Last Friday, February 4, the Tatnall Hornets Boys Varsity Basketball team soundly defeated conference rival Wilmington Christian in front of a raucous home crowd. The Hornets came out focused and attacking on both sides of the court, and captain Caleb Sales '22 led the way from the tip. He made a twisting, driving layup to open the scoring, then splashed a long shot (incorrectly called a two by the official) to force a timeout. After getting a stop, Sales dropped in another three, then another, and the party was on. The young tandem of Jace Banks '25 and Caleb Starks '25 wreaked havoc on defense, with Starks getting a steal and redirecting it to Banks, who found captain Isaiah Sales '23 for the hoop and the foul inside. Banks found Eli Baffone '23 for a layup, and then Starks connected for another three with a hand in his face. Tatnall led 16-5 at the end of one. The second quarter provided more festivities, as Banks set up Baffone for a rainbow three. Baffone followed it up with a driving layup through traffic, and he attacked throughout the period, finishing another highlight-reel layup as the period drew to a close.
Tatnall held a double-digit lead at halftime, 27-17. Baffone opened the third with another patient drive for a layup, and Caleb Sales stayed scorching hot, connecting again from long distance. The defense was sound as well, as Fitzgerald gave up his body and drew a charge late in the period to the delight of the Hornet faithful. In the final period, Tatnall stretched out their lead, turning it into a laugher in mere minutes. Banks knocked in a jumper, Caleb Sales splashed another long trey, and Baffone found Isaiah Sales for yet another trey. Baffone showed off his unselfishness as well, setting up Fitzgerald for a pair of tough inside buckets. The lead grew to over twenty late, and the Hornets finished with a dominant 58-43 win.
Caleb Sales finished with a career-high 25 points, connecting for seven threes in the dominant performance. Baffone played perhaps his best varsity game, finishing with sixteen points, five rebounds, and six assists.
Unfortunately, after such a solid win, the Varsity Basketball team came out flat on both sides of the court and were bested by conference rivals Saint Andrew's at home on Tuesday, February 8. Struggling on both ends, the Cardinals opened up a massive lead early and weathered a spirited, late run by the Hornets to get the win. Tatnall had multiple opportunities to get the lead to single digits in the final period and put the pressure on Saint Andrew's but could never combine a bucket with a stop when they needed it. Eli Baffone '23 led the team with thirteen points, and Caleb Starks '25 came off the bench to chip in eight, including a pair of triples. Jace Banks '25 added seven and had four steals.
However, the Boys JV team gutted out a come from behind victory, winning late against the Saint Andrews JV team, 28-27. Noah Conkey '25 scored five of his team-high seven points in the decisive fourth quarter. Balanced scoring provided the answer for Tatnall, with Luke Kain '23 and Jimmy Diskin '25 each adding six of their own, including a trey apiece. Four other Hornets scored in the contest.
Additionally, on Wednesday, February 9, the Hornets' 3rd team secured their third win of the season and second win in a row with a 23-16 victory over conference rivals Tower Hill. Both teams got off to rocky starts on offense, but the Tatnall defense was stout and forced many turnovers. The Hornets got lots of good lucks but failed to capitalize. Halftime found the Hornets ahead 6-1 in the defensive struggle. The Hornets found their opportunities from outside, built up a sizeable advantage, and then hung through a spirited Hiller spurt. In a one-possession game deep in the fourth quarter, Fletcher Jones '25 saved the day and made the play of the game. He stole a lazy Hiller pass on the run and converted the driving fast-break layup through the defense to give the Hornets some breathing room. Simon Cox '25 led the team with 8 points, and Joe Ciconte '25 chipped in six. Antonio DeVaughn dialed in from a distance and connected on a long trey late in the game. Jimmy Catalano '24 continued to be opportunistic around the basket off the bench, converting an inside finish plus the foul to help build the Hornet lead in the third.
Our boys look forward to celebrating their senior class on Thursday, February 10, with the rest of the winter sports senior athletes. The ceremony will be held after the Girls Varsity game and before the tip-off of the Boys' game. August Sharp '22, Dima Novisad '22, Brandon Yu '22, and captains Brody Clayton '22 and Caleb Sales '22 will lead the Hornets into action against conference rival and one of the top teams in the state, Tower Hill.
