This Week in Sports - Week #17

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
It was an exciting week for basketball as the Varsity Girls logged their first win of the season over St. Michael's, 33-22. Tessa scored 23 points! The Middle School teams had a double header at CDS and JV/Varsity Boys play Stuart Hall here tomorrow and then are at KAA on Saturday. 

Badgers Give It Their All: Epic Middle School Double Header on the Road! - 12/13/24

With a lightning quick crossover move that left her opponent dazed at the top of the key, Annie weaved through the defense to the right block.  By that point in the game, she had established herself as quite the floor general.  So, as usual, she drew a lot of CDS defensive attention everywhere she went. Annie used her pivot foot to step around a double team, and made a precision bounce pass to Hadley up the baseline. Hadley, who had positioned herself in the corner, stepped into her jump shot, held her follow through, and knocked in a critical jumper! Swish!  The Badgers trailed by two early in the fourth, 16-14. On the defensive end, Raquel forced a difficult shot and Zuri got the rebound, outletting the ball to Hadley who was picking up steam! She proceeded to take the ball the length of the floor, leaving defenders in the dust, and cashing in a lay-up that tied the game. CDS was forced to call a timeout. 
 
The fourth quarter kept everyone on the edge of their seats, and the Badgers were up to the task.  Annie put the team on her back, driving the ball to the basket, and often enduring some hard fouls.  In total, Annie went to the foul line eight times in the second half, showing incredible toughness and scoring several of her team-high nine points at the stripe. With unprecedented leadership ability, she was super clutch down the stretch as the final minutes featured both teams over the foul limit, lots of jump balls and an incredible level of intensity.
Annie played four tough quarters, including the opening basket after Sam won the tip.  Hadley then got a key steal and scored to make the game 4-0 early.  The first half also featured a vicious block from Zuri, defending the paint like it was her own home! Malena and Raquel made an immediate impact, both in the right place at the right time and both Malena took some quality shots!
 
Tandem trailed 10-6 at the half, and CDS made a three to start the third quarter, giving them a seven point lead. The Badgers battled back to tie the game in a flash.  Zuri earned a trip to the foul line and Annie fought for a key offensive rebound - boxing her defender out of the paint and scoring on a put back.  Zoe continued her hot shooting (she never misses in practice) and scored from the high post, while Zuri ripped the ball away from her opponent. Sam had a ton of rebounds and played great defense, and before you knew it, the lead had been cut to two on a beautiful crossover move from Hadley. As the buzzer sounded to start the final period, the score was tied.
 
The Badgers played with poise in a tough environment. Led by a veteran backcourt, the team rallied from a seven point deficit, and answered each challenge in the final stanza.  What a game! Congratulations to this exceptional group of basketball players - it's early in the season and they're already playing at a very high level!
 
The second game was much like the first, as the Tandem Middle School Boys took the court for their first competition of the season.  Mason opened the game with a deflection, steal and a trip to the foul line, as Tandem got on the board first.  CDS came out with a full court press, but was not prepared for the number of ball handlers in Tandem's backcourt.  Trenton handled business as he brought the ball to the right side and attacked the basket.  On other occasions, he found Dalin on the other side of the floor - a big man who can handle the rock like a guard - what a matchup nightmare for the opponent! Dalin had a key putback early, and the Badgers were on a roll.
 
In the second period, Tandem's defense was locked in.  Levie solidified the middle, Eli and Peter worked together to seal the blocks, and CDS mustered only four points. Whit spaced the floor for his teammates, allowing Jayceon to get to the rim - he had a beautiful drive to the basket and was fouled for a three point play!  Jayceon led the team in scoring with an impressive 14 points! At the end of the first half, the Badgers trailed 15-14.
 
Aven and Ryan proved to be key passers in the third quarter, as Aven set up Dalin for a powerful drive down the middle and Ryan found Jayceon open on the wing for a three! Despite being in foul trouble, the Badgers enforced their will on the interior - Dalin had a big block, Mason brought down double digit rebounds and Levie had a key basket.  Then Julian found Jayceon for another and one, and Tandem extended their lead to 8, opening the second half on a 12-1 run!
 
Grayson was excellent defensively down the stretch, as he, Quinten and Levi took away the outside shooting that had been effective for CDS early in the game.  They say practice makes perfect - and this team has been working very hard on their half court defense everyday in practice.  Elias is particularly strong on the block and Whit is very effective as a wing defender! 
 
CDS went on a run to start the final period, and took the lead.  Down three with 1:30 to go, Mason went to the rim, drew a foul, and made both foul shots. Tandem was down one.  Moments later, Jayceon took the ball to the rim and made a tightly contested shot in the paint!  He may have also been fouled, but he didn't get the call so he sprinted back on defense!  With the Badgers in front, the team locked in on defense. Still, CDS was able to get to the foul line. They made both.

Exciting Home Opener for the Varsity Girls Badgers! - 12/6/24

From the very start of the season over a month ago, the Tandem Boys have been working very hard - their level of intensity and focus in practice (and open gym) has been evident from moment one - and the team played a great game this afternoon!  From trailing at halftime to taking an eight point lead, this was an exceptionally high level basketball game - and it's only the first of the season! I am very proud of the way our Badgers played in a tough environment on the road. What a game!
 
If this is any indication, we are in for an INCREDIBLE season.  Put your seatbelts on. Two epic contests this afternoon - an unforgettable double header on the road!
 
The Middle School Badgers return to action on Monday at home - the boys play CCS at 4:15, and the Girls play CCS at 5:15. We hope to see you there!

Starting early in November, the Tandem Girls Varsity basketball team was hard at work - focusing on their footwork, shooting form, half court sets and rebounding. Over the course of the last month, the team has improved their technique and court awareness - all while adding players to the roster and having a ton of fun.
 
In their home opener on December 6, the squad was locked in from the opening tip. Maya ripped the ball away from her opponent and forced a travel on the next defensive possession. When RMA caught the ball, Lucy closed out hard, taking away any airspace and then stealing the ball! Tessa and Ginger had several deflections, and with such tough defense it took over three minutes before RMA was on the board!
 
Tessa scored the first Tandem basket of the season on a mid-range bank shot, and the Badgers were down two. Moments later, Maya sacrificed her body and dove on the floor for a loose ball and passed it to Tessa. With a smooth crossover in transition, Tessa went the length of the court and finished over a defender. The Badgers trailed by only 6 after the first period. 
 
Madeline showed off her rebounding prowess in the second period, securing additional possessions for Tandem on defense and setting hard screens on offense. Elisabeth was always open - and in attack mode - driving to the lane with a vengeance! With an assist from Juli, Maya knocked down a beautiful jumper from the left wing - swish! The team continued to battle - Elisabeth boxed out, Madeline took a charge, Juli forced a jump ball, Catriona had a key deflection and Ginger was everywhere - getting rebounds, diving on the floor and contesting shots!
 
In the second half, Lucy showed off a beautiful pump and clear move, getting her defender in the air and attacking the basket. Victoria was strong in the post, defending the middle of the paint and knocking the ball away. Tessa continued her hot shooting - first attacking the basket and getting to the foul line and then benefiting from the senior connection. Tessa found Emma in the corner, cut back-door, and scored a lay up over her defender with perfect touch.
 
As the clock wound down, Catriona got in the box score, hitting a beautiful floater in the paint! Juli scored at the foul line! The Badgers competed hard until the final whistle - giving RMA everything they could handle. Congrats on a great first game, Badgers!
Back
Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
Copyright 2016 Tandem Friends School