Sophomore Helena Schultz scores earlier in the season
Throw all the stats out the window, the records too. It’s the beginning of the girls basketball district tournament and the 15-5 Chelsea Bulldogs are looking to keep their 8 game win streak going strong. They will tip off against Tecumseh in the first round at Columbia Central High in Brooklyn Monday night at 7:00 P.M.
At the beginning of the season, many so-called pundits didn’t expect the young Bulldogs to do very well this season. After graduating 6 girls from last year’s district runner-up, many thought it would be a rebuild season but the Bulldogs have proved everyone wrong.
Although they only have 4 seniors, the Bulldogs have gelled together very well. Senior starters Jesse Jacobusse and Nicole Bareis have really stepped up to lead the way. Jacobusse is a feisty competitor who will do anything it takes to help her team win. And Bareis is the top rebounder on the team and is a strong battler.The team has plenty of depth going in the playoffs and for the first time in many years has plenty of size and height. Sophomore Maddie Vasquez and Freshman sensation Riley Davis both stand nearly 6 feet tall and have seen much playing time throughout the season. The Bulldogs are deep off the bench also and with 18 year veteran Head Coach Todd Blomquist making substitutions at the right time and matching up against the other teams they have faced, it appears Chelsea could go far.
The only downfall to this confident, well balanced team might be it’s youth and inexperience. The playoffs are a whole other level, just like playing on varsity. The Bulldogs have 5 underclassmen on the team but all can perform above the average level and have seen much playing time. If the Bulldogs play up to their talent level, then this could be their year!
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