By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Dover High had waited five decades to experience the sheer joy of this moment.

And when it finally happened — incredibly, remarkably — happened, the moment was every bit as thrilling as the Senators dreamed it would be.

Storming back from an 11-point deficit, No. 2 Dover somehow pulled out a memorable 56-53 victory over No. 4 Salesianum to bring home the program’s long-awaited first state title at the Carpenter Center on Saturday evening.

With the fans from both sides often roaring in the raucous sold-out arena, the Senators netted 12 of the game’s final 17 points to secure the crown.

Dover led 56-50 before the Sals’ Isaiah Hynson hit a running three-pointer th the buzzer. But it was too little, too late as the Senators’ crowd erupted in celebration and the players mobbed each other on the court.

Seniors Dorell Little and Denim Perkins both had heroic performances. The pair combined to net all by one of Dover’s 33 second-half points.

Little capped off his memorable showing by leaping out to block a three-point attempt by the Sals’ Kareem Thomas with just 11.2 seconds left and the Senators’ clinging to a 53-50.

Little hit one free throw before Perkins hit two more with just 2.7 seconds remaining to give the cushion it ended up needing.

After shaking off a rough shooting first quarter, Little poured in a game-high 31 points to go along with nine rebounds. Perkins, all 5-foot-7 of him, collected 16 points, eight assists, eight rebounds and four steals.

Unified

Dover 36, Caesar Rodney 28: Dover captured the DIAA Unified basketball state title by topping Caesar Rodney on Saturday afternoon at the Carpenter Center.

The title was the fourth in five seasons for the Senators, who finish the season with a record of 8-1. The Riders finish with a record of 12-2 with both losses coming to Dover.

The Senators led 18-11 at halftime and took a 32-20 advantage into the fourth quarter. Caesar Rodney closed within 33-36 with two remaining before Dover closed out the win.

This was the sixth year that the DIAA has held a Unified state championship in basketball. The sport matches up special-needs students with student partners from each school.

Dover and CR shared the state championship in 2020 when the finals were canceled because of the COVID pandemic.

Girls

Ursuline 49, Caravel 48: Freshman Jezelle Banks sank a free throw with just four seconds left to give the No. 2 Raiders the state title at the Carpenter Center on Saturday afternoon.

The state crown was the 17th all-time for Ursuline, the all-girls Catholic high school in Wilmington.

Banks finished with a game-game 29 points for the Raiders after making 5-of-11 three-pointers. Fellow freshman added 16 points and four assists.

Top-seeded Caravel got 19 points from Anaya Price and 15 from Jasiy Crawford.

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

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