Delaware Takes The Cake (and Trophy) In Governor’s Challenge Basketball Tournament

Salisbury, MD – For years, the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, MD has brought high school basketball players together in competition over the holiday break. In 2010 Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley placed a unique spin on this tradition by issuing a challenge to Delaware’s Governor Jack Markell. The wager: a Maryland Smith Island Cake to a Delaware Peach Pie. The inaugural Governor’s Challenge Basketball Tournament was born.

The tradition continued this past December as teams from Delaware and Maryland engaged in intense competition over four days. In the end, Delaware captured its third straight Governor’s Challenge Cup, winning 11 games against 10 losses. Maryland held up their end of the bargain this week by presenting Governor Markell with a Peanut Butter Smith Island Cake courtesy of Cakes by David. Shortly after the cake and 40-lb. trophy were unveiled to him Markell tweeted, “Victory is still sweet, 3 years & counting.”

Delaware will look to four-peat as the Governor’s Challenge Champions in December 2013 while Maryland will try to capture its first title and deliver a Delaware Peach Pie to Annapolis. Teams are being recruited for the 2013 event, which is scheduled for December 26-28. For more information, visit www.SalisburyChampionships.org. ;
Photo Caption Above: Delaware Governor Jack Markell is presented with the Governor’s Challenge Trophy for the third year in a row. Presenters from left to right: Milford High School Head Coach BJ Joseph, Milford High School Assistant Coach Rene Diaz, Wicomico County Tourism Manager Steve Miller, Milford Legislator Harvey Kenton, Wicomico County Sports Marketing Representative James Simmons.