Slam Dunk to the Beach to Return in December 2014

The Slam Dunk to the Beach Tournament will take place Dec. 27-29 at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, DE.  The tournament schedule is due to be released in the fall. Organizers are expected to announce the lineup of national teams participating in Slam Dunk this summer.

Some of the state’s powerhouse boys basketball teams will be tipping off against the nation’s premier talent this December as the rejuvenated Slam Dunk to the Beach tournament makes its long-awaited return to Delaware.

Slam Dunk Chairman Matt Robinson unveiled the four Delaware participants Thursday night at the Blue-Gold All Star High School Basketball Banquet at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. The teams are:

Salesianum School (Wilmington): 2013-2014 state champions, finished season ranked #1 in state, final record of 23-2

Sanford School (Hockessin): Finished season ranked #2 in state, final record of 17-7

St. Georges Technical High School (Middletown): Runner-up to Salesiaunum in 2013-2014 state championship, finished season ranked #3 in state, final record of 21-4

Cape Henlopen High School (Lewes): 2013-2014 State Championship semifinalist, fFinished season ranked #11, final record of 15-9

 “A strong lineup of Delaware teams has always been a crucial part of Slam Dunk’s identity and a key to its local legitimacy,” said Matt Robinson, the tournament’s chairman. “Having these teams represent Delaware as they take on some of the best high school programs in the country is exciting.”

For 13 years, Delaware's Slam Dunk hosted some of the nation’s premier players, including current NBA stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and more. Under the leadership of the Delaware Sports Commission, Slam Dunk is being relaunched in an effort to regain the national reputation and strong fan base it once brought to the state.

“It’s been quite a year for basketball in Delaware, and this coming December should see the intensity level rise even more,” Robinson said. Over the past year, Delaware has seen:

• Two teams advance to the NCAA Basketball Championship
• WNBA star Elena Delle Donne named rookie of the year
• Trevor Cooney recognized as one of the top college players in the nation
• The Delaware 87ers launch their inaugural season

 “Excitement over high school basketball in Delaware is at an all-time high, as witnessed by attendance during the recent DIAA basketball tournaments,” Robinson said.

 Keep an eye on slamdunktothebeach.com and follow Slam Dunk on Facebook and Twitter (@SlamDunktoBeach) for tournament updates.

About the Delaware Sports Commission: The Delaware Sports Commission, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) Not-For-Profit corporation, governed by a 30-person Board of Directors with expertise in the Sports, Business, Hospitality, Government, and Media sectors.  The organization's charge is to “bid, recruit, and host regional and national sporting events at all levels of competition in the State for the purpose of utilizing sports facilities in the State, enhancing the economic development of the State, and promoting Delaware as a destination for amateur and professional sports.”