As a transfer from Delhi, Bainbridge-Guilford sophomore Shania Vandermark took the fast track to the varsity level. Coming off a strong first varsity basketball season a year ago, Vandermark’s progress this season was derailed the first two weeks due to medical issues. B-G coach Bob Conway – and the rest of the team – couldn’t wait until she was back at full strength.

“Absolutely,” Conway said when asked if Vandermark was a missing puzzle piece the first four games of the season. “She gives us another scorer, and is just dominant on the boards.”

In her first two games back, Vandermark barely played more than a quarter in each contest. It wasn’t until last week’s Kazalski Tournament, hosted by B-G, that she saw the type of starting minutes that were expected from day one.

All Vandermark did was post a pair of double-doubles in points and rebounds, and in leading her club to the tournament championship, she was named the Most Valuable Player. Vandermark added a third straight double-double earlier this week, and is our Evening Sun/Smith Ford LLC Athlete of the Week.

“Truly, the tournament was the first time she saw any kind of real minutes this season,” Conway said of Vandermark.