City of Basketball Love

By  Chad Graham (@CGraham_Sports)
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The Luv1ne Classic returned for the second year over the weekend. CoBL’s Chad Graham was there at Odessa High School in Townsend, Del. on Saturday to take in the action. Here are his standouts rom the event:

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Jaylen Bernikow (2025 | Odessa, Del.)
As the host school, the Ducks went 1-1 on the back of Bernikow's smooth jumper. Every shot that released from his hands looked good, whether he was shooting off-the-catch or stopping on a dime then pulling up. The lefty knocked down two threes versus Sanford (10 points), then another two before coming up short to Bonner (16 points). His precise shooting wasn't limited to the trey ball. Bernikow also hit pull-up middies and went 6-of-7 from the line, to go along with 4 rebounds and 2 steals in game two.

Korey Francis (2027 | Bonner-Prendergast)
A couple months into his freshman year, Francis showed the poise of a veteran on Saturday. He was a problem defensively, flustering ball-handlers at the point-of-attack and getting two steals. The Delaware native eventually got it going on offense too. Ten of his 13 points came late in the second half when Odessa was surging. Francis found the bottom of the net on a couple one-dribble pull-ups in the mid-range and a catch-and-shoot three. Then, after Odessa tied things up with under a minute left, the freshman guard ripped baseline for the game-winning layup plus the free throw. 

Isaiah Hynson (2024 | Salesianum, Del.)
Normally a creator off-the-dribble, Hynson exploited the West Catholic defense off-the-catch. The 6-3 combo guard showed off his improved mechanics by swishing four spot-up threes in the first half. Every time someone helped off of him, he punished them by firing without hesitation. Then, in the second period, he went to his in-between game and defense to extend the Sallies lead. Hynson totalled 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. 

Khaafiq Myers (2024 | Neumann-Goretti)
The Saints didn't get the result they wanted in game one, but their senior point guard responded appropriately well defensively to lead NG to a win in their second match. Myers spearheading the defense set the tone and everyone else matched his energy. He repeatedly picked the opposing team's pockets, taking one the other way for a windmill dunk that shook the gym. That only fueled him to increase the ball pressure and force more turnovers. Myers finished with 13 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals, adding to the 16 points and 2 boards he put up in the first game. 

Josh Obiora (2026 | St. Georges, Del.)
New to the game, Obiora is rapidly improving and becoming an important piece of this Hawks team. His work on the offensive glass made the difference in their win over Conrad. Everything that came off the rim was Obiora's for the taking, as he converted multiple second-chance opportunities. The same thing occurred when his teammates got the ball to him in the post. Obiora quickly went up with one or no dribbles at all. The 6-5 forward nearly had a double-double with his 22 points and 9 rebounds. 

Aiden Tobiason (2024 | St. Elizabeth's, Del.)
Neumann-Goretti played well against the Vikings, but Tobiason was just better. He began the game with a four-point play by cashing in a pull-up three and making the free throw. The 6-5 senior added another four threes over the course of the contest. But he didn't do it in isolation. He knifed into the heart of the defense with give-and-goes from junior forward Kenny Hunter. And he threw down a jam in transition on a pass from senior guard Julius Wright. With 35 points and 10 rebounds in a decisive victory, he left no doubt who the best player in the gym was. 

Honorable Mention

Christian Baynes (2026 | Middletown, D.E.), Nick Baysah (2026 | Howard, D.E.), Shane Davis (202_ | St. Georges, D.E.), Jordan Earl (2024 | Odessa, D.E.), Xavier Fauntroy (2027 | West Catholic), Clyde Frasier (2024 | Middletown, D.E.), Jahaan Green (2024 | Camden Eastside, N.J.), Justin Hinds (2024 | Salesianum, D.E.), Jaylin Horsey (2024 | William Penn, D.E.), Kenny Hunter (2025 | St. Elizabeth's, D.E.), Tariq Jennings (2024 | West Catholic), Larenzo Jerkins (2024 | Neumann-Goretti), Bryson Lane (2026 | Howard, D.E.), Shane Lopez (2027 | Conrad, D.E.), Eric Methenge (2024 | Middletown, D.E.), Keon Mtume-Long (2025 | Neumann-Goretti), Jeremiah Riley (2025 | Howard, D.E.), Rahmir Speaks (2027 | Western Catholic), Jordan Spencer (2024 | Sanford, D.E.), Zach Swartout (2024 | Salesianum, D.E.), Blair Thomas (2024 | St. Georges, D.E.), Emmanuel Vonhm (2024 | William Penn, D.E.), Amir Williams (2024 | Neumann-Goretti), Kyree Womack (2024 | Bonner-Prendie), Julius Wright (2024 | St. Elizabeth's, D.E.), Latrell Wright (2026 | Conrad, D.E.)