The Kentridge Charger girls basketball team was eliminated from the postseason after a 48-41 loss against the Decatur Gators on Feb. 17.
“We talked about how much we had grown as a family,” said Head Coach Brad McDowell.
It was a constant battle for the Chargers as they traveled to Federal Way to take on the Gators. A team that had beaten them by 12 points in late January.
The Chargers trailed after the first quarter just by two points 10-8. Kentridge played good defense only holding the Gators to 10 points. But Decatur made it tough on the Charges limiting them to eight.
At halftime Decatur led by a single point, 20-19. The difference was Decatur had been rebounding the ball just a little bit better than the Chargers.
Entering the fourth quarter the Chargers managed to tie the game at 31-31. Keeping their dream of the state tournament alive. “This team has a lot of fight in them, no question,” McDowell said.
But Decatur had other plans, to start the fourth the Gators went on a 5-0 run.
But this Kentridge team kept fighting and with two minutes left the girls were trailing by just two points 38-36. Unfortunately, the Chargers would only muster three points for the rest of the game. The Gators went on to win and advance.
It was a Charger team that surpassed expectations and left a mark on Coach McDowell. “We had our ups and downs, every family has those moments of bickering and going back and forth with each other. But in the end, they came together. They will continue to grow that family as well,” he said.
The bright spot is that this Charger team in the most important game of the season started three freshmen, and is losing just a single senior. “Most teams don’t have three freshmen on the floor in crunch situations… Having six freshmen on my varsity roster by the end of the season and them seeing how close we are as a group will help push them in the offseason,” said McDowell.
But that senior, Trinity Schanbeck had a huge impact on this team.
“She really led by example, led personality-wise. She was always connecting, communicating, and supporting. Those are the skills that as a coach you want to see grow,” McDowell said.
The continuity into next year is something to look forward to for Kentridge. “We’re going to be right there competing at the highest level next year,” he said.
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