After hitting a key basket and two free throws, and getting an assist on a 3-pointer by teammate Brittany Bowen, Megan Schaaf took an elbow to the mouth. The MH sophomore settled herself here, regained her composure and channeled her emotions to the task at hand in helping Mount Hebron to a key win.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: MEGAN SCHAAF
Evoking memories of John
Havlicek (who’s that, the current generation asked?) and other noted “sixth
men,” this week’s Female Athlete of the Week was the epitome of that player providing
a spark off the bench.
Mount Hebron’s Megan Schaaf did just that – and did it on the big stage – as she
helped her team win two games at UMBC in the state 2A Final Four. With those
wins, Hebron finished a perfect dream season, finishing 28-0 and
winning the state championship.
On Wednesday in the
semi-final game, Schaaf entered the game midway through the first quarter and
led the Vikings on a 13-0 run that turned out to be the difference in the game,
as Winters Mill and Hebron tied in the second quarter, and Winters Mill won the
final two quarters.
The sophomore forward
finished with 10 points and seven rebounds in the 54-53 win, and went 4-4 from
the free throw line ... and she did so in just 13 minutes of play because of
foul trouble.
In Saturday’s championship
game against Poly, Schaaf stayed out of foul trouble and was able to play 26
minutes. She had a double-double and was the game’s high scorer with 16 points
and high rebounder with 10. And she was perfect from the line again, going 6-6.
Schaaf entered the state
tournament averaging 7.6 points per game. She stepped up her production in a
big way in those final two outings. She led the Vikings in both points (26) and
rebounds (17) in the two games combined, almost doubling her season scoring
average. And, with free throws so crucial during play-off time, Schaaf was
perfect from the line, going 10-10.
Schaaf immediately
acknowledged the efforts of her teammates before her own. Coach Scott
Robinson’s team was balanced and team-oriented in the play-offs, just as it had
been all season. Numerous players made key contributions at key times. Deanna
Dydynski provided senior leadership and points (21) and the big steal and free
throws at the end of the Winters Mill game.
Junior Brittany Bowen also
provided points (21) and key plays. Senior Qiana Coleman was second behind
Schaaf in points (22) and played her usual solid defense on the opposing team’s
top scorer. Sophomore Aja Walpher was her usual steady, unflappable self,
handling the point responsibilities, playing all 32 minutes in both games and
adding offense as well (14). Monica Zabel and Kathleen Stafford added key
minutes, playing their roles well.
But it was Schaaf, within
the context of team play, who provided the biggest spark for Robinson and team
in the two games combined, leading the Vikings in both points (26) and rebounds
(17). For her outstanding play, Megan Schaaf is this week’s DigitalSports
Female Athlete of the Week.
A number of other basketball
players were considered for this week’s award.
Others Considered: Elie Snyder (Atholton); Taylor Chapman (Atholton); Cassie Cooke (Winters Mill); Deanna Dydynski (Mount Hebron); Aja Walpher (Mount Hebron); Ashley Davis (Arundel); Shenika Johnson (Poly); Breonna Brewer (Poly).