This Week in Sports - Week #24

An 8-2 deficit might have left the January Badgers rattled. But the February Badgers? This team plays calm and poised, with excellent composure. Two minutes into the game, Quis got the ball on the wing. He had scored only one field goal at RMA a month ago. Tonight, he sized up his defender. Quis jabbed to the middle and then used a lightning quick first step to get to the rim for two of his seventeen points on the night. More on that later. 8-4. Moments later, Sean got to the line, and knocked down both shots. 8-6. On the next possession, with Sean double teamed, he kicked the ball out to Amir who hit a deep three. Just like that, Tandem put together a 7-0 run and led 9-8.  4:00 to go in the first quarter - RMA never led again.

 

Quis and Sean dominated the second quarter. Quis already hit a three on a beautiful pass from Mason, so his defender was playing off him giving him some extra space. That's a logical adjustment to make, but tonight, Quis was just doing Quis things. He got to the rim for three different layups - each a higher degree of difficulty. His explosiveness and speed make him a matchup nightmare - he finished with 7 baskets in the paint. Defensively, the Tandem rotations were quick and decisive. Shaan was everywhere, rebounding the ball, contesting shots and closing out on opposing guards.

 

Sean was a presence in the paint defensively, and he also scored 14 points in the second quarter alone. Oh, and did I mention that he had a career high THIRTY FIVE on the night!! RMA's big men got increasingly more frustrated as all they could do was foul - and Sean went right through the contact - earning 17 trips to the line - and converting 14/17 free throws! On one occasion, Sean got the ball in the backcourt and the RMA center was just pleased to have a chance to defend him far away from the basket. Unfortunately for RMA, Sean can handle the ball like a guard, and took it coast-to-coast for a key bucket.  

Down 37-20, RMA called a timeout. They came out in a zone, packed in their defense and dared Sean to shoot a three. As it turns out, he's pretty darn good at that, too. Sean knew it was good when it left his hands - he turned to the crowd and smiled - the kind of joy you feel when you're having the game of your life.

 

Tandem led 42-25 at the half, and Sin assisted Sean for a tough interior shot right before the buzzer sounded. Sin scored 9 on the night, but more importantly, he played under control: he had 7 assists, only one turnover, and provided important leadership for the team, controlling the pace of the game.

 

RMA came out in the third on a 10-0 run, and then Sam made some key coaching adjustments. First, Tandem went to a full court man to man press, coming away with two steals, Sin converting a lay up right off the bat.  RMA called timeout, only to find that Tandem switched to a 1-3-1 zone press, which was so effective that RMA threw the ball into the crowd. Look alive, Badger fans!

The Badgers led 54-43 at the end of three, and needed an offensive spark. Derion made his way to the scorers table, and he picked up right where he left off in the JV game. Quis made an entry pass to Sean, who got double teamed on the block. He kicked it out to Derion, who had his hands ready and feet set. SPLASH - Derion knocked a critical three pointer all the way from Waynesboro, and Tandem's lead grew to 12. On the ensuing possession, Sean caught the ball in the short corner, and RMA dared him to shoot it. He shrugged - and scored - and then did the same the next time down the floor. RMA managed to score only eight points in the final period, a tribute to the defensive effort of the home team.

 

With 2:00 to go, Derion got open a second time - big mistake. He caught the ball in his shooting pocket and let it fly, giving Tandem a 20 point lead on the first place previously undefeated RMA squad. With :59 seconds to go, Amir exited the game for the final time - his last regular season game in the Badger Den. Amir finished the night with 5 points, 5 assists and 1 huge ovation from the adoring crowd. Amir, our Senior Captain, was escorted out by his family prior to the game - well over twenty people - and you could feel the family love in every inch of the Badger Den tonight.

 

It will not be his final time on his home floor. The Badgers improved to 8-2 in conference, clinched a bye in the quarterfinals and a #2 seed! As Amir shouted after the game, "we at home with it." The Badgers will host the GPAC Semi-Finals on Wednesday, February 19 at 5:30PM. Let's #packtheden for the biggest game of the season!

 

Congratulations to Coaches Sam, Denzel and Mary on this massive win. The team was focused, prepared and committed to finishing the regular season on a high note. Tonight's game was easily the best they have played all season - committed to moving the ball, playing team defense and staying calm and confident - peaking at the right time as the conference tournament approaches! Thank you for making tonight special for Amir and the entire team - it was rocking in the Den!

 

Special thanks to Senior Managers Cullen and Lili - they have both done incredible work to make this season successful. Thank you to Todd - you have a perfect voice for a special senior night celebration. Thank you to Mary - you went above and beyond to make tonight special.  

We are very proud - and it's not over yet - we'll see you as we #packtheden on Wednesday at 5:30

 

The JV Badgers finished their season with an exciting final game! Many of these players have been getting up at 6:30am to go to Varsity practice and then returning at 5:00pm for JV practice. Their hard work has truly paid off! Derion and Tre got the ball rolling - each hitting a three in the opening period, and giving Tandem an early lead. Tandem trailed 11-7 after the first period, but Asher changed the momentum in the second.

 

A fearless defender with incredible lateral quickness, Asher had six steals and was frustrating the RMA guards. He scored eight points on the day, earning four trips to the line, and attacked the basket with a vengeance. Between his aggressive defense, Derion's hot shooting (he had two more threes in the second quarter and four in the game) and Seamus impressive interior effort - the Badgers tied the game up at the half, 17-17.

 

In the third period, Dalin showed off his spin move, earning a trip to the foul line. Amari did the same, attacking the basket, and Anthony provided an interior rebounding presence. Tandem went into the final stanza trailing by just one point.   

 

Asher provided lock down defense in the final period, forcing the point guard to swing the ball to the top of the key. His teammate attacked the basket, and Shaan met him at the summit, swatting the ball into next week! He later earned a trip to the line, Seamus got a steal and score, Asher scored a lefty lay up and Derion hit a big three to tie the game!

 

While the JV Badgers came up just short, they had an impressive season, including a three game win streak. Most of all, the team improved dramatically, worked together, and had a lot of fun. There is a ton of excitement about what they will bring to the future of the Tandem basketball program - the JV squad is a very young team! 

 

Congratulations to the JV Badgers on a great season! Special thanks to Coaches Shai and George - we are grateful for your guidance, commitment and effort. Our players are lucky to have great role models and coaches. Thanks to Dev for handling the book this evening.

 

Magical day for the Tandem Basketball Program. We'll see you all Wednesday at 5:30 in the Den for the GPAC semi-finals. Can't wait. 

 

With only four seconds left on the clock, Annie raced down the floor. She used her body to shield the defender, and g
ot to the three point line. Annie set her feet and fired a shot - drawing a foul in the process. With no time on the clock, Annie went to the foul line, knocking in her free throws as the third quarter ended.  

 

Eight minutes later, as the fourth quarter came to a close, Annie did it again! With a quick first step, she got around her defender as she approached half court. Panicked, Highland reached out and held Annie's jersey - leading to a clear path foul - sending Annie to the line at the end of the fourth quarter as well. Once again, she scored free throws in the process.

 

The Badgers have improved dramatically since their early season matchup with Highland, this time coming away with double digits. Annie opened the scoring, driving for a layup early in the game. Lucy made a smooth pass to Maya who caught the ball on the perimeter, pivoted her body to the left, and scored in traffic. She used that move twice, scoring four points in the period. Elisabeth came off a screen from Ginger, spun to the rim, and got off a smooth shot of her own!

 

Juli took the ball the length of the floor on a number of occasions, even dribbling with her left hand, beating Highland with her speed and strength. Her ability to break the press was a key part of the Tandem game plan. On the other end of the floor, Tessa took on Highland's talented point guard, and she didn't give up an inch - holding her well below her scoring average! Tessa doesn't back down from anybody!

 

The strong defense continued as Annie forced a travel and then got a huge block on a much taller player! Victoria and Sophie were tremendous rebounding in the paint. Madeline tied up the opponent for a jump ball, Tessa had a block in transition and Catriona battled for loose balls. The Badgers held Highland to only eight points in the second quarter.