Ridgewood junior guard Mishel Habaci is one of those players whose value goes beyond whatever offensive numbers she provides.
For now.
“She’s capable of scoring but this year, she’s that girl on the floor, that Dennis Rodman-type, who doesn’t get a ton of (offensive) stats,” Rebels coach Amanda Timothy said after the Rebels’ 35-28 win over Elmwood Park on Friday.
Timothy added: “She had one of the best games she’s had all season by doing all the little extra things well (Friday). She didn’t come off the floor and there’s a reason for it.”
Habaci, a starter, was one of four Rebels who scored six points apiece at Elmwood Park, but it was her defensive grit and willingness to do the game’s dirty work that stood out.
Whether she was getting her hand on a Tigers pass, fighting on the floor for a loose ball or helping guide Ridgewood’s offense, Habaci’s intangibles were instrumental in the win.
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“It’s one of my strengths, I guess,” Habaci said. “If I’m not as good as some other players at other things, I just kind of do whatever else is needed.”
With senior Katherine Rasche handling most of the point guard responsibilities this season, Habaci has played a mostly complementary offensive role. That is expected to change next season, as Timothy intends to hand Habaci the basketball.
“It’s a big role, and Rasche is really good at what she does,” Habaci said. “But I’m comfortable in that role because I’ve been doing it on and off. This year I’ve also learned that you have to work really hard, even when you don’t have the ball.”
Elmwood Park led Ridgewood 11-7 after one quarter in their Metro Suburban Conference game, but the Rebels outscored the Tigers 12-3 in the second quarter to build a lead they would never relinquish.
The Rebels got six points apiece from Rasche, Habaci, senior Frankie Annunzio and junior Amanda Burns, and five points from junior Ashley Moisant. Burns also had five blocks and seven rebounds in the win.
“It was getting used to the pace of the game and working together, and as soon as we figured out what our rhythm was and how we played well together, it all fell into place,” Habaci said of Friday’s game.
Habaci played after battling a 103-degree fever in the days leading up to Friday’s game.
“Mishel does absolutely everything I ask for. Everybody on the team just loves her,” Timothy said.
“She’s someone I’ll be looking for leadership from next year and I’m excited because not everything has always come easy for her. But she works very hard for everything she gets.”
Gary Larsen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press