Feeling The Sting
BUFFALO TWP — Sidney Shemanski wasn't sure how to react.
After a 54-52 loss to Southmoreland in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals, Shemanski and her Freeport girls basketball teammates found themselves in an uncomfortable and uncertain state of limbo.
Their fate was out of their hands. Instead, it was placed firmly in the grasp of the Scotties — an undefeated team at the time that had just ended the Yellowjackets' district run.
“It was so hard because when we lost we didn't know if our season was over or not,” said Shemanski, one of five seniors on the Freeport roster. “It was hard because if Southmoreland lost to Central Valley (in the WPIAL semifinals) we were done.”
Southmoreland didn't lose and the Yellowjackets were pulled into the PIAA playoffs.
The follow-the-leader system made for some anxious days for Freeport.
And a long layoff.
The loss to Southmoreland came on Feb. 20. The Yellowjackets didn't know their season was still alive until late on Feb. 24 and their first playoff game won't come until Saturday against old nemesis North Catholic.
That's 16 days of roller-coaster emotions.
“We didn't start practicing until (Feb. 26),” said Freeport coach Fred Soilis. “We've kept our practices loose.”
Shemanski, a point guard who is averaging 12.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game, said it didn't take long for the team to hit the reset button on the season once they got their second life.
“Once practices started, it was like we were never gone,” Shemanski said. “We just got back into the routine. Coach Fred made it easier.”
Freeport also scrimmaged Fox Chapel last week and will scrimmage Southmoreland Thursday in preparation for the state playoffs.
Now that the Yellowjackets (17-7) are in the PIAA field, they have designs on making some noise.
Freeport nearly knocked off Southmoreland in that quarterfinal game before bowing. The Yellowjackets also played North Catholic, which beat the Scotties handily for the WPIAL championship, tough in their second meeting.
“They realize they have an opportunity,” Soilis said. “It's going to be a challenge, but they have a chance to beat a team that's been a thorn in their sides, that's been in their way.
“I showed them the film from (the second meeting with North Catholic),” Soilis added. “We were only down six with two minutes left. We were down by 13 and came back and tied it. There's no pressure on us. The pressure is on them to live up to what everyone expects from them.”
For Shemanski and the seniors, it's one more crack at North Catholic and another opportunity to extend their careers.
“We've lost eight in a row to them,” Shemanski said. “I'm very proud of our team for the way we've played against them, though. It gives us a lot of hope to have one more chance at North Catholic.”
