For the first March since 1995, the Fenwick girls’ basketball team did not win a regional title in 2013.
Some coaches would have responded with a longer summer program, but not Dave Power.
Fenwick’s veteran outside-the-box leader called for less team activities this summer.
“We condensed it to just June for the first time in my career,” said Power, who guided Fenwick to two state championships and six state-finals appearances from 2000-2010 and is closing in on 900 career victories.
“I used to travel with my team to places they now go with their AAU teams. So we just get it done in June and let them do what they’ve got to do. A lot of colleges come to watch them play, especially my older girls.”
Power’s most veteran player, All-State guard Jade Owens, was excused from team activities for much of the summer to make college visits and attend elite camps.
Fenwick still went undefeated in Maine West’s summer league.
“It was a great summer,” Power said. “The girls really did well. I think we will have a better year this year.”
Power had already proven to be adaptable in recent years. He installed a new system prior to the 2011-12 season, a full-court trapping defense which ensured a fast pace and allowed the Friars to avoid a half-court game which could expose their lack of height.
Based on the June results, the 2013-14 team could be perfectly suited to the style.
Deja Cage, an all-East Suburban Catholic Conference honoree as a freshman, and fellow rising sophomore Kiki Sheard appear ready to take the baton from the highly recruited Owens when Owens graduates.
Another guard, senior Maya Garland, is a Division I recruit.
Power is excited by the improvement shown by senior Kelly Canoy this summer. Junior twins Jessica and Jenny Mackowiak, Selena Mullis, Giselle Diaz, Megan Hussey and freshmen Elle Schaefer and Mackenzie Berschel give Power the depth required to play at a breakneck pace.
“There isn’t another team that plays quite like this,” Power said. “We can lose to a lot of teams on a given night. That is the downside. The upside is we can beat a lot of teams that in a half-court game we would have no chance. We would lose on stick-backs alone. I haven’t seen any top team shorter than us.”
