Rebounding was a huge emphasis for the Middle School Boys today, and Gabriel and Odin understood the assignment. Boxing out a taller opponent, Gabriel snatched the ball out of the air, passing it ahead to Trenton, who got Tandem on the board early with a tough lay-up. The next CCA trip ended with an Elias rebound, as he worked hard to solidify possession. He passed it ahead to Kai, who knocked in one of his three triples on the afternoon. The Badgers led 7-6 after 1.
It sure feels like a non-issue now, but Quantico was up 5-0 early in the first quarter today. It would have been easy for the Badgers to panic... but as you consider that idea, ask yourself one question: have you ever seen Annie panic? When you have an elite point guard, one who has the ball on a string and intellect to match, the rest of the team can play with confidence.
With two minutes elapsed, down five points, Annie knocked the ball away from the opposing point guard, one of her NINE steals in the game! She looked up and saw Aoife on the block - and she was ready. Aoife (career high 21 points) had a true breakout game today. She was dominant in the post, fighting for position and calling for the ball. Aoife got the orange, kept it high, and scored - all while drawing a foul! Quantico got a basket on the other end, but Annie then had her second straight assist when she found Elisabeth in the corner - and her jumper was smooth as butter.
The Tandem Class of 2027 has been the core of the Girls Basketball program for a long time. They played Varsity as 8th, 9th and 10th Graders - constantly improving - and often with little depth or upperclassmen on the roster. Last season, they were joined by two Seniors and two 8th Graders, and the roster began to grow! This year even more reinforcements arrived resulting in the need for some JV Basketball games. This afternoon, the JV Badgers took the court together for the first time, many of them playing new positions, representing the future of the program.
Down 6-0 early in the game, Trenton changed the momentum as he went to the rim and drew a foul. On the next possession, Trenton drew the defense, now off balance, and found Isaiah open on the block for a lay up. The Badgers held CDS scoreless for the last three minutes of the first quarter - Elias was a force on the block when Ryan and Aven defended the top of the key. In the second quarter, sensing a need for a scoring push, Kai got open from the left wing and let it fly. With a beautiful follow through, Kai's shot tickled the twine. Working closely with Jayceon, who had a game high 17, the Badgers scored 7 in the second quarter.
It has been 359 days since the 2024-2025 Varsity Girls Basketball home opener, a battle between Tandem and RMA. The Badgers mustered just nine points that afternoon, a 41-9 loss. Since that day, the squad has worked hard to improve, winning big games last season against Stuart Hall and Saint Michael's. They did so with a young roster that included two eighth graders and a slew of hard-working sophomores who had been the core of this program for three years. With the arrival of reinforcements and a dramatic improvement in the effort of this young team, the Badgers made a statement tonight - Tandem is a force to be reckoned with, with a deep roster, and had better not be taken lightly.