WBB: NESCAC

nescac1 · December 30, 2011, 01:41:47 PM

Williams seems much improved this year, particularly on the defensive end -- Williams has shut down some pretty solid teams so far this year (holding opposing teams to .32 FG percentage despite playing a tough early schedule), and perhaps are a bit underrated nationally. Claire Baecher should be the first Eph all-American since Maggie Miller, and all five starters are athletic and can really guard people. Rehnquist like her Dad at Amherst appears to be a natural scorer.

Amherst will still be heavily favored, but the Ephs' defense could at least make things interesting this year, and the Ephs have only one senior starter so next year could be even better. The big question is does Williams have enough offensively, with only three consistent scorers at this point, and seemingly only one consistent three point threat.

This article notes a future Eph, MaryKate O'Brien:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/dec/30/ndn-holiday-shootout-penn-charter-defeats-maclay/

nescac1 · January 01, 2012, 07:31:03 AM

Nice article on Amherst frosh Robertson:

http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-29/north/30564212_1_gromacki-amherst-college-d3hoops-com

amh63 · January 01, 2012, 04:56:48 PM

nescac1.....Thanks for the story. Missed you at the Amherst MBB game. Got some smiles from some Jeff fans when I told them I was looking for a Williams man that I had invited.

nescac1 · January 01, 2012, 07:32:55 PM

Sorry, I had intended to make it but couldn't escape DC ... maybe in Salem

!

amh63 · January 04, 2012, 01:31:18 PM

Amherst will play its first conference game against Wes. on Friday. Wes. has recruited a 6'4" center from NYC. Hasn't made an impact to date. In general it is a young team but is on a winning streak. Won a holiday tournament in Jan. 2012. The win over NYU was led by senior guard Lippe. She will have a family reunion of sorts on Friday. Her younger brother, Max Lippe, is a 6'6" freshman player for the Amherst MBB team. He was also a QB on the football team.

NH NESCAC Fan · January 05, 2012, 03:02:38 PM

Amh63 - I am always amazed at the knowledge that you have relative to all things on this board. For those of us who are relative newcomers...or maybe just for my benefit...what's your story? I'm guessing you graduated from Amherst in '63, and I believe you've said you are down in the Metro DC/Northern Viginia neck of the woods, but it sounds like you get up here quite a bit? Just curious.

amh63 · January 05, 2012, 05:21:03 PM

NH NESCAC Fan.......Curiosity will get you.....just kidding. Basically, I grew up in Was. DC and went to Amherst when it was all male, under 1200 students, etc. I spent a great deal of time in the New England area going to school and during business trips. I met my wife at UConn., my oldest son was born in Cambridge, Ma. Our three kids..a daughter and two sons are all graduates of Amherst....and there were much time spent traveling up to western MA. I am based in Md. outside of Wash. D.C. When I was working, I often had business trips to Boston, Providence, towns in Ma. and Ct. During years of schooling at Amherst, UConn, MIT and even the Naval War College, etc. I have met and formed friendships with many people that are still in the New England area. Since retiring at the end of 1999, I have become a somewhat sports junkie and a "camp follower" of Amherst sports in general, and BB in particular. If you ever read my posts on the MBB board and the football board, you know that I enjoy "chatting" with other posters from other conference schools.
One of the great pleasures of following Amherst sports is meeting the players and their family members. I often follow Amherst students from the D.C. area as they go through school and compete in sports. In the NESCAC, there are many family related players playing at different schools and the relationships are often generational.
I have been involved in supporting Amherst over many decades....coordinating and interviewing prospects for the Admission Office in the 70's, etc. Since retiring, it is primarily in fund raising lately.
Having said that, I want to point out that Jasmine Hardy had a sort of "break-out " game in Vegas. I believe that Coach G. maybe looking at her to fill in next year as the PG while younger candidates are recruited/developed.
My next trip up will be for the Hamilton game on the 13th of Jan. Hope to get to see most of the WBB game. Probably will be eating dinner at Amherst Chinese in town before the WBB game. If you are in town around 5PM and are hungry for asian food, join me. I will buy you dinner. Jasmine should know the restaurant...as AmChim....across the street from the Town Hall.

NH NESCAC Fan · January 05, 2012, 10:06:45 PM

That is a wonderful offer, thank you. If I were heading down I would definitely take you up on it. There is a chance I might get down there for this Saturday's game against Conn College. My father-in-law lives in Chicopee, and we are due for a visit.

It was really nice to see Jas have the game she did in Las Vegas. I watched much of the first game online, and the announcers commented on what a nice shot she has. She is definitely happy that they moved the line back this year.

7express · January 06, 2012, 07:50:07 PM

According to the Amherst twitter, they clobbered Wesleyan 76-39. Caroline Stedman and Shannon Finucane each finished with 14 to pace the Lord Jeffs.
Also, Tufts upsets Williams 63-40, holding Williams to 21% shooting while forcing 21 turnovers

amh63 · January 06, 2012, 09:01:23 PM

The Amherst win over Wes. was worst than the score. The lead was around 40 plus for most of the second half. Both teams inserted players freely and Amherst finished the game with the reserves. Actually, Amherst started to build its big lead with only one starter in at times. Wes. does have a big team and inserted their 6'4" FY center in the 2nd half. The problem for Wes. was that they were not shooting very well, even under the baskets. There was a period in the first half when it was close, but Amherst pulled away steadily. Amherst's outside shots were falling as Wes. went into a zone. Slowed Amherst down for awhile....until adjustments were made. Both teams played hard. It was not the night for Wes. to pull an upset on the road.

amh63 · January 07, 2012, 10:55:04 AM

NH....Fan ....Hope you caught the game last night. There is a writeup of the game on the website that features Jasmine's pix and mentions that she is 8-11 in 3-point shots in her last 3 games. She is a player with pose. Her defensive game must be up since that is the key area that will get a player time on the floor,IMO.

amh63 · January 07, 2012, 05:41:41 PM

Amherst beats Conn. 93-42 as the defense shines again....holding the Camels to around 22% shooting. Every one for Amherst got floor time with 5 players in double figures for Amherst. The write-up of the game is on the Amherst website.

NH NESCAC Fan · January 07, 2012, 07:50:17 PM

amh63 - we made it down to the Amherst game today arriving with about 6 minutes left in the first half. Amherst is really, really good. They are extremely well balanced, very deep, and athletic. It was fun to watch them.

FYI...there was a gentleman at the game wearing an Amherst 1963 jacket...I had to ask him to make sure, but as you know, it wasn't you. I told him to keep an eye out for you next Friday.

amh63 · January 08, 2012, 10:08:57 AM

NH...Fan....Thanks for the alert. Glad you enjoyed the game and saw Jasmine play well.
Now my curiosity is up......first my class has no gentlemen. I know of two classmates that live in the immediate area but are not candidates to attend sporting events and/or wear their old freshmen letter(numeral) sweaters. There were a number of other sporting events going on that may have brought out classmates....watching grandkids! There were swimming meets going on with Williams and a hockey game also next door with Colby. I will just have to see if he returns for a "late" game on Friday. I do know of several alumni that attend games regularly....but they are either younger or older and never wear their class garbs.

NH NESCAC Fan · January 08, 2012, 07:54:58 PM

Duly noted on the use of the gentleman term. I shan't make that mistake again. Ok...so this "guy" said he was supposed to be in the class of '62, but he took a year off. You won't be able to miss him if he is there, and wearing the jacket. It is a purple wool jacket with white leather sleeves. On the back it says "AMHERST". Under that is a large basketball, and under that was "1963". He apparently attends quite a few games because he was very familiar with Jasmine, and her shooting prowess of late. I hope he's there. Have a great time.