By MIKE BEACOM
of The Gazette
Basketball is a game of goals, both figuratively and literally. The SPASH girl's team has met the challenge of several goals they've focused on since the group convened for practice last November.
Now, standing in the way of achieving their goal of a state tournament berth are two sectional games this weekend against respectable programs.
Should the 22-0 Panthers defeat Oshkosh North tonight in Menasha, they would still need to beat the winner of the Plymouth-Fond du Lac game in the sectional final. Each of the three teams enter the weekend with a 15-7 record.
"We realize we have to win two tough games to reach our goal. So we have thought about Plymouth and Fond du Lac," said SPASH head coach Kraig Terpstra. "But our main thoughts are with North and winning our game (tonight)."
The Panthers current predicament is a difficult one and their path to it hasn't been an easy one either. After concluding their regular season untarnished, the only undefeated season in program history, the squad battled through Manitowoc and Oshkosh West in their regional to set up the showdown with the Spartans.
North, who advanced to sectionals with a one-point win over Neenah, brings some size and momentum into the contest.
"They didn't have the early season success they wanted, but they've gained confidence as of late," said Terpstra. "I think they match up very well against us. They have a good starting five."
One area Terpstra does not expect anything to come easy is in the paint where his superstar senior Janel McCarville looms. The Spartans, much like West, have a solid post player and will look to neutralize the Panthers' career scoring leader.
As a result, others from the Terpstra lineup will have to step up on offense. This is nothing new to the team, which found support in Rachel Kreuser and outside-threat Michelle Rosicky against Manitowoc and Kara Kujawa against West.
"Bottom line, if we play well, defend and execute offensively, we feel we can handle them," said Terpstra.
On the bottom end of the bracket, what remains of a Fond du Lac team that reached the state semifinals last year has cruised through their first two post season wins by margins of more than 20 points each game. Plymouth has also won convincingly, beating Sheboygan North and West Bend West.
No matter who his squad faces, Terpstra is sold on his players' hearts and attitudes and believes they will leave everything they have on the floor.
"We're going to play passionately this weekend with a purpose in mind. I know, regardless of the outcome, they're going to scrap and fight and claw to win.
"I'm very proud of the kids. They've had a goal to make the state tournament. They've done everything they could to give themselves an opportunity to reach that goal. Now it's their determination, their intensity, their desire to reach for the prize," said Terpstra.