Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Cinderella season ends for Battlefield in regional opener
Last week marked the end of basketball season for Battlefield, as the boys lost 66-53 on the road to undefeated George Washington (Danville) in the first round of the Northwest Regional playoffs.If one were to judge the Bobcats (10-16 overall) based on wins and losses, the obvious conclusion is that Battlefield had no business being that far along in the post-season.
That’s where intangibles like “momentum” and “heart” come into play.
Up against the topped-rank team in the state on Feb. 26, Battlefield fought through a scoreless first two minutes and held a 17-14 lead just before the end of the first quarter.
George Washington’s Tarence Townes then sank what assistant coach Ray Chambers described as a “miraculous” 3-pointer before the buzzer to tie the game.
Battlefield ultimately trailed by only four points at halftime.
“We were able to match them,” the assistant coach said, noting the Bobcats kept the tempo even with GW throughout the first half. “They felt we had a chance to shock the world, shock Virginia.”
“We were fired up,” said Chambers.
Had the game ended right there, it would have been typical of Battlefield’s season.
Only one of Battlefield’s seven previous losses since New Year’s Day came by more than eight points.
When the Bobcats dropped the Cedar Run District tournament championship to Osbourn Park on Feb. 23, the 55-49 score was even closer than the six-point loss suggested; the game was actually tied with 1:02 remaining.
Instead, the basket became the size of a thimble for the Bobcats’ offense while GW had a field day.
“We were strong on the boards,” said Chambers, though he added, “we just couldn’t finish it at the bucket.”
Chambers recalled that one of the GW players came up to the Battlefield coaching staff after the game and asked, “You guys lost 15 games this year? How could that be?”
Six straight losses in the first half of the season was the major contributor to that record.
When Battlefield got its act together in the second half of the season, the scores and record changed dramatically.
Scoring for Battlefield was a remarkably different dynamic this season than in the 2006-07 campaign, when Chambers’ then-senior son of the same name routinely put up more than 20 points per game.
While the tallest and strongest players like Dion Romeo and Bryant Osei regularly grabbed the boards and scored deuces down low this year, Coach Al Ford said he called on each of his players throughout the season to step up and be leaders.
“Of those 10 victories, six of them had a different leading scorer,” said Ford after the OP loss.
“That was one of our strengths; that anybody at any time can contribute. Every member of our team is a significant member.”
Point guard Tyler Bent, known more for directing traffic on the court and his slick cross-over dribbles than putting up points, led Battlefield with 17 points against Culpeper in the district semi-finals.
Nick Vargas sank three consecutive 3-pointers on Feb. 8 as part of an 11-point first-quarter performance against Stonewall Jackson. Rex Parker’s multiple shots from behind the 3-point arc during the Lakeland Christmas Classic gave him 14 points in one game and allowed Battlefield to salvage a split 1-1 tournament record.
According to Chambers, senior guard Shunn Simpkins was able to take his level of experience and challenge the underclassmen on the team, like sophomore James Robinson, and help Robinson become an offensive factor down the stretch.
“I think in practice, where they go at it and challenge each other, I think they rub off [on] each other very well,” said the assistant coach. “Even when they’re scrambling, they have a feel for each other.”
Vargas, Parker, Osei, Bent and Simpkins are all set to graduate at the end of the semester, meaning players like juniors Romeo, Tim Horn and Marty Dawson will have to answer Ford’s call on a consistent basis next year.
After making it to regions for the first time in school history, those players at least have had a glimpse of what a championship-caliber team is all about.
“What we take from this is a learning experience,” said Chambers. “So that’s huge.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.