Dover Tops Seeding in Delaware Boys Basketball State Tournament

DOVER, Delaware (Day.News) — The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association released the official bracket for the 2026 Boys Basketball State Tournament on February 20, setting the stage for high-stakes competition among the state's top 24 teams. No. 1 seed Dover High School headlines the field, followed by Howard High School of Technology and William Penn High School. The tournament kicks off with first-round games on Monday, February 23, at 6 p.m., hosted by higher seeds, and second-round contests on Wednesday, February 25, at the same time.

Local rivalries promise fireworks, including a third meeting this season between top-seeded Dover and No. 8 Smyrna High School in the quarterfinals. Other key seeds include No. 5 Middletown High School, No. 6 Seaford High School, No. 7 Cape Henlopen High School, No. 9 Appoquinimink High School and No. 11 Salesianum School. Lower seeds like No. 23 Sussex Central High School and No. 24 Sanford School face tough roads, while charter and private schools such as No. 14 Great Oaks Charter and No. 12 Caravel Academy add depth to the bracket.

Play continues with quarterfinals highlighted in recaps, building toward semifinals and the championship. The full schedule, including later rounds on March 7 at higher seeds, is available on the DIAA website. Delaware basketball fans from Wilmington to Sussex County are rallying behind their teams as the playoff push intensifies.