Islanders Get Bounce Back with Big Win Over Davies on Senior Night

"Defeat should never be a source of discouragement but rather a fresh stimulus."

Those words were said by Robert South many years ago.

The girls basketball team took that philosophy to heart and executed it, as well as the poor visiting Davies Career and Technical High School visiting team on Thursday night with a final score of 41-15.

The start of the game saw the introductions of the starting five, four of which were seniors who would be honored later that evening at the Senior Night ceremony. Tears were already shrink wrapped on the senior players parents eyes at tip-off and by halftime there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Nor should there have been, as this team deserved every tear that fell on the court.

Islander senior Taylor O'Malley got Middletown started by scoring the first bucket of the night.  

The Islanders jumped out to a big lead early on, up 12-0 with 10:39 left in the first.

Davies struck back, coupled with a rare Islander scoring drought, as Davies went on a 10-4 run over the next ten minutes to cut the Islander lead to 6 at the half.

It was 16-10 at intermission, with Middletown hanging on to the lead.

The emotions in the building at halftime could be felt by even the most casual basketball fan. Even if somehow, you missed the countless streamers, the signs plastering the walls with each senior's name, the tears flowing from the parents, you would still get how important this night was.  

How so?

Take your pick. The enthusiasm from their teammates. The noticeable, but loving nervous actions of their head coach. The tears that started small, but flowed freely from the four Middletown seniors who became ensconced in the emotions of the night.  

There's always been something about this team. Something intangible. Something special. Something real.  

They cheer for each other. They laugh with each other. They know full well that this is the last home game for their senior teammates. They show emotion for each other without provocation.  

The seniors' names were announced one at a time. Each were met by their parents and loved ones at center court.

Lauren Paiva. Kirsten Perry. Mersina Simanski. Taylor O'Malley. The crowd cheered. Tears were shed and shared. Flash bulbs went off. Smiles were a plenty. Hugs all around.  

The halftime celebration came to and end. 

It was time to get back to work.

Middletown wasted no time whatsoever when the second half began. In fact, they went on a familiar offensive tear, in the form of a 14-3 run over a 10-minute span.  

The Islander girls were on a mission, simultaneously avenging their first, and only loss of the season from Tuesday night to Central High school, all while ferociously eviscerating the visiting Davies team.

Senior Taylor O'Malley bookended the night by scoring the final Islander basket.

The final score was 41-15. It was never close.

The seniors highlighted the scoring for the Islanders:

• #44, Taylor O'Malley, led all scorers with 15.
• #31, Kirsten Perry, had 6.
• #23, Lauren Paiva had 4.
• #4 Mersina Simanski also had 4.

They finished the regular season with a 21-1 overall record.

They are the Number 1 seed in Division III entering the upcoming playoffs.  

They also have a first round bye.

The Islanders now begin a quest for a Division III State Title.  That journey begins... When else? March Madness, to be held at Rhode Island College.

Will Middletown bring home a Division III banner?  

Check back here to find out.

They have set the stage.  They have earned their seed.  They must now finish what they started.