Because Northeast Community Center didn't have enough girls to field more than one team, the girl's team included Mona Dycuss and Pam Morman(???), two younger girls who should have been on a 13 and under squad. Because of earlier growth spurts among girls at that age, they could have competed on the boys' team 13 and under team, but I couldn't convince them to do that to get more playing time. Mona and Pam were pretty decent players for their age, but there was such a size disparity between them and the older girls that their opportunities would be limited.
not picture: Larrisa Brinkley
Being my first-time coaching girls, I was also a little uncomfortable putting grade-school girls with high school girls because, in truth, some of the older girls on the team tried to portray themselves as a little on the 'fast' side. As it turned out, they weren't displaying more than a 'front.' Sometimes, I think it was just their way of making fun of the coach whom they saw as a little 'square.'
The compromise I reached with Mona and Pam was that they could be on the girl's team with the understanding that even though I couldn't guarantee them playing time, I would still expect them to work as hard as the other girls in practice. To their credit, outside of an occasional pouting, they worked as hard as could be expected.
It was hard to find games for the girl's team because few community centers fielded teams at all, let alone in the same age bracket.
One thing that became immediately apparent was that the girls were much more anxious to practice and were very receptive to coaching. It was evident that this came from an appreciation of getting any gym time at all. Any community centers with a so-called 'girl’s night' usually limited it to one night a week. It was also apparent that many girls, especially inner-city girls, that had any demonstrated ability got it from playing pick-up games with boys in the driveway or back yard. But as they got older, they could seldom work their way into similar games in the park where the players were more physical, numerous, and older. Because youth leagues for girls were rare, they usually found the experience of being coached a welcomed change.
We had managed a few games with mixed results. We had three girls that were 5'10 [Kim Holiday (Tech H.S.), Rochelle' Rocky' Benedict, and Michelle 'Micky' Benedict (twins from Howe H.S.)], so we tended to control the boards and play aggressive defense. The energy level was high, and everyone contributed when given a chance.
By the time the Parks Department City Tournament rolled around, the team had jelled pretty well, finishing in second place. Like both boy's teams, the girl's team might have won the championship if I hadn't had to coach all three games back-to-back, with only ten minutes between games.
I don't say this as a testament to any basketball genius on my part but about game preparation. With trying to keep track of 30 kids, ages 12 thru 18, during and between games, submitting lineups, etc., there was no time to review strategies or anything. The hectic atmosphere had to be distracting to some of the players as much as it was for me.
From that team, Kim Golliday and Rochelle Benedict would make their High School Team the following school year.
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