By Richard Kellam

Coach Greg Bozman and the 2002 Lady Crabbers basketball team advanced to a level no other Crisfield High School girls’ team had previously accomplished in the Bayside era. CHS made it to the Class 1A East Regional final, the first time ever in in a championship contest.

Crisfield lost to Mardela 60-58. The Warriors moving on to the State semifinals, a goal, a dream that Bozman had nurtured ever since he assumed head coaching duties in 2000. Following the agenda started two weeks ago in this series we continue to focus on Lady Crabbers sports and their achievements in previous seasons.  (see https://baytobaynews.com/somerset/stories/look-back-to-when-the-2002-lady-crabbers-chased-history,82897)

Bozman was looking forward with eager anticipation to the 2003 campaign, he had most of his starters back from 2002, including Ashley Douglas, Jackie Sterling, Ciera Williams, Anitra Cannon, the exceptions being All South First Team Nicole Brown and Honorable Mention Shanise Byrd. Bozman had and ace in the hole however with sophomore transfer Shayla Handy, a 5 ft. 8 inch forward scorer and rebounder equally at home on the defensive end. Handy turned in a 14 point, 13 rebound, 4 steals, 4 assists effort as CHS defeated Mardela 53-33 in the second meeting, the Lady Crabbers dropped a 33-32 decision to the Warriors earlier.

Crisfield was still smarting from the Regional final loss to Mardela in 2002. Brown scored what appeared to be the go ahead basket with only seconds left in the final quarter. A brief moment of elation but the celebration was cut short before Bozman could gather his troops together to set up the defense, the basket was called back. Bozman watched in disbelief as the officials handed the ball to the Warriors.

Suddenly the strategy shifted from preserving the lead to getting the ball back.

It was a very satisfying win indeed but the Lady Crabbers would not see Mardela again, Crisfield would have another Warriors squad to deal with. CHS traded victories with Pocomoke during regular season play in 2002 but eliminated the Warriors 29-24 in the East quarterfinals. Pocomoke would be the thorn in the side of Bozman and his team this season.

Crisfield was active during the summer of 2002, AAU tournaments, camps and the coming season promised higher accomplishments. Crisfield’s first encounter with Pocomoke was a close decision that went down to the wire, the visiting Warriors holding on for a 35-33 win, Handy getting 15 points. Bozman felt that CHS could beat this team the season was still young. In the Holiday Tournament final the Warriors triumphed again, the margin 47-40, point guard Douglas unable to play. CHS defeated Washington in the semifinal, they would sweep the season series with their county rival. They would not be as fortunate in their season long battle with Pocomoke.

Crisfield defeated Snow Hill 50-31. Handy had 20 points, 14 boards. CHS split with the Eagles and Parkside in 2003. The Rams overcame CHS 45-34 but the Lady Crabbers rebounded to defeat the Salisbury school 54-27. Crisfield swept Bennett, Decatur and Wi-Hi, in each series Crisfield’s margin of victory was greater that the first meeting. CHS squeezed by the Clippers 35-31 but won handily the next time around, Sterling, Handy and Douglas leading the way.

Handy poured in a career high 28 points and 16 rebounds, Sterling 13 points and rebounds, Douglas 7 steals and assists in a 51-44 conquest of Decatur. Handy paced CHS with a 17 point, 12 rebound effort in Crisfield’s 42-27 repeat victory over the Seahawks, Douglas another superb floor game with 6 assists, 5 steals.

The Lady Crabbers got double figure production from Cannon, Handy and Williams, Sterling 10 rebounds as CHS downed Wi-Hi 50-33. Holly Grove, Easton and North Dorchester fell victim to the late Crisfield surge. Bozman utilized his bench players in the 60-22 win over Holly Grove. Handy equaled her career high 28 tallies as the Lady Crabbers waltzed past Easton, Sterling 17 points, 10 boards. North Dorchester fell 63-25 with handy pouring in a game high17 as CHS closed out regular season action.

Crisfield raced past Washington two days before 54-39 led by another all-star performance by Handy. The sophomore had 23 points along with 11 boards, Sterling 14 points, 10 rebounds. A 51-32 loss at Pocomoke the Warriors third consecutive victory over CHS had slowed the momentum temporarily but Bozman felt his team was pumped and primed to make another run at the East region title, hopefully a successful one this year.

Regional tournament play opened with the Lady Crabbers fourth duel with Washington. Crisfield won the first 3 including a comfortable 15 point triumph in their last contest. Handy was held to a season low 9 points fortunately Anitra Cannon responded with a season high 16 tallies along with 3 steals, 3 assists. Sterling added 9 points sweeping the boards with a game high 10 rebounds. The trio accounted for all but 3 of Crisfield’s total in a 37-34 first round victory.

Queen Annes was the semifinal opposition, CHS defeated the Lions 52-37 in last season’s quarterfinals. Handy was back in top form contributing a game high 16 points and 16 rebounds, CHS winning 44-33. Anitra Cannon added 13 and CHS had reached the final for the second straight year. This time it was Pocomoke blocking the road, the Warriors looking to sweep CHS and advance to the State semis.

Crisfield rallied late cutting a 7 point deficit down to 2, the Lady Crabbers’ progress was halted on a critical possession when the CHS defense had the Warriors bottled up running the shot clock down to 10 seconds when a pass was tipped out of bounds. The clock is not to be reset in this situation but the scorer did giving Pocomoke a fresh 30 seconds, the officials didn’t notice. The new clock ran down to 8 seconds, Pocomoke hit a three and a 5 point edge even though they should have been called for a shot clock violation. CHS did not recover and lost 44-36. Championship hopes stymied again.

— Next week, a recap.