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Skyline stuns BD girls, eliminates Tigers from playoffs
Okay, so the Brentsville District boys basketball team losing on Tuesday was not a huge surprise as the team had only managed to piece together two wins all season.What was really shocking about the game was that Kettle Run came back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to win by one point.
But the second-seeded Tiger girls dropping to Skyline? In Nokesville? By one point? Now there’s something to really be surprised about.
The Tigers (12-11 overall, 11-5 district) led the visiting Hawks in the first round of the Northwestern District tournament by double digits in the second half but blew the game in the final two minutes as Brentsville missed four close baseline shots and Skyline capitalized on the Tigers’ mistakes to the tune of a 45-44 final.
“You had young kids that weren’t ready for playoff basketball,” said coach Rob Weaver. “We had three sophomores on the floor. I’m not blaming them, but you can see the pressure eventually took its toll.”
Having just completed his first year at the helm for the girls team, Weaver has a lot to be excited about for next season as the Tigers will lose only one player to senior graduation: guard Paige Knowlton.
“The whole team comes back. They’ll be a year seasoned. They’re going to be better. They’re going to be ready for what they have to deal with because of the new district. Everything is looking up. And I’m proud of them,” said Weaver.
Point guard Keyla Baltimore transitioned into an all-around leader for the team this year while fellow junior Chelsie Tooke provided a spot-on three-point attack. Toward the end of the season, former coach Eugene Baltimore pointed out Kelsey Taylor as the most improved player from his own coaching days.
But there have been others who have shown promise as well. Weaver is banking on big things from them in the 2009-10 season, especially from two of his toughest players, Kelly Jacobson and Stephanie Pratapas
“They don’t mind getting on the floor. They don’t mind getting punched,” said Weaver.
Jacobson has developed a defensive mentality where she has asked Weaver to let her attack the opposing point guard.
“She wanted to get her. She doesn’t want to get off the floor,” said Weaver.
Pratapas meanwhile offers speed, a necessity on a short team where 5-foot-9 Kelsey Taylor is the tallest member.
“She is quick, very quick,” said Weaver of his soccer-player-turned-basketball star. “We’ve never had somebody just beat her down the floor.”
As for now, Weaver simply wants a little respect for a team that finished the regular season ranked No. 2 in the Northwestern District one year after losing all-star players Kimmy Hopkins and Aly Jacobson and their coach.
“We sit out here in the middle of nowhere, where everybody calls it Cow Pie High,” Weaver said. “You know what? I wouldn’t trade this job for any job in the county because when I walk in the gym, the girls are disciplined, they’re going to come out and work hard and tonight was just an example of the growing process. Next year, we won’t lose the tight games. I can guarantee that.”
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