School Rally, Alumnae Keep Islanders Sharp for Playoffs

The Islanders need two wins in the playoffs that begin tonight to take home a Division III State Title.

TheGirls Basketball team of 2010-2011 has had an incredible ride so far. Twenty-one wins. One loss.

After clinching a first round bye in the playoffs, they had 10 days between their last game, in which they beat the Davies Career and Technical Center at home 41-15, and their next game that takes place tonight—a playoff matchup against that same Davies team.  

Over the last week, the Islanders' remained busy in their downtime as they prepared for their playoff run that begins tonight. In addition to the vigorous, focused practice sessions, on Friday MHS held a pep rally for the girls basketball and boys hockey teams, and an alumnae scrimmage game was held in which several graduates returned to their old court to take on the current Islander team.  

How prepared are they for playoffs?

PRACTICE

The practice saw the Islanders run several offensive options. Some old. Some new. It was often times lighthearted, as they are comprised of spirited and easygoing individuals. When it's game time. Whether in practice during the week or in their scrimmage against the Islander alumnae, the game faces come out. Senior co-captain Lauren Paiva can often be seen and heard talking to and talking up her teammates. They listen, as they should. Lauren knows her game. So do her teammates.  

Head Coach Mike Yates blended speed and shooting drills with some humorous banter for his squad. A combination that has helped this Islander team to a 21-1 overall record during the regular season.

However, it's playoff time. Everyone involved starts off 0-0. It's anybody's game. It's all about who wants it the most.

THE PEP RALLY

On Friday in the Middletown High School gymnasium, the school held a pep rally for the girls’ basketball team and the boys’ hockey team, who unfortunately saw their 2011 season come to an end on Saturday night against Prout.  

The rally had the boys’ hockey team introduced and then the girls’ basketball team. The students that filled the bleachers cheered for their teams, congratulating them on making the 2011 postseason.

The rally also included a fun dodgeball skills competition and concluded with an impromptu dance off between two MHS teachers, who also helped carry out on their shoulders to center court, Middletown senior, co-captain, and MC for the rally, Lauren Paiva who celebrated her birthday on Friday.

ALUMNAE GAME

To keep them sharp in the nearly two week span between games, coach Yates coordinated with Islander alumna, along with current Islander softball coach Robin Ramey to schedule a scrimmage game against several former Islanders, including coach Ramey, Nichole Murphy, Ashley Edes, Alex Butler, Christine Clancy, Casey Chaoolner, and a member of the 1000 point club, Danielle Ventura.  

The Islander alumnae came to play. Play they did. Quite well. Most alumnae had played for Islander teams in the past, but not necessarily together. It was essentially a pickup game against the current Islander team that has played together for nearly two seasons now.

The scrimmage started out with the alumnae team taking it to the current squad, going up by as many as 13 in the first half. The alumnae made several impressive plays underneath the basket and at times had the current Islanders completely outmatched.  

The alumnae had a 28-16 lead at the half.

The second half saw Lauren Paiva and Kirsten Perry lead their team onto the court with determination in their eyes. They didn't care if this game counted or not. They want to win them all.

The Islander alumnae maintained their first half lead for most of the second half. Highlighted by a deep 3-pointer from Danielle Ventura, and a counter three from current Islander Kirsten Perry. The two teams did some talking back and forth, and there were quite a few fouls that were above the normal levels of a scrimmage game. Both these teams wanted this game. You could tell by their body language, and the style in which they played. Fast and fierce. 

The Islanders of now then went on an offensive run, cutting the Alumnae lead to 4 after am impressive runner from Chelsea Dowler. A steal and a bucket immediately following that cut the Alumnae lead to 2.  

With 1:40 left in the second half, the Alumnae led 43-41.

That is how the second period would end. 43-41 in favor of the Alumnae.

The alumnae and coach Yates agreed to play a shortened third period of 8 minutes.

That third period provided some of the best offensive plays of the game. A literal game of back and forth offense between the two transpired over nearly the entire third period.  

The additional third period saw some of the junior varsity squad get some playing time against the alumnae, none more impressive than freshman forward #45 Rachel DeBerardinis, who hit a three-pointer with less than 20 seconds to go, and then drove down the court with the game tied at 55 and only seconds left to put in a layup that gave her team the victory as the buzzer sounded.

The final score after the third and final period was 57-55 in favor of the current Islander squad.

The teams chatted it up for a while before going their separate ways. 

Former Islander and current University of Rhode Island student Nichole Murphy, who is an '09 graduate from MHS, took some time this past weekend to speak with patch about her return to the gym, and her thoughts on the current team.

Patch:  What was it like to step back onto the court you once played on?
Nichole:  It was really nice to see Lauren (Paiva) and KP and the other girls I played with. It wasn't weird at all. It was fun.

Patch:  Being a former point guard at MHS, how did it feel to bring the ball up the court again?
Nichole:  It was really fun. I missed it a lot.  I've played a pick up game here and there, but I haven't played a real game since my senior year.

Patch:  How do you feel the current squad played against the Alumnae?
Nichole:  They played really well. They were a lot better than I thought. I don't mean that in a negative way at all. They were impressive.

Patch:  How do you think they'll fare in the playoffs this year?
Nichole:  I think they'll do really good. They play really well together.

Patch:  Thanks for your time Miss Murphy.
Nichole: No problem. You're welcome.

The Middletown Girls now get set for their biggest game of the year so far, as they ready themselves to take on Davies in the semifinals of the 2011 Division III playoffs.  

Will the Girls conclude a magical season by taking home the Division III Title?

They must first take out Davies in order to advance to the Title game.

The game against Davies and the 2011 Division III playoffs will be held  at Rhode Island College. Tip-off is tonight, Monday March 7 at 8 p.m.