Michelle Baker (pictured at left) can do it all -- score underneath, hit mid-range jumpers and bomb threes.  And that's not to mention that she also plays a tight, harassing defense and can leap a yard or so vertically to grab rebounds and block shots.  What she couldn't do -- at least on this cold, January Friday night -- was to conjure up one more basket to tie the game, or better still, a three-pointer for the win.  This is not a knock against her, for certainly any one of her Bulldog teammates could've also contributed the needed points.  And, it would be criminal not to give Hodgson their just due.  After all, they won the game more than Brandywine lost it.  In the end, it was truly a shame that either team had to lose this contest -- the most competitive, most interesting game attended by DGB.com this season.  But, for the story's sake, let's go back to the beginning.

Very soon after tip-off, Brandywine established their full-court pressure defense.  And it was largely effective.  ...For a while.  Hodgson fought through it and made adjustments, although they never totally mastered breaking it each and every time.  The Silver Eagles, for their part, employed a more conventional defense.  Basically, it started out looking like a 2-3 zone, but featured their players coming way out of formation in order to pick up opponents.  In other words, it ended up looking a lot like man-to-man or a match-up zone.

On the offensive side of things, both teams brought a lot to the table.  All ten starters scored at least a basket.  For Brandywine, the St. Joe's University-bound Baker had 22 points.  Teammate Jordann Duncan chipped in 11.  Four other Brandywiners contributed to the tally.  Not to be outdone in team play, Hodgson displayed even more democracy.  Point guard, Asha Jones, dropped in 15, on her way to collecting DGB.com's first iPOW Award of the new year.  Hot on her heels was fellow guard, Sironda Chambers (at left, going for a layup) with 13.  Kenzes Battin and Lakeshia Chambers were good for 6 each, while three other Hodgsonians kicked in at least one field goal.

In terms of the score and the ebb and flow of the game, you couldn't have asked for more excitement.  I believe that just once did Brandywine surge out to a lead of 5 or more points.  For the lion's share pf the contest. it hardly ever seemed that either team could put more than 3 points between itself and its antagonist.  And, ironically, it was Brandywine that held the lead more often than not.  Just how tight was the affair?  It was 13 - 12, Bulldogs, after 8 minutes.  The score was 24 - 24 in the second quarter, when Hodgson coach, Chris Jones, called a time-out with 3.5 seconds to go until halftime.  Just what the Eagles' coaching staff drew up is unclear, but this is what happened.  The Lady Vo-Techsters got the ball to forward Alyssa Cuomo, who was in her half of the court, but much closer to the mid-court stripe than the three-point arc.  Time being the crucial element, moving the ball closer in was not an option.  So, Cuomo launched her Hail Mary, and, apparently, Our Lady of the Desperation Shot was taking calls.  The ball sliced through the net with a full three points in tow.  Hodgson went into the break up 27 - 24.  After three quarters, matters were deadlocked at 34 - 34.

The final period was nerve-wracking, nail-biting, spine-tingling and goosebump-enducing.  There were key stops and scores.  There were botched plays and incredible acts of reclamation where plays careening toward failure were rescued and completed for scores.  It was eight minutes where every shot, every free-throw, mattered.  Kanzes Battin came up with clutch blocks and forced key turnovers.  Ericka Furrowh, Lakeshia Chambers and A'Lisha Jones didn't score a mountain of points, but they came through when they had to -- every point being critical.

Above, Lakeshia Chambers tosses it to Asha Jones

For the Blue and White, there was no giving up.  Erica Horton (#32, at right) is a force in the paint.  She grabbed crucial rebounds at just the right times, as well as contributing 5 points to the cause.  Kathryn McCormick brought heart and intensity.  Her area of expertise seemed to be in disrupting her opponents and breaking up their plans.  And Michelle Baker was, as expected, everywhere and anywhere at once.

And so, Hodgson happened to be up a basket when the buzzer intruded.  Hodgson had won, 49 - 47.  They did what they had to do.  They have every right to be proud and to feel good about their exciting and talented team.  But Brandywine was not dominated.  They simply were a play short at the end. 

Great job, both teams!

Random Notes

At the risk of showing my age, I can remember when the Brandywine Gym was one of the best game venues in New Castle County.  The sad part is that it has not kept pace with other newer gyms in the area, or with older gyms that have seen regular enhancements and refurbishing.  The main problem is with the lights -- or should I say, lack thereof.  The lighting in the gym is not up to snuff even when compared to most grade school gyms!  Because of this, I found that getting any acceptable game photographs out of there to be extremely challenging.  But, this may not be solely an issue for photographers.  I saw a number of easy passes go uncaught, or momentarily fumbled where there was hardly an explanation for it.  Could the players have been struggling with the darkness as well?

 

Another issue -- with Brandywine, not with Hodgson -- was concerning their uniforms.  Several Brandywine players were wearing their own shorts.  In other words, there was a "mix-and-match" situation going on.  The problem seemed to be confined to the JV team, but may have been evident on varsity as well.  I don't fault the players, parents or coaches.  Instead, I would lay this at the door of the Athletic Director for the school.  How can you have a serious, respected program when the players don't even dress as though they are on the same team?

Asha Jones Interview

Sironda Chambers had another great night, pumping in 13 for Hodgson.  I may not be president of her fan club, but I am a card-carrying member.  This girl is GOOD!!!

Two of the best high school talents in New Castle County: 

Sironda Chambers (with the ball) and Michelle Baker.

Erica Horton waits to check into the game for the Bulldogs.

Brandywine shows Hodgson their 2-3 defense.