Beecher’s Molly Vladika and Aubrey Tiltges are ready to move on, but they’re also enjoying one last ride together.
Vladika and Tiltges are a pair of seniors who have been playing basketball together since their rec-league days. Now they’re the veteran leaders on a Bobcats team where every other player is a sophomore.
Tiltges hit a pair of early 3-pointers and Vladika grabbed 10 rebounds as Beecher rolled to a 65-16 home win against Gardner-South Wilmington on Jan. 29.
Gianna Bonomo led the Bobcats (14-11, 10-3 River Valley) with 14 points and Madison Smith added 12. Tiltges was next with eight points.
Senior night gave Vladika and Tiltges a chance to reflect on their years in the program.
“It’s been very fun, a lot of memories,” Vladika said. “The girls this year, there’s a big age gap. But we have such a good bond, and every game is fun, every practice is fun.(We) make the best of it.”
Tiltges definitely has been doing that.
“It’s honestly been awesome being able to play with my best friend since elementary school,” she said.
Both Tiltges and Vladika have been impressed with how quickly the sophomores have acclimated to varsity competition.
“Yeah, they’ve been very good,” Vladika said. “They all know what they’re doing out there, but we’re (also) there to guide them.”
“Just like Molly said, I feel like they’ve kind of already got it,” Tiltges said. “Me and Molly are just having fun and making sure we don’t goof off too much, I guess.”
On the court, Tiltges and Vladika both bring specific skills. The former has worked on her outside shooting, while the latter provides a presence on the boards and has been an effective passer in the post.
“I’ve been working on the high-low stuff, making sure everyone’s open — try to get the good pass and get the good, open shots,” Vladika said.
Tiltges also has been working on her craft.
“After school, I like to stick around and just shoot, and coach (Adam) Keen just rebounds for me till the game starts,” Tiltges said.
Keen has been glad to have the seniors’ leadership in what is a transition season for the Bobcats.
What have they meant to the program?
“A ton,” Keen said. “Both (in terms of) personality and the effort those two have put in through the years. They keep things very bright while keeping everyone engaged. … Those two, in a quiet way, have settled everyone down and it really got us to where we are at now.”
Tiltges “has hit her groove since January started,” Keen said of her outside shooting.
Vladika, meanwhile, is “kind of more of that modern type of post player and we like to use her in the high post for those reasons,” Keen said. “Being able to just be a tall body to target and then find some cutters back door, and then try to be strong and get some rebounds for us.”