Coaches' preseason rankings: Top 30 players in Delaware high school boys basketball
brad myers, delaware news journal
·2 min read
A definite trend emerged when we asked the state’s top head coaches to rank the best players heading into the Delaware high school boys basketball season.
They expect Salesianum to be very, very good.
The Sals won the DIAA championship last spring, and the combined voting of many of the coaches who guide the top teams places three returning Sallies players among the top five going into 2023-24.
Following an All-State football season at quarterback, Howard's Rahsaan Matthews Jr. (right) is also expected to be among the state's top boys basketball players.
Dover has two players rated among the top eight, and William Penn has two in the top 10 and three in the top 20.
But after that, opinions vary widely. That is to be expected, because the new season is just getting under way.
Transfers will certainly make an impact at different schools. Players who didn’t see a lot of action last year will step into bigger roles. And newcomers always throw a surprise into the mix.
That’s what makes it fun, and the postseason rankings certainly will look far different than this early list. But for now, get ready for the new year by going through the coaches’ preseason rankings.
Preseason Top 30 players in Delaware high school boys basketball
30. Latrell Wright, so., Conrad
Conrad's Latrell Wright (left) handles the ball in front of Mount Pleasant's Niame Scott in the Green Knights' 69-58 win at Conrad in the opening round of the DIAA boys state tournament, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.
29. Chad Dohl, sr., Saint Mark's
Delaware Military's Roman Hernandez (left) defends as St. Mark's Chad Dohl looks to pass in the second half of St. Mark's 59-50 win in the Fifth Annual SL24 Memorial Classic, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 at the Chase Fieldhouse. The seven-game, two-day fundraiser for the SL24: UnLocke the Light foundation continues Saturday.
28. Chase Sullivan, so., Smyrna
27. Gabriel Swift, sr., DMA
St. Mark's Jorden Jones leaps for a block against Delaware Military's Gabriel Swift (3) in the second half of St. Mark's 59-50 win in the Fifth Annual SL24 Memorial Classic, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 at the Chase Fieldhouse. The seven-game, two-day fundraiser for the SL24: UnLocke the Light foundation continues Saturday.
26. Jaylen Bernikow, jr., Odessa
25. Jackson Starkey, sr., Lake Forest
Lake Forest's Jackson Starkey pushes toward the basket in front of Seaford's Zion Mifflin.
24. David Maker, jr., Sussex Central
23. Jordan Earl, sr., Odessa
22. Eric Mathenge, sr., Middletown
Eric Mathenge (right) transferred from Appoquinimink to Middletown.
21. Daniel Harvey, jr., Appoquinimink
Appoquinimink's Daniel Harvey drives the ball down the line for a score during Howard's 55-48 win on Saturday March 4, 2023..
20. Rashid Ushery, sr., William Penn
19. Obinna Coleman, sr., Smyrna
Obinna Coleman (12) of Smyrna gets his hand on a pass against Appoquinimink.
18. Robbie Johnson, jr., Salesianum
Salesianum's Robbie Johnson (center) goes for a loose ball against William Penn's (from left) Kai Gatson, Mahari Campbell, Emmanuel Vonhm and Michael Wilmore in the first half of Salesianum's 48-44 win in the DIAA state title game Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Bob Carpenter Center.
17. Aizyon Matthews, so., Middletown
16. Clyde Frasier, sr., Middletown
Middletown's Clyde Frasier (2) works against Salesianum's Anthony Smith in the first half of a DIAA state tournament semifinal at the Bob Carpenter Center, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
15. Clarence McBride-Allen, sr., Sussex Central
14. Darius Miller, jr., Lake Forest
13. Darnell Lloyd, jr., St. Andrew's
Darnell Lloyd (right) has transferred from Mount Pleasant to St. Andrew's.
12. Blair Thomas, sr., St. Georges
William Penn's Jordan Moore throws down a slam while drawing a foul for a three point play between St. Georges' Blair Thomas (left) and Jonathan Hardy in the Colonials' 54-49 win at St. Georges Thursday, January 6, 2022.
11. Jayden Taylor, jr., Sanford
Middletown's Jaiden McGhee shoots over Sanford's Jayden Taylor (11) during Middletown's 57-42 win in the boys state basketball tournament on Saturday March 4, 2023.
10. Jaylin Horsey, sr., William Penn
Jaylin Horsey (3) has transferred from Conrad to William Penn.
9. Emmanuel Vonhm, sr., William Penn
William Penn's Emmanuel Vonhm (13) celebrates a score and foul in the second half of Salesianum's 48-44 win in the DIAA state title game Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Bob Carpenter Center.
8. Denim Perkins, sr. Dover
Dover's Denim Perkins (front)
7. Rahsaan Matthews Jr., sr., Howard
Howard's Rahsaan Matthews goes to the basket between William Penn's Jaiden Guy (left) and Michael Wilmore in the second half of the Colonials' 55-39 win in a DIAA state tournament semifinal at the Bob Carpenter Center, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
6. Kashmier Wise, sr., Seaford
Seaford's Kashmier Wise shoots over Michael Wilmore of William Penn.
5. Justin Hinds, sr., Salesianum
Salesianum's Justin Hinds (left) tries to control in front of William Penn's Kai Gatson in the first half of Salesianum's 48-44 win in the DIAA state title game Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Bob Carpenter Center.
4. Aiden Tobiason, sr., St. Elizabeth
St. Elizabeth's Justin Lawrence (left) and Aiden Tobiason celebrate late in the second half of the Vikings' 54-45 win at Salesianum, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.
3. Kareem Thomas, sr., Salesianum
Salesianum's Kareem Thomas (2) keeps control as Middletown's Ty'renne Hynson defends in the second half of Salesianum's 51-49 win in a DIAA state tournament semifinal at the Bob Carpenter Center, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
2. Dorell Little, sr., Dover
Dorell Little (right) has transferred from Polytech to Dover.
1. Isaiah Hynson, sr., Salesianum
Salesianum's Isaiah Hynson reacts after a made three-pointer as the Sals build a lead against William Penn in the first half of the DIAA state championship Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Bob Carpenter Center.
