Communicating confidence despite loss against Ohio Dominican

By Danielle Cherry

The importance of defense has been drilled into the Cedarville women’s basketball team’s minds throughout their season. Despite putting Ohio Dominican through the ringer on the offensive side of the ball, on January 23, the Jackets lost to the Panthers’ speed and grit by a score of 84-56.

To start the first, the Panthers led by six points, and conversely, the Jackets couldn’t get a shot to fall. Finally relief came. Whisking to the basket, Chloe Downing sealed the first point of the contest for the Jackets. 

Cedarville made an effort to defend their basket at all cost, taking personal fouls left and right. Extending their defense across the court, the team executed a full court press, baffling the Panthers and causing them to lob a pass in a last ditch effort. 

“We did a really good job in the first half keeping our composure and letting our runs match theirs,” Coach Addy Miller said. “We went on a run to end the second, energy was good, effort was good and I felt like we were building.” 

Unfortunately their offense soon fell short. 

Ohio Dominican came out strong, determined and crisp. Cedarville, by comparison, looked like they were running in stop motion. The women focused on their strength, passing for the perfect shot, but those chances were few and far between, leading to a 23% shooting percentage for the Jackets. 

To switch up their play, the Jackets adapted swiftly to Coach Miller’s changes. Communicating seamlessly across the court, amidst the cheers and chants, they were able to understand each other and their coaches. 

“At the beginning, the zone mixed up the flow of the game, and then I felt they got in a rhythm against the zone, we fell back into man,” Miller said. 

Mya Bourget dazzled the court, orchestrating every foul she received. Each tight situation was followed by a ball flying through the air, missing, but on purpose. She continued this intentionality at the line, where she shot 100%. 

After the half, the team came out hot. They were making shots, and the Jackets jumped up ten points before the five minute mark. Cedarville was matching the Panthers pace and buckets. A three from Ohio Dominican, quickly followed by a shot downtown from Downing had the Jackets cheering wildly. 

Regan Hubert owned the game, racking up 11 points for her team. She proudly pointed toward the three point line, indicating her attempt at a shot outside the arc. Soaring through the air the ball landed at its mark, a perfect basket, her proud smile beaming for all to see.

But then it all shifted. Energy dropped while the Panthers continued their climb. Cedarville couldn’t buy a bucket, and they trudged back and forth, despair written on their faces. Only four shots were made in the final quarter, while Ohio Dominican shot 74%, their highest of the game.

“The energy in the third seemed different, almost like a nervousness,” Miller said. “We were trying to get the confidence back.”

Through a game of ups and downs, the Jackets held their heads high, not succumbing to the point differential. But still, the women lost by 28. Cedarville showed what it means to play as a team, continuing to work hard through a game where all seemed a loss. 

On January 30, the Jackets have an opportunity to show their skill as they face Hillsdale. The team has grown exponentially from their first game to the mid-season mark, and they are only getting better.

“This group is so close and they truly want to do it for one another and we just gotta keep working,” Miller said.

Danielle Cherry is a freshman Communications major and writer for Cedars A&E and Sports. She is a Missionary Kid from Germany and loves a good cup of coffee.

Photo by Logan Howard