GEORGETOWN, Del. – In a hard-fought Henlopen Conference showdown, the Sussex Tech Ravens edged out the Caesar Rodney Riders 34-29 in a thrilling girls’ basketball contest on their home court. The Riders struck first, taking an early 2-0 lead, but the Ravens quickly answered back as Anyah Bailey drained a three-pointer—Sussex Tech’s only shot from beyond the arc—to put her team ahead. Tayana Bibbins later connected on a deep pass to Inaya Gillespie, who finished in transition to extend the Ravens’ lead, though the Riders remained within striking distance. A key moment came when Briana Jones converted an and-one play to knot the score at 12, but Sussex Tech continued to respond, entering halftime with a 15-12 advantage.
The fourth quarter brought heightened intensity as both teams traded baskets in a back-and-forth affair. Aniyah Irizarry’s fast-break layup tied the game at 16, and the Riders briefly took a late lead after Kelechi earned an and-one opportunity and knocked down the free throw. However, with less than two minutes remaining, Bibbins delivered in the clutch, driving to the rim for a crucial go-ahead basket. She then sealed the win at the free-throw line, sinking both attempts to give Sussex Tech the cushion it needed to close out the game.
With the win, the Ravens improved their standing in the Henlopen Conference, defending their home court in a matchup defined by gritty defense and timely scoring. Bibbins played a pivotal role down the stretch, while contributions from Bailey, Gillespie, and Mariah McCabe helped secure the victory. Caesar Rodney fought until the final moments but ultimately fell short in the closely contested battle.
