This Year’s Dynamo?

The two times John Bowne met Newtown last winter, Bruce Bitterman watched in admiration.
His Lady Wildcats lost each meeting by double digits - by a combined 32 points - in what was a successful season, a 13-5 mark in Queens A and a second-round appearance in the playoffs.
Yet he remembered how Newtown, who won all 18 of their league contests and qualified for their first finals appearance in girls basketball, went about their business in such a responsible manner.
“That was a well-coached team,” Bitterman said. “They never took a day off. I was so impressed with them last year.”
He liked them so much, Bitterman used the Pioneers as motivation during preseason. “I told [my players]: ‘I want you to be like that this year.’”
Like those Pioneers, the Lady Wildcats are experienced and certainly talented enough to win Queens A. They feature one of the city’s top rebounders in senior Rebekah Thompson, talented guards Brittany Mitchell, Cassandra Davis and Shakema Johnson and emerging post presence Jennifer Rios.
“We can take it further,” Thompson boldly predicted, “than Newtown did.”
That would mean a city championship. Bitterman isn’t ready for such lofty aspirations. Two of his best players, outside threat Erica Blake and impressive guard Shakara Scott, moved away.
He also wants to see focus from start to finish, in every practice and game, even against opponents they should crush. That wasn’t always the case last winter.
“I know this group should’ve been better,” he said. “They’ve been listening and working hard. So hopefully, it sinks in.”
Just two games in, Bowne does look capable, taking apart Bryant, 59-29, and Newtown, 72-37.
In the victory over the Pioneers, Mitchell served as the catalyst. She hit a running bank shot at the buzzer to end a lethargic first half. The basket served as an ignition pin to a 26-8 third quarter. Leading the Lady Wildcats in transition, she finished with 10 points and eight assists. Thompson added 15 points and 16 rebounds and Johnson had 12 points and eight assists.
One marked improvement is Bowne’s play on the defensive end. It was their one significant shortcoming a season ago, particularly in the playoffs when they were upset by Bronx Leadership Academy. Whether it’s going to the man-to-man so far this season as opposed to a soft zone, or making sure to get back to prevent easy baskets or ball denial, the commitment is there and so are the results. In eight quarters, the opposition has scored in double figures just three times.
“We talk about it all the time,” Mitchell said.
The seven seniors, including four starters, are also mindful that this winter is the last chance for many of them, another similarity to Newtown’s upperclassmen-laden bunch.
“It’s now or never,” Mitchell said. “After senior year, you don’t come back.”
It was that mindset Newtown lived by. A relentless approach no matter the opponent. Only performance will determine if Bowne can match their division’s rival’s magical ride. The ingredients seem to be there. Now it’s time to replicate the Pioneers.
“I’m hoping at this time next year,” Bitterman said, “somebody’s saying that about us.”