This offseason, Gerstell Academy girls basketball coach Shane Stem enacted an intense and intentional plan aimed at finally getting the program past the semifinal round of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference playoffs.
Step 1: Find players that he could add to returning All-County selections Eniyah Stinnette and Kiara Hardy.
Step 2: Create a frontloaded schedule full of competition that would challenge his team, getting it battle tested and ready for postseason play.
Step 3: Come together as a team, play well and beat said competition.
Stem and the Falcons have so far enacted the plan to perfection. Already with two wins over IAAM A conference opponents St. Timothy and Mount Carmel, Friday night was more of the same. The Falcons took on another tough test, going on the road to face one of Carroll County’s most successful public school programs: reigning three-time 2A West Region I champion Liberty.
“We wanted to play the best to prove that we belong,” Stem said. “I knew it was going to be tough but I also knew we could handle it.”
With a breakout game from new Falcon Taylor Moran, the program conquered another tough early season test, moving to 4-0 with a 59-41 road victory.
“They came in, played us hard and made us uncomfortable,” Stem said. “It was nice to see us keep our composure, make some adjustments and pull away.”
Moran, who came to Gerstell Academy after a season at Mt. Airy Christian where she averaged 25 points per game, finished with a game-high with 25 points as she showcased the offensive firepower she was expected by many to bring to the conference and the county this year.
“We have a lot of good players,” she said. “I’m just getting used to not being the star all the time and doing what I can to help us win a championship.”
The Lions hung with the Falcons early as freshman Allison Bald made an impression of her own, knocking down shots to keep the game close. Needing a spark, it was Gerstell’s defense that provided it as a Stinnette or Hardy block would halt all momentum and get things back on track for the Falcons.
Hardy, one of the best defenders in the county, lit a fire under her team with a block and steal that turned into an easy and-one bucket for Moran. From there, the Falcons closed the first half on a 7-0 run, gaining control of the game and their confidence.
“We have such a versatile lineup this year,” Stem said. “We’ve got guards that can handle bigs and post players that can defend guards.”
The girls picked up right where they left off coming out of the locker room, starting the third quarter on an 8-0 run. Moran got hot from deep as she hit shot after shot, scoring key baskets for the Falcons when things got stagnant offensively.
With a defense that sparks the offense and an offense primed to explode at a moment’s notice with Moran, Stinnette — who finished with eight points and 12 rebounds — and Hardy (12 points), Stem is confident after a few early wins that he has built a well-oiled machine ready to take on the conference’s best.
“Our goal this year is to get over the hump and win a conference championship,” Stem said. “These early test are going to better prepare us for that.”
