It’s hard to gauge a team’s composure in practice, but Reservoir girls basketball coach Deb Taylor learned a lot about that characteristic of her team Monday night hosting Howard.
The Gators have a balance of veterans and youth on the roster. They start two experienced seniors in guard Alissa Young and forward Jasmin Shelton but also have a pair of freshman forwards, Sam Feher and Blythe Pietyrka in their seven-player rotation.
Gators both young and old showcased their poise in the 48-38 victory. Young fended off relentless defensive pressure and knocked down critical free throws late to finish off a team-high 17-point performance. Meanwhile, Feher provided a spark off the bench with eight of her 13 points in Reservoir’s dominant third quarter that changed the tide of the game.
“I feel like I’m getting better at keeping my composure because my teammates are building me up,” Feher said. “I feel like I’m playing for them and with them. With the people being older than me, I try to live up to their level.”
Down by four at halftime, Reservoir (2-0) started the second half fast, scoring on a perfectly executed designed play for Shelton. Reservoir also switched from a 2-3 zone defense to a box-and-1, hoping to limit Howard’s standout freshman guard Kelsey Wimmer, who had 15 first-half points. It worked as the Lions were held to just five third-quarter points, including none for six-and-a-half minutes.
“I thought they executed phenomenally because we’ve never practiced the box-and-1,” Taylor said. “It worked really well. We’re typically a man defense team, but Howard moves so fast and well in a man offense that I thought we would lose their shooters. I’m pretty pleased with how we executed both defenses and how we boxed out of it.”
While the defense was stifling, the offense was equally as efficient. Feher meandered around Howard’s post defense for multiple baskets, guiding the Gators to an eight-point lead after three quarters.
“Their grit is pretty impressive to me,” Young said of the freshmen. “They came in wanting the ball. They came in hungry to win. I love someone who is ambitious and always wanting to win, because that’s the expectations we have for this team. I appreciate that they have the same level of determination as the veterans and it’s amazing to guide them through the whole process.”
Facing a deficit, Howard ratcheted up the defensive intensity to start the fourth. The Lions (1-1) brought consistent backcourt traps and pestered Reservoir’s guards each time they touched the ball. However, their offense still struggled to generate baskets with just three fourth-quarter field goals.
“We had shots and they just didn’t fall,” Howard coach Scott Robinson said. “I was proud of the effort of the girls. We fought until the end. They’ve got two experienced seniors that took over late and really helped them.”
Monday’s game offered another early season litmus test for the Gators. Reservoir has begun the season with a challenging schedule, beating Centennial and Howard before facing Oakland Mills on Wednesday. Through those challenges, the Gators’ consistent composure has exceeded what Taylor expected in early December given the roster turnover.
However, Reservoir knows it needs to maintain that level to generate consistent success.
“In our huddles we like to say, ‘Stab and twist, keep applying the pressure,’” Young said. “I think that’s the most important part. Regardless of who we face, whatever level they’re at, just continuing to give our best effort. Never go down to our competition and to always play at a level as high as we can possibly play.”
Reservoir– 8 14 17 9- 48
Howard– 7 19 5 7- 38
Re: Alissa Young 17, Sam Feher 13, Leah Lauer 9, Jasmin Shelton 5, Chloe Nguena 3, Blythe Pietyrka 1.
Ho: Kelsey Wimmer 18, Abbey Ward 6, Kadirah Carroll 5, Charlotte Mager 4, Kelsey Campbell 2, Paige Watson 2, Brynn Bartlett 1.
Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Steinberg at [email protected], 443-442-9445 and x.com/jacobstein23.
