BAINBRIDGE – Last season’s sectional run for the Bobcats of Bainbridge-Guilford ended in the finals at Tompkins-Cortland Community College to the Watkins Glen Senecas with a heartbreaking loss, 37-35.
Following the win, the Senecas went on two win the New York State Class C Championship.
Almost one year later, the two teams will meet in almost the same setting with the same stakes on the line: A Section IV Class C Championship and a season to continue.
While Watkins Glen is looking to defend both their sectional and state titles, Bainbridge-Guilford is hoping to avenge their loss to the Senecas a year ago.
The Bobcats will more than likely be facing the Watkins Glen man-to-man defense in the front court with a full court press. The press by the Senecas will be to force Bainbridge-Guilford into committing silly turnovers, something in the games that I have watched doesn’t happen very often.
For the most part, the Bobcats take care of the ball and can handle the pressure well. With their three guards – Jill Cannistra, Kori Thornton and Erica Selfridge – that can handle the ball well, Bainbridge-Guilford can get the ball across half court with their forwards flashing to the ball.
The key is they will need to not panic.
When I watched them play against Delhi in the MAC Championship at Binghamton Events Center, the Bobcats handled the press by the Lady Bulldogs early in the game. It wasn’t until later when Bainbridge-Guilford started to feel the pressure and began to panic. This led the strong comeback effort by Delhi, nearly taking a lead late in the fourth.
The weight the Lady Bobcats are feeling is the idea of a state championship title.
There has been much talk of Bainbridge-Guilford having the capability to win the Class C title this year – myself included.
“People have been talking about it all year and that has put some pressure on these kids,” said Conway. “You can see it sometimes throughout a game because they are feeling that weight of that discussion.”
The inside play of senior Megan Palmatier and junior teammate Abi Selfridge is strong. One of the best I have seen in quite a few years. And the two aren’t tall. They just battle on the blocks down low and get in great position for the offensive rebound.
With teams focusing on Palmatier’s post game more this year, the assist game has opened up for her. Palmatier beats most of the double, sometimes triple, teams that come at her by not forcing a bad shot but by finding the open person. She still gets her points in a game but they usually come in one half of the game.
This is a result of teams making adjustments. If an opponent starts out doubling down on her, Palmatier will make them hurt for it by kicking it to Abi Selfridge at the free-throw line area or to one of her three guards sitting shot ready behind the three-point arc.
When her teammates are knocking down their shots, opponents will start to extend their defense, which in return opens up the inside for Palmatier to go to work.
If an opponent starts out covering the outside shooting of the Bobcats, the opposite happens and Palmatier gets to work early.
With Watkins Glen playing man-to-man, Palmatier should be able to get her work in early while sharing the ball with her teammates.
The Senecas are aggressive on the glass and all five Bobcats will need to box out and work for the inside on every shot that sails through the air Sunday.
This is where I think the Bobcats can excel. If all five are boxing out, look for Abi Selfridge to come up with the rebound.
Abi reads the ball coming off the rim very well and usually is in the right spot to go up and get the board. And when I say go up and get the board, I mean she can jump out of the gym to get the rebound if Abi needed to.
For the season, even though I don’t have exact numbers, Abi is averaging a double-double with points and rebounds. On either end of the floor, she is very good on the glass.
Defensively, the Bobcats will need to stop the fast break from Watkins Glen. According to Conway, the Senecas like to get out and run the floor. Bainbridge-Guilford will have to look back quickly once Watkins Glen secures the defensive rebound.
In the half court set, the Senecas’ point guard will look to penetrate the Bobcats defense in an attempt to pull the defenders out of position and create a scoring opportunity for her teammates. Bainbridge-Guilford will have to limit her chances of getting into the paint with her dribble in order to stop her.
“We, as a team, need to play with confidence,” said Conway. “We need to get on the glass and finish. We need to control their running game, not turn the ball over against their press and get the ball inside.”
“I think that we have the potential if we all come to play to have the opportunity to continue on,” said Conway. “We have to play smart work hard and hit some big shots.”
The Bobcats have had Thornton, Cannistra and Erica Selfridge hit the big shots in games earlier this season. I see these three having no trouble tomorrow of doing the same, as long as they get the open looks.
Watkins Glen is tall and physical but Bainbridge-Guilford has the athleticism and the court vision. My prediction for the game is it will be a close score and will really come down to who can win on the glass. The team with the most rebounds will win the game and move on to contend for a state title.