Ridgefield guard Charlie Irwin is guarded by Trinity Catholic's Schadrac Casimir on Tuesday night. (Photo by Keelin Daly)
What to make of Ridgefield High School following Tuesday night’s 68-45 loss to Trinity Catholic, one that Tigers coach Carl Charles referred to as a butt-whipping, only he didn’t use the word butt?
Were the Tigers hyped up too much during the preseason, when they were the popular choice as team-to-beat in the FCIAC? Are they, as the Trinity fans chanted Tuesday, overrated?
The temptation may be to answer yes to both based on losses to St. Joseph and now the Crusaders. But the answer is more complex.
Based on seeing the Tigers for the first time tonight, they have championship level personnel, but they may also have less margin of error than the league’s other top teams.
Ridgefield’s zone is usually effective, but on Tuesday it was surprisingly passive, and the Crusaders were able to effectively shoot over it. The Tigers need it to be more stifling because they lack the speed of the other contenders. They also need to capitalize on the size advantage they will have on most nights.
The postseason will be a battle of teams with distinct edges, and the key to the title will be which one best utilizes their own unique set.
One must for the Tigers: they need to get more production from their three top players — Kurt Steidl, Jeff Racy and Patrick Racy — then they got Tuesday. The trio was held scoreless in the first quarter. Steidl, one of the league’s best players, finished with 16 points but had just 4 in the first half and often found his path to the basket impeded. Jeff Racy was held to 7 points and Patrick Racy to 2.
“We got out-defended, out-rebounded and out-intensitied,” said Charles, whose creation of a new word was more effective than his guards’ playmaking. “You get beat in every facet of the game and it is tough.”
Right now Charles’ greatest task will be working on his players’ mental and not physical games.
“The challenge of coaching is to make sure we don’t get down,” Charles said. “They’re our guys and we believe in them. We have to restore the confidence in the team.”
It is possible that a month from now Tuesday’s game with the Crusaders will be looked back on as a turning point. Either as the beating that snowballed into the downfall of a season that started with high hopes, or, perhaps, the beating that served as the impetus to a rally that results in the school’s first-ever boys basketball championship.
Private schools have an ENORMOUS advantage drawing from and recruiting from so many towns.
Ridgefield is certainly one of the best public school teams in the state.
Have you watched or seen any of the private schools play the last 5-8 years??? Trinity, St. Joseph, Fairfield Prep, Kolbe Cathedral?? Those teams have had serious talent, ridgefield does not even compare with talent on that scale. I suspect you were being sarcastic before I guess.
LOL. They have 2 good players and no guard play at all. That is not a lot of talent. Your out of your mind to say they have the most talented team. If you dont have good guard play it will hurt you come playoff time just like in college basketball, so please get away from saying they have the most talent, 2 players does not make a team, you need more solid player all around that.
Dave, any info on Weston’s BB coach stepping down word is a parent did a hatchet job on him
dude- ive been watching carl for 3 years now, I think I know what I’m talking about. This Ridgefield team has more talent than anyone, there performance is not showing that. Sure, they could be playing bettr- but other factors play a role as well….
I have observed and coached against Carl Charles for many years, back to his early days in Weston. His teams are always well prepared, and fundamentally sound. To say, after 1 sub-standard performance, that it was about the coaching is unacceptable. I didn’t see you trashing Chris Watts for St. Joseph’s 21 point loss vs. Wilton, a team that, I believe, Ridgefield beat by about 40. Maybe you should be more balanced in your approach.
Dave you are truly a great journalist. Love your work, please keep it up!
kurt steild for president
Pretty sure Carl Charles is considered one of the best coaches by other FCIAC coaches…
Well written Dave-
This team has so much talent. Just doesn’t come together well some nights it seems. It might be that theyre simply being outcoached. Lots of times tonight watching them I found myself thinking that their lack of productiom simply just didnt make sense. Not to mention any names but Carl Charles might want to look into running some plays. Not to take anything away from trinity -great defense. Ridgefield needs to bounce back and they can stay a contender