WBB: Landmark Conference

[names jaismith]

About the result I expected.  Scranton put up a good fight, but they are not as good as NYU.  Going forward however, I think NYU will be just as challenged against Hope, should Hope win.

[ronk]

 Lady Royals fall to a tough defensive NYU despite jumping off to a 12-point lead. Turnovers helped NYU get back in the game(7 in the 1st quarter), not so much by NYU converting but from limiting additional Royal scoring chances. Leaving NYU's 3-pt shooter open led to her making 5 of 6 attempts in the 1st half. Doggedness of NYU's Pellecchia forced Bridget into numerous uncharacteristic passing turnovers.
Hannah continues to improve her confidence in her offensive game, scoring 14 to keep the Royals close in the 1st half.
NYU defense was effective in limiting Abby's opportunities after 1 driving basket in the 1st minute.
Looking forward to next season with nearly all players returning. Kudos to 2 who won't:
Emily, who said on an interview with Dean today that she was going to Drexel for nursing. I'm remembering a game @ Gwynedd-Mercy 2 seasons ago when she was 6-10 from 3-pt range, all swishes. Emily did a good job on the defensive boards this season with a couple of double-digit carom games.
  Abby - she was a joy for me to watch this season after advocating strongly for her 5 years ago before she chose D1 St. Francis. Notwithstanding all the points, rebounds, and assists this season, I feel she taught the rest of the team what it means to compete on every play. Best wishes on any future coaching opportunity!

[Augie2020]

I think you mean Hanna not Heather!Every sectional game was close except Scranton vs NYU.My question is why Dipillo never pressed them?He let them get into half court sets and Miller was just left alone and that is how they went onto that 35-16 run to close it out 37-30.Also alot of missed layups!Offense sells the tickets Defense wins the game..

[Augie2020]

About the result I expected.  Scranton put up a good fight, but they are not as good as NYU.  Going forward however, I think NYU will be just as challenged against Hope, should Hope win.

Jasmin you didn't even get off the bench it's in the name jasmin(Matthews)

[saratoga]

First things first...
Wonderful season yet again by the Lady Royals regardless of last nights downer.
All the very best to the graduating Seniors.
They've had an incredible 4 year run.
As freshman they went to the Final Four & they've never looked back while playing through a pandemic.
Abby...thank you for coming back home for your final season.
As Ronk said earlier...it was a pleasure to watch that fire & enthusiasm each & every game, each & every minute.
I wish we had 5 more of you!
A nice nucleus coming back, but recruiting wise, there needs to be some impact players coming in.
As we've seen all season, turnovers and blown layups will eventually kill you against the better teams.
These are two areas this team never improved upon.
And finally...serious flaws with their defense won't hurt much against lesser teams but boy will good teams exploit that weakness...exactly like NYU did last night.
Clearly this team needs several additions to take them from a nice team to an actual national challenger.
Here's to a great recruiting class. 

[NEPAFAN]

I'll see everyone on the recruiting trail, please keep us up-to-date. Safe travels home from Holland for the Royal Faithful.


Lets Go Royals!

[Augie2020]

What a difference in nights at Hope.Last Night NYU shot 42.3% from 3pt range Miller 6-16 3pt 7-17 from the floor for 20 pts,Shelton off the bench 2-3 3pt range 7-11 from the floor for 17 against Scranton.Tonight against Hope NYU same two players Miller 2-8 from 3pt range 4-11 from the floor for 10pts,Shelton 1-3 from 3pt range 2-6 from the floor for 5 points and tonight from 3pt range 29.4%.Difference when you deny and pay defense.One thing Hope did get was alot of calls I think 24-25 ft NYU 1-2. Hope went to the line alot because they drove to the basket and we did that in the first quarter but got away from it.

[ronk]

First things first...
Wonderful season yet again by the Lady Royals regardless of last nights downer.
All the very best to the graduating Seniors.
They've had an incredible 4 year run.
As freshman they went to the Final Four & they've never looked back while playing through a pandemic.
Abby...thank you for coming back home for your final season.
As Ronk said earlier...it was a pleasure to watch that fire & enthusiasm each & every game, each & every minute.
I wish we had 5 more of you!
A nice nucleus coming back, but recruiting wise, there needs to be some impact players coming in.
As we've seen all season, turnovers and blown layups will eventually kill you against the better teams.
These are two areas this team never improved upon.
And finally...serious flaws with their defense won't hurt much against lesser teams but boy will good teams exploit that weakness...exactly like NYU did last night.
Clearly this team needs several additions to take them from a nice team to an actual national challenger.
Here's to a great recruiting class. 

Right now it'll be 1 2022: https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-basketball-recruiting/new-york/east-syracuse/bishop-grimes-juniorsenior-high-school/jenna-sloan

Doesn't preclude potential xfers from the portal, however. I'll be checking in the spring. My potential(admittedly a long shot for the Royals) xfer(Ivy POY) is said to be going to UNC to rejoin the coach who originally recruited her for Princeton.  I had noticed her as a rising high school frosh.

[names jaismith]

Augie
Haha...way off...wrong gender....wrong generation....please don't be so sensitive - -all I said was NYU significantly better than Scranton (true), then likely Hope the same to NYU (also true)....don't be so sensitive...Scranton had a good season but often there is a pretty big gap from the last eight to the final 4

[Augie2020]

Augie
Haha...way off...wrong gender....wrong generation....please don't be so sensitive - -all I said was NYU significantly better than Scranton (true), then likely Hope the same to NYU (also true)....don't be so sensitive...Scranton had a good season but often there is a pretty big gap from the last eight to the final 4

You have it all wrong Not sensitive just don't like NYU.Its like Coach Strong  and Coach Quinn feeling!If you know what I mean!!!

[saratoga]

It's pretty obvious who I was rooting for Friday since my wife & I are Grad. School alums from Scranton.
Our daughter though went to the UofS as an undergrad & just graduated from NYU with her MA from there.
We had a bet on the game & let's just say her loyalties were not where ours were & she's a little richer for it. 
The color purple was a winner though!
On another topic...
Former UofS women's coach Trevor Woodruff took his Bucknell Lady Bison to their 3rd. straight Patriot League championship game only to fall to American U.
Congrats to Trevor on another outstanding season.

[saratoga]

If you're back from the great white north Augie...welcome home.
Back in 1999 I thought Janice was going to strangle Mike as the teams exited the Long Center floor at halftime of an NCAA tournament game.
Some serious battles that's for sure.

[NEPAFAN]

Thought this was interesting and wanted to share. Good video.

https://twitter.com/HopeAthletics/status/1503331382893887491?s=20&t=pnTi9lm6ZFmHnhYDLx3_qA

[Roundball999]

Thought this was interesting and wanted to share. Good video.

https://twitter.com/HopeAthletics/status/1503331382893887491?s=20&t=pnTi9lm6ZFmHnhYDLx3_qA

I hadn't seen that, thanks for posting.  This is part of what I've mentioned on other posts.  Some of this is fortunate circumstance (Freedom Village is 1/2 mile from Devos) but it has also been cultivated over a long period of time.  The school, the coach, and the young women on the team all work very hard to establish and sustain these relationships over time through community involvement.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Congrats to Scranton Assistant Kaitlyn Lewis on her recognition by the WBCA!

https://athletics.scranton.edu/sports/wbkb/2021-22/releases/20220314gpm0x6