The Vero Beach High girls basketball team closed out the 2015-16 regular season with a near-perfect 19-1 record, and that meant there was absolutely no reason to make any adjustments going into the District 8-8A postseason tournament at Centennial High last week.
“We always tell the girls that we are what we are,” head coach Rahshard Morgan said before the district playoffs started. “We can’t really change any dynamic on the team right now. I’m completely satisfied with 19-1 and how we do things as far as practice is concerned.
“It’s always a pleasure to be on the plus side of the win-loss column. We honestly didn’t expect to be 19-1 wrapping up the regular season going into the playoffs. We are truly grateful and humble and I’m excited to carry this on and see how far we can run with it.”
Nothing more needed to be said at that point. Everyone knows the second season is a different animal, and we asked the coach about the overall mood of the team.
“These are some veteran girls who have been working their tails off since last spring and through the summer. They are calm, confident and just anxious to go ahead and play some games. I don’t think nerves really bother them.
“To be honest, we have had some of our best practices of the year over the past couple of weeks. So if that’s any indication on how we will perform, I think all roads will lead to success for them.”
The Fighting Indians eliminated Centennial, 55-33, in the semis before claiming the district crown by a 10-point margin over Martin County.
The starting five, led by Yale-bound senior Megan Gorman, remained intact throughout the season. Caitlyn Smith, Kourtney Harris, Jordan Wade and Kirsten Fonchum contributed to a lineup that gave Morgan smart, consistent play from the first opening tip back in November. Some others have since stepped into the mix. “We do have a lot more depth now than we had at the beginning of the season,” Morgan said. “We are getting more action for our sixth, seventh and eighth players off the bench.
“Riley Miller has been coming in as the sixth girl all year long. Shania Noel and Cheynne Marshall have given us quality minutes over the last few weeks. We truly needed that depth. That’s not to discount anyone else on the team. They are all chomping at the bit to get as much playing time as possible.”
Gorman posted 18 double-doubles during the regular season. In the district tourney she went for 17 points and 17 rebounds vs. Centennial, and 17 and 19 vs. Martin County. In November she surpassed 1,000 career points and duplicated that feat for career rebounds a month later. But those personal milestones are in the back seat right now.
“It’s always great to have those achievements, but right now I’m focused on winning,” Gorman said. “That has been my goal all along. All of those numbers and everything that comes with that is just a result of all of us working hard and trying to get a W.
“We have worked hard all season, harder than we ever have. This is a great group of girls. Everybody is ready. We are all excited and looking to make a run.
“All of our hard work since last summer is culminating in this effort to push for a state championship. This year we know we can win the state championship. The whole team is extremely excited for the opportunity and looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“Hopefully we’ll get the trophy and bring home the championship.”
“We really stick to the basics,” Morgan said. “We have some things that we will throw out there, but nothing that is really going to drastically change our game.
“We are just anxious to go ahead and see how we stack up against the rest of the top teams in the state.”
The district title enabled VBHS (21-1) to host a regional quarterfinal game on Thursday.