Out with a bang — and a lead of 25 points.
Those were the facts at the finale as the Spartans clinched a win in the last home game of the regular season Wednesday, a 52-27 Senior Night victory for the Bainbridge High varsity girls basketball team against the visitors from Ingraham.
“It was wonderful,” said Bainbridge Head Coach Henry Guterson. “The seniors all played well; it was a nice night for them.”
It was, however, a bittersweet night, as even while the team celebrated a crucial late-season win, a most talented trio of Spartans were nearing the end of the their time on the court. It was, the coach said, in the back of everyone’s mind.
Rather than tear, though, most opted to cheer.
“Good energy in the gym,” he said. “A lot of fans and parents and supporters here. A nice feel to our Senior Night for sure.”
The team’s three seniors — Olivia Ditmore, co-captain Morgan Lassoff and Amy Bourmatnov — were recognized, a trifecta which, Guterson said, had done much for the camaraderie and overall personality of the squad.
“It’s just their attitudes,” Guterson said of the seniors. “They always put the team first and they’re just warm and inclusive and it’s not just words for them. They really act on that kind of team-first attitude.
“There’s nothing negative from them,” he added. “There’s no ego. They’re just a part of the team and they embrace their roles and they do a really good job at what they do.”
And what they did Wednesday was steer the team to a decisive win.
Against Ingraham, Bainbridge scored first, jumped ahead early and stayed in the lead throughout the contest, keeping a steady level of energy and engagement up all along the way.
“We’re making shots, moving the ball well and shooting with confidence,” Guterson said. “We had really good energy the whole game. Just good effort, good mojo.”
After an initial run of points, BHS led 7-0 with about 3:30 left in the first quarter.
By the start of the second, they were up 15-2.
The Spartans comfortably outpaced the Rams in the second, leading 32-6 with two minutes left in the half, and sitting pretty at 32-6 by the buzzer.
Ingraham rallied a bit in the third, but proved unable to surmount the Spartan lead — or keep pace with the island offense.
It was the Spartans’ fourth straight win, and it upped their overall season record to 11-8 (8-6 in conference). They are ranked third in the Metro standings, with one final game to play: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, on the road against Eastside Catholic.
As scores from the Wednesday and Friday night games are recorded and finalized, Guterson said, a clearer picture of the Spartans’ postseason schedule will firm up — but he was already optimistic.
“We’re in the eighth seed now,” Guterson said Wednesday. “At the very least I think we’ll be in eighth seed and have a home game Tuesday.”
