the tying basket. Comegys’ basket plus one put the Rams in the lead while Evans’ buzzer beating three-point basket tightened Parkside’s lead to one point to end the first quarter.

The teams both committed fouls early in the second quarter and both were perfect from the foul line. Cropper hit from outside the arc and Evans answered to tie the game. The teams matched momentum and intensity with neither conceding to the other for control of the pace of the play. Seaford’s Jahari Ross and Areon Purnell played tight defense but the Blue Jays did not monopolize on turnovers missing numerous attempted shots. Duprey put the Blue Jays in the lead for half time on a basket but missed the shotand one for a 31-29 half time score.

In the third quarter, Evans continued his dominance which was matched by Comegys. Seaford pulled in three offensive rebounds missing all shots until Evans sunk another three-point basket. The quarter included chaotic play, turnovers, and continued matching dominance by Evans and Comegys but Parkside took the lead by five points on two Blue Jay turnovers.

In the final quarter, the Rams held the edge and took advantage of two turnovers to open a wider lead. Seaford’s Uriah Taylor-Brown tightened the score on a Parkside turnover and Purnell was called on a foul that appeared a good take away but Comegys netted both shots with a minute to play. Seaford’s offense went cold in the final possessions and the last score of the game was at the buzzer by Seaford’s Aizyon Matthews for the final score of 65-61.

Game stats (points, rebounds): Vincent Evans III 33, 8; Enoch DuPrey 7, 3; Tahjere Bacon 7, 4; Aizyon Matthews 5, 9. Team turnovers 10.

Parkside: Javon Comegys 24, 6; Peyton Cropper 15, 8; Jo’Ziah Sherwood 12, 17; Kyle Goblinger 8, 3. Team turnovers 13