Girls’ Basketball Team Has Players Eager To Fill Big Shoes

December 6, 2009 by Greg Lederer

When preparing to face the Cheshire High School girls’ basketball team last winter, coaches often focused on the Twin Towers. Inside players Nora Bahgat, a four-time All-Housatonic Division center, and Emily Thomas impacted the game both offensively and defensively. They combined with fellow captain Maggie Riddle and Kathleen DeVylder to capture three Housatonic titles in four years.
“They are a big void to fill not just in stat (statistic) production, but in leadership,” said Cheshire Head Coach Sarah Mik. “They did prepare these kids for taking over the program and taking it to the next level.”
Turnover hasn’t deterred the Rams from thinking big this winter. Cheshire lost their first five games of the 2008-09 season, but rebounded to go unbeaten (8-0) in the division slate and finish 11-12 overall. Facing adversity helped bring the team together and girls say they won’t panic with players in different roles.
“I think it will be fun and a lot of hard work,” added Kristen Samuelson, a senior captain with Lauren Hague and Kelly Riddle. “It will be about us being scrappier and speeding up the game this year.”
“It’s weird that it’s the three (captains) of us,” stated Kelly Riddle, the last of three sisters to lead the CHS program. “I’m excited to get back to basketball.”
In the span of a year, varsity experience has shifted from the frontcourt to backcourt. Each captain is coming off their strongest season. Hague and Kelly Riddle became starters for the first time, while Samuelson was utilized heavily off the bench.
“More varsity experience helps you. You just have to make yourself and this team better,” Hague explained.
Hague developed into a leader last winter. She was a reliable scorer, displaying long-distance shooting with the ability to drive inside and knock down free throws. Not only was Hague vital to the offense, she also skied for rebounds and created steals. Hague recorded a career-high 21 points during a 53-47 victory over Lyman Hall last season.
“She is a confident and consistent player that can score outside and inside,” said Mik, who loves Hague’s versatility. “It’s huge because she can fill in gaps for us.”
Kelly Riddle has also become comfortable in the varsity lineup. Starting for the first time beside her sister (Maggie) last season, she contributed as a shutdown defender (Best Defensive Player) and playmaker. She picked the right time for breakout game at Shelton, tallying a career-best 15 points to help the Rams clinch the Housatonic crown.
“I think she is more helpful at the two-guard position,” added Mik. “We’ve had an issue of not having a natural point guard over the last couple years.”
Mik believes sophomore Maria Blois will help significantly in that area. Blois was tested immediately when Maggie Riddle broke her finger and had to miss three games early last year. Blois is looking for a clean slate after battling a stress fracture during her fall season of soccer.
“I think it gave her a little taste and now it is a matter of getting experience,” explained Mik, of being inserted into the starting lineup. “She has natural instincts. Maria is an old-school point guard in that she passes first and shoots second. I would like to see become more aggressive offensively as the year continues.”
Cheshire seeks to improve their court awareness, especially when breaking full-court pressure. The Rams (25th seed) had a 43-38 lead over host Southington (eighth seed) late in the 2009 Class LL first round, but the Blue Knights forced turnovers down the stretch and scored seven unanswered points for victory. The loss ended Cheshire’s season.
“It can’t come down to just one person handling the ball,” said Mik. “We have options this season.”
The perimeter shooting of Samuelson will open up the floor. Samuelson is another solid on-ball defender and along with junior Danielle Desmarais, adds to a deep backcourt.
“I hope for her (Samuelson) to have a great ending season. She has worked on her drive and handle on the ball,” stated Mik. “We have a rotation of six or seven (players) to start. I think our scoring will be balanced.”
Cheshire plans to continue with an inside-outside approach at the offensive end. Without Bahgat and Thomas in the post, junior Julie Strobel and sophomore Lauren DeBisschop will be key in striking balance.
Strobel (Most Improved Player) has seen significant varsity time over the last two years. She tallied six points off the bench at Southington last winter, as the Rams jumped to the lead. DeBisschop, whose older brother (Brian) is a senior co-captain of the boys’ program, immediately jumped to the varsity team as a freshman.
“We talked to her (Strobel) about being more confident with her right hand because she is a natural lefty,” said Mik. “Lauren has an incredible work ethic. She worked out with the (CHS) boys all fall.”
“They are big people. We need them to step up and fill roles just like everybody else,” Samuelson said. “I like what we have a good group this year.”
Bahgat was arguably the strongest center in school history, graduating as the first player to reach 1,000 points and rebounds each.
“The one thing we’ll miss most is her voice. She communicated so well with everybody,” Mik added. “We have height and I think we’ll do a nice job. We want to get offensive rebounds and second chance points.”
A large group of 21 freshmen has added more energy and competition to practices. Lauren Como, Emma Gorham, and Molly Jalbert are among six to seven girls that have already been brought up the varsity and junior varsity teams.
“We want to be great captains for them,” said Kelly Riddle.
With returning experience, Mik feels that Lyman Hall (Jan. 8 and 29) and Sheehan (Jan. 5 and 26) are the early favorites to win the Housatonic championship. Cheshire will also face Amity (Jan. 29, Feb. 29) and Shelton (Jan. 12, Feb. 1) in the division.
“It’s always good to win the league. We need to work hard for it,” explained Hague, of striving for a fourth title in five years. “We have never got that far at states. We have played some big games, so we have experience.”
The Rams have developed Southern Connecticut Conference rivalries outside the Housatonic schedule. Cheshire lost their regular season meetings to Daniel Hand before upsetting the third-seeded Tigers 57-42 in the 2009 SCC first round. Cheshire (11th seed) saw the quarterfinal game slip away in similar fashion to Southington, as Hamden scored eight straight points to rally for a 54-49 victory. The Green Dragons swept three games from the Rams and they will visit Cheshire for the season opener on Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. The rematch will be played Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. in Hamden.
“It should be intense,” said Hague. “They are always a competitive team and didn’t lose anybody (from the starting lineup).”
Cheshire will soak up the atmosphere, since they have just three home dates out of their first 12 games. The Rams traditionally load up their early-season schedule with tough opposition from around the SCC. Hillhouse (Dec. 17, Feb. 12), Mercy (Dec. 21, Feb. 3), and Career (Jan. 15, Feb. 5) produce standout teams. Hillhouse defeated Career for the 2009 SCC Championship.
Cheshire will also compete in the Southington Holiday Tournament, to be held Dec. 28 and 29.
“It’s definitely harder to go on the road. It will be exciting to open at home,” stated Hague.
“We like scheduling tough teams because it prepares us for the tournaments,” added Mik.