Storm Wreaks Havoc on Local Prep Slate

BERLIN- Last weekend’s near-record snowfall last forced the cancellation of several prep sports events across the area, causing local teams to scramble to find make-up dates to meet minimum requirements for post-season play in some cases.

For example, the Decatur wrestling team was scheduled to face Reservoir last Saturday, but the trip across the Bay Bridge was cancelled because of the storm. On Wednesday, the Seahawks were set to face Parkside, but Wicomico County schools were closed while Worcester County went in two hours late, forcing the postponement of the meet. Decatur is set to face Easton and North Caroline in a dual meet today and needs to get the matches in to meet the minimum requirement for post-season eligibility or face the prospect of seeking an exemption.

The Decatur boys’ and girls’ basketball teams did not miss any games despite the widespread cancellations, but the storm did create a rare triple-header at home yesterday. The Seahawks were set to host county rival Pocomoke yesterday starting with the girls’ varsity, followed by a boys’ junior varsity game before the boys’ varsity team hit the floor.

The Seahawks’ boys’ varsity team rebounded from a tough loss to county rival Snow Hill last week by thrashing Washington High last Thursday, 71-35. Decatur jumped all over the Jaguars, leading 19-1 after one quarter and 41-6 at the half. Washington did outscore Decatur 12-9 in the third quarter, but the damage had been done and the Seahawks cruised to the 71-35 win. Decatur faced Pocomoke yesterday in a big conference game played too late to be included in this edition.

Meanwhile, the Worcester Prep boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams haven’t played in weeks because of a variety of factors. The Mallards were on winter break for a large part of January and missed at least three days of school this week because of the snowstorm. Both teams last played way back on January 15, with the boys beating Gunston, 63-54, and the girls’ edging Gunston, 29-28.

The Mallards were set to get back into action in earnest this week, but school closures postponed much of their early week schedule including a boys’ game against Delmar and a girls’ game against Saints Peter and Paul. As a result, both the boys’ and girls’ teams are scheduled to play on consecutive school days starting with Gunston yesterday, Chincoteage on Friday and Salisbury Christian on Monday.

Worcester’s girls are scheduled to play a make-up game with Saints Peter and Paul next Wednesday, while both teams finish the regular season with home games against Delmarva Christian next Friday. However, with another major storm expected to arrive in the area, some of the area’s local prep games scheduled for this weekend and early next week could be in jeopardy.