Momentum was changing hands as Quentin

Stokes stepped to the line for Hodgson in Wednesday night's opening round

tournament match up between the Silver Eagles and Archmere.

Hodgson, who's largest lead was 16 points, saw

Archmere crawl back to within six with 2:22 still left in the fourth. Stokes

was the man Archmere coaches had instructed their players to foul. Partially in

an attempt to extend the game and partially because he was as low as a 25% foul

shooter at one point earlier in the season. The senior responded however, as he

calmly sank two free throws propelling Hodgson to a game ending 11-0 run and a

58 to 41 victory.

"I was just concentrating on making both shots

right from the second they blew the whistle," said Stokes. "We needed those and

I just really wanted them."

Stokes certainly had the crowd behind him, as

they rose to their feet in appreciation after the second shot went in.

"Quentin has been working hard to improve his

foul shooting all year long," said Hodgson head coach Ed Sobocinski. "As

a three year starter he knows the level that it's necessary to play at in order

to be successful in the state tournament, and that includes knocking down foul

shots come crunch time."

While it was Stokes who cemented the game for

Hodgson, it was junior Joe Seymore who carried the load. Seymore

scored 16 points and added 10 rebounds, six of which came on the offensive end.

He was the catalyst of a dominant interior performance from the Silver Eagles.

They out-rebounded Archmere 27 to 15 and outscored the Auks 22 to 6 in second

chance points.

"We do a pretty good job getting the ball down

low, plus we have four players who can assert themselves in the post

offensively," said Sobocinski.

For Archmere it was especially frustrating

because they actually forced more turnovers than they committed. The Auks were

simply unable to makeup the second chance points they allowed.

"We actually were surprised because we

thought we matched up pretty well with their post players," said Archmere head

coach Jeff Sareka. "They actually forced us into a zone in the second

half until we had to start pressing. We just couldn't find a way to shut them

down."

Archmere kept things close thanks to the

combination of Steve Hall and Chris Sanna. Sanna had nine assists

most of which went to Hall who led all scorers with 21.

"I thought we did a lot of things right, but

when it came down to it we just couldn't find a way to stop them," said Sanna.

With the win Hodgson advances on to the round

of sixteen. A date with Sanford awaits them on Friday. "Sanford is a very good

team with a great tradition so we'll see," said Sobocinsky. "I'll tell you

though, with this team I always like our chances."

1 2

3 4 F

Archmere 8 10 13

10 41

Hodgson 14 15 14

15 58