Mike Toro couldn’t have been clearer about seniors Brittany Henry and Tanasia (Sweets) Blake’s importance to Bishop Ford next year.
“I told them if they don’t come to play, we don’t win,” the coach said. “In order for us to win a championship, we need them to do work down low, score down low. They got to take the challenge.”
The Falcons, who reached their first ever CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I championship game last year, lost its two top post players to graduation. Brittany Lewis and Brittany (Pookie) Martin, who is now at Old Dominion, were both staples of Ford’s success last year.
“This is me and Sweets’ year to come out and show what we have,” Henry said.
The two believe they have gotten a head start in being leaders this summer playing with the NYC Warriors and coach Michael Kotrozos. They got to play some on the perimeter and step away from the basket to get a better feel for the game.
“I feel like this year we are going to be the dynamic duo,” Blake said.
The 5-foot-10 Blake, fresh off her first season of travel ball, was moved up to the varsity as a sophomore while the 6-foot Henry transferred to Ford from FDA III after her freshman season. They have played behind veterans, but showed flashes of what they are capable of doing and are beginning to finally blossom. With the Warriors, they were the squad’s top bigs and learn to handle a bigger role. Both have Division II interest.
“It shows us that we can be leaders and how to handle things,” Henry said.
Both talked about improving their ball handling, wanting to be able to give guards Aaliyah Lewis, Aaliyah Jones and Jill Conroy some relief if need be. Henry has also made a point to work on her jump shot. There is an added aggressiveness and confidence in both. They are no longer over-thinking on the court, but letting their physical gifts take over, especially on the defensive end.
“They are not scared to just go out there and play,” Toro said. “They know they are going to make mistakes, but everybody does. … They know their role and they are are willing to help.”
Ford is again expected to be one of the top teams in the city next season, led by a backcourt that can stack up against almost anyone. Still, they will need help from Henry and Blake, who learned from Lewis and Martin how hard they have to play to make a difference. Martin had her breakout year as a senior and got a Division I scholarship out of it. Her replacements believe they can do the same.
“I think they realize that now that they are seniors and it’s really their last opportunity,” Toro said. “They realize it’s now or never for them.”