Dover completes first undefeated Delaware boys basketball season since 1995

The Dover Senators had come this far and nothing was going to stop them.

Dover took complete control early in the first quarter and cruised to a 64-24 home victory over Newark on Tuesday night, becoming the first Delaware high school boys basketball team in 24 years to go through the regular season undefeated.

“These guys, they worked their tails off,” Senators coach Stephen Wilson said. “I’m extremely happy. … We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re going to think about this for a little bit.”

The second-ranked Senators (20-0) still have challenges remaining, starting with the Henlopen Conference championship game at home Friday night against Lake Forest.

They became the first Dover team to run the regular-season table, and the first in the state to do it since St. Mark’s in 1995.

“It’s a good feeling,” said junior guard Eden Davis, who led the Senators with 20 points. “We’re the first team to ever do it, so it’s real good.”

Fourth-ranked Newark (14-6) appeared to be a formidable foe, winning 8 of its last 10 games coming in. And the Yellowjackets took a 5-4 lead on Donald Burton’s three-pointer from the left corner 1:58 into the game.

Elijah Allen takes huge leap forward for undefeated Dover boys basketball

After that, it was all Dover.

The Senators scored 24 of the next 26 points. Davis heated up with a three, a fast-break layup and a mid-range jumper. Then Jyare Spencer’s tip pushed Dover ahead 13-5.

After Newark’s Joey Hodges made a layup, Spencer electrified the crowd by dunking Elijah Allen’s lob pass. Then Spencer scored again and Allen made two free throws for a 19-7 lead after one quarter.

Spencer was a force on both ends, finishing with 16 high-flying points and six intimidating blocks.

“When I get a block, my team gets hyped,” the 6-7 junior said. “So I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing, getting rebounds, blocks, steals, helping my team.”

Major shuffling in Delaware Online boys basketball rankings

Davis opened the second quarter with another three, then was fouled on yet another three that turned into a four-point play. After Eric White posted up for a baby hook, the Senators’ advantage grew to 28-7.

“We wanted to get out and run a little bit and put a little pressure on their big guys,” Wilson said. “… We didn’t think that their guards could guard our guards.”

Dover went 10-12 last season, struggling through some growing pains with a sophomore-heavy lineup and ultimately falling to Salesianum in the second round of the state tournament.

Now, all the experience the Senators gained — along with increased skill and development — is paying off.

“I’d be lying to you if I said I thought we were going to be 20-0,” Wilson said. “But these guys, they’ve been working since we lost to Sallies last year. Now, I’m not surprised.”

Defense key as No. 2 Sanford girls dominate No. 4 Caravel

Following the season opener, an impressive 74-58 win over Sussex Tech, Davis had a feeling this could be a special team.

“After the first game, we saw the defense and the energy we had,” the junior guard said. “We knew we had all the pieces.”

Through 20 games, the Senators have fit together perfectly.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ