Q&A // Caitlin Bach, North Carroll, basketball

By Rich Scherr | Special to The Sun

February 3, 2008

North Carroll basketball player Caitlin Bach

North Carroll sophomore Caitlin Bach led Carroll County in scoring and rebounding as a freshman. (Handout photo / February 3, 2008)

Despite being a sophomore, North Carroll's Caitlin Bach already has firmly established herself as the top inside threat in Carroll County, as well as a Division I prospect.

After leading the county in both scoring and rebounding as a freshman, Bach -- who plays alongside her sister, Megan, a senior -- entered this weekend averaging a county-best 15.9 points and 9.2 rebounds. She has helped the Panthers (7-16 last season) improve to 9-8 and evolve into a prime contender in the upcoming regional playoffs.

Also a field hockey goalie in the fall, Bach is just starting to think about the college recruiting process, as well as what she needs to improve upon to make it at the next level.

You had a phenomenal freshman year, statistically. Now, with another year of experience, how have you grown as a player?

I think I've gotten better trying to control myself. Last year, I'd just get scared and throw it. I'm still doing that, but not as much. I'm also working on ball-handling so I can help bring the ball up.

Ball-handling has always been one of your strengths, being an inside player who also can handle the ball. Do you think that's your biggest strength as a player?

It's definitely one of my strengths, but I think people are starting to catch up to it. They know what I can do, so they're starting to guard me better, and I have to continue to get better at it.

You've been fortunate to play on the same teams as your older sister, Megan, for much of your career. Can you explain the kind of special bond you share on the court?

It's kind of like that twin thing where you just know they're there. I always know where she is. It's definitely a lot easier with her there because she can help me get through things and tell me things that I wouldn't want other people to tell me.

Your team has been a little up and down so far this season. What do you think you need to do at this point to have a better chance in the regional playoffs?

I think this is pretty much going to be one of our first years together when we can actually go and compete in the playoffs and have a chance to go pretty far. We need to work together more and communicate better. We never really seem to talk on the court, but we're trying to work on that. We also need to work on defense and work on playing as a team all the time.

You also start for the Panthers field hockey team in goal, a position you've only played for a couple years. Do you have a different level of confidence in goal as opposed to on the court?

Definitely. When I play goalie I can't really do anything offensively, obviously, so it's just frustrating for me. That's hard, but I do like playing goalie. I'm starting to get better at it.

How did you become a goalie?

Well, the second day of tryouts, I went up to the coach and said, "I'll play goalie if you need one." I played for a day, then they pulled me up to try out for varsity and I just made it. I always had played midfield in rec, but they just needed someone and I said I'd do it.

You're still only a sophomore, but have you started the college recruiting process yet?

We've definitely looked into it, but not as much yet. I think after this season we definitely will, because then I'll be a junior and I'll need to start figuring it out.

Do you see yourself playing basketball in college?

Definitely. That's my favorite sport, so I definitely want to pursue that in college.

Is it almost time for you to start thinking about which skills you may need to further develop to be successful at the next level?

I've thought about that a lot. I definitely need to work on my shot outside, because you go to any college game and they always know how to shoot outside.

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Q&A // Caitlin Bach, North Carroll, basketball

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