Basketball is a universal language.
Playing together for a long period of time has its advantages, of course. It's not always necessary, though. If you put a group of solid basketball players together that know how to play, want to get better, want to win, and don't care who gets the publicity, you're going to be successful. Even though Outwork has players from 3 different states and 4 different area codes on the team, their willingness to work together and desire to win has taken the league by storm.
After a season-opening loss to Show Stoppers - who hit 11 threes in the game - Outwork has went on a 5 game winning streak and boast the top record in the league by 2 games at 5-1. They've won games that went to the last second (literally), and they've blown teams out. They're averaging just about 55 points per game in those wins while holding teams to a touch under 40 per game. Before last week, no one was averaging double digits, but 6 were between 9.8 and 6.3 points per game. A couple strong games from Northampton (MA) junior Lauraine Joensen and Kingston sophomore Chloe Chaffin have pushed them to 10.8 and 10.7 points per game now, respectively. Still, they now have 7 girls averaging 6.3 points per game or more out of their 52 PPG overall average.
The team chemistry started to become evident in the 2nd game opening night - a 58-32 W over Lady Knicks. Despite having 3 players from southern Vermont, 1 from central Vermont, 1 from western Massachusetts, 3 from New York's Section II, 1 from Section I, and 2 from Section IX, they started to gel very quickly. The 11 players represent 9 different high schools - 3 of the 11 hail from Mount Anthony Union in Bennington, VT. They also represent 7 different AAU programs; 2 of the 11 did not play AAU basketball this year. It was a true mashup of players from different regions that didn't know each other. The universal language spoke. The ball didn't stick to one person. Everyone was willing to make the extra pass and give up the good shot for a great shot. That attitude has carried over from Thursday to Thursday into July.
Another big strength for Outwork is obvious. True to their namesake, they've been working harder than their opponents in nearly every game. Fast break points & 2nd chance points have been a huge source of offensive production for them. Joensen & Pine Plains junior Ashley Starzyk are two of the more mobile post players in the league, and they've made a living on rim runs in transition. Joensen had a few in the 1st half alone last week in a 65-53 W over All Day. They also have one of the hardest workers in the league in Hoosick Falls senior Megan Flynn, who despite not having the usual size advantage that she does in the Wasaren League, has been able to control the glass at times. Her production has increased each week along the way, which has been a huge lift for the team.
Their backcourt provides just as much punch and consistency, and that's led by three girls from the same high school. Mount Anthony Union (VT) rising juniors Madison Little and Brianna Legacy, along with rising senior Kathryn Frasier, each bring their own strengths to the table while adding to the trademark Outwork balance. Legacy is the team's most dangerous shooter, and she uses the known ability to knock down the three to open up many other aspects of her offensive game. Despite a smaller frame, her toughness is always on display as well. She provided a team-high 15 points - three 2s and three 3s - in their 64-61 nail-biter W over All Day. Little gives every team she's on a bit of everything. She does well creating for herself, creating for others, has good handles, can knock down the perimeter J, get to the basket, or use an ever-improving mid-range game. She has a college-ready body right now and physically speaking, the 5'8" combo guard is one of the strongest in the league. She's a strong and active rebounder, and she can defend multiple positions. Frasier made her season debut this past Thursday and showed she can fill more of a true point guard role - perhaps the only one Outwork was missing. With a team full of combo guards that can play the 1 or the 2, she showed a real comfort level off the bat setting up the offense, running the point, and keeping everyone involved. She's averaging 6.5 points per game, along with Legacy, fitting into the balance. Little is 3rd on the team, not far ahead averaging 8 points per game.
Everyone that's put on the Outwork jersey has played a valuable part to their success. Mekeel sophomore Rebekkah Dean is a gifted athlete that can play multiple positions. She went from point guard to post for her high school team, and she's found comfort playing a wing for this team. A close friend of hers, Middleburgh junior Lyndsey McCoy, had a quick 8 point flurry in the 1st half of their game against All Day last week, turning it from a close game to a comfortable lead. Her comfort level looks to have skyrocketed since opening night. Rebecca Townes, a rising sophomore from Our Lady of Lourdes in Poughkeepsie, and Emma Carter, a rising sophomore at Mount Abraham Union in Bristol, VT, are both knockdown shooters that stretch the defense. They both provide good size at the guard spot with Carter measuring in at 5'9" and Townes at 5'8". Carter is also a solid rebounder - Townes is very quick and active defensively.
Even if they run the table through August 8 and win the championship, it will be very tough to pick an MVP from Outwork. Whereas some teams have been controlled by 1, 2, or 3 players, this group gets different people to step up in different games. In 6 games, 4 different players have led them in scoring. No one has scored more than 16 points for Outwork in a game. You don't worry about someone scoring 30 against you. You worry about 8 of them scoring 9.
Even with their record, they haven't been given the respect of a normal league-leading team. People still have the 'they're 5-1?' comments when seeing them before the game. No recognizable faces, no big-time names. Just a lot of kids that love the game and are hungry to make their names recognizable - and with 4 players receiving scholarship-level interest right now and numerous strong Division III prospects, they have the talent to match. Teams have a tough time figuring that out so far... until they find themselves on the losing end.
Watch a full Outwork squad look to keep their winning streak alive at Union College on Thursday. With nearly full rosters across the board, this will be a week for basketball lovers, college coaches, and any others with interest to keep an eye on. As usual, games are at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 - Outwork plays Show Stoppers, the only team to have beaten them, at 6:00, and they follow up with Havoc - a team they beat 41-39 two weeks ago - at 7:00.
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