Dover basketball Dorrell Little attempts a jump shot against Caesar Rodney, photo courtesy of Ben Fulton
The Dover Senators and Caesar Rodney Riders renewed their cross-town rivalry in an early season boys basketball game at sold out Dover High Saturday. The Riders entered the game with a record of 2-1, while the Senators were playing their first game of the 23-24 season.
The two teams battled in the first quarter with Caesar Rodney taking an 11-10 lead. Junior Khalil Kemp nailed a “three” and made a layup off a Dover turnover to give the Riders a 9-6 advantage late in the quarter. That would be the largest lead of the opening frame.
Dover used pressure defense to create numerous CR turnovers in the second quarter and out score the Riders by 12 points to take the lead at the half, 37-25. Dorell Little paced the Senators as he scored 10 of his 22 points for the game in that crucial 8:00 period.
Dover coach Stephen Wilson said he was pleased with the win and credited the team’s tenacious defense with the dominant effort all game, but especially in the second quarter. Wilson told me after the game, “I was pleased with how nobody griped about not being on the floor. The players on the bench cheered on the 5 we had out there. It was our first game, and they were playing their fourth, so overall I was pleased with the win.”
Caesar Rodney made a furious comeback in the second half. They cut Dover’s lead to seven points thru three quarters (47-42). Senior Isaiah Alston scored 9 points in the third quarter, while teammates Adam Bailey and Kemp drained long-range jumpers to help close the gap.
The Riders and Senators traded baskets in the first two minutes of the final quarter until Tai’Shaun Allen converted the “old fashioned ” three point play to pull CR to within a single point at 53-52 with 5:55 to play. However, Dover would not let the Riders get any closer than four points the rest of the way.
Dorell Little led Dover with 22 points, while Noah Allen added 18, and Denim Perkins scored 9. The Senators shot well from the “free-throw” line making 17 of 21 attempts (81%).
Caesar Rodney was paced by Khalil Kemp with 21 points. Isaiah Alston fouled out late in the game and finished with 13 points.
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