WBB: Empire 8

[EC-Fan]

I'm truly sorry you feel that way...As you said, We all want the same thing...to see Elmira succeed !  Why don't we turn this thread around and post some positives about what we expect to see from the Ladies of Elmira this weekend against Hartwick and Utica ?

[kate]

Hoopster 12, i full well realize that i probably have no business commenting on your last post, but i hope you'll come to know that long after your player has graduated, D3 Hoops forum is the thread that keeps us all together.  Over the past 12 years of being an ardent D3 fan, i've learned sooo much, been to many wonderful colleges, & most importantly, made many great friends among parents, coaches, & fellow fans.

[EC-Fan]

WELL SAID, Kate !!! 

[sotier]

Credit where credit is due.Coach Howley did a good job this weekend.Played a defense that suits this teams personnel.Time outs and substitutions in a timely manner. Allowing the players to build some cohesiveness on the friday hartwick game was needed. Even though things did not go as well against Utica, I believe she was into the game.Saw Coach Howley on numberous ocassions giving instruction on the sideline,and encouraging players.On the whole, things were  on the positive side this weekend.Something to build on.

[EC-Fan]

The Friday game against Hartwick was indeed a pleasure to watch.  This was by far the best game of the season for EC.  The girls played with obvious desire and effort and they seemed to be led well by the coaching staff.  Everyone involved played well together truly showing what can be accomplished through teamwork.  I, for one, am thoroughly impressed by how well and consistent EC is now shooting from the FT line.  In this game, there were a lot of good inside looks and not a whole lot of wasted shots.  The defense was strong and was even switched up a bit by Coach Howley.  It genuinely appeared as though the team was having fun on the court.  I'm not sure what happened in the Saturday game against Utica   Once again, too many offensive throw-aways and generally sloppy play.   

[Bombers798891]

Stevens upsets Utica and Bombers roll...

Ithaca now 11-0 in conference and with a two-game lead, might have put the locks on it. Utica's only hope now might be Stevens beating IC and then, if the Pioneers beat the Bombers, winning it via a tiebreak

[sotier]

EC-SJF game was a good one. Exciting and fun to watch. A "basketball fans" sort of game.This was not a game of highlite reel shots,but a game of toughness and execution.Perhaps the best offensive flow to EC game all year.Good movement without the ball led to chances on the drive and backcuts.A gritty defense  gave SJF very few easy looks.However when given the easy looks SJF, to their credit, made them count.Some EC fans seemed to not be happy with the continued Zone defense,played by coach Howley.But just think back,EC started playing better when they switched to that "D". I believe it is the defense that gives EC the best chance to win. I also believe Howley has reached the same conclusion.They are getting consistent stops and extra turnovers playing the zone...keep it up.Howley score this game ....B  to a B+  . I would give you an "A" if you could get your  "BIG" girls to kick the ball out when they have 4 defenders on them. Thats called "team" ball.The fact that a couple players "refuse" to recognize that continues to be a detriment offensively.

[Pat Coleman]

EC-SJF game was a good one. Exciting and fun to watch. A "basketball fans" sort of game.This was not a game of highlite reel shots,but a game of toughness and execution.Perhaps the best offensive flow to EC game all year.Good movement without the ball led to chances on the drive and backcuts.A gritty defense  gave SJF very few easy looks.However when given the easy looks SJF, to their credit, made them count.Some EC fans seemed to not be happy with the continued Zone defense,played by coach Howley.But just think back,EC started playing better when they switched to that "D". I believe it is the defense that gives EC the best chance to win. I also believe Howley has reached the same conclusion.They are getting consistent stops and extra turnovers playing the zone...keep it up.Howley score this game ....B  to a B+  . I would give you an "A" if you could get your  "BIG" girls to kick the ball out when they have 4 defenders on them. Thats called "team" ball.The fact that a couple players "refuse" to recognize that continues to be a detriment offensively.

Changing your email address to a non-existent email gets you locked out of the system. Please email me with a valid email address.

[TheNextLevel]

Glad to see the Elmira Women are starting to play better.  Congratulations on your recent wins...lets hope they continue.

[EC-Fan]

VENTING TIME...In my book, and in many others,' there is a world of difference between constructive criticism and outright under-handed rudeness of comment made to individual players of the game.   
Recently, a "fan" had been observed obviously planning the timing of his/her exit from a recent road game to coincide with a certain player's entry into the gymnasium after the game.  That person then proceeded to mutter guided and improper comments to other nearby fans with the obvious and specific intent of having them being overheard by this certain player.  I will not get into the specific comment(s) made and witnessed by many, but I will say this...Grow up, Shut up, or Stay Home.  I/We support ALL of our players, win or lose.

...Let's discuss (sports) in a positive way, sometimes kidding each other with no disrespect...

[SOTIER1]

If you watch them play, you have to like Ithaca's team.If you like ball movement,player movement, unselfish play,and top that with deadly shooting all that is in Ithacas game. Every local high school coach(both boys and girls) should take his or her team to watch them play. For every team should aspire to play like that.
Thank you to the EC seniors for your dedication to the team. All four of you are quality individuals.

[Bombers798891]

Bombers have a chance to go 16-0 in conference play for the first time in E8 history. Amazing stuff.

Is it just mean, or does the E8 seem down this year as a whole? You've got IC and Utica and then a just ok Stevens and Fisher team. Ithaca's 15-0 in conference and has really only been challenged a couple of times. Obviously, the Bombers are good, but I can't shake the feeling that there's just not a lot of tough games in the conference.

This may be Raymond's best team ever (and that's saying something). 20-4 with losses to D-1AA Cornell, #2 Kean (Which has only lost to Rutgers)  19-3 Cortland (A team IC beat) and 16-6 St. Lawrence.

It'll be interesting to see what happens next year. They're only graduating two players, albeit probably their two best.

[SOTIER1]

Bombers....I also believe this is a down year for the E8. Although EC is in last place in the E8, Ithaca is the only team they have played where I felt that even on our best day we could not beat them.IC is ,this year at least, all alone at the top,with  UC a step or two back , and all the rest in a bunch of "win or lose to each other at any night" grouping.Though IC loses only two players this year,they are the two key players,and will be tough to find replacements to bring to the table what they do. That said,IC now is the time to take a NCAA run to represent the E8 in fine fashion.They have the kind of team that can go far in playoffs.good luck!

[TheNextLevel]

I agree, it is a down year in the E8 as well as the Liberty League and SUNYAC. Rochester,  Cortland and Ithaca are the class of upstate NY womens hoop this year with Utica in the discusion only because of the play of Jesscia Berry.

Bombers....I also believe this is a down year for the E8. Although EC is in last place in the E8, Ithaca is the only team they have played where I felt that even on our best day we could not beat them.IC is ,this year at least, all alone at the top,with  UC a step or two back , and all the rest in a bunch of "win or lose to each other at any night" grouping.Though IC loses only two players this year,they are the two key players,and will be tough to find replacements to bring to the table what they do. That said,IC now is the time to take a NCAA run to represent the E8 in fine fashion.They have the kind of team that can go far in playoffs.good luck!

[Costanza]

I often read these message boards and find myself amused by the critical analysis of people who spend their lives doing things other than coaching.  Level and Sotier, how many games have you really watched in the state of NY.  To say that this is a down year in Upstate NY as well as your league, (the Empire 8), and that Utica is only in the discussion " only because of the play of Jess Berry " is absurd at best.  There are a lot of great teams in Upstate NY.  First, Coach Davis is an outstanding coach and has done a great job making Utica a title contender each year.  In terms of Berry, she is a great talent and perhaps the best player in the league, but with out the play of Devin Croll each night she may not even touch the ball.  Croll might be the most underrated player in that league.  Berry is an all-conference, all-region, and potentially all-american forward, but with out a great guard like Croll, she may not even touch the ball.

Furthermore, to say that there are only three class teams in the region is to diminish the job that so many fine coaches have done, but why should that surprise me.  You have both spent far too much time posting on this board ripping, judging, and evaluating coaches and teams. Neither one of you has ever held the clip board on a collegiate sideline, and neither one of you has any comprehension as to what it takes to build a college program.  I'm not saying that I possess that comprehension either, but I'm also not spending my time on this site ripping coaches and players.  Instead, I will continue to watch, support, and cheer for my favorite upstate team and appreciate the fact that my daughter gets to do something that thousands of other kids don't get to do:  Wear a college basketball jersey. 

I suggest you both do some reevalutaing and take the creed of this site's founder and "discuss sports in a positive manner".  I'm sure that my post will be met with ridicule and scorn, but I don't care.  Besides, what else could I expect out of a cow farmer from Cooperstown, NY and an insurance salesman from Elmira,NY!