By Andy Walter

BEAR — Seeded No. 24 or not, Smyrna High didn’t go down without a fight on Monday night.

After falling behind top-seeded Caravel early, the Eagles battled back within five points early in the third quarter.

Unfortunately for Smyrna, the Buccaneers didn’t let it get any closer.
Caravel pulled away in the fourth quarter, ending the Eagles’ Cinderella run with a 64-38 victory in the DIAA girls’ basketball state quarterfinals.

With Dover also losing, falling to Ursuline, 60-36, in its quarterfinal matchup, Wednesday night’s girls’ state Final Four at the Carpenter Center will again feature only New Castle County schools.

Still, Smyrna coach Erique Gumbs couldn’t help but be proud of his team for the way it played the last week. The Eagles (15-8) twice knocked off higher-seeded squads despite being the last team in the bracket.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “They deserved it. They’ve been working for it for years. Things just started to work in their favor.

“I’m glad they got to have it. March is a special time of year. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. I’m proud of them. They believe in themselves.”

After trailing by as many as 15 points in the second quarter on Monday, Smyrna closed within 32-27 when senior Talaney Pierce (9 points) scored on an offensive rebound with 6:14 remaining in the third quarter.

The Eagles had also gotten a tough three-point play from Kai Burnette (18 points) on the final play of the first half to make it a 30-23 game at halftime. But Caravel (18-3) and its pressure defense were too much down the stretch.

The Bucs netted 32 of the contest’s final 43 points to put the game out of reach. Caravel forced 11 second-half turnovers and 19 for the game.

“They did a great job in the second half.” Gumbs said about Caravel. “Hats off to them. They executed. They’re the No. 1 team for a reason.”

Caravel’s only in-state loss this winter was a two-point setback to perennial state power Sanford. The Bucs won the state title two years ago and have reached the state finals seven times since 2013.

Junior Cherish Bryant had 19 points to lead Caravel.

Smyrna was trying to make the state semifinals for the first time since 2010 and ‘11 when future WNBA standout Betnijah Laney played for the Eagles.

Smyrna had just lost to the Buccaneers, 72-57, at home on Feb. 13.

Gumbs hopes his players have more memorable moments in front of them.

“When you’re locked in and you’re working toward something, you never know what’s going to be the tipping point for you,” he said. “You have to approach every day the same way. You can’t waver.”

Ruggerio.com

Ursuline 60, Dover 36: Freshmen Jezelle Banks and Taylor Brown tallied 54 of the second-seeded Raiders’ 60 points as Ursuline advanced to the state semifinals.

Only five players scored for Ursuline (16-6) as Banks had 32 points and Brown finished with 22.

The Raiders scored 30 points in each half, opening up a 30-18 advantage by halftime over the 10 Senators..

Henlopen Conference champion Dover, which finishes 19-5, got 11 points from Sara Benson and 10 from Ashtyn Torbert.

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at awalter@iniusa.org. Follow on X at @DSNsports.