WBB: Empire 8

[gobombers15]

Looks like Tuesday night may be for the right to host the E8 Women's Tourney as Elmira tries to avenge an 18-point thumping to start the conference season in Ithaca. IC almost put up three digits on the EC that night. I take nothing from that fact that the Bombers won by 18 the first time around because the Bombers also beat Utica by 18 at the Bulb then proceeded to lose by 19 in Utica. Should be a good game. I like IC's heart and I think they'll come through. I just hope they don't give it back next weekend against RIT or Naz.

[sotier]

gobombers is right, this coming tuesdays game between IC and EC may be THE defining game of the season for both clubs. Will the outcome be different than their first meeting? All I can say is that EC coach has done a tremendous job in developing his bench.  EC is deep. Both at guard and forward position. If one or more of the parts is not clicking, plug in a different part and keep rolling.New options have been developed since the first meeting,and better understanding of the system by the young players. Be ready IC you will face 40 minutes of constant pressure.How I wish I could be at the game, go if you can fans this will be one to remember.

[gobombers15]

I don't think the pressure will bother the Bombers. They are well-schooled in handling the press. I think that's an effect of having to play Fisher two or three times each season. I think if Ithaca executes, they can win that game. The Bombers have seemed to have had Elmira's number in the past. We'll see what happens on Tuesday night. However, I get the feeling that Tuesday night's matchup may not be the last between the two teams...what we don't know is where that potential third game will be played.

[sotier]

Fisher fans, is the time here for Kahler to retire?  Being new to the area,I have not seen him on the bench in years past. But saturday he did nothing against EC. I can hear the screeming already.He is a legand,he has won more games than anyone,he can still outcoach all the rest. But realistically, can he still. All good things come to an end,and I think we are seeing the end of a career here.I recognize his Great sucess,Iwish him well.But its time to ride off into the sunset.

[gobombers15]

Fisher fans, is the time here for Kahler to retire?  Being new to the area,I have not seen him on the bench in years past. But saturday he did nothing against EC. I can hear the screeming already.He is a legand,he has won more games than anyone,he can still outcoach all the rest. But realistically, can he still. All good things come to an end,and I think we are seeing the end of a career here.I recognize his Great sucess,Iwish him well.But its time to ride off into the sunset.

Sotier, he has been that way for years. The female assistant is the one who is always pacing the sideline and barking out orders. That said, and make no mistake about it, Kahler is still the coach of that team. She is just the one relaying his orders. If she ever did something he didn't agree with, his say goes. Also, during timeouts, he's the one that does most of the talking.

This coaching transition has been in the making for years. I'm sure that in the next couple of years Kahler will be stepping down. However, I'm a firm believer that so long as you're not hanging on to the detriment of the players, the coach can continue as long as he wants (especially at the D3 level). I don't think Kahler's presence is hurting the team and that, given he is a legend, he can pick his time.

[gobombers15]

Also, look at how much talent Fisher lost from last year's team. The Cards are allowed a rebuilding year. The same thing happened to Ithaca last season after the departure of the best player that the E8 has ever seen in Stephanie Cleary.

[Adam the Bull]

I have seen both Elmira and Ithaca play twice and to be honest I am shocked that Ithaca won the first meeting. I think Elmira beats Ithaca by 10 on Tuesday.

[lileyes]

Stephanie Clearly put up some great #'s, but I don't know if you can call her the best player the E8 has ever seen.

[gobombers15]

Stephanie Clearly put up some great #'s, but I don't know if you can call her the best player the E8 has ever seen.

Who do you propose is better? Cleary's numbers were unreal and the fact she didn't win E8 POY in her junior year (Jennifer Parker? Please!) was one of the biggest screw-jobs I've ever seen. At the risk of sounding closed-minded, I really don't think there is much to debate considering how long the conference has been in existence. There were just no holes in her game.

[sotier]

Interesting.Neither EC or IC has had a player of the week for E8 this year, and only once mentioned for a rookie of the week. What do we make of that? If anything.

[gobombers15]

Interesting.Neither EC or IC has had a player of the week for E8 this year, and only once mentioned for a rookie of the week. What do we make of that? If anything.

I think both teams are very deep and don't look to one or two places for their scoring. Each team has five or six players that can score double-figures on a given night.

[Caz Bombers]

Stephanie Clearly put up some great #'s, but I don't know if you can call her the best player the E8 has ever seen.

If anyone else has had a 2nd Team d3hoops.com All-American, I'd like to hear about it.

[gobombers15]

Stephanie Clearly put up some great #'s, but I don't know if you can call her the best player the E8 has ever seen.

If anyone else has had a 2nd Team d3hoops.com All-American, I'd like to hear about it.

Frankly, I was surprised she didn't make 1st Team.

[Pat Coleman]

Well, we only put five on our first team, unlike the 10 the coaches' association does.

[JQV]

I think the only player in E8 history that could legitimately challenge Cleary for best player in conference history is Kerri Brown.  But without doing a bit of research I think Cleary was better as a Senior than Brown was.  Then again, Brown had to share the ball with Cleary in her senior year.