Pirates' star returns for playoff run

"OMG" is back.

Braden River High (12-5) gave previously-unbeaten Dunbar High (23-1) an early playoff exit Feb. 11 when the Pirates defeated the Tigers 59-44 on the road in the Class 6A regional quarterfinals.

The game featured the return of Pirates senior guard O'Mariah Gordon, who had not played since injuring her ankle in a 62-57 win against Cardinal Mooney on Jan. 9. Gordon, a two-time Gatorade Florida Girls Basketball Player of the Year, finished with 13 points. She fouled out during the fourth quarter, a sign that her aggressive style has not changed. 

"She was as smooth as ever," Pirates Coach Stephanie Smith said. "She was still dynamic. You can tell she was a little nervous [landing] with people under her, coming off the injury."

Smith said Braden River's defense, in particular the team's rotations on Dunbar senior guard Aaliyah Williams, were the difference in the game. Williams had 26 of the team's 44 points, but she was inefficient in getting those points. No other Dunbar player scored more than six points. 

Smith said Gordon's prolonged absence allowed the rest of the Pirates to gain much-needed experience. The Pirates don't substitute much, and when Gordon is on the floor, it's difficult to tell her not to do her thing. When Gordon has been off the floor in the past, it often came during games that had long been decided. Smith said it is difficult to replicate the feeling of an intense game in practice, which is why she's glad Braden River had a few games of experience playing without its star. 

The Pirates went 3-3 without Gordon, dropping games to strong programs in Central Pointe Christian Academy (23-2), Fort Myers High (21-6) and Charlotte High (20-2). They teams they beat — Booker High (16-8), Lakewood Ranch High (17-5) and Venice High (17-8) — weren't slouches, either. Smith was not concerned about the team's win-loss record during the stretch as losses aren't fatal until this point in the postseason. She wanted to see growth, and she did. 

"It made us stronger and more confident," Smith said of Gordon's absence. "Tonight [against Dunbar], when 'O' [Gordon] fouled out, we didn't miss a beat."

Pirates guard Cheyenne Stubbs was the team's go-to scorer during the stretch. Stubbs is averaging 19.9 points per game and scored 23 points against Dunbar to lead the team. But it's not just her. Smith said junior forward Bella Patterson and sophomore forward Aaliyah Capers have been important players in the post. Smith said Patterson has been a steady defensive presence, using her length to affect opposing shots, and Capers has shown an increased level of passion and is looking to score more than she has in the past. Capers had 14 points against Dunbar, the second most on the team. 

Smith said she's looking for her team to recapture the offensive chemistry it had before Gordon's injury. There's only one way for that to happen, and that's by playing more games. And good news: The Pirates now have a chance at revenge.

On Feb. 17, they host Charlotte, which defeated the Pirates 56-42 on Feb. 5. The game was closer than that for the majority of the time, and the Pirates will have Gordon this time in the regional semifinals. If they win, the Pirates will advance to the regional finals on Feb. 19, where they will play either Wiregrass Ranch (14-9) or Palmetto (16-6). 

Win both, and Braden River will head to the Final Four two years in a row. 

No pressure, Pirates.