Saints enjoy final day together
Team didn’t play single playoff game because of virus
PAWTUCKET — Friday was supposed to be about welcoming back teammates they hadn’t seen in close two weeks, enjoy some pasta, and go over the scouting report for Saturday’s Sweet 16 state tournament game against Juanita Sanchez.
Two out of three isn’t bad, but the part about gearing up for the Cavaliers … don’t expect the sting of not being competing in a single postseason game fade away any time soon if you’re the St. Raphael girls basketball team.
There were tears along with plenty of laughs, mostly from the game that was by selected by the players. Dance moves were mixed with bouncing a basketball – all part of something called Tick Tock. Apparently, the key was to make sure the ball bounced simultaneously with the musical beat that could be heard on a player’s phone.
Head coach Tammy Drape smiled as her players enjoyed themselves. Attempting to final solace on a day when the R.I. Interscholastic League canceled the remaining playoff games in basketball and hockey hit the Saints a little extra since their playoff run didn’t even leave the driveway.
There was no Division I tournament after school officials decided to withdraw the day before SRA was scheduled to play Barrington
in the quarterfinals, but at least the Saints could still look forward to the open tournament.
For the second straight Friday, bad news landed on the SRA’s doorstep. Once again, it was no-go as far as Saturday’s pending playoff game. This time, however, the door was officially closed on what amounted to a 21-2 campaign that included a division title and a spot in the Sweet 16 of the state playoffs – but no actual playoff games to speak of.
What could have been is all what this particular group can now wonder after looking the part of title timber.
“We really wanted to win it all because of everything with our school related to the coronavirus,” said SRA junior captain Amaya Dowdy while standing next to fellow captains Paige O’Brien and Tatum Forbes. “We wanted to have a happy ending.”
It sure seemed like the
Saints were destined for a successful conclusion after defeating fellow contender North Kingstown back on Feb. 23. At the time, no one could have predicted the coronavirus intensifying to the point where SRA decided to batten down the hatches by closing school.
“We knew after the NK game that we still had two tournaments to look forward to. That’s a lot of games,” said O’Brien.
A team that was peaking at the right time with the playoffs looming was forced stay sharp by working out at courts or gyms near their homes.
“It was definitely weird not being around the team,” said O’Brien, a senior who plans to continue playing basketball at Division III Castleton (Vt). University.
After watching the status of the D-I playoff game against Barrington change hands several times over, from when it would take place to what court would be used, the Saints accepted their fate when the decision was made to withdraw. In wake of the level of concern surrounding the school, Drape and her players know the RIIL could have cut St. Raphael from both tournaments. Twice, the league made accommodations in order for the Saints to remain in the equation.
“The Interscholastic League could have easily said the dates are the dates and they’re set,” said Drape.
What the Saints had going in their favor as far as a sill having a shot at postseason redemption proved to be night and day when comparing it to the circumstances that befell the SRA/PCD/ Wheeler Co-op hockey team after the Saints were forced to pull out in the middle of their Division II quarterfinal series against South Kingstown.
“I didn’t want the girls to make it just about them. The seniors on the hockey team were told they were done. Imagine that,” said Drape. “Be happy that we still have the next tournament.”
Last Sunday marked the first practice the Saints conducted since Feb. 29, though not everyone was present. Four players were under self-quarantine and would be not be eligible to return to practice until the day before the matchup against Juanita Sanchez.
“We still weren’t a complete team,” said Forbes, a junior.
The Saints continued to practice each afternoon with an eye towards finally joining the postseason party. Thursday’s practice was anointed as “Fun Day” with several players texting Drape that it was the best practice of the year.
It was business per usual as one practice was followed by another one the next day, though a feeling of uncertainty continued to hang over the program. This time, it had nothing to do with the school. The likelihood of the RIIL nixing the remaining playoff slate seemed to intensify in wake of canceling the NCAA Tournament and pro sports leagues deciding to cease all operations for the foreseeable future.
As she applied the ingredients for the marinara sauce that would be served with the pasta on Thursday night, a feeling of resignation washed over Drape. Deep down, she felt Friday would mark the official end of a nearly threeweek holding pattern for the Saints.
“I sat them in a semi-circle during Thursday’s practice and said there’s a chance that this game might not happen,” said Drape. “The majority of the team wanted to play.”
“I was prepared to play on Saturday night,” said Dowdy, “but now we’re not.”
“It’s heartbreaking because we had worked so hard,” said Forbes, a junior. “I thought we were one of the top teams in the state and really felt that we were going to win. It’s now been taken away from everyone, but we didn’t have a chance.”
“We didn’t even get a chance to say that we competed to our potential,” said O’Brien.
Before the players grabbed plates on Friday afternoon, Drape passed out purple T-shirts that said “Saints
Strong” on the back – they were scheduled to be worn on Saturday night – and spoke to them about the life lessons that can be learned from a difficult situation. She also told them that if they ever needed anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.
There was no reason to practice, but the presence of the aforementioned four players at Friday’s get-together meant the Saints were finally whole again.
“It was really nice to see everyone. We’re not even in school with each other right now,” said Dowdy, making reference to SRA’s decision to keep students at home for what will be the third straight week. “I’m just sad that we can’t play anymore.”
“We also said that we would be sad if we didn’t meet (Friday),” said O’Brien.
“We’re just glad that everyone was able to come together,” said Forbes. “We stuck together through all of this.”