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Wednesday, February 28, 2001
Calallen’s bench is anything but reserved
Lady ’Cats backups play critical role in playoffs
By Lee Goddard
Caller-Times

David Pellerin/Caller-Times

The reserves for the Calallen girls’ basketball team are (left to right): Becky Raabe, Kim Sanders, Jacquelyn Simmons, Erica Albert, Mari Flores, Jennifer Molina, Amy Fritch and Patricia Nelson. Not pictured is Susanna Paul.

The same ritual takes place at the beginning of each Calallen High School girls basketball game. A starter is introduced and, as she runs over to shake the opposing coach's hand, the backups for that particular player run out onto the court too.
   It's more than just symbolism. It's a form of appreciation.
   "We're a team," said starting forward Monica Pena. "We have to go out as a team. Without (the reserves), we wouldn't be here."
   "Here" is specifically the Class 4A state final four in Austin. When the Lady Wildcats' starters take the court at the Frank Erwin Center on Thursday to face Plainview, they will have those reserves to thank; without direct and indirect contributions from the bench, Calallen's season would already be finished.
   The most dramatic illustration came when the entire Calallen frontline got into foul trouble in the regional semifinal against Fredericksburg last Friday.
   Then the reserves came in and saved the game.
   Trailing by nine late in the third, a trio of reserves played key roles in rallying the Lady Wildcats to an overtime win. Senior sharpshooters Erica Albert and Jennifer Molina were outside threats, each nailing a pair of 3-pointers.
   Kim Sanders, another senior, came off the bench and, with posts Kendra Felder and Mary Montez fighting foul problems, played 16 minutes, neutralized tough post player Carissa Maner and grabbed six rebounds.
   Even Calallen coach Beverly Barker wasn't absolutely sure what to expect from her bench.
   "I always wonder when I put someone in if they're going to be ready," Barker said. "In the back of my mind, all through the playoffs, I knew Jennifer could shoot. I know Mari (Flores) can shoot. As coaches, we talked about it: If we get into a bind, we're going to put them in. It's very comforting for a coach to know that they can do what they're capable of doing."
   Interestingly, the starters didn't notice the difference, either.
   "Honestly, in the paper, talking about when Monica fouled out, Kendra fouled out, it seemed bad," said starting guard Gerilynne Setliff. "To be honest, I didn't notice. They came in and it wasn't a big deal. I didn't feel there was pressure. We have just as strong people come in. I didn't realize it until I read it in the paper: Oh, they did foul out."
   That game served as notice of what the backups can do if called upon. But many times the spotlight isn't on the bench, which includes seven seniors.
   "I think it's a big deal about getting mentally prepared," said Jacquelyn Simmons, a senior reserve forward. "You get prepared to play, but you get prepared to support your teammates. A lot of it is swallowing your pride and just doing what you can to do to support your teammates, period. That takes some mental preparation."
   It also involves a great deal of physical preparation. The Calallen reserves act as a scout team simulating the opponents' strengths in practice.
   Even better, each has a strong point in which they excel, be it noticeable on the court or in an intangible way.
   There are the gunners, which include Albert, usually the first off the bench, Molina and Flores, another senior. As Barker said, there's no lack of confidence in their ability to hit long-range shots.
   Teammates share those sentiments.
   "It's like we have the best shooter in Texas on our team," Setliff said of Molina. "In practice, anytime she shoots, it goes in. We have to guard her anytime she has the ball. Anywhere."
   Senior forward Becky Raabe plays the role of defensive stopper in practice.
   "We put her on (starting guard) Lauren (Ellison) and Gerilynne in practice, and she doesn't back down," Barker said of Raabe. "They'll give her dirty looks, try to intimidate her and she's like, 'Come on.'"
   Sanders describes her role as pushing the starting post players in practice, while sophomores Amy Fritch and Susanna Paul will battle them for rebounds.
   During the games, there are those - like Flores - that are credited with being positive on the bench. There are others - such as Raabe - that are enthusiastic in cheering the team.
   And there are many different opinions coming from the bench.
   "It's like having 17 coaches," Setliff said. "Everybody is yelling for us and telling us if the coaches miss something. They say you should do this or you should do that. It's helpful."
   Simmons may be among the most observant, watching during games to see if there's anything that can be improved.
   During the area playoff rout of Alamo Heights, a game in which Calallen led 41-10 at the half, Simmons went into the locker room and started telling the others what needed to be done.
   From behind her, she heard someone say, "Thanks, Coach Simmons."
   It was Barker.
   "I'm going in there," Barker said, "and I hear Jacquelyn saying, ya'll need to do this, this and this. And it was exactly what I was fixing to say - to a T. That's why I said that. She was exactly right."
   The tallest Lady Wildcat is also a reserve. Senior Patricia Nelson, at 6-2, can provide a little intimidation.
   "I like to block shots," Nelson said. "If there's a little guard coming down the lane, I like to put them in their place."
   Almost simultaneously, all the guards and forwards shouted out, "She puts us all in our place."
   With help from the others on the bench, that place would be the state tournament.


Staff writer Lee Goddard can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at goddardl@caller.com

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