It’s a luxury at the high-school level to have a quality point guard that can control the offense and run the team.
Well, Benet has three in Ava Mersinger, Ava Thomas and Sailer Jones. Senior forwards Emma Briggs and Bridget Rifenburh are also adept at handling the ball. With multiple playmakers on the floor — especially seasoned varsity veterans like Benet possesses — the Redwings are dangerous because of how well they can play off each other.
That was evident in the team’s 59-38 win over Marist to win the Montini Christmas Tournament.
“I’ve been coaching long enough [that] I’ve had years where I don’t really have a point guard, and it’s like a Rubik’s Cube,” coach Joe Kilbride said. It’s great having [multiple point guards on the floor], and I think it’s our biggest strength. We have skill across the board, and we’re starting to share the ball really well.”
But Marist (14-3) stayed in the game because of timely threes and forcing some uncharacteristic mistakes from Benet. But Benet (12-1) created separation in the second quarter because of Jones. On one possession, she had a great read and picked off a pass near halfcourt and raced for a layup. Then on the next possession, she hit a three to give the team some momentum going into halftime.
Kilbride said that Jones was dinged up during flag football season, but that she’s started showing flashes of her old self as of late. It makes sense that Jones plays football because of her incredible defensive anticipation. The team’s constant communication gives Jones the faith that she can make those gambles.
“Once we start picking up on defense, it kind of leads to the rest of the offense,” said Jones, who finished with 12 points and three steals. “I know if I’m trying to jump a passing lane, if I just full send it, I’m either there or I have someone else coming over to help me.”
Kilbride said, “She’s got a little swag to her game,” especially defensively, where having three guards really aids Benet. Not one of Mersinger, Thomas or Jones is above 5-7, but they are feisty and play with a high compete level. Each of the guards disrupts opponents’ timing and has quick hands to create turnovers and deflections.
“It’s not a trick, it’s not coaching, it’s just they’re sitting down and guarding,” Kilbride said.
The triumvirate of guards plays with an unselfishness that permeates throughout the team. On one possession, Thomas caught the ball underneath the rim and could have attempted a layup. Instead, she passed out to Rifenburth for a wide-open three. On another possession in the third quarter, Mersinger hustled and corralled a loose ball off pure effort, leading to free throws for Benet.
Thomas grabbed five rebounds, Mersinger grabbed four and Jones hauled in three. It’s dangerous to give a team like Benet extra offensive possessions, but against Marist, it was incredibly important because
Against a Marist team that loves to spread defenses out and drive-and-kick for threes, Benet clamped down on drives and ran out to contest threes. Over the third and fourth quarters, Benet went on a 22-2 run to put the game out of reach. And when Benet forced a miss, there was always someone around the rim to grab the rebound.
The Redwings play with impressive poise and cohesion on both ends of the court, which isn’t surprising considering they roster eight seniors. Offensively, players move in almost unison, knowing the precise moment to cut to the basket, and they’re almost always rewarded with a pass.
“She always has full intensity on defense,” Rifenberg said of Jones. “She’s always going for loose balls and stealing the passing lane. So I think her energy, her effort, brings a lot of energy to our team.”