07-18-2023, 10:51 AM
(07-17-2023, 04:08 PM)cardfan77 Wrote: I too am hoping for a more aggressive and offensive Lepolo. The issue with the team last year is that they relied heavily on Jones, Brink and Jump. As a freshman PG, I too would be hesitant to look for my own shots. With Jones graduating, Lepolo needs to score 10-15 points per game.
Very early in today's game against Chinese Taipai I saw a different, more aggressive Lepolo; driving to the hoop, getting fouled and making 2 free throws, almost hitting a 3-pointer and scoring on a nifty mid-range jumper- a shot I had never seen her try before. All of this in just a couple of minutes. About 4 minutes into the game, Lepolo and the other starters went to the bench (Taipai was clearly overmatched) and the 2nd. unit played for the rest of the first quarter.
When Lepolo came back in (2nd. quarter), she mysteriously stopped being aggressive, preferring to pass, deferring to others (to score). Yes, she made some assists and a couple of steals, but also committed 3 turnovers.
Hopefully she can reclaim that aggressiveness in USA's next game against Argentina.