December 8, 2017
This week was Taylor’s last week of 8th grade basketball. After winning two games all year, both against non-league Leavenworth school Patton early in the season, we had the KVL post season tournament. Of the 8 teams, we were last because we didn’t beat any league teams during the year. Taylor was really the only player with any basketball experience, and we were super proud of her ability to get teammates involved – Taylor has a natural ability to see people before they are open, and often times we go from ‘having no chance to score’ to at least having an opportunity to score because of where Taylor passes it. Unfortunately most of the time the recipient has problems even catching the ball, but that doesn’t stop Taylor from her efforts to make the right play. Erin and I spent most of the season pleading for Taylor to shoot more – or at least be ready to drive/shoot those times you get the ball back in the flow of the offense..which most of the time means throw it to the wing, and back to Taylor, ha!
We lost the first two games of the league tournament but actually played well against the #1 seed. There were some good signs of effort that we haven’t seen consistently in some of the games we may have competed more.
Well the last game of the season, against Clark Middle School (Bonner) for 7th place in the league – or ‘not last’ – we started out the game not catching a break. There was only one referee and he was closer to 80 years old, and while he had great spirit, he missed two unforced turnovers on Clark that ended up turning into 4 points in the first quarter. We were down from the start, and Erin and I were frustrated Taylor didn’t try to score more—although she did have several good drives that we thought she was fouled on, but no call, and no finish on those attempts. Taylor did score 2 in the first half and had a super fun assist at the buzzer of the first quarter when she passed to Abby on the block who finished. I believe we were down 4-8 after the first quarter, and then 6-14 at halftime. Giving up 14 points and expecting to win is about our limit over the course of the season, as our offense struggles to score, so it was dire at halftime. The third quarter had several ‘in and out’ shots from us and it was an offensive struggle with LTMS scoring a free throw as the only scoring of the quarter. LTMS 7, Clark 14.
Taylor was far more offensively aggressive in the 4Q. I believe early in the quarter she hit a jumper from near the free throw elbow, and then the next possession she got fouled on a shot and went to the free throw line and swished both free throws to get us within 3 points. I believe with under 2 minutes left she found herself open at the top of the key and banked in a 3 pointer to tie the game!! It was so exciting to ‘have a chance’. Clark ended up getting fouled on the next possession and made both free throws for their only points in the second half. Taylor came down and shot the ball to tie the game, but it rimmed out, and we got the rebound and scored to tie the game. We played strong defense and ended up going to overtime.
After a few back/forth exchanges without scoring, Clark was trying to apply a lot of pressure to Taylor, but she used a screen on the right side of the court and drive past her defender on the baseline and swished the go-ahead basket with about a minute left in overtime! We held them scoreless and got a put back to go up 20-16 and we held on for the improbable victory! The girls went crazy and I believe it was our first league win in about 3 years. What a finish! Taylor had 11 of the 20 points.
A mom from Clear Creek/MTMS (Lauren Payne’s mom) commented how super impressed she was with Taylor’s attitude and effort playing with so many girls that haven’t ever played before. That she’s so encouraging and helpful and positive. I will say Taylor’s attitude was much better than her parents in the stands 😉 – what a way to finish the season.
****Erin’s FB post
Middle school basketball is a wrap. So proud of the way these girls have worked all season to get better. They were down 6-14 at half to a team that already beat them twice and came back with a big 20-16 overtime win. Taylor hit a huge 3 to tie late in the 4th and scored in overtime to take the lead. Way to go LT Panthers!
