By Robert Cole
Fordham Lady Rams Welcome JHS 145 — Photo by Robert Cole.
With 2,175 screaming elementary and middle school students packed into Rose Hill Gym, on the campus of Fordham University, the Fordham Lady Rams gave them exactly what they wanted, an action packed game that saw Fordham earn a 67-41 victory over the Lady Spiders from Richmond University.
Photo by Robert Cole.
As much as the students were excited to watch a game on Field Trip Day, chanting “defense, defense” and roaring their approval, the Lady Rams had just as much fun on the court dominating this game wire-to-wire. Their crisp ball movement led to open shots resulting in the team shooting 46% from the field. Hannah Missry, the game’s leading scorer with 19 points, stated, “this team is so much fun, we get along really well on and off the court.”
Coach Stephanie Gaitley, attributed the teams offensive success to the unselfish play, noting, “we did a great job making the next pass, and I think that is a sign of an unselfish team that is driven to have the ultimate, which is to be successful as a team.”
It is hard to imagine that the Lady Rams had their worst practice of the season just yesterday, but that is exactly what Coach Gaitley expressed after today’s win. After the practice challenged her team to aspire to become a great team, telling the players, “good teams show up when they want to, great teams bring it every single day, you can’t have days off.”
Apparently, Fordham wants to be a great team, as they accepted the coach’s challenge. Not only were they united on the offensive end of the court, but were energized defensively, holding Richmond to 41 points and 35% shooting.
Photo by Robert Cole.
Coach Gaitley acknowledged the defensive effort, noting that today’s performance was “if not the best, one of the top three defensive performances of the season.”
One of the players who accepted the challenge is junior forward, G’mrice Davis, who posted her sixth straight double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Davis attributed her increased aggressiveness and improved performance to the trust and confidence that her teammates and coaches have placed in her.
Photo by Robert Cole.
“Knowing that my teammates and coaches trust me makes me go even harder,” Davis said.
Photo by Robert Cole.
The Lady Rams (14-5, 5-0 A-10) outperformed Richmond in every aspect of the game to capture their fifth straight A-10 victory and remain atop the conference. Fordham will go after a school record sixth straight A-10 victory when it travels to St. Bonaventure on Sunday for a 1pm start.
The Lady Rams hope they will continue to accept their coach’s challenge to be great as a team and make this a memorable season in the Bronx.
Robert Cole is a freelance sports writer and photographer.
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