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“Hey sis! You’re not really gonna play basketball are you? Don’t you know that it’s a man's game?”Not anymore, buster.Among the most popular beliefs entertained by males is the inane notion that girls are awkward, gauche, webb-footed participants in athletics.While that may be true in some cases men who project such an ill-conceived notion as the ideal description of women athletes are simply being obstinate Or stupidIt’s been a long time coming, but girls' basketball has shed its second-rate status and appears ready to assume the position most female stars believe it should have attained years ago.And if one person could be credited with the responsibility for that affluence in the Hamilton area, the accolades would have to go to Taft Coach Pat Sword. With a little help, women’s basketball could gain prominence locally sooner than everyone thinks.In the past six seasons, the Taft varsity has fallen only six times, and the Tiger reserves have captured 62 of their last 63 decisions. And the varsity’s record would be even more luminous if it weren’t for the presence of a newcomer on the block — Fairfield.The Indians surprised Taft by two points early this season, the only blemish on an otherwise perfect Tigrette record. The rematch, which will probably decide the Greater Miami Conference championship, arrives at Taft Thursday.“I can’t take anything away from Fairfield,” said Sword. “But we missed all 12 of our free throw attempts in the second half that day. Six of those were bonus situations, and we lost by two points. Against Middletown, on the other hand, we hit 17 of 24 and won by two points. This game is just tike the guys game.Debby Lanier, in her second season at Fairfield mentor’ deserves much of the credit for the Indians’ sudden rise in women’s cage circles. Fairfield last won the GMC title in 1971, and hadn’t beaten the Tigrettes in five years. A perfect 4-0 league mark has made both accomplishments possible in 1975.The Indians, like the Tigrettes. have lost one game, which proves only that the girls’ game adheres to the same axioms that are projected for male athletics. As in male competition, the game is won the floor.A much greater disparity exists between the best and the worst in women’s basketball, but only because the most talented females perform with much of the form and fluidity of their male counterparts, while the worst play like, well, girls.But although the game possesses a peculiar charm all its own. it’s still basketball, and neither the Fairfield nor the Taft team displays a knack for making ridiculous mistakes. Although many teams perform with part-time players and play for fun, Taft and Fairfield are well-drilled, experienced and serious.As in men’s basketball, success usually comes to players who have spent years refining their talents, and both team rosters are replete with athletes who fall in that category.“We’re more experienced this year,” said Lanier, explaining her team’s improvement in 1974-75. “I think we’re playing together a little better because of it.”Sword also traced the Indians' success splurge to the experience of the Fairfield player*.“Fairfield has had some of its players for four years,” said the Taft coach. “That makes a big difference. Debby’s a smart coach, she’s young and has a good rapport with her players. That helps a lot too.”As at Fairfield, seven of the nine Taft players have participated in the Tigrette program since entering nigh school Of the two who haven’t, one is a soiphomore while the other is a first year player. Male coaches would sell their soul for a similar situation.Entering last season, the Tiger varsity had a 29-game winning streak, while the reserves had won 59 straight. Both streaks ended before the season was concluded, but defeating Taft is still a big deal. Ask anyone at Fairfield.“You’re darn right that a was a big win,” said I^anier. “We beat them in a tremendous game. But don’t get the wrong impression. All of our games are big to us. We want to win every time we play.”Beating the Tigrettes at Taft is no easy feat, but the Indians have a 4-0 GMC record to protect. Taft, on the other hand, will be guarding a home winning streak that dates back to 1969.Thursday’s game is ponderous, to be sure, but winning isn’t everything. Indeed, maybe there is a difference between women’s and men’s athletics.“Winning is important.” said Lanier. “But my girls’ are ladies First, athletes second. That’s the way it has to be.”
Newspaper Details
Hamilton Journal News
Hamilton, Ohio, US
Sun, Feb 02, 1975
Page 23
Full Page
Clipped by
Lane P.
OH, USA 12 Aug 2018
Other Publications Near Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton Evening Democrat
Hamilton Daily Democrat
Hamilton Weekly Hamilton Telegraph
Daily Telegraph
Hamilton Guidon
