Over the past 15 years, DeLaSalle has advanced to 11 state tournaments and won four championships — and was the top seed and a finalist in last year's tournament before it was canceled partway through due to the COVID-19 pandemic — setting the Islanders up as the gold standard in Class 3A.
A coaching change (James Fassett took over this offseason) and a handful of transfers resulted in a slow start this year, as the Islanders (6-2) lost two of their first three games. But No. 8-3A DeLaSalle has righted the ship with five wins in a row behind returning veterans Sydney Runsewe (19.2 ppg), I'Tianna Salaam (12.4 ppg) and Savannah White (9.8 ppg).
Yet, Holy Angels (8-0) may be the team to beat in the Tri-Metro Conference after defeating the Islanders 64-52 back on Jan. 26.
The No. 2-3A Stars' backcourt of Grace Massaquoi (13.4 ppg) and Frankie Vascellaro (16.4 ppg) combined for 35 points in that Jan. 26 game. Along with the veteran front court of Kassandra Caron (13.4 ppg) and Rachel Kawiecki (11.2 ppg), the Stars have four starters back from last year's state tournament team.