GAME BALLS ALL AROUND
If game balls were passed out after this game, one would have to start out with a pretty full bag! Where would one begin?
First, though, thanks are in order for the coachs' response to our suggestions in the Pregame Mtg and on the Cardboard after the last home game—and I’m not referring simply to the rosters that were handed out (although that appeared to be appreciated, too). Coach Paye addressed the team injury issue at the onset and laid it to rest without discussion. Her analysis of what to expect with the Colorado Buffaloes (and what an appropriate mascot for that stampeding bunch) led to several relevant questions. I found 81Alum's question to Kate, about what team strategies were taught to counteract the Buffalo's excessive physical play, drew out some useful perspectives on the game from Kate.
Back to the game balls... the challenge is that Game ball are passed out one at a time, so the process might seem ordinal, but it’s not meant to be.
Freshman Ashten Prechtel's defense, rebounding, ability to score from anywhere, and no turnovers were all outshined by her clutch layup to win the game.
Sophomore Lexie Hull's 37 have-no-fear big minutes, timely career high scoring, and lock-down defense were indispensable.
Junior Kiana William's assists, defense and crucial steals, give-it-all-for-the-team play (44 minutes!), and ability to take the big hit without wavering provide this team it’s heart and soul.
Senior Nadia Fingall's solid play, endurance, selflessness, and leadership were on display for 41 minutes, including gathering the team together in the closing moments to maintain focus on finishing the game.
Sophomore Lacie Hull's timely free throws, solid rebounding, game-leading steals, and court awareness might easily be overlooked, but her 27 minutes were crucial.
And there were other game contributors of note—Jenna Brown had her best outing; Fran Belibi struggled for much of the game, but still contributed 11 points and 4 rebounds, Hannah Jump got nine solid minutes and a trey, Anna Wilson looked confident in playing just three minutes.
The fan base (all 2,827 of them) really got behind the team during the final minutes and helped create an admoshere of winning in Maples. We sounded like a full house!
And last, but not least: Tara and the coaching staff helped the team overcome adversity and keep focused on winning. Tara, in drawing up that last play, was pure genius; and it was executed beautifully by Lacie’s pass, Kiana's tough screen, and Ashten's determination and skill!
Great team effort, game balls all around!
If game balls were passed out after this game, one would have to start out with a pretty full bag! Where would one begin?
First, though, thanks are in order for the coachs' response to our suggestions in the Pregame Mtg and on the Cardboard after the last home game—and I’m not referring simply to the rosters that were handed out (although that appeared to be appreciated, too). Coach Paye addressed the team injury issue at the onset and laid it to rest without discussion. Her analysis of what to expect with the Colorado Buffaloes (and what an appropriate mascot for that stampeding bunch) led to several relevant questions. I found 81Alum's question to Kate, about what team strategies were taught to counteract the Buffalo's excessive physical play, drew out some useful perspectives on the game from Kate.
Back to the game balls... the challenge is that Game ball are passed out one at a time, so the process might seem ordinal, but it’s not meant to be.
Freshman Ashten Prechtel's defense, rebounding, ability to score from anywhere, and no turnovers were all outshined by her clutch layup to win the game.
Sophomore Lexie Hull's 37 have-no-fear big minutes, timely career high scoring, and lock-down defense were indispensable.
Junior Kiana William's assists, defense and crucial steals, give-it-all-for-the-team play (44 minutes!), and ability to take the big hit without wavering provide this team it’s heart and soul.
Senior Nadia Fingall's solid play, endurance, selflessness, and leadership were on display for 41 minutes, including gathering the team together in the closing moments to maintain focus on finishing the game.
Sophomore Lacie Hull's timely free throws, solid rebounding, game-leading steals, and court awareness might easily be overlooked, but her 27 minutes were crucial.
And there were other game contributors of note—Jenna Brown had her best outing; Fran Belibi struggled for much of the game, but still contributed 11 points and 4 rebounds, Hannah Jump got nine solid minutes and a trey, Anna Wilson looked confident in playing just three minutes.
The fan base (all 2,827 of them) really got behind the team during the final minutes and helped create an admoshere of winning in Maples. We sounded like a full house!
And last, but not least: Tara and the coaching staff helped the team overcome adversity and keep focused on winning. Tara, in drawing up that last play, was pure genius; and it was executed beautifully by Lacie’s pass, Kiana's tough screen, and Ashten's determination and skill!
Great team effort, game balls all around!