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FCIAC
Unsung Warrior: Cunningham Remains An Underrated Beacon Of Consistency For Wilton
Dave Ruden
01.27.2015
In an FCIAC girls basketball season stocked with more individual talent than at any time in recent memory, one of the most experienced stars surprisingly continues to operate underneath the radar.
Even on a Wilton team in the midst of a strong two-year run, with one of the deepest, senior-laden rosters in the conference, Erin Cunningham never seems to get her proper due, though she has been its most consistent player.
“I don’t think people realize just how good she is,” said Jaclyn Porco, the Warriors’ coach. “We’re proud of Erin.”
Cunningham, a 5-10 forward playing out of position, leads Wilton in scoring (16.7 points) and is second in rebounding (6.9). She has made 43 percent of her 3-point shots.
More importantly — and equally overlooked — is how Cunningham seems to play her best in the biggest games.
In last week’s 52-35 win over Stamford, in a battle of teams with just one loss, Cunningham finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
“I guess I just really get into my mindset,” Cunningham said. “You know who the good teams are, and before playing them you have to get focused and get ready.”
Wilton reached the FCIAC final a year ago, after losing in the semifinals the two previous seasons, with a 60-44 win over Greenwich. Cunningham scored 37 points in Wilton’s first two playoff victories before Danbury denied the Warriors the chance in just their second trip to the final.
Wilton’s only championship came in 1989.
“I think since we have so many seniors and after what we did last year, we are really excited,” Cunningham said. “We have a lot of confidence and excitement for the season. We did so well last year and wanted to build on that.”
Then came an opening-night 45-42 loss at home to Fairfield Ludlowe.
“Losing to Ludlowe in our first game wasn’t exactly what we planned for, but it was a good reality check in that there are other good teams in the league and we have to go hard every game,” Cunningham said.
Since then, the Warriors have run off 11 straight wins. A rematch with Greenwich produced a stunning 92-52 victory. There are also wins against likely playoff teams such as Ridgefield, Trumbull and the Black Knights.
No opponent has come within 12 points of Wilton. Its average margin of victory is 32 points.
“Greenwich we were so pumped, and we have to be ready and excited for every game,” Cunningham said. “Over the last couple of games, when we have done that, we’ve played really well. Ludlowe showed us that we’re not completely dominant over everyone and gave us that feeling that we have to work harder and harder then we have in past years.”
The Warriors are equipped for the long haul, with a dominant center in Erica Meyer, a strong point guard in Haley English and the versatile Makenna Pearsall, who can fill a number of roles.
Cunningham was inexplicably often left open by opponents last season despite her dangerous perimeter game.
“This year the roles are the same but I have to play harder and make more of my shots since it is maybe harder to get them off, and I may not get as many open looks as I’ve been able to,” Cunningham said. “I create some myself more. I have to focus on making my shots, and if not Erica and Haley step up.”
Cunningham has flourished despite playing power forward for the Warriors because of her height and the composition of the personnel.
“If you sit and watch her, she uses her body well for positioning on the floor,” Porco said. “She’s really a shooting guard and she’s been playing the 4 spot for Wilton, so she’s very unselfish. She’s the first one to do what’s best for the team. We know she’s a shooting guard, and that’s what she’ll be on the next level. She has tremendous height for a shooting guard and is anxious to improve her quickness with ball release. She sees the ball very well and is very coachable. She leads through example.”
Cunningham will play next year upstate at Trinity College.
First, there is the matter of some unfinished business.
“This year has been so much fun,” Cunningham said. “The teams are so good you have to play your best to win. That’s what makes it fun. We’re just going to have to do what we’ve been doing. Play as a team and work hard in practice. If we do that, it will get us far.”