Craig Adams was in a no-lose situation when the Seaforth High School women’s basketball team christened the new school’s basketball court in their debut season against Northwood High School last week.
Regardless of the outcome, his girls were going to come out winners.
Adams’ unique fortune stemmed from his role as a women’s basketball assistant coach at Margaret B. Pollard Middle School. Many former members of the Pollard program who benefited from Adams’ tutelage were on the court last Tuesday.
“Half of the players that are on Seaforth played for me at Pollard, and half of the girls on Northwood played for me at Pollard,” Adams said with a hint of mentoring pride during a halftime chat.
But was he suffering from internal tension and torn allegiances?
“I’m enjoying it,” Adams said. “I’m pulling for both sides ... I want to see both sides do well.
“But at the end of the day, I want my daughter to come out on top,” he added with a chuckle, pointing out No. 22 for Northwood, Skylar Adams. She scored 9 points on the night in the Chargers’ eventual 67-24 victory.
“On both sides, I’ve seen a lot of shooting, well shooting and passing. Everything’s looking good,” he said.
But Northwood had the advantage with age and experience, he said, having players ranging from freshmen to seniors and coming off a state Final Four appearance last season. Seaforth has only freshmen and sophomores.
“Some of the girls on the Seaforth team, if they lose, this will be their first school ball game losing,” Adams said. “We have a 77-0 record at Pollard Middle School. Coming up from middle to high school, it’s totally different.”
Here are the players from each side that came through the Pollard funnel:
• Hannah Ajayi
• Gabby White
• Sydney Ballard
• Sofia Ramirez
• Bailen Fauth
• Avery Fauth
• Jenna Thompson
• Natalia Whitaker
• Skylar Adams
• Gianna McManaman
• Natalie Bell
• Olivia Porter
• Myla Marve