Middletown Girls Basketball Team Remains Unbeaten After Win Over Central High School

The pre-game atmosphere was palpable at before the start of the girls' basketball game against Central High School Tuesday night.  The Middletown Islanders are typically laid back before the start of a game. Focused, but laid back. On Tuesday night, steely-eyed determination showed on the faces of this team from their warm-ups to the last buzzer.

Team co-captain Lauren Paiva never has a problem speaking her mind.  She can always be heard before and during a game.  On this night, Lauren along with co-captain Kirsten Perry, who brings an equally calm demeanor, helped lead their team to a very impressive win over a physical Central team to continue the Islanders' undefeated season.

Fast passes and a fired up home crowd helped Middletown jump out to an early 6-0 lead. Central responded quickly and physically, tying the game at 7 with 10 minutes to go in the first.

Loose balls were dove for on both sides.  Rebounds were at a premium throughout the night.  The Middletown bench, while never silent, was more vocal than usual. These girls knew what was at stake.  Instead, they stayed vocal, played hard, and matched Central in terms of physicality, never appearing to play desperate or undisciplined. This is a trait that's become the team's hallmark throughout their unbeaten 2010-2011 season.

Central took the lead with 9 minutes to go in the half, up 10-8, and Middletown responded like a champ.  The team rattled off 6 straight points and with 5 minutes to go in the first half, found themselves back in control, up 15-11.

Middletown was surprisingly in unfamiliar territory with 49 seconds left in the half. They were down. Central kicked it up a few notches. Showing no panic, MHS battled back and took the lead just before halftime on the strength of a running shot by Middletown junior, #11, Elizabeth Durgin.

The score at the half was close.  The Islanders were on top 22-21.

The start of the second half was a moment I am certain, looking back, will be a proud one for this team. Kirsten Perry, or "KP" as her team calls her, nailed a jump shot to give Middletown their largest lead since early in the first half, up 27-21 with 13 minutes to go in the game.

The Islanders went on a 9-2 run to start the second half and found themselves in front, comfortable for the first time. They were up 31-23 with 8:30 to play.

Middletown never looked back. Central kept it close, hitting a three-pointer with 4 minutes to play to make it a one possession game. The score was 34-31, with Middletown still in front.

Middletown sophomore Chelsea Dowler sank a jumper to give the Islanders their biggest lead of the game up to that point.  They were ahead 39-32 with less than 3 minutes to go.

Senior co-capatin Lauren Paiva fired down court with less than a minute to play in the game to seal the victory for the Islanders.  The clock ran out and the crowd, the Middletown bench, and the coaches all exhaled deeply.

The game was over. Middletown stayed undefeated. The final score was 44-36.

Central High's leading scorers on the night were Chelsea Soriano, who had 15, and Ariana Stephens, who finished with 5.

The Islanders showed great offensive distribution, with #22 Chelsea Dowler and #32 Nina Traglia, each finishing with 8 points.  Also, #44 Taylor O'Malley and #31, Kirsten Perry each ended up with 7 points a piece.

I spoke with co-captains Lauren Paiva, and Kirsten Perry following their victory and asked them both how it felt to grind out a tough win at home.

Lauren Paiva said, "It felt great. We love games like this. Games that test us. We needed a game like this."

I asked Paiva if she realized she was more vocal than usual, and if that was to help motivate or help her team stay focused. "I'm always talking. I have no problem speaking up," she responded quickly. "We (Kirsten and I) didn't need to motivate our team. They came ready to play.  We didn't have to tell them this was a big game."

Perry nodded with Paiva and added, smiling, "It's a game we knew we had to win."

Coach Mike Wyates looked elated, but understandably tired after back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday. I asked if his team's focus was a result of their own individual resolve, from the coaches, or a combination.

"It's definitely a combination.  They know what I expect from them.  We had a plan. They executed. At halftime we talk about the adjustments we need to make and they just do it. Big win."

How important is it to have two senior captains like Paiva and Perry to guide the team?

"It's so very important to have vocal leaders on a team.  Those two are exactly that," he said.

Middletown now stand at 14-0 overall on the year.  Weather permitting, they will travel to Juanita Sanchez High Jan. 27.  Tip off for that game is 6pm.

How long will the ride continue?  Will the Islanders run the table?  Check back here after Thursday's game to find out if the streak continues.

Last-minute weather cancellations, delays or postponements for high school sporting events may be viewed at the Middletown Public Schools website, www.mpsri.net.