Originally Posted by
bigbradford1978
Well typing this for the second time tonight...
The game tonight was good and efficient - 75% good, 10% great, 15% mediocre (gave up wide open shots and too many offensive boards for MC). Moreover, the ladies played the offense and let it do the work for them.
Four quarters was hard at first... too many fouls in the first quarter alone made that period really drag out and we had both teams shooting 2 with minutes to go in the period.
Ticky-tacky fouls... this was more so in the post I thought... Cleaver was hit hard by foul trouble in the game (more about that later). This could be tough on us this season because Wingate, Davenport, Moten, and Cleaver will have to avoid picking up fouls fighting for position on defense.
Newcomers:
Santos & Pumroy - this duo is definitely talented and comfortable running the show. Ashely's shot is good and Brooke runs the offense well. I think these two are exactly what we were expecting and hoping for.
Cleaver - like I said she had foul trouble (4) and her rhythm suffered, but she's definitely a banger down low. Wish the girls had fed her the ball in the post better. I think she will be physical down low and wants the ball to come to her. I look for her to really add the missing piece of a POST player. She's definitely not afraid to fight for position on defense... but that's where she got the fouls. That can be cleaned up though.
LeBlanc - see why they labelled her the athlete of the team. Definitely quick to the ball with some saves and takeaways that remind me of Amanda Wilson (95-99). The question is can she find her place in the offense?
Vasquez - the surprise starter. Good defender but a couple of passes & shots were just off. But I see why the coach had her out there, she's has a leader mentality.
Kreid - very limited action tonight, which wasn't surprising for the newest addition. She looks strong and athletic. Give her time to come into the system.
Gipson - uncomfortable early. Her first appearance she went from a deer in headlights in the 2nd quarter to a scoring machine in the 4th. If she can continue to improve, she will come in handy.
Anthony - SURPRISE! This girl can play. She was comfortable with the ball and the offense didn't suffer when she took of PG. Sees the floor very well made some really good passes tonight. Plus, she's not afraid to go to the hoop with it either. Also, she and LeBlanc appear really close - when LeBlanc was shaken up on a play, Anthony left the bench to check on her... these two could be the Santos & Pumroy combo for the future.
Returners:
Richie - limited time tonight, but still found ways to score and continues to show spunk. Moten - continues to be in the right place at the right time, but wish she had gotten stronger. Wingate - strangely, she was good (but I remember less about her game tonight than others). Davenport - continues to improve, long range shot was there, understands her role better, and will be consistent workhorse for the team.
Overall it was a fun game...
Nell Fortner was in the stands catching up with Barmore and chatting with old friends. After the game, Nell and Mickie showed up at Roma's with the stat sheet in hand with notes on them. Before we left, Tyler had shown up. Then Nell & Tyler were going over those same sheets... proof everyone wants this team to be successful and is working to make it happen.
I wouldn't be surprised if we win 25 games this year, but 22 might be closer to the end product - tonight they played like a team... which has been missing.
I realize we won't shoot 63% all the time, but this team showed tonight it knows how to score with several players able to add that spark... I could see this team being 8-3 or 9-2 going into conference play