The SL24 Basketball Classic, in which high school competition has shared the spotlight with mental-health awareness, is moving to its namesake’s former gym.
The event, held annually at the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington since 2019, will move to the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark for the next three years, beginning Feb. 5-6, 2027, the University of Delaware announced Nov. 12.
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The classic honors Sean Locke, who played basketball there for Delaware before graduating in 2016. Locke, a Newark resident and Saint Mark’s High graduate, died by suicide in 2018.
Delaware’s Sean Locke grabs a pass as he gets a chance for some second half playing time in the Blue Hens’ 73-72 win at the Bob Carpenter Center Tuesday.
The 2027 event will have three girls and four boys high school games and conclude with the Blue Hens playing Missouri State in a Conference USA men’s basketball game at 8 p.m. on Feb. 6.
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“We are excited to deepen our partnership with SL24 to be able to host their annual classic,” Delaware Athletic Director Jordan Skolnick said in UD’s announcement.
Odessa’s Jarvis Watson (23) scores at the rim in Odessa’s 62-52 win during the SL24 Unlocke The Light basketball showcase at the Chase Fieldhouse on Jan. 31, 2026.
“This is an organization so close to our hearts and a cause that is incredibly important to us as a department. To be able to help educate and spread mental health awareness, while being able to provide a great atmosphere for high school basketball games is a great opportunity for the entire state of Delaware.”
High school games Feb. 5 are girls matchups between Wilmington Friends and Ursuline at 4 p.m. and Saint Mark’s vs. Newark Charter at 6 p.m. and then an 8 p.m. tip-off between the Newark Charter and Saint Mark’s boys.
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High school games Feb. 6 are Tower Hill vs. Hodgson boys at 11:30 a.m.; Cape Henlopen vs. Padua girls at 1:30 p.m.; Dover vs. St. Georges boys at 3:30 p.m.; and Sanford vs. Salesianium boys at 5:30 p.m.
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. It’s the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. It’s the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. It’s the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Tyler Coupe (podium), House Manager of Sean’s House Sussex, speaks during an event marking the opening of the foundation’s Lewes location on October 22, 2026.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Tyler Coupe, House Manager of Sean’s House Sussex, speaks during an event marking the opening of the foundation’s Lewes location on October 22, 2026.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
10 / 22
Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
13 / 22
Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Guests tour the a wellness area at Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Delaware Online photos of the week. Capturing the moment
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Chris Locke, Co-founder of the SL24: Unlocke the Light Foundation, speaks during an event marking the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Yoga equipment rests in the corner of a wellness area at Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. It’s the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
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Sean’s House opens newest location in Lewes
Officials marked the opening of Sean’s House Sussex on October 22, 2026. The Lewes location is the second Sean’s House in the state open to the public.
(Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)
Ticket proceeds from the high school and college games go to the UnLocke the Light SL24 Foundation.
“The SL24 Classic had a simple idea: merge sports with an honest conversation about mental health,” said SL24 co-founder Chris Locke, who is Sean’s father, in the UD announcement.
“From its humble beginnings nine years ago, it has transformed the conversation we as Delawareans have about mental health issues. This tournament is the vehicle to support Sean’s House, Sean’s Rooms, and Sean’s House Sussex. It has allowed those who are suffering to stop suffering in silence.”
