WBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

Ralph Turner · February 05, 2009, 04:53:44 PM

Quote from: Bammer on February 05, 2009, 09:33:43 AM
Any predictions on Roanoke and RMU? Could be a tough week end for the Maroons with games at VWC and RMU. I believe that RMU with their senior leadership will be tough down the stretch. Also, has the ODAC ever gotten 2 teams into the NCAA tournament in the same year? How do at large bids work or do they exist for D3?

Check the FAQ on the playoffs.

bballmom4 · February 05, 2009, 08:23:21 PM

Wow...some harsh words on the two LC girls, Dahn and Esposito. Those two girls have been working their butts off during season and off season to be the ball players that they are and their stats show it. If the younger players worked as hard....it would show as well. In looking at the stats, well...they speak for themselves. As a coach, you have to have players on the floor that are going to perform....looks to me like the "young" LC players need to start working a lot harder and they will get the same opportunity as any other good player. As far as what happened to Dahn and Esposito...well, we shouldn't commit on what we all don't know...that is the way to start rumors that usually don't hold any merit. But, that being said...why aren't the other young players stepping up to the plate?

? And if they were working hard, they would have been playing even when Dahn and Esposito were there. This is a TEAM sport and there is no "I" in team. Everyone has their roles and, well, they need to know them. So instead of making accusations, just let Dahn and Esposito be and lets all hope the "young ones" step up to the plate. Seems to me like so far we have seen just what Esposito and Dahn have meant to the team.

Hornets4Life · February 06, 2009, 04:18:56 AM

Lets be realistic here. Dahn and Esposito cost themselves a shot at finishing what they had started at Lynchburg due to their lack of respect for the team. Ive heard the facts of what happened, and obviously those suspended had no respect for the people that they played with most importantly, and so here's where we are. Bballmom4, I think its interesting though you bash the young players work ethic, when they should be learning from the upper classmen on that front. Dahn will be missed for sure, but as for the other one being discussed, no respect at all for authority figures, argued with referees, teammates and her coach. I for one am interested to see how Kristina Darby plays tomorrow night, as I am a huge fan of her game and her as a person. She's a great individual, and now that she's out of the shadow of Dahn, I'd love to see her snatch the role of "team leader", which is lacking on this team. W's are one thing, but in the end, integrity of your program is the MOST important. Either way, I know Coach Tobey will figure it out and Lynchburg basketball will be just fine. Go Hornets!

Bammer · February 06, 2009, 06:35:52 AM

Thanks for the link Ralph Turner. Answered all my questions.

eaglejacket1421 · February 06, 2009, 10:54:10 AM

Feb. 6

7:00 PM Emory & Henry Eastern Mennonite
E&H typically gets an upset win or two... Why not this one?

7:00 PM Guilford Bridgewater
Jean Willi typically has her kids rolling at this point in the season. It's almost March after all.

7:00 PM Roanoke Randolph-Macon
This is the headline match up of the night. I'm hoping for a close one, but I wouldn't be surprised if this gets ugly.

7:00 PM Mary Baldwin Randolph
The Squirels graduated Jessica Carter last year. Randolph should be able to compete.

7:00 PM Washington & Lee Lynchburg
LC clearly has some internal issues. That could either bring them together, or cause them to struggle. Look for W&L to take full advantage.

7:00 PM Hollins Virginia Wesleyan

Feb 7.

2:00 PM Hollins Randolph-Macon

3:00 PM Emory & Henry Bridgewater
This one might be fairly close. Give it to the Eagles at home.

4:00 PM Randolph Washington & Lee
Don't fall asleep W&L. Randolph might just be rolling off of a W and looking for their next victim. We saw what ALMOST happened in Virginia Beach.

4:00 PM Guilford Eastern Mennonite
Guilford's been in some tough ones this year. I think this might be another one of those close, heart breaking games.

4:00 PM Roanoke Virginia Wesleyan
If Roanoke hadn't just played RMC the night before I'd almost be inclined to give them the W. Whoever scheduled this weekend clearly wanted a challenge for the Maroons.

hasanova · February 06, 2009, 11:41:26 AM

I don't know the players or situation at LC, but sometimes a coach has to make moves like that. Certainly, the Hornets will miss their contributions (which are significant), but you've got to look after the whole team. Many years ago, I once saw a Manager explain this to a problem employee who kept threatening to leave. After one too many threats, the Manager said, "Get a bucket of water and put your hand in, then pull it out. Watch how quickly the water fills the space you once occupied ... we'll be fine without you. Good luck." Other players will step up to fill the void.

bballmom4 · February 06, 2009, 05:27:28 PM

WOW...Hornets4life...you heard the facts of what happened? Well unless you heard it from the Coach or one of the players involved....maybe your facts aren't exactly what happened! But be it here or there...we all know that players, coaches, etc., make misktakes. If they learn from those mistakes...then they are life lessons. What I am saying here is unless we were right there when whatever happened happened...we should not judge. But support the team and the girls that things will work out. You are right, it is a great team, and hopefully the youngsters learn from what happened. However, I don't think I was bashing any of the young players, I just simply made the comment that the stats speak for themselves. If you look at the stats, well....this is the time for those youngsters to step up to plate and earn their spots...correct? If you took it as bashing, mistake....it was not. As far as Kristina Darby, I understand she is coming off an injury and you are correct...now is her time to shine. Anyway, GO HORNETS tonight!

dukeofargyle · February 06, 2009, 08:53:08 PM

All props go out to the Hornets tonight for the W by 3 over W&L.

In adversity, the young Hornets came in and played a huge game, while Generals go stone cold from the field for the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Good luck for the balance of the season, LC!

bballmom4 · February 07, 2009, 09:40:48 AM

Good job Lady Hornets....players and coaches. It seems like it was a great game, by the LIVE STATS. Looks like it was great team work.

whitecaylxx · February 07, 2009, 10:36:55 AM

Lynchburg certainly picked up a big win and made a statement - don't count them out yet! Sometimes players just need to be given a chance to shine. The Generals showed there are still a few kinks in the armor. If the shots aren't falling, you better be playing some defense. Like dukeofargyle says - defense wins championships. The Generals should easily rebound against Randolph today, however.

Now for Bridgewater - "Bridgewater College shot 73.3 percent from the floor and forced 26 Guilford turnovers in the first half en route to a 93-43 ODAC victory Friday night at Nininger Hall. " Looks like they are rolling, eaglejacket1421!

Also, huge win for Roanoke. It must have been a great game. Anyone have any information?

eaglejacket1421 · February 07, 2009, 09:51:30 PM

Happy to see Randolph pull out the win against Mary Baldwin - it's always good to hear of teams that typically struggle get a little taste of success.

Big news of the weekend had to be Roanoke's two wins on what had to be the toughest weekend scheduled of any ODAC school all year. Coach Dunnigan is on fire right now and her players seem to have truly dedicated themselves to her system. Excellent work.

I was able to catch the RMC - Roanoke game and it was quite an entertaining match up. A lot of factors added up to that Roanoke victory - rebounding was certainly one of them. Jaleesha Osbourne was spectacular - she impresses me every time I watch her play. She had some crucial drives late in the second half to give Roanoke a decent cushion. When there was about 15 seconds left to play, RMC had pulled it within two after an eight point or so lead, there was a time out called. After the time out, for whatever reason- Hiltunen was guarding the player most likely to receive the inbound despite the fact that she had 4 fouls. She fouls out after having to foul to stop the clock and with her went RMC's obvious choice for the player to take the game winner/tie. Despite this, RMC drew up a pretty impressive play to get a shot off with only 3 seconds left on the clock - it just happened to be Molly Ariail shooting the three. Just a little tweak to the played drawn up would have had a guard in Molly's position for a higher percentage shot. I expect Coach LaHaye to be running over similar situations in practice in preparation for the tournament.

I also want to send out some congratulations to Lynchburg for overlooking all of the off-court nonsense and clamping down on the Generals. I didn't see that coming simply because of all of the distractions. Coach Tobey must have her Hornets focused.

smithgraham77 · February 07, 2009, 11:32:18 PM

in reference to the LC situation:
"If we can achieve a critical mass of individuals among the workforce committed to doing things differently, to meeting our standards, that critical mass overcomes the resistance of what becomes a diminishing old guard. progressively, the old guard loses some of its power. If one rotten apple can ruin the barrel, then you have to seed the organization with oranges that cannot be spoiled by the apples. as a result, a departing old-guard employee is very carefully replaced. concurrently, individuals with the right culture and attitude are promoted. that creates a new culture, bit by bit by bit."

whitecaylxx · February 09, 2009, 05:47:16 PM

Some interesting games coming up:

Feb. 10
     7:00 PM    Virginia Wesleyan         Bridgewater
    7:00 PM    Washington & Lee       Emory & Henry
    7:00 PM    Hollins         Randolph
    7:00 PM    Randolph-Macon       Eastern Mennonite

Feb. 11
   7:00 PM    Lynchburg         Guilford

Predictions?

eaglejacket1421 · February 09, 2009, 05:59:56 PM

Feb. 10
7:00 PM Virginia Wesleyan Bridgewater
VWC is struggling while Bridgewater is rolling. Not to mention this game is in Harrisonburg...

7:00 PM Washington & Lee Emory & Henry
W&L need to get back on the horse after losing to a "distracted" Lynchburg squad.

7:00 PM Hollins Randolph

7:00 PM Randolph-Macon Eastern Mennonite
Tough game in Harrisonburg - RMC's looking for a W after falling to Roanoke. EMU feels the same, but substitute a weaker Guilford.

Feb. 11
7:00 PM Lynchburg Guilford
After LC proved they weren't letting off-court issues distract them, I'm a believer.

Predictions?

Dirtybird · February 09, 2009, 06:23:40 PM

I think Lynchburg will take Guilford. It will be a good game though just putting in my two cents.