After the final whistle blew last year in the state Division II semi-final game, Bishop Hartley celebrated a monumental victory winning 16-14 in the fifth game in what some believed to be one of the most exciting matches in recent years. The Nutter Center was absolutely electric. Across the net, you could see the opposite and the despair in the eyes of the Tipp City Tippecanoe players and head coach Pat Carus.
“Yes, it was complete heartache, especially the way this one ended but as I told the kids both years, the sun came up the next day, it didn’t kill us, it just might make us stronger. Let’s analyze, fix it and move on,” Carus explains.
Ironically, the same thing happened the year before in Districts to perennial power Cincinnati Roger Bacon.
“In the Bacon match, too many errors – and they were a very good team. You let a good team hang around and your chances of success go way down. In the Hartley match – ditto – we had 9-5 and 10-7 leads in game 5 – you blame nobody for that but yourself – you must finish. Again, Hartley was a very good team – and if you let them hang around…,” said Carus.
This season has shaped up again to be a spectacular run for Tippecanoe again. Currently standing at 24-0 and ranked #1 in the Captain Brinn and the Coach’s Poll, the Lady Devils have their eyes on one thing…the state title. They have an astounding, combined record of 52-1 in two seasons. The team seems to have all the right pieces and have gelled well all season long.
“We have five seniors, five juniors and three sophomores. I think it is the balance we have that has made things okay the last few years – we have our comedians and our serious ones but they also know when it’s time to focus. They have great respect for each other, are VERY unselfish, sacrificing the individual honor for team goals,” offered Carus.
Also, this team has had to endure some growing pains with the loss of two standout seniors one season ago in Porto and Andrews, who by the way had stellar state semi games.
“Interestingly, they [the younger players] have a good bit of experience so they have been chomping at the bit to show what they can do. Last year we got an opportunity for them to see the court a ton during the regular season and into the post season. Two of the three sophomores started a good bit of the season as freshman and did great stuff and the third one came in against Archbishop McNicholas and did a whale of a job for us. Because of the feeder program and their good JO experiences – plus the understanding of what it is starting to mean to play for Tippecanoe – they hit the ground running,” Carus said proudly of his team.
Tipp City Tippecanoe has great hitters, good defense, setting, and are tough mentally. Interestingly, when asked, about their biggest asset none of the above was mentioned by Carus.
He stated, “Unselfishness. I know it sounds funny but they really do like and respect each other and they prepare hard for every opponent. They study hard and adjust to whatever we ask them to do on the court – and the best part is they are capable of doing it – a true pleasure to work with!”
The path that lies ahead for Tippecanoe is definitely no easy road. A possible match-up with McNicholas in District Finals awaits, as well as a big obstacle in Archbishop Alter in reg
ionals possibly.
“I intentionally tried to add some tougher matches, so I hope it pays off for us. I couldn’t care less about being undefeated or where we are ranked at any point in the season. Is it an honor? Sure, because it is a measure of how far the kids have come,” replied Carus.
The team understands to remain focused and play to their strengths, according to Carus.
“I’m going to go with my short answer here, please forgive me (besides, I don’t want to tip my hand). Our mission is to get better every day. We know others are doing the same thing, getting better every day. We can only control what we do on our side and the game plan for each team as they come along.”
Carus knows his foundation has been paved. The players have the experience of the final four. They have learned what it feels like to come up short. They have defeated every opponent they have faced this year. What will it actually take to get back to the Nutter Center ?
“As a coach in a JO program myself, you get to talk to lots of people from different programs. Two years ago I had the privilege of coaching a great team of kids that included three Alter ladies who had just come off a State Championship season. In talking to them and their parents the underlying themes were hard work, preparation, relentlessness and - a little bit of good luck,” offered Carus.
Luck, in most cases in athletics, usually seems to follow the teams who have prepared the most. Tipp City Tippecanoe has prepared quite a bit, and they seem to be ready to do battle and make their own history for themselves, their community, the fans, and their coach.
--stay tuned for part II of this exclusive in depth look into the Tipp City Tippecanoe program and their mentor Pat Carus
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