You’d never know it. The Griswold Girls basketball team started the 2018-19 campaign 4-0 which the best start the Lady Wolverines have ever given to Head Coach Kevin Babcock. The last game the Wolverines played was against St. Bernard’s and although it was the 4th consecutive win of the season, it was the start of things getting a little ugly this week, and even Babcock uttered those words after the game with the Saints. Although the Wolverines won, 24-18… it wasn’t pretty. St Bernard’s likes to play a slow game and they certainly took the Wolverines out of what rhythm they had built
Then the Wolverines take their 4-0 record into Stonington on Saturday. Four. Matter of fact that is the total amount of points the Wolverines scored in the first have, 2 in the 1st and 2 in the 2nd. You’re not going to win too many basketball games by scoring 4 points in a half especially when Stonington put up 42. Yes, you read that. The Wolverines were down at the half, 42-4. The Wolverines ended up getting blown out, 57-22.
But don’t fret, Wolverine fans! This is merely a blip in the season. There is too much talent, and young talent at that. Lindsey VanLanen and Sydney Hanley to name a couple. How about Sonja Matheson as well. These are all Freshman girls that are seeing a lot of varsity minutes and playing them well. How about the older girls, and I’m stretching here because I am talking Sophomores! Bella Rubino is only going to get better at the point. Sam Falco is another. Dare we also mention Mandy Brehler. This team has a future and although the beginning of this article seemed like we were trashing the girls a bit, from what we saw early on with the OT win against Parish Hill, the last minute victories against Killingly and Windham, and talking of the 4-0 fanfare maybe we were a bit short sighted on what this team is for this year.
Are they going to have a great year, yes. Are they going to accomplish some in tournaments this year and gain some valuable experience, yes. Can they go 17-3, THIS YEAR? There’s a chance that could happen. (my prediction is that they go 16-4 and Babcock gets Coach of the Year nod)
But… just because you start 4-0, and there’s only 4 real losses on the schedule this year, you’re going to have to put up more than 4 points in a half. Four.