2023 Capital Classic Press Release
The Capital Classic Middle School Basketball Tournament, now in it’s 15th year, is the premier middle school tournament featuring Delaware’s finest 32 boy’s and girl’s teams from 17 different school throughout the state.
All 32 games will be held at Central Middle School, 211 Delaware Avenue, Dover and will tip off at 3:30 pm, Wednesday February 8th 2023. The tournament will be played on 7 days over a 10-day period. No games will be played on the two Thursday’s as it is a high school night and hence a shortage of officials.
All teams play 2 games with the top seed playing the fourth seed and the third seed playing the second seed in each bracket. Then the winner play for the championship and the losers play for third place. Sunday February 19th and Monday February 20th President’s Day are designated snow make-up days.
This year’s Capital Classic currently has only one undefeated team, the Beacon Girls (12-0). The tournament consists of 8 brackets having A B C and D flights for both the boys and girls.
The Capital Classic has had countless former players go on to be stars in high school, college and the pros including: WNBA’s Benijah Laney, Corey Crawford, Anthony Myles, Eric Laster, international pro Juwan Gray and Anthony “Champ” Mosely one of the Dover Boys coaches.
Delaware Governor John Carney has presented awards in the past at the tournament.
Dover Central Middle leads all schools with 13 overall bracket wins in 14 years, followed by Woodbridge with 7, Milford and Smyrna with 6. Fifer has 6, while Postlethwaite has 4 titles. Coach Stephen Poole of Dover and John Wright of Mariner, formerly of Fifer, lead all coaches with overall bracket wins.
Sponsors for the Capital Classic Hollywood Diner, Liberty Tax, Grotto’s Pizza, PNC Bank, Pepsi, Texas Roadhouse, GR Myers Realty, Crown Trophies of Delmar, Beach Detailing, Under Armour Basketballs, Bowers Signs and Rise Physical Therapy.
The Announcers/Master of Ceremonies for the Capital Classic will be William Reaves Jr., “2019 Central Middle School Teacher of the Year”, “The Voice of C.R. Rider/Cape Sports” Jay McCormick and John “Marty” Martin, Capital School Board member, and education specialist.
A total of 628 awards will be presented including trophies, plaques and medals. Included are individual trophies for first place in each of the eight brackets and individual medals for second and third place in all eight brackets. Also, team trophies for first, second and third will be handed out. Five all-tournament players will be selected in each of the eight brackets in addition to eight MVP awards as well as selected by coaches. Crown Trophies will present 8 sportsmanship trophies to one player from each of the 8 brackets who exemplifies sportsmanship on and off the court.
This year’s Capital Classic will be dedicated to Coach Preston Grace from Woodbridge. Preston was a great coach, a great person. a good friend of the Capital Classic.
Entry fee for the Capital Classic will be $5 for students and $10 for adults. Players, managers, school principals, administration, CMS staff and coaches of the Capital Classic have free admission throughout the tournament. Concession stands will be provided including hot dogs, pizza nachos, candy, chips, cookies and beverages. DJ RF will perform each night.
To follow the results and complete schedules of the Capital Classic find them at De Preps/Rivals.com: Basketball Forum. For more information contact the Tournament Director at
billardito@msn.com
2023 CAPITAL CLASSIC FINAL SCHEDULE
HOME TEAM/WHITE LISTED SECOND BY VENUE PROXIMITY
February 8th Wednesday – Central Middle School
GAME 1 3:30 Beacon Girls @ Milford Girls
GAME 2 4:45 Millsboro Boys @ Beacon Boys
GAME 3 6:00 Caravel Girls @ Millsboro Girls
GAME 4 7:15 Caravel Boys @ Dover Boys
February 10th Friday - Central Middle School
GAME 5 3:30 Woodbridge Boys @ Postlethwaite Boys
GAME 6 4:45 Woodbridge Girls @ Magnolia Girls
GAME 7 6:00 Gunning Bedford Girls @ Postlethwaite Girls
GAME 8 7:15 Gunning Bedford Boys @ Seaford Boys
February 13th Monday - Central Middle School
GAME 9 3:30 Holy Cross Girls @ Seaford Girls
GAME 10 4:45 Holy Cross Boys @ Magnolia Boys
GAME 11 6:00 Shue-Medill Girls @ Fifer Girls
GAME 12 7:15 Shue Medill Boys @ Milford Boys
February 14th Tuesday- Central Middle School
GAME 13 3:30 Mariner Boys @ Chipman Boys
GAME 14 4:45 Kirk Boys @ Fifer Boys
GAME 15 6:00 Mariner Girls @ Dover Girls
GAME 16 7:15 Georgetown Girls @ Chipman Girls
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HOME TEAM/WHITE LISTED SECOND BY VENUE PROXIMITY
Wednesday February 15th Central Middle School
GAME 17/Girls 3:30
Third Place Trophy-D
GAME 18/Boys 5:00
Third Place Trophy-D
GAME 19/Girls 6:30
Third Place Trophy-C
GAME 20/Boys 8:00
Third Place Trophy-C
Thursday February 16th MAKEUP SNOW DAY TBA
Friday February 17th Central Middle School
GAME 21/Girls 3:30
CHAMPIONSHIP-D
GAME 22/Boys 5:00
CHAMPIONSHIP-D
GAME 23/Girls 6:30
CHAMPIONSHIP_C
GAME 24/Boys 8:00
CHAMPIONSHIP-C
HOME TEAM/WHITE LISTED SECOND BY VENUE PROXIMITY
Saturday February 18th Central Middle School
GAME 25/Girls 9:00
Third Place Trophy-B
GAME 26/Boys 10:30
Third Place Trophy-B
GAME 27/Girls 12:00
Third Place Trophy-A
GAME 28/Boys 1:30
Third Place Trophy-A
GAME 29/Girls 3:00
CHAMPIONSHIP-B
GAME 30/Boys 4:30
CHAMPIONSHIP-B
GAME 31/Girls 6:00
CHAMPIONSHIP-A 3 Officials
GAME 32/Boys 7:30
CHAMPIONSHIP-A 3 Officials
Sunday/Monday February 19th/20th Snow Make Up President’s Day
Contact Tournament Director billardito@msn.com for schedule changes and updates.
