Smyrna tops Polytech sending Cape to states

Simply Red filled the gym at Polytech Wednesday, Feb. 23, at dinnertime as the visiting red-and-white Smyrna Eagles went after the home team red-and-black Polytech Panthers in a sneak preview matchup of Saturday’s scheduled Henlopen Conference Championship game.

The Panthers had it all going on from senior night introductions of cheerleaders and players to coach John Pierce singing the national anthem.

Polytech held a 23-16 lead at intermission, which was highlighted by a rocking performance by dancing coeds.

The second half opened and it was all Polytech, which raced to a 31-18 lead causing Smyrna to call time-out. Mike Starkey might be the most respected bench coach in the conference, but there didn’t appear to be a scenario in which the Eagles could turn it around.

“It’s all about the bench players,” said point guard and leader Andre Gibbs. “I got a lot of rest, so when I came back I was just like a bench player. We are all starters and bench players, just one team and we believe in each other.”

Something happened during that time-out that made the Eagles feel brand new. Smyrna outscored Polytech 28-10 over the last 12 minutes of the game; and with the score tied at 41 and Smyrna with possession with 1:34 on the clock, it was Andre Gibbs to the basket for the go-ahead points and a 43-41 lead.

Polytech came down and missed a jumper. The Eagles rebounded and found Gibbs, who was fouled, and the best foul shooter in the conference dropped a pair and that was essentially that.

“I talked to Andrew Merlo of Cape before the game and he said “We need you to win because we get an extra 2 points to get into the tournament,” Gibbs said.

Smyrna finished the regular season 15-5 so bubble teams like Cape and Lake Forest received 2 bonus points for losing to a team with a .700 wining percentage.

Polytech completes the regular season 17-3.

Gibbs led Smyrna with 14 points, followed by Derrick Boyd with 10. Eric Laster had 19 for the Panthers.