MD Knocks Off DE To Capture 2013 Governor's Challenge

Salisbury, MD – For the first time in 4 years, there will be no Maryland Smith Island Cake heading to the Delaware State House. Instead, a Delaware Peach Pie will be brought to Annapolis to celebrate Maryland’s victory over Delaware in the 4th annual Governor’s Challenge Holiday Basketball tournament held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center December 26-28.

In 2010, the neighboring Governors made a friendly wager on the event to see which high school teams would be victorious and for 3 years, Delaware literally took home the cake. However, all of that changed on Saturday, December 28, as Maryland clinched its first Governor’s Challenge trophy, winning 11 games to 9.

Ironically, it was Parkside High School that secured the win for Maryland in 2013. In 2012, Parkside had an opportunity to win it for Maryland as the two states were tied 10 to 10 heading into the final game of the event between Parkside and Milford, DE. Milford won that contest, 63-57, clinching Delaware’s 3rd straight Governor’s Challenge trophy but Parkside ensured that history was not about to repeat itself in 2013. With Maryland leading 10 games to 9, Parkside faced Laurel, DE in the final game of the event. Like 2012, it was a hard-fought contest, but this time Parkside (and Maryland) emerged victorious with a 57-54 victory. Parkside junior forward Juwan Williams led the way with 12 points.

“Redemption was a good thing this year,” explained Parkside head coach Dave Byar, after securing the win for Maryland. “We got over the hump and it was a great win.”

The Maryland victory was part of a great week of high school basketball action that featured 35 high school boys basketball teams from the region. Besides highly competitive games, the event featured 14 sharp shooters in the Three Point Shootout and 8 high-flying dunkers in the M&T Bank Slam Dunk Contest.

In the Three Point Shootout, Shakur Cottman, from Washington High, emerged victorious over Devin Shuler from CH Flowers to capture the 3 point title. Cottman led all shooters amassing a total of 36 points during the 3 rounds of competition. In a primetime Friday night performance, junior Patrick Johnson from CH Flowers rose above the competition in the M&T Slam Dunk Contest, scoring a perfect 50 in the championship round. Johnson’s aerial display of power and finesse earned him championship honors with Randallstown’s Devin Smith placing second.