WBB: GSAC

[scottiedoug]

The EMU-MC game must have been pretty good.  See:
http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/athletics/news-detail.asp?sportNameID=10&id=2246

[MCScotsFan]

It is heartbreaking to me not see Mel out there playing. She made a choice and did what she felt she had to do. Last season she really got a hold of her academics so I hope she is doing well in her classes. She's still in school so it isn't a $$ deal (and I hope she stays and graduates). She's a great ball player and a thinker on the court. I have never seen anyone else play quite the way Mel played. As far as why she is not there now, my lips are sealed. She did what she needed to do.

I thought the girls did very well Friday and Saturday. They played a school who was D1 just last season. Nat seemed much more 'up' than last year. That's good news for me as I am a fan of Natalie.  We need an outside shooter, I don't think he has anyone at this point who can put away a consistant 3.
I'm wondering how the girls like the complete opposite style of Yogi's style compared to Pardue. People tell me he is a good balance. I will try to trust them on that. Otherwise I'll just shut up and watch the game. 

[GottaHaveHeart]

I've watched all 4 games. The 2 things that stand out big so far to me is, as mentioned in above thread, no consistant 3-threat and turnovers. 86 turnovers in 4 games. Got to protect the ball better.

Hate to see Mel leave also. Being short handed in the guard position, we will definitely miss her. Nat is definitely more in to it this year. Season is early but defense got to improve. Giving up too easy in man-to-man when we get beat. Hearing "HELP" too much.

The ladies are playing pretty well. 3-1 is probably where they should be. Everyone should get to play versus Wesleyan (GA). Some of the starters, especially Alicia and Katie will get some rest, averaging 36/33 minutes so far. After that, next 3 games, Carson Newman, Emory and Transylvania will tell us alot. Would love to be 7-1 after next four games but would take 6-2.

[batteredbard]

Put Saturday's loss in context. Birmingham Southern beat McMurry, who is now No. 11 in today's poll,  Friday night. True Richardson was in foul trouble against BS but that's going to be a focus of  a lot of teams against her. She can take so much advantage against a smaller player that she's going to get some bad whistles.

What I'd like to see is the MC staff show tape of McM guard Amber Horton. Talk about a defender!! There's alot to learn there in how focused and smart she is with her feet and hands.

I agree with GottaHaveHeart (check your shoes for ice as it may have gotten very cold very fast in the infernal regions ) the defense was lacking for MC, some was surrender and there were a few moments that I didn't get the concept of a 1-3-1 press being deployed against ateam with better, more experienced guards unless it was a lesson for later of some sort. There are going to be opportunities outside because coaches are going to see Saxe and Munday as the primary threat in the post. Thats where losing Mel will hurt - her ability to hit the corner 3 and the slash and dish inside. Turnovers have to get better. Saxe got charged with five but I only saw one where it wasnt a result of a forced or bad entry pass.

BTB aren't there 6 other GSAC schools that should be posting on this board? I cant believe Piedmont with that fan base doesnt have somebody on here.

[GottaHaveHeart]

Lost another one......

Jessica Burse, wing, JR transfer from Hiwassee College, quit the team Saturday. That makes 7, so far.

[scottiedoug]

It's asking a lot of D3 players to put the time and energy into a varsity sport and not get to play much.  Except for Mel, haven't most of the players who quit been short on playing time?

[MCScotsFan]

Jessica actually played some Thanksgiving weekend. I am not sure whether it was both games or not.

What's the deal?  Ones wonders if it is the coach(es), the players (team attitude means almost everything), the school, what?! This is crazy losing 7 players, isn't it? Last year we lost a lot of players but I expected it when Bell left and we were looking for a coach (and even after we got one). It just seems like our retention rate is declining awfully fast. So, did Jessica burse quit only the team or also MC?

[scottiedoug]

The early roster had a whole lot people listed...I did not count them but it was nearly 20, I think.  Without an active JV system and several coaches, I do not think it likely that 20 players will hang around to see if they can play a few minutes when it is not close.

The again it could be that the coaches are jerks or that some of the players do not like to work hard at what is supposed to be a game. 

[GottaHaveHeart]

Since my daughter, as of now, is still a member of the team, I will refrain from commenting on certain issues. It would not be appropriate.

I will comment though on a issue about her. She tore her ACL 2 weeks before the opener last year. Had surgery, did her rehab. Came back this year and kind of tweaked it in open gym. She is still having pain and not able to play yet. She still  attends all practices, goes to all the games, sits on the bench keeping stats. Did that all last year too. Pretty good team-mate I would say. Teammates respect that type dedication. Well, in a recent conversation Pardue had with her, he told her that even if she came back healthy, shes so far behind, (this is 4 games into the season), the only way she would get to play any important minutes would be if someone else went down with a injury, so you should just think about getting healthy for next year. I'm not saying my daughter should play, or play in front of anyone, but after working as hard as she has/is to come back, that statement just didn't sit too well with me or Alex. I think if she's healthy, and unless our team has no weaknesses or needs in the guard position, she deserves/earned a shot.

Maybe this will give you some direction as to why kids are quitting.

[scottiedoug]

GottaHaveHeart:  You often have advocated some players "earning" playing time by virtue of being around longer than some newbie (I am thinking of Alicia last year).  I do not necessarily disagree with you, but any coach who wants to win has to make some decisions based on factors in addition to (not instead of) your point.

I really want to see Alex play!!

[GottaHaveHeart]

Scottiedoug: I don't remember ever saying your playing time should depend on how long you have been there, even though I do believe in a little loyalty. I believe your reference to Alicia was a game in which someone was hurt and Alicia started instead of Nat. I still stand by my statement that he should have started Nat because she is definitely more of an impact player that can take over a game, than Alicia. Also, there were issues going on with Nat and the Coach and we were getting toward the end of the season, toward tournament time and I felt the rewards for starting Nat heavily outweighted starting Alicia at that time, to get Nat mentally involved for the stretch run, with the players we had.

Believe me, I understand a coach has to make certain decisions for certain reasons. I also understand there is a way to treat players also. I have coached Community Center League, in Elementary School, AAU ages 12u - 16u. Coached a 16u team in the National Tournament, so I understand a little about basketball and dealing with parents and kids, over 20 years of it to be exact. There is a way to treat players with diginity and respect and still accomplish your goals.

Good possibility Alex should be ready by our first game in Jan. Probably could play before then, but don't want to risk it. If she is not ready by Jan.1, she will have her knee scoped and will probably miss the rest of this season also.

Thanks also! I want to see Alex play too!!!

[GottaHaveHeart]

About the game tonight:
CN is a well coached team. I thought our ladies played pretty good tonight. Rebounding was our main thorn tonight. Haven't seen the stats yet, but they killed us on their offensive ends and most of the time, it was one shot and done for us. We still looking for that consistent 3-point shooter, but we definitely got some people stepping up, making shots. Turnovers also. Entry post passes and posts outlet passes. I think some of the turnovers were from just being tired, with a 8 person rotation.

CN did what "batteredbard" mention good teams would do. Pack that zone in around Nat and Katie.

I thought we looked a little winded tonight. CN got up and down the court. Overall though, I thought we played pretty well against a good CN team.

[MCScotsFan]

I think you summed it up pretty good GTHH! Rebounding was killing us.

Don't know if you remember C-N last year but it went the same way. First half we could hang with them pretty good, second half we were worn out. And boy were they physical tonight!

I said tonight I'd love to see Lambert coach our girls one season. I bet they'd look like a different team.

I really do not know what is going on with them (all of them--coaches and team) but you can tell that something is not working right.

I'm dying to know what the girls think of Yogi. Nice to see Summer there tonight.

[GottaHaveHeart]

Saturday's game versus Emory should be a good test.

Emory led #25 ranked Oglethorpe, on Oglethorpe home floor, by 7 at the half and led by as many as 15 early in the 2nd half, before losing by 9, 87-78.

[FlightofthePetrel]

GottaHaveHeart,

I assume you just read the first half box score upside down.  OU was down by 13 at the half... and that was after a brief comeback... they were easily down by 18-20.  Oglethorpe used a 26-7 run after the break to get back into the game.  Emory played a pretty good game but I can honestly say the reason the game looked the way it did was b/c of OU's play (of lack there of) and the fact that 63 fouls were called. 

Emory v. OU is always a tough game due to the rivalry so I wouldn't really look into the fact that they played a top 25 team tough... there are outlying factors that should be considered.

With all that being said... You'll have your hands full with Lora Turner and Kaplan.  There guards are quick and they played really good defense against us.  I doubt they'll come out with the same intensity against Murvull... especially if it's at your home court.  A large rowdy crowd gets Emory off their game... I suggest having the Scotties our in full force. 

Good luck... there's nothing more that I like better than seeing Emory lose.