Caravel Gets Their Groove Back in 53 - 41 Win Over Padua

February 21, 2009

by Jim Charles

The Padua / Caravel matchups began a good handful of seasons ago.  As far back, perhaps, as waning days of the John Armstrong Era.  As the legend goes, the Pandas were cruising into the final leg of the season but found themselves needing to play one more game in order to meet the minimum number required to participate in the State Tournament.  A few frantic phone calls later and the Lady Bucs agreed to play Padua to get them to the magic number.  Ever since then, the two teams have played each other as part of their annual schedule.

This season's edition of the matchup finds both programs right around the .500 mark.  For Padua, this was more or less expected.  For Caravel, a News Journal pre-season #1 pick, the disappointment is palpable.  Yes, they play one of the toughest schedules around.  But, admirable as that may be, it's still no excuse for a so-so season record.  In-state Lady Buc losses have been to teams that they'll need to beat in the State Tournament.

So much for the history and pre-game background.

Right off the bat, the Caravelians came out hot with Dara Taylor draining a three.  In the first quarter, she would chip in another 2-pointer and get help in scoring from four other teammates -- a situation that does not always occur.  Caravel was up 15 - 7 after a quarter.  The second frame would continue the story more or less in the same vein.  Taylor adding 5 more points and getting a great boost from teammate Janell Dunham who threw down 6 on her way to a strong 14-point night.  The Maroon & White went into their halftime huddle, up 30 - 16.

Up to this point, there had been nothing too out-of-the ordinary about the product on the court.  In the second half, though, spectators, players and coaches alike would have their patience tested by all of the whistles.  All of a sudden, EVERYTHING was a foul or some other violation.  My ears were ringing from all the whistles!  In the second half alone, there were recorded 26 fouls!  Both teams were in double bonus most of the 4th quarter.  Obviously, the players bear some of the responsibility, but so do the officials.  If a game is getting that out of control, you call an official timeout and warn the players to refrain from doing whatever it is that you find so objectionable.  The best officiating is when you don't even notice the refs.  Unfortunately, that was not the case in this knock-down, drag out affair.

I asked Dara Taylor how she, as a player, copes with games like this -- just how does she keep her head in the game when there are all these stoppages.  "The whole game, I just stay focused.  The biggest thing is, if I try to keep my team under control, it helps me stay under control.  When you get all those whistles, you gotta play through the refs.  You gotta play through everything else.  So, you get the stops.  They stop the game.  You shoot your free-throws, you get to the next play."

Props to the Pandas, though, who seemed to thrive and find new life in this miserable, slogging second half.  They actually outscored Caravel 25 - 23 in the last 16 minutes of the game.  Ace outside shooter, Tianna Wagner nailed 2 threes, one in the 3rd and one in the 4th.  Katie Jezyk had 6 of her 8-point total in the second half.  Caravel could be thankful to the basketball gods that the game ended when it did.

Big contributors for Caravel:  Dara Taylor, 22 points; Janell Dunham, 14; Elle Rollins, 5.

For Padua:  Erin Pitcher, 12 (including 2 threes); Kate Donnelly, 9 (including 5-for-7 from the line); the aforementioned Jezyk with 8 (including a perfect 4-for-4 from the stripe).

Game was marred with a grand total of 40 called player fouls, evenly split, 20-20, over both teams.  And these are two teams not known for playing so sloppily.

Coming soon is, of course, the State Tournament.  Caravel, despite a record far from perfect, should be a shoe-in to qualify.  Team leader Dara Taylor sat down with me and explained what's next for her and her team:  "We’ve had a couple struggles, but we’re in here everyday practicing.  We know what we’re capable of.  Come tournament time, it’s a whole new start for everybody.  So, if we come out and play our game – we’re gonna be a tough match-up for anybody – I think nobody wants to see us in-state, so we’re gonna come out . . .   I’m determined to go out with a bang, my senior year, so, we’re looking for the championship."

You know things are tough all over when you gotta fight your own teammate for the ball!  Kate Donnelly tries to fight off fellow Panda Brittany Newcomer for possession.

Lis Wise is awesome.  Every team needs a player like her.  If she came with a label of ingredients, you'd see things like grit, determination, court-sense, and heart on the list.  All the pre-requisites for a good forward.  Wise had 4 points on the night.

Her counterpart on Padua, in terms of heart and feistiness, has got to be Kelsy Panella.  Here's a typical example of Kelsyball.  K-Pan goes for the steal on Caravel's Elle Rollins.

Freshman, O'Hara Chard takes the ball past Katie Jezyk.

Ashley Bonk waits in the blocks.

Future Terrapin, Dara Taylor.

DelGirlsHoops@aol.com