WE JUST KEEP ROLLING ALONG...

BUT LET'S NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED

The Stormy Petrels are now 15-1, ranked #5 in the country with a trip to Texas coming up this weekend.

In the past couple of weeks, I have noticed a considerable change in the team and it really showed last weekend against 2 conference opponents. The first is the level of team defense and the second is the bench play.

Most teams usually start the season with the defense ahead of the offense. I personally attribute this to the fact that most teams run a series of set-play offenses that take a few games for the players to learn. As you know, if you follow Stormy Petrel basketball, that is not the case with us. Our defense is more complicated than our offense and each year's team is a little different as far as our 'defensive mentality'. Because of these differences year to year, we try to tweek it toward the specific players. Currently our team is coming into it's own on the "D" side of the game.

As for the bench play... this past weekend we made a HUGE jump. The playing minutes were equally divided between the starters and the bench crew as were points scored, and in the Millsaps game the bench was able to extend the lead.

This can only help as the season continues on and helps for next season also.

THE BENCH CREW

JAMIE OSMANSON, SR. - 4 YEAR PLAYER, tall with long arms who can shoot the three and guard the opponents 3 pt. shooter.

 

REGI HOWELL, SO. - Our only true post at 6'2 who just loves to block shots with attitude.

CHELSEA MACDONALD, SO. - "Quick release CMAC", as I call her, and now she's playing "D"

ARI BROWN, SO. - Quickly becoming 'tenacious', rather like another player we have on the starting 5.

KELLEY REEVES, SO - Our first year transfer who just plays hard everyday and that includes every practice. Please shoot the ball!

RENA CROSSLAND, FR. - Just a relentless buzz on defense. Another Brittany C. in-training.

CARISA MITCHELL, SR. - Senior transfer who is as quick as anyone on the court and is now using that speed.

JAMIE MAXIE, FR. - Just transferred in from Dawgville this semester. When she gets her legs back... she can shoot the 3.

MORE ABOUT DEFENSE

Many accolades are received on offensive accomplishments, and deservedly so. Offensive stats are easy to follow in the boxscore and that is how you change the numbers on the scoreboard.  But if you really follow the game, defense is where it's at. I have the luxury to be able to watch our game tapes over and over (and over) and really see the untold side of the game: hard-nosed defense relentlessly pressuring the opponent's best players. We try to take away what the opponents do best, and that is usually accomplihed with solid defense.

All 5 of our starting 5 play good defense, but HANNAH BROOKS, at the forward position, and BIZ RICHMANN, at the post, are exceptional when to comes to playing position "D". Both are usually giving up size (sometimes 3-5 inches - and many pounds) but both are as tough and relentless as they come. Next time you have an opportunity to attend one of our games just check out how hard they are working. Remember, 80% of the game is played away from the ball and this is where Brooks and Richmann excel.

OFF TO TEXAS...