DARLINGTON - For teams with polar opposite win-loss records, Darlington and Argyle both learned a lot about themselves on Saturday.
Argyle (3-16) held with Darlington (16-3) through the first half of Saturday's non-conference game before the Redbirds kicked it on in the second half and won 58-35.
"We're taking a few steps forward and a few steps back," Argyle coach Sean Leary said. "We've definitely improved since December, but we still have a long ways to go."
The Redbirds, getting state votes in the Division 4 poll by the Associated Press, jumped out to a 10 point lead in the first quarter and went up 13 a minute into the second. From there, the Orioles fought their way back into the contest, minimizing turnovers, hitting clutch shots and keeping Darlington on edge.
"We have a hard time in afternoon and on Saturdays. It kind of gets us out of our routine," Darlington coach Mike Chambers said. "You try to light the fire and you try to challenge them, but sometimes they just have to go through that in order to get their fire going. We didn't come out with that fire that we needed, but my hat's off to Argyle. They have a nice team and put us under a lot of pressure."
Danielle Treuthardt hit three, 3-pointers and scored 11 of her team-high 13 points in the first half. In the second half, the Redbirds shut down Argyle's hottest shooter.
"(Darlington) went box-and-1 in the second half. We tried to play 4-on-4 and get her some looks when we could," Leary said. "When they slowed her down in the second half, it took the wind out of our sails."
Darlington's defense dominated the boards and continually held Argyle to just one shot per possession. Offensively, Cassidy Chambers started taking over, scoring 10 of her 16 points in the half. Chambers connected on two 3s in the third as the Redbirds broke the game wide open.
"The third quarter has been our Achilles heal for the last few weeks. That's one area that we've got to improve. We've got to come out of the half with a quicker start," Leary said.
The Redbirds, who led just 25-20 at the half, outscored Argyle 17-4 through the first six minutes of the third quarter. The outburst put Darlington on top 42-24.
One of the reasons for the difference in points could be Argyle's lack of depth. The Orioles used just seven players in more than a quarter in the game while the Redbirds used all 12 girls on their roster. Elizabeth Mathias scored 13 points and 10 total Darlington players scored.
"We had 10 girls score. We tell the girls that when they go in they're not just going in to take up space. They are going in to play the game of basketball," Mike Chambers said.
By substituting players in efficient rotations much like in hockey, Darlington was able to keep its team fresh and allowed the mix of starters and bench players to work on the offense and defense together.
"(Depth) has been the difference maker for us this year. Whether it's foul trouble or girls getting tired or what it might be, I'm not worried about putting other girls in. We keep our rotation going because I have a lot of confidence in all of those girls," Mike Chambers said. "Argyle's just missing a few bodies. If they had a few more bodies to rotate in there they'd have a lot more wins than they have right now."
The Redbirds (10-1 SWAL) will hit the hardwood on Tuesday at Fennimore (17-2, 10-1). The winner will be in the driver seat for the conference title. Defending state champion Cuba City (12-7, 9-2) and Southwestern (10-8, 4-7) are also on Darlington's remaining schedule.
"You never know if you're ready for the tournament, but that's what we're challenging them with right now," Mike Chambers said. "Our season has to start again now. A conference title is on the line Tuesday and everybody knows about Cuba City. We're about as ready as anybody, but I'd still like to see us be able to take that next step."
Argyle (0-9 Six Rivers East) travels to Albany (10-8, 4-6) on Thursday.
Argyle (3-16) held with Darlington (16-3) through the first half of Saturday's non-conference game before the Redbirds kicked it on in the second half and won 58-35.
"We're taking a few steps forward and a few steps back," Argyle coach Sean Leary said. "We've definitely improved since December, but we still have a long ways to go."
The Redbirds, getting state votes in the Division 4 poll by the Associated Press, jumped out to a 10 point lead in the first quarter and went up 13 a minute into the second. From there, the Orioles fought their way back into the contest, minimizing turnovers, hitting clutch shots and keeping Darlington on edge.
"We have a hard time in afternoon and on Saturdays. It kind of gets us out of our routine," Darlington coach Mike Chambers said. "You try to light the fire and you try to challenge them, but sometimes they just have to go through that in order to get their fire going. We didn't come out with that fire that we needed, but my hat's off to Argyle. They have a nice team and put us under a lot of pressure."
Danielle Treuthardt hit three, 3-pointers and scored 11 of her team-high 13 points in the first half. In the second half, the Redbirds shut down Argyle's hottest shooter.
"(Darlington) went box-and-1 in the second half. We tried to play 4-on-4 and get her some looks when we could," Leary said. "When they slowed her down in the second half, it took the wind out of our sails."
Darlington's defense dominated the boards and continually held Argyle to just one shot per possession. Offensively, Cassidy Chambers started taking over, scoring 10 of her 16 points in the half. Chambers connected on two 3s in the third as the Redbirds broke the game wide open.
"The third quarter has been our Achilles heal for the last few weeks. That's one area that we've got to improve. We've got to come out of the half with a quicker start," Leary said.
The Redbirds, who led just 25-20 at the half, outscored Argyle 17-4 through the first six minutes of the third quarter. The outburst put Darlington on top 42-24.
One of the reasons for the difference in points could be Argyle's lack of depth. The Orioles used just seven players in more than a quarter in the game while the Redbirds used all 12 girls on their roster. Elizabeth Mathias scored 13 points and 10 total Darlington players scored.
"We had 10 girls score. We tell the girls that when they go in they're not just going in to take up space. They are going in to play the game of basketball," Mike Chambers said.
By substituting players in efficient rotations much like in hockey, Darlington was able to keep its team fresh and allowed the mix of starters and bench players to work on the offense and defense together.
"(Depth) has been the difference maker for us this year. Whether it's foul trouble or girls getting tired or what it might be, I'm not worried about putting other girls in. We keep our rotation going because I have a lot of confidence in all of those girls," Mike Chambers said. "Argyle's just missing a few bodies. If they had a few more bodies to rotate in there they'd have a lot more wins than they have right now."
The Redbirds (10-1 SWAL) will hit the hardwood on Tuesday at Fennimore (17-2, 10-1). The winner will be in the driver seat for the conference title. Defending state champion Cuba City (12-7, 9-2) and Southwestern (10-8, 4-7) are also on Darlington's remaining schedule.
"You never know if you're ready for the tournament, but that's what we're challenging them with right now," Mike Chambers said. "Our season has to start again now. A conference title is on the line Tuesday and everybody knows about Cuba City. We're about as ready as anybody, but I'd still like to see us be able to take that next step."
Argyle (0-9 Six Rivers East) travels to Albany (10-8, 4-6) on Thursday.
