Two Barn Burners in the Badger Den!

Girls Middle School Basketball
Right off the opening tip, the Girls Middle School Badgers immediately got into position. In Sam's first start at the point guard position, she played all 24 minutes and served as the maestro for the team. Sam brought the ball up the court, set up her teammates for quality shots and provided an outlet if they got trapped. The team has been working for the last several weeks on triangle, our half court offense. Sam got the ball to Hattie on the wing, who sent a perfect pass to Zoe in the corner. Hattie then raced to the block, got the ball back and shot it! As a coach - well - I couldn't believe it. They ran the play, perfectly, on our first possession of the season! 
 
 
With the ball out of bounds on their baseline, Grymes called a timeout when they saw our press. It's scary! Throughout the game, the duo of Sam and Raquel were in the passing lanes, deflecting passes and stealing the ball. The Badgers first basket of the year came as Sam collected the ball in the paint off a steal and launched an eight- foot jumper. The Badgers were tied 2-2 at the end of the first.
 
In the second period, Zoe got her own offense going. Zoe played several roles today - she was the inbounds passer, the top of the press and an accurate shooter. Zoe got a putback midway through the second to give Tandem a 4-3 edge. The Badgers got lots of rebounds during that sequence - Cora was a menace on the boards.
 
The Badgers gave up only one field goal through the first half - a tribute to the defensive pressure Cypress provided at the top of the key. Alex was positioned on the block, a tough presence as well. After halftime, the Badgers continued their pressure, earning a lot of quality shots. The team had many opportunities close to the basket, and those high percentage attempts will go in throughout the season. While shots don't always fall, players can control their effort, and Tandem's effort was excellent this afternoon. Sam had two chase down blocks, Zuri ripped the ball away to generate extra possessions, and Zoe was electric on the glass.
 
Zoe struck first in the third, giving Tandem an 8-4 lead. Late in the period, Sam drove to the basket and got fouled, focusing on scoring a lay-up instead of a short jumper. Grymes mustered just one point in the third.  In the fourth quarter, the Badgers continued to generate quality shots. Zoe had several baseline jumpers, Sam had some nice attempts on the block, Cora fired a shot, Raquel had a perfect follow through on her jump shot! Great offense in the final stanza!
 
While Grymes came away with one more point in the fourth period, the Badgers set the stage for what is going to be an amazing season. We're one game in - already executing a press, a half court offense and a smooth out of bounds play. I am very proud of the way this team carried themselves in a close battle! Back to work on Monday, Badgers - we're just getting started.  The team returns to action Thursday at CCS at 5pm.
 
Boys Middle School Basketball
 
Kai has waited a long time to play in Tandem uniform, and with a 13 point debut, I'd say it was worth the wait. The game began with a barrage of Badgers threes. Kai struck first, giving the Badgers a quick 3-0 edge. Then Trenton (16 points) knocked one in from deep on the wing. Eli (10 points) fired as well, got fouled, and the Badgers scored nine quick points, resulting in a Grymes timeout. Ryan and Aven helped to challenge every Grymes shot, and the Badgers led 9-8 after one quarter.
 
Despite a massive size differential, the Badgers worked hard to get rebounds in the paint. Odin, Isaiah, Elias and Fletcher were critical down low, ending Grymes possessions, and setting up the Tandem offense. Eli hit a deep three and Trenton got to the rim, drawing contact and making the lay up and free throw. The Badgers trailed 20-15 at halftime, and just kept coming.
 
In the second half, Bo provided great defensive effort off the bench. He, Robert and Landon guarded the top of the key, while Hatcher played the block. Will had a key steal, taking the ball the length of the court, and setting up Tandem's offense. The Badgers got to the basket - Kai showed off great footwork as he scored at the rim and drew a foul - and Eli was strong with another three and got to the foul line himself. Grymes had switched to a 3-2 defense, taking away the deep shot, and the Badgers attacked accordingly.
 
Tandem scored 9, 6 and 8 points in the first three quarters. Our Badgers seriously saved their best for last - a 16 point explosion in crunch time!! Trailing by seven going into the final period, the Middle School Boys wasted no time. Eli found Trenton inside for a quick lay up. When Grymes came the other way, Aven got a steal, and sent it ahead to Kai who spotted up for three. Cash! The Badgers trimmed the lead to one, 35-34!
 
Grymes went on a run, but Tandem was not finished. First, Eli drew a foul while shooting a three. Then Trenton split the defense for a key layup late in the game. The Badgers were down two when Kai got the ball on the wing and hit another deep three - all the way from Louisa! The Badgers had cut the game to two, 39-41, giving the team a chance to win - which is really all you can ask for.
 
With a middle school roster featuring no 8th Graders, our Tandem Badgers took on a challenging opponent - all five of Grymes starters were 5'10" or taller - and we pushed them to their absolute limits. Tandem was within one possession late, got better as the game went on, and were clearly ready for the primetime Badger Den lights! I cannot wait to see what they do next. The Badgers play at CCS at 4pm next week on Thursday.  Looking forward to it
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Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
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