Voters choose best GHS Girls team

Both teams in the championship round of the GHS Women’s Hoops Madness bracket were winners but the 2013-14 squad polled the most votes to close out the title. Even though this column has my name on it, I leave it all to Rick Lin, who coached both great teams, to have the finals words.

1995-96 Lady Bulldogs (Record: 24-6)

SEASON SUMMARY:
Gallatin Invitational Champions, 2^nd Lawson Tournament, Hamilton Invitational Champions,
District Champions — 2nd Place MSHSAA Class 1 State Basketball Tournament

Coach Rick Lin: “Four of our losses were in the conference season. The GRC had many very good teams that year, and while we were competitive in those 4 losses, it seemed as though we would have one bad quarter offensively, or else our defense wasn’t quite tight enough that night.  And although we had really been competitive all season, I really saw a change in our team very late in the season when we defeated an excellent LeBlond team. It just seemed that our mindset was different in that game, and it really gave us a spark of confidence as we headed into the post season. In the district finals, we were fortunate to win over a very good Gilman City team. After trailing the whole first half, we finally tied the score at the end of the 3^rd quarter. With the game tied with :01 left in the game, Gilman City had 2 free throws to win the game, but neither of them fell for them, and we won the game in overtime. In the regional, sectional, and quarterfinal  games, our defense showed its true colors as we allowed 35, 39, and 28 points vs. 3 teams who had proven to have very potent offenses all season. We went on to Columbia and had a great offensive performance vs. Norwood to reach the state finals. In the championship game we had trouble scoring in the first half against an undefeated Drexel team, but came alive in the 2^nd half and made multiple runs at them. However, each time we would get the game back to single digits, Drexel’s two sharpshooters would answer our run with a 3 pointer. I am so proud of these ladies for their work in the off-seasons to get better, their excellent practice habits, and their determination throughout the season when things did not go our way in the conference race.  I feel blessed to have gotten the opportunity to work with such good people and true competitors!”

2013-2014 Lady Bulldogs (Record: 24-5)

Season Summary:
2^nd Place Gallatin Invitational, Consolation Lawson Invitational, 3^rd Place Hamilton Invitational,
Undefeated Grand River Conference Champions

Voted Best GHS Girls Team via the Hoops Madness Fantasy Tournament

Coach Rick Lin: “Of our five losses, two losses came to an excellent Trenton team.  We played them three times, and won one of them.  Two more losses during the season came at the hands of Lathrop, another powerhouse in the area that year. One highlight of our season was an undefeated conference championship.  Many times throughout the offseason and regular season, I would point to the conference banner hanging on the wall to remind our players that the last time Gallatin had won the conference title was in 1984.  Of all the great teams that we had over the years, the conference title had always eluded us.  I could often hear their excitement whenever we had a conference game coming up.  It was easy to tell that the conference championship was a common goal of the group, and helped bring us together.  We showed our grit in the district championship game, beating a good Maysville team in a grueling battle.  This was one game where we truly had to execute on every possession to score, and the championship was a great reward for all of the ladies’ hard work.  In the sectional game vs. North Platte, it was a 1-point game at halftime vs. a team that had dominated the area the entire season.  They gained a little separation in the 3^rd quarter and the early 4^th quarter, and we were forced to gamble in an attempt to get the game back in reach down the stretch, but our comeback effort did not pay off for us. What I will remember the most about this team is the years-long journey that we spent together to become a good team.  Some of the ladies began coming to our open gyms in the 2^nd grade, and each year more and more of them seemed to find their way into the gym during the summer.  It was so much fun helping them and watching them get better as each year passed.  With the explosion of youth leagues and summer shootouts during this time, this group literally grew up together on the basketball court, and it was truly amazing to get to share that time with them!”

Comparisons:

Coach Rick Lin: “The 1995-96 team and the 2013-14 team had many similarities, but also some differences that would make a head-to-head matchup very interesting and entertaining.  I will list a few from my perspective:

Athleticism: Both teams had multiple state track champions/medalists, so both had personnel who had great speed, quickness, jumping ability, and strength.  Both teams had players who excelled in other sports as well, so competing at high levels was not new to them.

Full court pressure:  Both teams relied heavily on full court pressure — not necessarily to get a steal, but to help tire the opposing team out, and force them to make multiple decisions every time down the floor.  We relied heavily on being in better shape than the opponent, and winning the turnover game, and the full court press helped in both categories.  The 95-96 team used mainly a “run and jump” press (switching woman-to-woman press), while the 13-14 team used mainly zone pressure.  Both teams were very good at their style.

Breaking pressure:  Both teams were excellent at beating another team’s full court pressure.

Half court defense:  95-96 used a stingy man defense with a little zone mixed in from time to time, while the 13-14 team preferred a constant pressuring zone defense mixed in with a little man defense.

Offense:  95-96  had a very deliberate offensive style and were extremely patient until they got a good shot opportunity — get the ball down the floor, get into half court offense …and work, work, work for a good shot. They really helped wear the opponent out by making them play defense a lot.

13-14 relied more heavily on playing a full court offensive game by trying to beat the other team down the floor in “racecar” fashion.  It was not uncommon for this team to score within 5 seconds after being scored upon, or after a rebound.  That was emotionally deflating for the opponent.

Bench Strength:  Both teams had many excellent athletes coming off the bench!

Offseason:  Both teams excelled at working to improve themselves during the offseason.  Many hours were spent in the weight room, and then on the court to work on individual fundamentals.  As a coach, offseason time was as much fun as the season, because I got to see great progress being made!

So, while I refuse to make a prediction on either team, as they both hold a special place in my heart (along with all the other teams), it would be really neat to see how a true match-up would turn out.  I would enjoy watching the matchup to find the answers to these questions:

• Would either team’s full court pressure really bother the other team?
• How would the fast moving dribble drive man offense and countless quick hitting plays by the 13-14 team fare against the excellent, hard-nosed man defense from the 95-96 team?
• How would the 95-96 team respond to the quick transition game from the 13-14 team?
• How would the 13-14 team handle the height advantage of the 95-96 team?
• How would the 95-96 team account for all the 3-point shooters on the 13-14 team, while still being able to handle the dribble drive offense?
• Who would win the rebounding game? The deflection and steals game?  The turnover game?

There are so many arguments one could make not just for these two teams, but for all the Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs teams.  But regardless of that, one thing I can say for certain is that I am lucky to have gotten to work with a bunch of hard-working, determined, and truly good people over the years.  And now I have been enjoying watching many of them coaching their kids in various sports, starting their families, and giving back to their community.  I am proud of all of you!”