Cavs Keep Pandas on the Endangered List

December 7, 2007

by Jim Charles (additional contributions by Tom Dunn)

Above, Morgan Taylor (with the ball) challenges the Panda defense.

Too many more games like this one and I'll have to give up posting a pre-season Top Five list.  On Thursday night (12/06/07), Middletown outclassed Padua 80 - 51 in a game that was never really a contest.

Below: Chelsea Davis boxes out Padua's Kelsy Panella.

Middletown had everything and lacked nothing.  To come out on Opening Night in an away game and slap down 80 points is a feat in itself.  If the Cavaliers can do this in December, what will their scores be like in February or March?  This is a team that might go triple digits on any given night.

To be fair, Padua didn't really play poorly.  But on the offensive end, they just couldn't match the depth that Middletown brought.  Erin Pitcher was the lone Panda in double digits (14 points) while Middletown boasted no less than four players with ten or more points:  Ashley Scott (16), Mary Scholz (15), Morgan Taylor (16), and Chelsea Davis (16).

Middletown dominated the inside game all night.  The Paduinians, conversely, could not really get in close themselves and had to be content with a more outside shooting game.  Of course, this put Padua in a position of having to take lower percentage shots - a factor in their defeat.

What does Middletown need?  Quite frankly, nothing!  All they need to do is to keep on keepin' on.  Junior, Chelsea Davis is as solid and reliable as a Delaware forward gets.  I saw intensity from her at both ends of the floor.  Senior, Ashley Scott and junior, Morgan Taylor are the best backcourt duo since Kayla Miller and Erin Edwards at Ursuline.  And speaking of the Lady Raiders, Middletown has Ursuline transfer student, senior, Mary Scholz, who compliments her new team very well.  In fact, it looks like the new surroundings have really set her game free.

What does Padua need?  I'm not going to panic after one loss.  Neither should the Pandas nor first year head coach, Mike McCafferty (pictured at right).  However, I have to say that Coach McCafferty's handling of the roster did lead me to pose a couple of honest questions.  Why pull senior forward, Katey Briggs, out of the game for good early in the third quarter when she only had 2 fouls on her?  Sure, she may have been a little angry and frustrated on the court, but since when is that a sin?  At least she cares.  At least she wants to win.  And it's not like 5' 10" forwards grow on trees at 9th & Broom.  Second question is why can't someone find room for Kelly Johnson in the starting lineup and more overall game minutes for her?  You may give up a little on defense due to her size, but this is a player with a track record of putting points on the board, making great passes, and reading the floor.  And no player in the State gives a better effort.

It's way too early to accuse a brand new coach of playing favorites or of burying solid, proven talent on the bench.  Yet, this is a program with a history of this very problem - a history many had hoped would've been corrected with the naming of McCafferty as varsity coach.

Bottom Line: 

What is clear is that Padua has athletic, talented, devoted players.  Even clearer is that they will improve.  Clearest of all was that - at least for this game - Middletown was better in every category.

Random Notes:

The JV game - a much more competitive affair than the varsity matchup - was a showcase for two players.  For Middletown, junior, Marissa Spiezio, played with equal parts grit, determination and poise.  Similarly impressive for Padua was sophomore, Colleen Justison.  Both girls fully deserve to be on their schools' varsity teams.

Note:  Player point totals were as best we could track them in the stands.  Certainly some of the girls cited had more points than listed.  I will update those figures if I can get my hands on an official box score.

Other Images from the Game

Padua's top scorer, Erin Pitcher.

Ashley Scott (center) looks on as the seconds tick away in the fourth quarter.

Katie Shields gets the trainer to work on one of her wheels.  (She would re-enter the game.)

M-town's Ashleigh Bond and Morgan Taylor prepare to meet the Panda offense.

Katie Shields bringing up the rock for Padua Academy.

Left to right, Cavs Mary Scholz and Chelsea Davis direct the defense

as Padua's Samantha Zirolli cuts to the right.

Padua's Kelly Johnson in her defensive stance.

Left to right:  Middletown's Kaila McGowan is fronted by Kristen Marbury,

while in the foreground, Katie Shields defends Ashleigh Bond.

Not sure which Cavalier player this is.  Anyone who knows is welcome to email me.

Jim Charles