By Andy Walter

CAMDEN — It was only a couple seasons ago that Caesar Rodney High didn’t even make the DIAA girls’ basketball state tournament.

So it feels pretty good for the Riders to not only be back in the tourney but having some success again.

On Wednesday night, No. 16 CR dispatched No. 17 Laurel, 62-36, in the state tournament’s second round. It was the Riders’ first tourney victory since 2018.

Getting a second tournament win is going to be difficult for CR, though. On Friday, the Riders (13-2) head to Wilmington to take on top-seeded St. Elizabeth (11-0) at 6:30 p.m.

But if that is CR’s reward for getting this far, the Riders will take it.

“It’s been nice,” said CR coach Tameka Williams. “The kids have really grinded, they’ve done what they needed to do to get our program going back in the right direction.”

Against the Bulldogs (10-3), the Riders took control quickly. CR opened up a 40-12 halftime advantage after tallying the final eight points of the second quarter.

Three players finished in double figures for the Riders: Jada McCullough (13), Erin Hirvela (12), and Stacey Deputy (11). Hirvela scored 12 first-half points with Deputy adding 11.

CR went 7-1 at home this season, and is 15-4 on its own court over the last two years.

“It felt good to get the last one of the season, just to end on a high note at home,” said Deputy. “We knew we’d make it (to the tourney). But we know we have to still fight. Nothing’s ever guaranteed in the state tournament. Anybody can be upset on any given day. You’ve just got to go out there and play.”

Of course, the Riders will be hoping anything can happen when they face St. Elizabeth on Friday night. The Vikings have won 18 games in a row since last season.

CR’s players, though say they’re just excited to get this kind of opportunity.

“I know there’s a few people who probably don’t think we can win on Friday because they’re No. 1 and we’re No. 16,” said McCullough.

“But our team is ready. We’ve been waiting for this since November and December. I’m trying to make my senior last as long as possible.”

“I’m excited for the challenge,” said Deputy. “We know we’re going to have to go in there and fight hard, play like grown women. ... We know we just have to be solid. We can’t afford little mistakes because they’re going to come back to bite us in the end.”
Of course, big challenges are inevitable for any team that advances in a state tournament. The alternative is having your season already be over.

“The mindset is anybody can be beaten on any given day,” said Williams. “Everybody laces their shoes up the same way. Go battle, go compete and let’s see what happens.

“It’s going to be exciting to see how my kids answer the call. This is the hand we’ve been dealt. Let’s go see what we can do.”