AUGUSTA — Things didn’t turn out the way Richmond High School girls basketball coach Molly Bishop had hoped prior to Saturday’s State Class D title game at the Augusta Civic Center.
For the second consecutive season, the Bobcats fell to Eastern D champ Washburn, this time 60-35.
But, there was little gloom and few sad faces, with several big smiles coming out of Locker Room No. 1 in Augusta, the ninth time the Bobcats have dressed there in three years.
Yes, getting the runner-up plaque, quite frankly, stinks. No one wants to finish second, and the proud lady athletes at Richmond expect to be the champs in every sport, regardless of the season. That is just the way it is.
However, a 19-2 record and backto back Western Maine Class D championships are nothing to sneeze at, and Bishop was quick to point out the way she felt about the 2011/12 edition of Richmond Bobcats girls basketball.
“It was a phenomenal season for the kids. Where else do you want to end up?” said Bishop, who was wearing a Forest Hills orange hat as the Western D boys champs prepared for their State D title game against Jonesport-Beals, totally clashing with her gray pants suit. “We had two big challenges with Rangeley, and our goal was to get to them in the postseason. We did and we came out on top.
“You can’t ask for a better, hardworking group of girls. I am proud of each of them.”
The players each had different emotions. Senior Danica Hurley, sitting on the bench as the time wound down, with teammate and friend Jamie Plummer giving her a big hug amidst huge smiles; Alyssa Pearson, momentarily shedding a tear when Bishop gave her a hug during the award ceremony; and Noell Acord, proudly discussing how much fun she continues to have as a Richmond athlete.
“I have been on teams here that have been the number- one seed every time, so I honestly couldn’t be happier to have gotten here, and I am proud of everybody on this team,” said the junior three-sport athlete who helped her soccer team to a Class D title in the fall. “Yes, it sucks to not win the title, but we did so well this year and I don’t have too much to be upset with.”
“We had a good season and a good run,” said Pearson. “ We accomplished our goals to get back here, and maybe we will do it again next year and see Washburn again. We’ll be right back here.”
Thinking of that possible rematch with Washburn Pearson hinted to, it is not a far-flung suggestion.
The two-time champs lose … NOBODY! That’s right, all the members of the team that averaged nearly 70 points a game are slated to return, making the Beavers the favorites to return to the Class D title game in 2013.
“We would like to think that we will reload,” said Washburn coach Michael Carlos, who told a story about the day he took over the Beavers’ program. “On a sign coming into town, it said, ‘Home of Six State Champions.’ So what do you think they want? The town has high expectations.
“Now it says seven, and when we get back home, it will say eight. Our chances are good next year, but you always have to worry about Van Buren.”
And, how about Richmond? Yes, Bishop will need someone to take over Hurley’s ball-handling responsibilities.
“Brianna (Snedeker) and I will have to step up a lot during the summer because it will be our role next year to get the ball up the court,” predicted Acord.
Plus, there is the pesky Rangeley Lakers, a team that gave the Bobcats two close contests during the regular season before falling 46-33 in the Western D final.
But, that is a long time from now. The Bobcats have softball to get ready for.
By the way, Richmond is the twotime defending Western D champs in that sport as well, so check back in June to see if the Bobcats are once again heading to a title game.
Don’t bet against it!
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