WBB: Landmark Conference

[TheGrove]

Susquehanna opens action tomorrow with a home game vs. Franklin and Marshall.

[ronk]

Catholic U has posted its roster and I am surprised to see that its all-conference player, Brianna Peterson, is not on the roster for her senior season. Anyone know what's up? Has she transferred?

That would be a big loss for Catholic and the conference, in general.

[kate]

Just returned from the consolation match at DeSale's between the host school and U of S.  Just my humble opinion here, folks, but you MISS the MAC competition!!!  Coach Strong has a deep, talented bench and good starters, but GOD bless em - they seemed genuinely shocked by the pressure brought on by the Bulldogs.  I just remembered the old days when practically ALL the MAC would "get up" for playing the Royals.  Good luck the rest of your season. 

[kate]

PS, by MAC, i was referring to MAC Freedom.

[ronk]

Kate,
  I was at the game also, and I introduced myself to BJSID and I almost asked him if he knew who u were as a fellow MAC chatterer and if u were there since i read u might go to the game, but I didn't and missed the chance to meet u.
  Lady Royals had much trouble with their half-court offense both nights and cut the deficit against DeSales only because of a half-court press resulting in turnovers and layups, bypassing the need for the half-court offense. Many breakdowns between the entry pass and the reception/nonreception of it in the paint. DeSales' defensive pressure had something to do with the failure, to be sure.
  On the positive side, the 2 frosh(Katie C and Alison) look like players and should become increasing factors as they gain experience, although Katie and Sydney missed the DeSales game because of illness; 2 of the lesser-used frosh from last year(KC and Christina) also are playing an increased role this year.   

[Hoops4lfe]

I was at the game as well. I thought that DeSales defended very well and that #40 did a great job on #25. I agree that the score was alot closer, because of the DeSales turnovers. DeSales did a great job rebounding from a poor game the night before.
Was a bit surprised by the article that was written by the DSU SID about the Ursinus game. I have never seen such a negative article written by an SID about his own team. 
Also attended the LVC/BC game on Saturday. BC not much of a challenge for LVC. It is hard to gauge how good LVC will be, based upon the quality of the teams that they have played so far. You would think that the LVC coach would want to challenge his team a bit more.

[BJ - DSU SID]

Hoops4lfe...in reponse to my Ursinus game recap.  I am pretty consistent with how I construct my game recaps.  I do my very best to only write facts and occassionally throw in some positive adjectives when I see a chance to compliment a player on her performance.

Being an SID, I firmly believe that a box score tells the story.  And the numbers are the facts.  I think I referenced those numbers many times in the recap and those numbers just happened to be bad ones (believe me I wish they weren't).  There are times when writing stories that you are forced to come off as negative, I assure you I am not purposely doing so, but I can't turn bad stats into good ones.  I have to write the facts.

Believe me...writing stories after games like the Ursinus one are not fun...but people still want to read the story.  I tried to tell the game story for those not in attendance and I think I did that.  You have to give Ursinus credit...they played a wonderful 40-minute defensive game.  They made DeSales look very bad on offense and dominated the glass, which contributed largely to them winning.  With that being said the Bulldogs also played a terrific defensive game...but the Bears' offensive rebounding made the difference in the end on the scoreboard.

[Hoops4lfe]

BJ DSU SID --
Thanks for replying. I can't disagree with you more about the box score telling the story. First and foremost, the statistics are only as good as the person recording them. Secondly, how can you gauge a players performance on defense by looking at the box score ? Having a good game is not only about the number of points scored in a game or the number of rebounds in the game. If a player has a good rebounding game or scores well, but doesn't play any defense, is that considered a good game ? If a player has a poor shooting night, but defends exceptionally well, did that player have a poor game ? If a player shoots 25% form the field, but gets to the foul line, is that a poor game ? Your story states that a player led the team in scoring, but only shot 5/18. Are you saying that she had a bad game ? Your story also stated that another player had a good game, with 8 points and 10 rebounds. Did she play good defense or keep the other team off the glass ? The box score doesn't tell the story. Not nearly as much as the person writing it.

[BJ - DSU SID]

I should have clarified myself in saying that the box score "HELPS" tell the story.  Certainly I think we can all agree that the box score doesn't tell the entire story, but it does tell a good portion of it.

I travel with my men's and women's basketball teams to almost every game every season...one of the few SIDs that do this.  I have not missed a Conference game for either team in 10 years.

So me being at the game, watching the game, while also reading a box score contribute to my story.  I apologize that you did not enjoy my story this past weekend or felt it was "too negative".  So far you are the only one to complain.

Enjoy the rest of the season.

[Hoops4lfe]

I wasn't complaining. Just stating my opinion. Looking forward to reading your stories for the remainder of the season. The student athletes deserve all the credit in the world. Without thier commitment in the class room and on the court, we wouldn't have a forum that provides us the opportunity to voice our opinion.

Good luck to DSU the remainder of the season !

[BJ - DSU SID]

Well said...the student-athletes are why I am doing what I do.

[ronk]

  The Lady Royals showed some improvement in the 1st half against Moravian. Offensively, their screens and cuts were more productive, resulting in better shot selection for everyone. Jen went 5-6 from 3-pt range(1 was disallowed because of a 3-second lane violation). Shows what she can do if she doesn't have to rush her shot. To be sure, Moravian graduated a lot of ability and experience, so what proportion of the Royal improvement was their execution versus the lessened experience of this year's Greyhounds is arguable.
  Things did get a little messy in the 2nd half when in a 5 minute span between both teams there were 2 made baskets, 6 missed shots, and 16 turnovers in 24 possessions.
  Megan had a fine all-around game with double-figure scoring(on only 7 shots), 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 5 steals. 

[Pat Coleman]

Hey, for what it's worth -- and talking about a MAC Freedom/Centennial game on the Landmark board means I should keep it brief -- I appreciate a well-written, balanced story from an SID. Too often school game stories completely gloss over anything negative, sometimes even ignoring anything the other team did. This is not the way the job should be done, IMO, and it's not the way I did the job as an SID.

[ronk]

Hey, for what it's worth -- and talking about a MAC Freedom/Centennial game on the Landmark board means I should keep it brief -- I appreciate a well-written, balanced story from an SID. Too often school game stories completely gloss over anything negative, sometimes even ignoring anything the other team did. This is not the way the job should be done, IMO, and it's not the way I did the job as an SID.

Pat,
  We're intermarried in this region and thanks to DeSales for scheduling a competitive team from each league plus the NJAC in this tournament.

[ronk]

   Lady Royals pressured a young St. Mary's squad(only 1 upper classman) into 32 turnovers for a 68-53 victory setting up a rematch with host Gettysburg in the final; the Royals defeated the Bullets in the 2009 semifinal in OT.
   The Royals were led by frosh Alison Sweeney with 14 points, KC with 6 offensive rebounds and 3 steals and Megan with her usual complete game. Tomorrow's match features 2 of the region's best - Megan and Caitlin Moser of the Bullets who have won comparable awards in their 1st 3 years in their respective conferences.