MLK, Jr. Weekend Basketball Extravaganza!
Middletown Over Caravel, 65 - 50
Ursuline over Padua, 48 - 33
Cape Henlopen Pics!
JV and CYM Action to Boot!
January 20, 2009
by Jim Charles
So much game action, so little time! That was the story of the extended holiday weekend in girls hoops. I got out to see two major high school games, a matchup of two of the best JV teams in the State, and even a little CYM for good measure! My only apologies are for my tardiness in getting all this stuff posted.
Middletown 65, Caravel 50
Who can stop Middletown? Well, besides Delcastle & Caesar Rodney... The Lady Bucs became the Cav's latest victims by suffering a solid 15 point loss at home Saturday night. (Game played Jan. 17, 2009.) Dara Taylor was awesome for the Caravelians, knocking down a characteristic 27 points. Elle Rollins had a respectable 9 points. But after her, no Buc had more than 4. Until someone steps up to the mic and starts providing serious help for Dara, I'm afraid Caravel will find each win against quality teams difficult and dependent on Taylor throwing down something in the neighborhood of 30 to 35 points. A lot of pressure on that young lady's shoulders.
On the Middletown side of the ledger, Chelsea Davis matched Taylor point-for-point by also notching 27 by the end of the contest. The difference between the two teams might very well have been that Middletown had 4 other girls with 8 points or more, and 2 of those in double-digits. And all this with Morgan Taylor on the shelf! Basketball is still a team sport.
Ursuline Academy 48, Padua Academy 33
The special rivalry that has existed between these two institutions goes back, probably, to the day the two met on an athletic field of competition. This season marked the first in a long while where Padua actually stood a chance of winning -- what, with Delle Donne & Company having finally moved on. In the actual game, however, Padua was only really competitive in the 3rd frame, and even then, the best they could do was play the Raiders to a 12-12 tie. Quarters 1, 2, & 4 belonged to UA.
The Raider effort was sparked by Gab Perrotti, who hit five 3-pointers, and who may have had at least one 3-pointer in every quarter. The ones she hit late in the game fell like daggers to the Panda effort. Kelley Doogan was a breath behind Perrotti with 13, complete with two 3's of her own.
The Raiders played on the balls of their feet most of the night and weren't going to give up the game without a fight. Padua, on the other hand, played slow and deliberate, opting to swing the ball instead of shoot; opting to go for threes (especially early on) instead of trying for higher percentage points in the paint. The result was an anemic 33 points, though props, too, to UA's defense for keeping a lid on the Panda offense.
Pics from All Over the Big Weekend
Look! A downstate team!
We got to see Cape at Padua on Saturday afternoon. They lost, 42 - 27.
Here's A. Davis for the Capesters.
J. Warren got injured as the first half was coming to a close. At the half, the score was Padua 23, Cape 21. Warren had 6 in the first half. She could not play the rest of the game. Cape got blown out by 15. Did they miss Warren? You decide.
M. Bartley had 7 points and led the Viking effort.
Katie Shields (of Padua) wrestles for control of the rock with two Henlopians.
Brittany Newcomer waits in the blocks. The veteran Newcomer is having a solid season for the Pandas.
R. Netzer endeavors to keep the ball out of the hands of Padua's Kelsy Panella.
C. Floyd
Ashleigh Bond brings the ball up on Liz Wise. Chelsea Davis and Arielle Chard fight for position in the background.
The Great Dara Taylor. Her Awesomeness had 27 on the evening.
...And the Equally Great Chelsea Davis (left) for Middletown, who also had 27 points.
CYM Action: Shakira Johnson readies her free throw as a St. Peter's player looks on.
Setting up in the blocks at the St. Anthony's/St. Peter's game.
Shelby Cochran for St. Anthony's on the left.
Girls basketball has its pros and cons. Here are two of the Cons...
Action from Monday night's (01-19-09) Padua/Ursuline JV game.
Trying some special effects. Probably didn't turn out so well! Anyway, the shot is of UA's Katie Desmond (with ball) and Brenna Williams. Both young ladies are former iPOW winners. Katie led the team with 13 points. Williams had 6.
Coach Dan DiFrancesco on freshman Katie Desmond:
Katie Desmond's work ethic, brains and attitude are the reason for
her success. She has skill but as most incoming freshman find out
that means little when moving to the high school game. The high
school game is much faster, and the players are stronger and have
better skills then in middle school.
Katie's shot was good but she was missing shots short in practice
and in games. We've been working every practice on her using her
legs more to shoot. We've been getting her more reps in practice to
develop that.
Katie's ball handling needed to improve as well. Every practice we
work on several things to develop her technique.
One part of Katie's game that came very natural was defense. Katie
picked up our defensive sets very quickly. She recognizes and
anticipates very well, which lead to several steals every game.
We can tell Katie something once and it sinks in. There are not many
players I can say that about. An example of that in last night's
game with about 50 seconds left and a 6 point lead, Katie received
the ball on the wing and had a clear path to the basket. Most
players would have driven to the basket or taken the open shot. Not
Katie, she calmly backed the ball out and we successfully killed the
clock and preserve a victory.
Hustle, hustle, hustle, that says it all. She 's where she is now
because whether it's practice, scrimmage or game she's 110% all
about hustle. Best of all she does it with a smile on her face.
Padua's Kasey Kirker launches a shot over Brenna Williams. Kasey is a rising young talent on Padua's JV.
...And when she's not playing, she's officiating games in the younger age groups of CYM.
Facing camera, Alyssa DiBonaventura and Brenna Williams. No other two players will give you more effort.
Padua's Kerry Delaney is searched at the customs checkpoint set up by UA. Kerrie is the grizzled old veteran & spiritual leader of the JV Pandas.
I once said of Jenn Pierce that I never saw a guard who rebounded so well. Jenn's value to the Pandas most likely extends to a number of positions these days as she has grown considerably since her CYM days.
Varsity Action:
The phenomenal D1-bound Kelley Doogan of UA!
Kelley looking to pass and running it in to the hoop.
UA junior, Kelsey Miller.
Left to right, UA's Gab Perrotti, Caly Wendell and Padua's Monica Dawyot (on bench).
It was nice to see Caly get a start as she certainly has talent enough.
Katie Shields passes off to Tianna "T-Wag" Wagner.