Gutsy Severna Park Girls Basketball Finding Winning Formula

Severna Park girls basketball is proving to be one of the more versatile teams in Maryland. The Falcons have not started the same starting lineup in any of their 13 games. This is a result of the team returning just four players who played significant minutes for Severna Park last season.

For head coach Lisa Magness, that can only be viewed as a positive.

"It has allowed the younger players to mature more quickly, and for the older players to become better leaders," Magness said.

The strategy is working. The Falcons are 8-5 so far this season and are in a good run of form, having won four of their last five games. Each of those four wins came against Anne Arundel County opposition.

While the team is taller and faster than other teams Magness has had in the past, its their intangibles that make this group unique to her. The team has excellent chemistry and a never say die attitude which keeps every game competitive.

Magness believes these qualities were best shown in overtime losses to Arundel and Severn early in the season. In the Arundel game, the Falcons made a late surge to tie the score after scoring just 12 points in the first half. Just like the Arundel game, against Severn the Falcons trailed late in regulation but fought back to tie it. The team also trailed in the first overtime, but once again refused to quit and force a second overtime.

"Those two games have shown me how much heart and passion this team has to win and play hard to the final whistle," Magness said. "No matter the circumstances, they just won't give up."

Four year starter Erin Carroll has been the team's leader this season. She's averaging 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds 3.8 steals and 3.3 assists per game, leading the team in all four categories. Carroll is also closing in on a big career milestone- 500 rebounds. Currently with 496, she needs just four more to hit the mark.

Severna Park's leader down low has been Caroline Duffy. Duffy, a junior and two year varsity player, ranks second on the team in both points (10.6) and rebounds (5.5). Senior Kiley Golden has also been a consistent contributor this year, averaging 8.7 points and five rebounds per game.

Carroll, Duffy and Golden are all going to need to play well as the season continues because the schedule isn't getting any easier for the Falcons. Severna Park has a lot of big games coming up, including a rematch with Arundel. The team is also facing a big rival, Broadneck, as well as Anne Arundel County's top team at the moment, Old Mill.

Magness is confident that her group will do what it takes to keep succeeding.

"This is a very unselfish team. Each player is willing to do their part to make a run far into the playoffs," Magness said. "We preach to practice and play every day like it is your last, and you will have no regrets."