WBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[mybleedinghands]

Brittany Dahn is an excellent player, I remember watching her two years ago, when I lived out there.  She gets my vote!

How come she only has one vote then (I voted for her)?! lol

[dukeofargyle]

"W & L has the talented players - do they have the will?  Tonight will be a battle of wills."

Fantastic win Generals, what we've been waiting to see all year. Pouring it on in offensive sets & beautiful inside-outside play from Ridenour, Camp, Krouchik and Kane.

AWESOME, LADIES!

[GeneralFan]

Great outside shooting (for a team shooting 20% coming into this one) opened up the inside game for the Gennies. Additionally, a season high in assists (many of those going to Kaitlyn Kamp)...you're right Duke, that's exactly what we hoped to see all year...50 points in the first half! Keep it up ladies.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Even though we lost, I liked how Bridgewater played No. 4 Mary Washington (at their place) tough during the first half, leading 32-26 with around two minutes to go.

The Eagles have had a rough stretch, losing four of their last six and are under .500 with a 9-10 record. But considering our youth, I see some positives.

In our last four losses (three of which were on the road), we held leads;

- vs. #4 Mary Washington, we were up six (32-26) with 2:25 to play in first half
- vs. Lynchburg, we were up four (43-39) with 6:59 to play in the game
- vs. #19 Randolph-Macon, we were up one (50-49) with 2:01 to play in the game
- vs. Eastern Mennonite, we were up one (52-51) with 8:37 to play in the game

I combined the fouls committed, number of turnovers, and field goal shooting in the four losses after the aforementioned time in the games above, and got this;

Over the last 40 minutes and two seconds of those four games, we committed 31 fouls, turned it over 21 times, and shot 18-of-56 from the field (32%).

Since the first week of January, we've gone 7-5 ... so taking away the four games above where we played well early but lost it late, we've won seven of eight.

We have a very tough stretch coming up, with home games against Guilford and Emory & Henry, two teams battling for the eight and final spot in the ODAC tournament. Then we hit the road to first-place Macon, then come back home against second-place Wesleyan and fifth-place Roanoke. We finish the season against winless Hollins.

I think splitting the final six games, leaving us at 10-10 in the conference, would put us in a good position for the conference tourney (sixth place).

This team reminds me a lot of our 2003-2004 squad, when we had three freshmen (Herr, Scales, Young) getting considerable time. What made us better that year was having three seniors and three juniors also contributing.

In continuing with the 07-08 to 03-04 comparison, I think it bodes well that Herr, Scales, and Childs earned all-conference honors their senior year last year, which I can see being the case with our current freshmen (Burkholder, Booker, Lambert, and Satterfield) over the next couple of years.

[dukeofargyle]

GenaralFan: "Additionally, a season high in assists (many of those going to Kaitlyn Kamp)"

Not to take anything away from Kamp's great outing last night, but according to the box scores, she had only 1 assist- the props for assists should got to Amanda Kane who had a team high 8 along with one of my favorite players- Bethany Ridenour with I believe- 6 assists.

When I look at the box scores, what really stands out to me is that Kamp had 7 offensive rebounds/10 defensive rebounds. That is what you really needs to see in the inside game- those putbacks & defensive possessions.

W&L had 10 more rebounds than E&H...Whoever out-rebounds usually wins the game.

-Also have to say that E & H's Perry was impressive. She could make her whole salary on that coast-to-coast play that seems to be her specialty.

[generalee]

Terrific game Lady Generals!  Kamp was especially exceptionally.  Nice teamwork!  On a side note - aren't the men doing great for W & L?

[GeneralFan]

Oops...meant to say most of those assists (passes) went to Kamp, not that she was credited with the assists. It made sense up in the cerebellum but came out all wrong in the metacarpals.

[dukeofargyle]

GeneralFan, sorry- I now see what you were trying to say.

In the 5 position there are no 'great' players without the guards to feed the ball down low. It's a pretty thankless gig, constantly muscling out in traffic, -fouling and getting fouled, for position to get open. But think about it, would Molly Arial be able to make the impact she does without her guards consistently putting that ball into her hands?

Take a look at the FG percentage of the gennie's post players- each have over 50%. As I have said before, the art of feeding the post is all but lost in college play, with guards often ignoring the post in favor of the high-glory outside 3, (which I will say was also falling for the gennies this last game).  Much of the reason for Kamp's awesome night is just that- the number of passes (-assists)  the guards got in to her.

Wasn't it John Wooden who said "I'm not looking for great players, just for players to make the team great." IMO, team dynamic is all. In my experience sometimes that can be sometimes more dicey in the college women's game. I'm just glad to see it starting to gel here, even if it is later than we had hoped.

'Teamwork' is the key here.  As a matter of fact, if you look at the men's results, I think that is what is giving the Men's team such a great season. Their senior leadership is really paying it forward for them.

[mybleedinghands]

Carolyn Riley is averaging just 10.6 points on 34-91 (37.4%) shooting agianst the Top 5 ODAC teams (Macon, VWC, LC, Roanoke, BC) along with shooting 29-36 from FT, 7.1 rebounds, .3 assists, 3.1 turnovers, .85 blocks, and 1.7 steals. And three people have voted her for POY?!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Carolyn Riley is averaging just 10.6 points on 34-91 (37.4%) shooting agianst the Top 5 ODAC teams (Macon, VWC, LC, Roanoke, BC) along with shooting 29-36 from FT, 7.1 rebounds, .3 assists, 3.1 turnovers, .85 blocks, and 1.7 steals. And three people have voted her for POY?!

I'm one of those votes. As I said before, I've seen all four players in person. I was most impressed with Riley. I'm sure others in the conference have more impressive stats.

Speaking of pulling out stats that hurts someone's case for POTY;

Brittany Dahn in loss to BC: 5-of-17 shooting, 7 turnovers
Brittany Dahn in loss to VWC: 2-of-10 shooting
Brittany Dahn in loss to R-MC: 6-of-18 shooting, 5 turnovers

I only looked in five Lynchburg box scores. I'm sure there are other examples.

[mybleedinghands]

Carolyn Riley is averaging just 10.6 points on 34-91 (37.4%) shooting agianst the Top 5 ODAC teams (Macon, VWC, LC, Roanoke, BC) along with shooting 29-36 from FT, 7.1 rebounds, .3 assists, 3.1 turnovers, .85 blocks, and 1.7 steals. And three people have voted her for POY?!

I'm one of those votes. As I said before, I've seen all four players in person. I was most impressed with Riley. I'm sure others in the conference have more impressive stats.

Speaking of pulling out stats that hurts someone's case for POTY;

Brittany Dahn in loss to BC: 5-of-17 shooting, 7 turnovers
Brittany Dahn in loss to VWC: 2-of-10 shooting
Brittany Dahn in loss to R-MC: 6-of-18 shooting, 5 turnovers

I only looked in five Lynchburg box scores. I'm sure there are other examples.

Dahn isn't shooting well against the Top 5, but she still gets her points and does a lot of other things to make up for the lackluster shooting. She is averaging 16.1 points (significantly better than Riley) on 44-127 (35%) - slightly worse than Riley - shooting with 39-53 (74%) from the free throw line. She is also averaging 12.1 rebounds (5 boards per game better than Riley), 3.6 assists, 3.3 TOs, 1.0 blocks, and 1.4 steals. Looks like to me Dahn still gets her production even on an off shooting night while Riley's production seems to dip when she is cold from the field. Riley is a good player, but Riley went 0-11 from the field and finished with just 4 points against LC. In my book, a POY doesn't go 0-fer in any ODAC game, much less an important ODAC game, and I have to say it was one of the least impressive single-game performances I've seen from any POY candidate in years, both on the men's and women's side.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Carolyn Riley is averaging just 10.6 points on 34-91 (37.4%) shooting agianst the Top 5 ODAC teams (Macon, VWC, LC, Roanoke, BC) along with shooting 29-36 from FT, 7.1 rebounds, .3 assists, 3.1 turnovers, .85 blocks, and 1.7 steals. And three people have voted her for POY?!

I'm one of those votes. As I said before, I've seen all four players in person. I was most impressed with Riley. I'm sure others in the conference have more impressive stats.

Speaking of pulling out stats that hurts someone's case for POTY;

Brittany Dahn in loss to BC: 5-of-17 shooting, 7 turnovers
Brittany Dahn in loss to VWC: 2-of-10 shooting
Brittany Dahn in loss to R-MC: 6-of-18 shooting, 5 turnovers

I only looked in five Lynchburg box scores. I'm sure there are other examples.

Dahn isn't shooting well against the Top 5, but she still gets her points and does a lot of other things to make up for the lackluster shooting. She is averaging 16.1 points (significantly better than Riley) on 44-127 (35%) - slightly worse than Riley - shooting with 39-53 (74%) from the free throw line. She is also averaging 12.1 rebounds (5 boards per game better than Riley), 3.6 assists, 3.3 TOs, 1.0 blocks, and 1.4 steals. Looks like to me Dahn still gets her production even on an off shooting night while Riley's production seems to dip when she is cold from the field. Riley is a good player, but Riley went 0-11 from the field and finished with just 4 points against LC. In my book, a POY doesn't go 0-fer in any ODAC game, much less an important ODAC game, and I have to say it was one of the least impressive single-game performances I've seen from any POY candidate in years, both on the men's and women's side.

You're basing your opinion of Riley off one game (and a game you happen to see). So an "o-fer" game, especially in conference, shouldn't happen to a POY candidiate?

On January 20, 2007, Roanoke lost to Virginia Wesleyan, 67-51. Erin Hanson went 0-for-12 from the field. I think most of us admit she was the best player in the conference last season. Oh, and she averaged 3.8 turnovers a game that year - hardly POY worthy (in your eyes).

I will say that Riley needs to realize she isn't a three-point shooter. That is what's killing her FG%. She has hit only 4-of-34 from behind the arc. She has excellent handles and plays best with her back to the basket, so I think if she took more advantage of that, her stats would look better.

[mybleedinghands]

Let's get some All-ODAC talking here now. Remember, there are 6 players on each team this year, that rule started last year I believe.

First Team (in no particular order)
Heather Phillips
Carolyn Riley
Molly Ariail
Brittany Dahn
Lindasy Riesbeck
Amanda Hiltunen

Second Team
Sarah Petty
Kristina Darby
Jordan Burkholder
Jordan Gholson
Ebony Dennis
Torri Bridge

Honorable Mention
Michelle Brockman
Tonia Jones
Dana Esposito
Jolene Kratz
Katie Rechnitzer
Kristen Krouchick

POY: Brittany Dahn

FOY: Jordan Burkholder. I'd like to go Brockman here, but Burkholder is putting up big numbers on a better team...

COY: Stephanie Tobey - Picked to finish 8th, sitting in 4th place right now, so I have to say that should definitely put her in the running for this award.


Debate it, I certainly know it's not as informed as my men's ODAC picks would be...

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Let's get some All-ODAC talking here now. Remember, there are 6 players on each team this year, that rule started last year I believe.

First Team (in no particular order)
Heather Phillips
Carolyn Riley
Molly Ariail
Brittany Dahn
Lindasy Riesbeck
Amanda Hiltunen

Second Team
Sarah Petty
Kristina Darby
Jordan Burkholder
Jordan Gholson
Ebony Dennis
Torri Bridge

Honorable Mention
Michelle Brockman
Tonia Jones
Dana Esposito
Jolene Kratz
Katie Rechnitzer
Kristen Krouchick

POY: Brittany Dahn

FOY: Jordan Burkholder. I'd like to go Brockman here, but Burkholder is putting up big numbers on a better team...

COY: Stephanie Tobey - Picked to finish 8th, sitting in 4th place right now, so I have to say that should definitely put her in the running for this award.


Debate it, I certainly know it's not as informed as my men's ODAC picks would be...

I think you have most of the honors nailed. I'd go with Riley or Ariail over Dahn for POY, but I'm sure all three will get votes.

Becca Henderson from Bridgewater may earn honorable mention (she leads the league in blocks per game at 2.58). Also, I would add Jordan Gholson from Roanoke to your FOY list with Burkholder and Brockman. Gholson is putting up impressive numbers too (9.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.1 bpg, 47 FG%).

This has been a fantastic year of ODAC women's basketball. Of the top eight teams (RMC, VWC, EMC, LC, RC, BC, W&L, and GC), all eight have won at least one game against the top five. So the tournament should be very competitive from top to bottom.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

[...]

We have a very tough stretch coming up, with home games against Guilford and Emory & Henry, two teams battling for the eight and final spot in the ODAC tournament. Then we hit the road to first-place Macon, then come back home against second-place Wesleyan and fifth-place Roanoke. We finish the season against winless Hollins.

I think splitting the final six games, leaving us at 10-10 in the conference, would put us in a good position for the conference tourney (sixth place).

[...]

Two games down, and two ugly wins. We have to shoot better if we want to have a chance against R-MC and VWC next week. The Eagles shot 31% from the floor in the 11-point win over Guilford, and then hit only 33% of our field goals tonight in the 16-point victory over E&H.

What kept us from losing those two games was our defense, with the Quakers shooting only 30% from the floor and the Wasps only 29%. We also forced those teams into a combined 47 turnovers.

One thing I have noticed is that we don't have as many assists as we usually do. In the last three games, we've tallied 7, 9, and 7. We were averaging 12.4 dimes a contest prior to those games. Some of that has to do with waiting until late in the shot clock to put up a shot (which usually means someone taking it one-on-one), but also we've been missing a lot of layups and short jumpers as of late.

As I've said before, the coaching staff has done a terrific job molding these 11 underclassmen in with the three juniors and one senior. I've seen six of the last eight games, and I'm finding it harder and harder to tell who is a freshman and who is a senior. That's a good sign.

I'm looking forward to the Macon and Wesleyan games. We did a nice job on Ariail (5-of-15 FGs, 3 TO) and Phillips (6-of-17 FGs, 4 TO) the first time we played them. Both teams really only use seven-man rotations, and it was really the three-point plays by two players (Marlins' Jameson and Jackets' Childress) that killed us late. They combined for 5-of-7 from behind the arc, hitting all five with under 12 minutes left in the two games. So even though we were helping out on Ariail and Phillips, we were leaving open three-point shooters. We'll need to recover more quickly.

Should be a fun week!