Stonebridge Cavs SportsBlog*

In a very real way, although I’m sure Coach Rowe and the players and the fans would never admit it, everything this season was a prelude to Friday’s state Division III semi-final game. That’s because the 2007 and 2008 seasons ended right at this stage, with a loss in the semi-final game. Almost immediately following last year’s tough loss at Paul VI school in Fairfax, the strong crop of returning players each vowed that “next year” would be different. Next year would not end with a semi-final loss.

Well, next year is here…. and next year is, in fact, different. Back at Paul VI, the second seed StoneBridge faced off with sixth seed Tandem Friends from Charlottesville. The teams met earlier in the year and SBS came away with a 20+-point victory. But the rematch  started out quite differently. Tandem mostly handled the SBS press early stayed close throughout the first two quarters. Caitlyn Unsworth led the way with several key buckets and Dani Cribb added a key three-pointer to help keep SBS on top. The halftime score of 22-18 left the strong contingent of SBS fans a bit nervous as the teams headed for the break.

Coach Rowe’s Cavs started the second half determined to do two things: continue to wear down the younger Tandem team with a variety of pressing defenses… and pound the ball down low. And they did. A special set offense designed to get Sarah Tabb and Ashley Foster the ball in the post resulted in early third-quarter buckets, which translated into press-induced turnovers, and the lady Cavs were on a roll. A 20-5 third quarter roll, in fact, that essentially put the game out of reach much to the delight of Trey and the dozens of SBS students who were on hand.

It seemed as if the seniors simply were not going to be denied this breakthrough game and a trip to the finals. Ashley Foster basically took over the low post, finishing with 14 points. If it’s possible to score a  “quiet” 24 points (while battling the flu!), Caitlyn U managed to do it. She has a way of making the game look easy, until you step on the court with her and try to stop her. Good luck.

One year ago after a semifinal loss, the SBS girls stood in the hallway of the Paul VI gym and determined to write a different story in 2009. A goal was set. Thanks to 12 months of hard work and determination — and a carefully planned road map set out by Coach Rowe and his staff — things are different this year. Stonebridge 53, Tandem 31.

One more game. Bring on Carlisle!