For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – For fans of above-the-rim basketball, Father Birkenheuer Gymnasium at Salesianum School was the place to be Saturday night. The homestanding Sals, ranked second in the state, had six dunks en route to a 66-37 win over Brandywine High School.
Senior Brian O’Neill led the way with 20 points, including three dunks, and seven rebounds, while junior Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points, with the other three dunks. He added four assists.
The Bulldogs’ only lead came early, at 3-2, before the Sals went on a 15-point run. Two of those points came on an alley oop by DiVincenzo, bringing the crowd to its feet. The hosts led, 19-8, after the first quarter, and the rout was on.
Salesianum put the game away after the half, scoring 23 points in the third quarter. DiVincenzo had eight in the third, all in a 50-second span: a three-pointer, a thunderous dunk, jump shot and foul shot. The Sals’ defense forced several turnovers that lead to easy fast-break baskets, and they held Brandywine to six points.
The Sals are now 5-1 and are off until Jan. 4, when they host Smyrna at 7:30 p.m. Brandywine fell to 0-5 and returns to action Jan. 2 at A.I. DuPont. Tipoff for that one is at 5:30 p.m.
