Varsity Basketball Finally Opens Season with a hard fought victory - DDS-35 WMS-31

After being snowed out for their first two home games, the varsity basketball team traveled to Washington Montessori on Wednesday afternoon for their long awaited opening game. As if the team hadn’t had enough delays, a bus scheduling problem almost left this game in jeopardy. Special thanks to parents Mitzi Stamer and Ron Wilson for driving the team to our game. Also, thanks to Nigel Pink and Eileen Shaw for their help with contacting parents and securing permission to drive our personal vehicles to the game. The team did not want to miss another opportunity to play.
The team got off to a sluggish start but managed to stay ahead throughout the first half. Everyone was trying to shake off those first game jitters. As the team ran their plays and started to gain a little confidence, things started to fall into place. The first half ended with DDS up by 3 points. A very different DDS team emerged for the second half, more focused and ready to prove they were not satisfied with their first half performance. The seesaw battle continued, but DDS was playing with a fire and focus that was missing in the first half. The energy level was very contagious. Even the players on the bench were cheering and encouraging their teammates. Tri-captains Griffin, Hudson, and Adam anchored both the offensive flow of the game and played some very tough defense. These three team leaders combined for a total of 31 points and each provided the spark that we needed at just the right time. When our man-to-man coverage was allowing too many easy layups, we switched to our tight 2-3 zone defense, clogging up the middle, and causing the WMS players to have to work very hard for their shots. Danielle and Christian were especially tenacious on defense with both causing numerous jump balls and possession opportunities. Christian scored his first varsity basket with a great pass from Griffin. Roan and Shriman were quite active on defense and positioned themselves for some great rebounds, leading to many excellent fast break opportunities. Shriman accounted for our other basket. Overall, it was a great start for our team.
Our kids learned the value of not only being physically prepared for every game, but mentally prepared as well. They also know that WMS has some very good athletes, but our desire, determination, and will were the difference that sealed the victory for us. After the team enjoys their holiday break, they know we have just one practice to prepare for perennial powerhouse, Rumsey on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at home. We hope you will be able to come and cheer for our team. Happy Holidays from the basketball coaches and players to the entire DDS community.

DDS Sports Schedule (Week beginning Monday December 17th)

What's going on during our last week of sports in the year 2007?
Monday - All teams are practicing as usual. Reminder that for practices, Volleyball and Squash pick up is at the lower school gym at 4:45 p.m. Varsity and JV Basketball pick up is at 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday - Varsity Basketball have a game away @ Washington Montessori start 3:30 p.m. Pick up will be at 5:45 p.m. Squash will be practicing at Millbrook School. Pick up for this day only will be at Millbrook School @ 4:30 p.m. Volleyball have practice as usual.
Thursday - All teams have practice as usual. Squash will be at Vassar College. Pick up will be at 5:45 p.m.
Friday - No Sport today - Happy Holidays to everyone!

Additional Basketball Game v Washington Montessori on Wednesday Dec 19th

Due to the disappointing weather and the cancellation of two varsity basketball games, we have managed to secure a game before the holidays away against Washington Montessori School on Wednesday December 19th starting at 3:30 p.m. Pick Up time is at 5:45 p.mn. at DDS.

Squash News

The date of our three way squash meet on Wed Feb 13th, is now on Wed Feb 6th starting at 3:30 p.m. at Millbrook School.
On Wed Jan 30th, we will not be able to practice at Millbrook School as their JV team need the courts! I will try and find an alternative venue if possible for that date!
I have also pencilled in a possible match v Westover School on Wednesday Jan 23rd (away) 3:30 start. It's quite a journey, but they do have players our own age. Only our top 8 will play on that date though!

DDS Sports Scedule (Week beginning Monday December 10th 2007)

Monday December 10th - Varsity Basketball v T. Pawling @ DDS starting 3:30 p.m. Pick up at 4:45 p.m. Squash practice at Millbrook School 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.- pick up at DDS 4:45 p.m. Volleyball practice 4:45 p.m. pick up.
Wednesday December 12th. - Varsity and JV Basketball practice 5:00 p.m. pick up. Squash practice at Millbrook School 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - pick up at 4:45 p.m. Volleyball practice 4:45 p.m. pick up.
Thursday December 13th - Varsity Basketball game v Kildonan @ DDS starting at 3:30 p.m. Pick up at 4:45 p.m. - Squash practice at Vassar College 4:00 - 5:15 p.m. Pick up at 5:45 p.m. - Volleyball practice pick up at 4:45 p.m.
Friday December 14th - JV Basketball game v Mizzentop @ DDS 3:30 p.m. start. Pick up at 4:45 p.m. No squash. Volleyball practice - pick up at 4:45 p.m.

DDS BASKETBALL TEAMS OPEN THEIR SEASONS THIS WEEK (Report by Coach "O")

The DDS Varsity and JV basketball teams are very excited that their hard work during the last two weeks will finally be tested. This week the varsity has two games and the JV’s play one. All of the games are at home in the Bontecou Gym at 3:30, so please come and cheer for our teams. The varsity will face Trinity-Pawling on Monday and Kildonan on Thursday, while the JV’s will face Mizzentop on Friday.

This year the varsity is lead by Tri-Captains Griffin Wilson, Hudson Kuras, and Adam Baker. Joining the captains are fellow eighth graders Shriman Balasubramanian, Cooper Davis, and Austin Christensen. Danielle Stamer, Ben Poholchuk, Jackson Ryan, and Matthew Stapylton represent the seventh grade. Rounding out the team are sixth graders Christian Ouellette and Roan Gideon. They have all worked extremely hard to learn their playbook and have made great strides in a very short period of time.

The JV’s have been very active at the other end of the court running offensive and defensive drills and learning a great new pre-game warm-up routine. The team is made up of seventh graders Jon Hill, Sebastian Barry, and TJ Sayah. Joining them are fifth graders Taylor Digilio, Maggie Dull, Sean Gorwara, David and Nick Akst, Matthew Pelletier, Alex Quartararo, Nicholas Salnikoff, and Bernadette Winby.

The basketball program has also started a mentoring program this season. Varsity players have been assigned a younger player to act as their advisor and guide during the entire season. It is a great way for everyone to get to know each other better and become good teammates.

The teams look forward to your support and hope to see everyone at opening day.

DDS Squash Team plays great game against Indian Mountain and Millbrook School - Wednesday December 5th

Playing against older and generally more experienced opposition, the DDS Squash team played exceptionally well to bravely lose the match against Indian Mountain School, and to tie the match against Millbrook School. The final score against Indian Mountain School was as follows: Indian Mountain won 7 matches and DDS won 3 matches. The final score against Millbrook School, was as follows: Millbrook School won 3 matches and DDS won 3 matches. Congratulations to the whole team for their efforts!! Although this was our first game of the season and with very little practice time under our belt, our players demonstrated solid basic skills and played with effort and enthusiasm. Once we get the hang of basic tactics, like getting the ball past players into the corners and dominating the "T", we will reap even more success at our next game in January.

Basketball Schedule Change 2008

A schedule change has been forced upon us. The JV bball game @ home v Washington Montessori School has been changed from Thursday 10th January to Thursday February
14th. It is still at DDS!