To my peers in the basketball community, I'm sure we can all acknowledge that this time of the year, around Christmas, tends to always bring some good hoops action. This mostly stems from various distinguished high school basketball tournaments happening all around the country. It was the 804's turn this week, as the annual Times Dispatch Invitational (TDIT) got into play this past Wednesday through Friday. Both boys and girls varsity teams earned invites, with eight teams comprising each side. For the girls' bracket, my schedule allowed me to check out the semifinal games in the championship division on Thursday (12/20) afternoon/evening and all games during Friday (12/21).
Final Scores
12/19/18 (First Round):
'Trinity Episcopal ' 66
Hanover HS ' 27
Highland Springs ' 54
Steward School ' 25
Monacan HS ' 72
Varina ' 48
Cosby HS ' 93
Hermitage HS ' 27
12/20/18:
Consolation Semifinals:
Varina HS ' 53
Steward School ' 38
Hanover HS ' 61
Hermitage HS ' 39
Championship Semifinals:
Trinity Episcopal ' 76
Cosby HS ' 64
Monacan HS ' 59' (OT)
Highland Springs ' 53
'
12/21/18:
7th place game:
Steward School ' 50
Hermitage HS ' 38
5th place game:
Varina HS ' 51
Hanover HS ' 46
3rd place game:
Highland Springs ' 63
Cosby HS ' 52
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TDIT Championship:
Trinity Episcopal ' 87
Monacan HS ' 55
Team Notes
- Trinity Episcopal put on an absolute show throughout the week as they defended their title to repeat as tournament champions. I've seen them play three times now and must say they make the game look easier than most teams have the capability of doing. It doesn't take TES long to gain control in a game and, once they do, the outcome is pretty much set. Their offensive versatility gave them the biggest advantage in the two games I watched this week. For example, against Cosby, TES didn't shoot as well from the outside but consistently achieved paint points. The next day, in the championship, shooting came as no problem and the talented group easily took the title.
- I'd say Steward showed the most promise moving forward simply due to how well they execute at such a young age. Outside of one lone senior, Lizzie Paris '19, seven sophomores, two freshmen, and one eighth-grader makes up the rest of the team. I'm just imagining how the Spartans can potentially look in the next few years to come. Some may note how youthful inexperience could get the best of them at some points in the season; the case with any young team. Nonetheless, the team showed a smart way of playing the game and fearlessly competed against a much older Hermitage squad when I watched their Friday game. I see more positive happenings soon coming their way with their intangibles and first-year head coach Kara Bacile passionately leading them.
- On Friday, Highland Springs and Varina both displayed a similar comeback effort in the second halves to win their respective games. I always like seeing a never-quit mentality from teams once finding themselves in a hole. Both the Springers and Blue Devils also shared the same goal of taking it to the rim in hopes of wearing down their opponents and/or putting them in foul trouble. The plan ultimately worked; it really felt like d'j' vu when watching the 5th place and 3rd place games. Highland Springs and Varina played a bit out of control at times' something they can easily fix.
- Monacan looked as the most balanced team; a trait that should serve them well in looking to make more noise in the area. They have a well-rounded roster with enough talent that anyone has the potential to go off on any given night. I don't ever see them leaning on one specific player to score 25 points and win them a game. It'll most likely always be a team effort for the Lady Chiefs in any matchup they come across. Aside from their team play, Monacan's clutch shot-making also really impressed during the championship semifinals. They didn't look as a fantastic shooting team during Thursday's game or anything, but definitely made shots when it mattered.
My Seven Standouts
Elaina Chapman '19 ' TES: The Titans' star forward earned TDIT MVP honors (second year in a row) for a reason, as she dominated more in the paint than any other forward throughout the tourney. There's simply times when Chapman looks unstoppable; point blank period. After more of a slow start in the semifinals against Cosby, she erupted in the second half; grabbing rebound after rebound on both ends to finish with a sensational 32 point and 17 rebounds (nine offensive). She got in an earlier flow the next night once the title game began, posting 24 points and 12 rebounds. Chapman works best as a workhorse in the paint, seeming to give the Titans a second-chance opportunity to score whenever they miss a shot. A walking double-double, she's currently my clear choice as the best rebounder and double-double threat in Richmond for lady hoops.
Sherese Pittman '21 ' Steward: My pick as 'best underclassman performer' goes to the Steward sophomore, without question. A wing who can do it all, Pittman established her dominance last season when she averaged about 25 points per game as a freshman. Watching her on the floor for the first time on Friday, I don't recall noting anything that she couldn't do with the ball. Her patience in passing to teammates cutting in the lane definitely stood out. Most emphasize how well she can put the ball in the basket but I honestly feel her facilitating and defense (specifically reacting to get steals) stand just as impressive. Add that to her efforts on the offensive glass as well. She showed a complete all-around game in the win against Hermitage, to go along with her 26 points.
Jordan Hodges '21 ' Monacan: During the Lady Chiefs' thriller overtime game against Highland Springs in Thursday's semifinals, the sophomore combo guard delivered with several clutch plays in the second half. Hodges creates a mismatch at times since she has the ability to overpower other smaller guards and showed she can draw fouls at any given time. Once she got to the charity stripe, she knocked them down with confidence and really helped put Monacan ahead. I'm starting to recognize the amount of talent within the 804's 2021 girls' class and Hodges' name clearly rests near the top of the list. Her ability to control a game resembles that of an upperclassmen. The All-Tournament performer poured in 24 points on Thursday.
Angel Burgos '19 ' TES: The veteran lead guard can get a bucket on her own whenever. This was evident by her game-high 26-point performance in the championship. Regardless, her court vision really made her stand out as the best playmaker I saw in the tournament. Burgos' advanced feel for the game led to her making a big impact in the Cosby game by finding her teammates for open looks since her own shot wasn't quite falling. During her scoring dominance in the title game, she still racked up ten assists. One can sense a calm confidence about the senior whenever she takes the floor' she knows what needs to be done and how to do it. She landed a spot on the All-Tournament team.
Nia Covington '19 ' Cosby: Western Carolina University is getting a player as tough as nails in Covington. She showed some of the best 'bully ball' in her aggressive drives to the basket during both Thursday and Friday. The Cosby Titans have a plentiful amount of talent that makes them a force in Chesterfield County. Still, sometimes the best offense seemed to just center on letting Covington lead a fast break and using her power/body control to finish plays at the rim. I didn't see anyone get downhill at a better rate than her during the two days. She really gave TES a handful on Thursday, torching them for 28 points. Aside from her scoring, the senior wing played a big role in Cosby's team rebounding.
Kristy Hamze '20 ' TES: Hamze scored more effectively than any other 2020 prospect I had a chance to watch. Matched up against her old school, Cosby, in Thursday's semifinals, she went on a tear in the second half; scoring 14 of her 23 points. She then put up 21 points the following night. Hamze plays with an attacking mindset at all times and really makes things tough for defenses due to how well she controls the ball. While she looks best when slashing her way towards the rim, she also shot some of the best for TES, especially in the title game. Defensively, she did some of the best work in stripping opponents for steals and pushing the ball to get ahead in transition. I've watched her play three times now and see some high-major potential in the junior Titan. Hamze joined her teammates, Chapman and Burgos, on the All-Tournament team.
Gates Fox '23 ' Steward: The eighth-grader played some BIG minutes for the Spartans in the 7th place game and stood out as one of their best on-ball defenders. I was shocked to discover Fox's age' she played such a poised game and hasn't even scratched the surface yet of how she can truly develop as a player. With her pestering defensive approach and comfort in shooting along the baseline, I feel she can develop into a valuable '3&D' player if she continues to expand her shooting range. At times, she brought the ball up the court, so I'm wondering if she's also working to become more of a lead guard. Regardless, Fox already has some promise; she does several things that coaches can't teach. A young player that I'm sure members in the area will start hearing more of very soon.
Make sure to check out my Boys TDIT recap as well!