3/5/2011 - Great Run For High Point Girls
As the ball left Nikki Hull’s hands it looked good.
It had the right arc and look of a ball that was ticketed for the bottom of the basket as time was expiring in what was an epic battle between High Point and Ramapo.
Just as the ball entered the cylinder, it clanged off both sides of the rim, before bouncing out and ending the most memorable season in High Point history.
Yes, the Wildcats fell to Ramapo in overtime 41-39 in a classic North 1, Group 3 section semifinal capping a near-perfect 27-1 season. But the memories of this season will far outlast the heartache of the gut-wrenching defeat.
In fact, senior co-captain Taylor Smith, as eloquent of a spokesperson I have encountered in my many years in the business, said as much after the game.
Yes, the Wildcats wanted to keep their dream season alive but they accomplished much more than what was expected of them and they did it with class and style, all of which was a direct reflection of their coach Chris Dexter.
Dexter has brought the High Point program to new heights in his tenure and has joined the legend, Fred Geffken of Sparta, and fellow Hall-of-Famer Jim O’Connor of Jefferson, as one the top girls hoops coaches in the area.
But this great season was not predicted by many, including this “basketball expert” who felt that Jefferson and possibly Vernon would be the teams to beat in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference American Division.
The Wildcats had graduated a great senior class, including the Donadio sisters, and would be counting on a young group of juniors and sophomores to aid Smith and the Wildcats’ resident star, center Leanna Tallamy.
Tallamy made a big splash as a freshman and was a three-year starter coming into this season and was the Mugs Media Co-Player of the Year with Ashley Napovier of Wallkill Valley in 2010.
But this was the first year the Wildcats would be looking to her to be the No. 1 option. How would the quiet, but very determined Tallamy respond to that challenge?
Well, I guess everyone knows the answer to that question. She went out and had a monster year scoring close to 20 points per-game and hauling in 10 boards a night, while playing great defense.
She capped her career as the school’s second all-time leading scorer with 1,429 points, second only to the great Cori Harrington, High Point’s best player of all time in my opinion.
But the Wildcats were far from a one-person show. The Wildcats depth, understanding of Dexter’s program and mental toughness paved the way to a perfect American Division record and the team’s first Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex championship and fifth county title under Dexter.
The Wildcats were a well-oiled machine with Tallamy in the post terrorizing opponents on the boards and by showing the grace of a thoroughbred running the break. Nikki Hull and Darby Smith showed great poise with the ball and had the uncanny knack for hitting big shots, while playing terrific ball defense.
Taylor Smith was the most versatile Wildcat as she could shoot, handle and work the boards. Whatever needed to be done to get the “W” Smith would do.
Then there was Steph Peterson, an unsung hero if there ever was one. She was brilliant in the Wildcats’ 49-38 win over North Hunterdon in the H/W/S final and provided the Wildcats a great effort every night.
And speaking of effort and hustle, it seemed like every time High Point needed a big stop or a rebound Amber Reilly or Emily Umbach were there to supply it. The duo was terrific, especially when Tallamy was in foul trouble and strapped to the bench. They always found a way to hold the fort.
Brianne Woop was also a key contributor off the bench with her great defense, while sharpshooter Kirsty Gartner delivered daggers to Jefferson in the form of 3-pointers in the Wildcats’ two big wins over their closest rivals.
Senior Erica Quinn played her role to perfection and was a good leader, while Summer Barnes, Megan O’Leary and late-season call-up Lanae Tallamy all contributed to the squad’s success.
If you watched the Wildcats play you could tell they just loved playing basketball and with each other. There were no public displays of ego, which is very rare these days, especially from a team comprised of bench players who probably would have started on many other teams in the area.
The way they talked on defense was a sight to behold. High Point’s man was as good as anyone in the state. Only one team, Sparta back in December, scored more than 50- points against the Wildcats this season. Incredible.
The defensive effort against North Hunterdon, one of the top programs in the state and the defending Group 4 champs, was mesmerizing. Every shot, every pass every thing, was contested.
The Wildcats never let their lofty record get to them, either. As the wins and the statewide recognition started to pile up, they kept their cool and took no one for granted and always found a way to win.
That is easy to do when you bring the defensive heat every night like the Wildcats did.
And this was all orchestrated by Dexter, the High Point alum who learned at the knee of Charlie Kier and was a starting guard on the High Point boys’ last championship team in 1995.
Dexter has always been a winner on the basketball and the tennis courts where he played tennis at Robert Morris University after a stellar career at High Point. I had the pleasure of covering Chris as a player and as a coach and it has been an absolute joy watching him develop.
I can’t say I’m surprised. Even as a high school kid he was mature and wise beyond his years.
Also, Dexter will be the first one to tell you, he hasn’t done it on his own. He has great assistants in his wife Lauren, former player Aimee Stormes, who led the junior varsity to a 22-0 record, and freshman coach Chris Dugan, the hardest working scout in the area.
Then there are the feeder programs, the genesis of any program’s success. The High Point feeder programs are outstanding and have supplied Dexter with polished players.
The High Point girls’ basketball community is second to none when it comes to supporting the program. Every game the Junior Wildcats are there in full force as they dream of donning the High Point Garnet and Silver.
Who says High Point is just a wrestling school?
The Wildcats were a perfect mixture of talent and coaching and the proof was in the pudding.
I will have a lot of fond memories of this group. From their opening night win over Jefferson, to Taylor Smith organizing the Pretty in Pink Classic, to their win over North Hunterdon. It was a great ride, gang, and thanks for letting us come on board.
And like Taylor Smith said, everyone will remember this season for how great it was, not the last game. But it is just too bad that Hull’s shot didn’t have just one more bounce left in it.
That’ it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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