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Tessa has spent the last seven months working on her Senior Project. As a youth soccer coach, she has done extensive research on the beautiful game - focusing on the best way to give feedback, the most effective drills and the best in-game strategies. She spent much of the fall and winter coaching a U15 soccer team. When the season began, I asked her if "Tessa Time" would be making a return for the spring. For those unfamiliar, "Tessa Time" occurs when Tessa gets into a zone - and dominates the game. For example, 15 consecutive service aces in volleyball or 5 consecutive baskets in basketball (both of which actually happened).

 

The Badgers led 2-1 at halftime in a hard-fought, competitive game on the road - far away at King Abdullah Academy. Seeking a change in momentum, Coach Nemanja inserted Kaylee, Madeline and Bella into the lineup. They chased King Abdullah's striker, forcing her into the middle of the field, where Lili came way out of her position in the goal and kicked the ball back to midfield! Elisabeth made a smooth pass off one touch to Golden, who alertly played the ball ahead to Tessa. With nothing but green grass in front of her, Tessa got into the box, was one on one with the goalie, and fired a laser into the corner of the net!

 

For two long hours, nobody said a word. The drive home from The Plains, Virginia is a long and painful one after a loss. While the Badgers had won in overtime against Wakefield at home in December, the January overtime loss on the road was devastating. The Badgers were up three with five seconds to go in regulation, Wakefield made a deep three, and Tandem lost in the extra period. The team ambled into the locker room, angry and frustrated. It was a long, quiet ride home. 

 

That team and this team - the PLAYOFF BADGERS - are not the same. Tandem Varsity Boys Basketball has come together as a team and as a result, they have dominated GPAC play. Following that game at Wakefield, the team won at home against Quantico (Seamus, Anthony, Tre and Mason all had multiple baskets, and Derion had 14!). Then they won again the next day at home against King Abdullah Academy 59-50. The following week, they had road wins at Fredericksburg Academy (62-50) and Quantico (59-40), and of course the dominant Senior Night win over #1 seeded RMA 72-51.

 

Today was not a school day, but that did not stop the Tandem community from creating an excellent home court advantage this evening! Thank you so much for bringing the energy that makes this school so special. The players fed off of it - Sin had that look in his eyes tonight. He did not have to watch his first shot go through the basket - he knew. The Badgers scored first and led 3-0, but Wakefield matched on their next possession with a three of their own. Defensively, Wakefield's entire game plan was to double-team Sean and force other players to shoot. Amir was happy to oblige. Picking up right where he left off on Senior Night, Amir had eight in the first quarter. First, he split the top of the zone and came to a jump stop five feet from the basket - pushing a floater just over the front of the rim. Moments later, after Shaan got one of his nine rebounds on the night, Amir took the ball to the basket, right down the middle of the lane. He drew the contact but played right through it, cashing in for an old fashioned three-point play.  Wakefield adjusted their defense by giving Amir space once he caught the ball. Turns out he's a walking bucket from the outside, too! Amir took one look at the defender and let the orange fly - like Sin, he didn't watch it go in.  Instead, he turned to the crowd and let out a roar - the Badgers earned a convincing 12-5 lead early in the game!

Back on January 17th, the Boys Varsity Basketball team travelled to Front Royal, Virginia to take on Randolph Macon Academy. With five players 6'4" or taller, RMA has a strong, intimidating team. They beat the Badgers 55-47 that night and have dominated the GPAC ever since. Coming into this evening's game, RMA had an 8-0 record in the conference, and a 16-1 record overall. 

 

Things have changed since that cold Friday evening in January. The Tandem Badgers have a new identity - they are a squad that plays with a true connection, confidence, joy and an intensity - particularly on defense. They've been battle tested - taking on the defending state champions, and have put together an impressive five game win streak. Oh, and one more thing... Sean didn't play in that game in Front Royal.

What a week for our teams both on the road and in the Badger Den! Lots of game details in the writeups below (be sure to click on Read More to see it all) as our Middle School teams prepare for their final games and our varsity teams look ahead to post-season play.

Benches Deliver in Badger Battle vs Quantico - 1/31/25
With a tenacious spirit, the Varsity Girls opened the game last night on a 16-2 run, including 14 points in the opening quarter!! Contributions came from everywhere - Tessa (8 points) had a steal and score right off the bat, and Ginger had a steal on the press and got the ball to Juli, who finished with a career high 6 points on the day! Maya scored off a screen, she had 6 as well, and Madeline was dominant! She had two buckets off post moves in the opening period, and also assisted Juli! Sophie and Ginger both earned trips to the line and both scored in the first half, and Tandem was on a roll! The back line of Victoria, Catriona and Madeline was hard to penetrate, and Quantico struggled to get in the paint. They had only three in the first quarter!

 

Quantico finished the half on a run of their own, and the Badgers led 20-14 at the break. Tessa scored early in the third to keep the Tandem momentum going, and the Badgers held Quantico without a field goal in the period! Annie was tough as nails - a big part of our defensive prowess - forcing the opposing guards to dribble with their weak hand or to take tough shots - and Quantico scored only two points on free throws. Tandem extended their lead to 23-16.

On the first possession, Fredericksburg Academy hit a three to take the lead. Their bench erupted with enthusiasm. That energy changed over the course of the game, because for the next thirty-one minutes, Tandem controlled every facet of the game. Without Sean in the middle, the Badgers played a patient, cerebral style of basketball. Their execution against FA's zone involved lots of down screens, cutting and passing. On some occasions, Tandem would take over a minute off the clock just moving the ball around. As a result, they held their opponent to only 7 points in the first quarter and only TWO POINTS in the second quarter. Tandem led 19-9 at the half.

 

Quis tallied double-digit rebounds, ripping the ball off the rim and pushing it up the floor. Amir settled the team down into their offensive sets, swinging the ball to Sean on one wing, cutting through, and having Tre'Sean curl around to replace him at the point. Tre'Sean played mistake-free basketball - efficient passing and no turnovers.

Badgers Elevate Level of Play, Excel in the Den! - 1/16/25

In order to be truly prepared, one has to put in the work when nobody is watching.  The key moments are when a player is on their own before or after practice, during break times, or in the evenings.  Behind the scenes, Sophie has put a lot of work into her jumpshot. Focusing on her footwork, follow through and with great attention to detail, Sophie's shot has dramatically improved. Tonight, in front of an enthusiastic crowd, she put it all together.  

 

Raquel set a screen for Sophie on the block.  Sophie set up the screen - faking one way and cutting the other, curling off Raquel's shoulders and catching the ball in the foul line.  There was no wasted motion, she had her knees bent and let the ball fly, holding her follow through as if she was reaching for the cookie on the top shelf.  Swish!  Sophie scored the first of two field goals on the night, and later earned a trip to the line as well, attacking the basket with purpose!

 

The Badgers came out on fire this evening, scoring nine points in the opening stanza.  Annie got a basket after Zuri won the tip off, and was a threat to score everytime she got the ball.  Her aggressiveness has been unleashed - Annie can get around any defender - just a little shake of the hips, a quick step, and Annie is off to the races.  She scored in the half court, in transition, and tallied a bucket in all four quarters - ten points in all.  

 

The Badgers had a ten point lead at the half, and used the opportunity to run through their offense.  The team did not force any shots, but when they got open and it was a high percentage opportunity, the Badgers went to work. Zuri made a key lay-up, Malena had several rebounds, and Raquel set up Hadley with beautiful passing for a big second half.  Hadley went to the foul line, beat her defender in transition and scored in the paint. What an effort!