John's girls had a very successful post-season run. They drew the number 1 seed in sectionals and with it, a bye to the semi-finals. We traveled to Pine Plains (which is on the other side of the river in the middle of beautiful rolling hills and you guessed it- a lot of pine trees) to scout the Fallsburg-Pine Plains game. We would play the winner in the semi-final sectional game. We brought Amanda, Ryan, & Jakki with us. Once we got to the game, we discovered most of the team had made the trip as well. These girls were committed; they wanted this sectional title more than anything.
Fast forward to March 4th, the lady bears have their first sectional game at home. Pine Plains was a good team and I really respected their coach. Our girls won by a margin of nearly twenty points. Though the victory was sweet, it was difficult to accept that it was Jakki's last time gracing her home court. I found myself quite saddened by that after the game. Those feelings couldn't last too long though, because we had just earned a spot in the sectional championship game at New Paltz.
I knew our girls had the skills and heart to win the game but Milbrook was also a strong team. They had played powerhouse teams in MHAL's all season long. Also, they had just defeated Eldred, who we had to fight tooth and nail to defeat. The college court, grand-stage element of playing in a sectional championship also could not be ruled out as a factor that might contribute to the lady bears not playing to their best ability. On March 6th, history would be made. I have never seen John so focused and intense before. That morning he ate breakfast while watching motivating sports speeches on you tube, trying to find the perfect pregame speech inspiration. He paced back and forth and ended up leaving home early to go to the school. He collected his thoughts there & wrote a really special tribute to share with his girls before the game. At New Paltz, tip off was at 1pm. Both teams came out with some jitters and the first quarter was low-scoring. We came out and played fast and hard; with an especially strong performance on defense. As the fourth quarter started to wind down, the win imminent, Jakki scored the final points of the game, and my tears started to flow. After witnessing the heartbreak that Jakki & the rest of her previous squad went through losing this same game the year before, it was beyond satisfying to watch her win it, this year of all years. Can't really describe the feeling. Celebrations followed. An outpouring of love and appreciation from the community, who came out all season in support of girls basketball. (Anyone who says that girls basketball is slow and less exciting has obviously not seen Jakki & the Lady Bears play or other local greats like Marissa Diescher.) After the joy of the section 9 title, the focus turned to the next game- the first game of regionals, vs. section 1 champion Haldane.
March 10th at Mount Saint Mary, the girls played one of the best girls basketball teams I've ever seen. Not only was Haldane just as fast as we were; they were HUGE. These girls looked like trees growing under the basket. They possessed a player who has a full ride to Fordham to play D1 basketball. All of these assets would have made it easy for our squad of short, small, and young girls to play scared. Not in the slightest. Our girls went out and played hard for 32 minutes. Jakki gave that D1 player the business- she stole the ball from her twice and defended her so skillfully, at times the frustration was evident in Milner's face. She had to work hard for those 22 points. Sabrena, who was playing sick, played tough defense and even as a freshman of probably only about 100 pounds, held her own in the forest of Haldane amazons. Erin played hard, working under the basket to score points at the end of the game, even when the outcome was apparent. Mareena, one of my favorites to watch, played tough and fast, (as she always does) and stepped up to bring the ball down the court when Jakki was out in foul trouble. Jakki exited the game with just about a minute left to play. She received thunderous applause and cheers. The season was over and we were all sad to see it end.
The girls finished with an undefeated league championship, a section 9 championship, and a valiant performance in regionals.
To the team- Bravo! You far surpassed everyone's expectations. We are so proud of all of you.
Jakki- What can we say to a young lady who has inspired an entire community and made history- all while exuding grace and humility? All we can say is- thank you.
Some shots from local papers & from our favorite photojournalist/sportswriter Richard Ross:
Sabrena fights for the ball during the Pine Plains game
This little freshman is unbelievable
Photo by Richard Ross
Mareena takes the ball up the court
She's tough to keep up with!
Photo by Richard Ross
The girls thanking their fans after winning sectionals
Our captains, Mareena & Jakki
Good luck getting by this girl.
Photo by Richard Ross
I love the way Katlynn shoots the ball.
Photo by Richard Ross
One of Jakki's steals from D1 bound Milner (on ground)
She turned this steal into a transition bucket
Photo by Richard Ross
Jakki exits the game,
emotional as her high school career comes to an end
Photo by Richard Ross
This is the moment I'll remember when I think of this season
2011 Class C Section Champs!!
Photo by Richard Ross
Well, that will conclude my basketball blogs until about November.
i'm assuming the answer is yes, but have you and john watched "the heart of the game?" if so, it's great, rightttt??
ReplyDeleteif not, rent it. rent it now.
it's a documentary about a high school girls basketball team, and it is incredible. you guys will love it, and i bet john will make his team watch it. plus, it's narrated by ludacris, which makes it that much more AWESOME.
No we haven't!! We will definitely check it out :)
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