SLIAC

jdoug2 · January 18, 2007, 11:47:43 PM

Thanks for the update jack. It can be tough playing with a short bench, but it can also be a good thing if the ones you do have are good. Then you don't have to worry about playing too many kids. The rest of the season should be interesting. I'll have to talk to Lauren later and ask her how her game was.

pantherpride06 · January 19, 2007, 09:18:29 AM

jdoug2: I hope the Jan 30 meeting between Greenville and Fontbonne will be closer. It will be tough for us coming down to Fontbonne. Both the men and women's programs have has some problems coming there and trying to win. Both programs need to get a big win there on 1/30.

y_jack_lok · January 19, 2007, 09:29:24 AM

jdoug, not only does Webster play with a short bench, they play with players who wouldn't start for Maryville, Fontbonne, or Greeville. Just about every other team in the conference has at least one player who could start for those teams. It is a real testament to the first year head coach who is about 26 years old and in her first college head coaching job (a couple of years of high school head coaching and one year as a D2 assistant) that Webster has any wins at all. As just a spectator, it seems to me that the players are responding to her coaching, learning their lessons well and getting the most out of their limited athletic ability. She even has them pressing now, which is new the past 2 or 3 games, and it is reaping some benefits. I look for Webster to be back in the thick of things possibly as early as next year.

jdoug2 · January 19, 2007, 10:14:52 AM

Panther, while I'll be pulling for a Fontbonne win, I hope the game is close as well. I think tough wins against good teams are better for your program than blowouts versus patsies. Good wins harden you and get you ready for the playoffs.

Sounds like Webster has a good coach to lead them down the road. I've seen enough basketball to know what a good coach can do, espescially when the players begin to buy into the system. It happens on every level, a well coached team can sometimes sneak out a win against a team with more talent.

sully309 · January 19, 2007, 12:33:46 PM

Thanks for the report, y_jack. Hopefully, we'll be able to give Greenville and Prin a game this week. Outside shooting has not been Eureka's strong point this season. Nicole is having a great season and her teammates are a big part of it. There is some untapped talent on this team and the time is now to mesh things together and go on a run.

pantherpride06 · January 19, 2007, 07:10:49 PM

eureka_sid... for you sake, I hope it's a good game... on my end, I hope the ladies go out and take care of business like they did v. Webster. In the first half, the ladies dominated. They hit shots from everywhere. They are having one of the best seasons offensively and defensively (statistically) in GC women's basketball history. They scored 50 in the first half the other night. That hasn't been done in a while against anyone. They have many great leaders on the team. One of which is senior guard Natalie Lappe. (Said Lap...) She really makes they wheels go on our team. Tough ball player. Close to double doubles in assist and points the last few games. She needs to show up big v. Eureka.

Go Lady Panthers.

y_jack_lok · January 20, 2007, 01:40:58 AM

jdoug, I saw Wash U destroy #2 Rochester tonight. Got there with 8 1/2 minutes left in the first half. Dee Dee was in the game. She played pretty well for 5 minutes in the first half (although Coach Fahey did scold her once for picking up her dribble without someone to pass to) and the final 2 minutes of the 2nd half. Stat sheet shows her as 0-1 from the field, 2 of 2 free throws (I saw those), 2 turnovers, one steal, and no rebounds (although I think that is wrong as I'm pretty sure I saw her get one). Anyway, nice to see her get some early playing time. Maybe this means she will get some more minutes over the last 10 games of the season.

jdoug2 · January 20, 2007, 03:24:11 PM

Thanks Jack. Great to hear DeeDee is getting some playing time. I know she can play at this level. She'll just have to earn the trust of the coach. Lord Knows that can be trying when dealing with a freshman.

y_jack_lok · January 20, 2007, 07:08:29 PM

Scouting report for Eureka SID. Principia has a solid women's team. Three seniors -- #4 Avery Poindexter, #22 Sarah Jarvis, and #40 Leslie Nichols all play very well. Nichols had 25 points and 14 rebounds in their 78-58 win over Webster today. Sophomore Christian Speer, last year's conference soring leader, had 8 points and 7 rebounds. I believe the reason she didn't score more is that they weren't lookingg to go to her. But if you concentrate too much on Nichols, Speer can fill the void. Good luck on Tuesday.

Beaver_SID · January 20, 2007, 08:01:19 PM

BC def. Westminster 73-71

45 fouls calle din the game.

BC led by Mehgan Polston with 31 points and Lovie McClom with 14 points.

sully309 · January 21, 2007, 01:49:10 AM

Sounds like an ugly game in Blackburn, but congrats to BC on their first win. There were 43 fouls when Blackburn played here earlier, so I'm guessing that won't be the last time they break the 40 foul barrier in a game.

Eureka played its most complete game that I have seen Saturday in 63-59 OT win over Greenville. The Panthers had a poor shooting day. Lappe was 3-20 on the day. Frost was 6-14 and 4-9 on threes. She hit a 3 with 7 seconds left in regulation to force OT. Then, barely touched the ball in overtime. Go figure.

This was a good game to watch. Both teams are well coached. Greenville I'm sure is not happy with how well they played and I would expect a tough game in the return visit. Looking at the standings, it appears the top half and bottom half separated Saturday. One of Greenville, Prin and Eureka will be left out of the top 4. Tuesday's game at Prin looms large.

y_jack_lok · January 21, 2007, 09:03:50 AM

Nice home win for Eureka over Greenville. Sounds like EC did a better job defending Tricia Frost than Webster did. In the Webster game she was 8-12 overall and hit 4-5 threes. Still, she had a good game against GC. Good to Eureka look against Prin on Tuesday. A win for EC will make the conference race more interesting with 5 teams in contention rather than 4.

jdoug2 · January 22, 2007, 03:56:15 PM

Really looking forward to the Maryville-Fontbonne game this Wednesday. Wish I was going to be there.

On another topic, does anyone know how the SLIAC tourney is set up? Top 8 teams are in? Any byes awarded? Is it Thursday-Saturday? Trying to figure this out now for flight information. Thanks in advance.

y_jack_lok · January 22, 2007, 04:47:38 PM

jdoug, I may go over for Maryville/Fontbonne on Wednesday since Webster does not play again until Saturday.

Top 4 teams make the tournament.

According to the SLIAC Website (scroll to bottom of link below),

http://www.sliac.org/womens3/wbasketball/

the tournament starts Thursday 2/22. Winners will play on Saturday. The men play Friday and Saturday. This is done in case the same school has teams in both tournaments. The times for the championship games will probably be staggered to allow for people to attend both games -- assuming that is possible given locations. The regular season champion gets to host the tournament. Odds are pretty good that Maryville or Fontbonne will host on the women's side. The men's side is still wide open and may not likely be determined until the final games of the season on Tuesday 2/20.

jdoug2 · January 22, 2007, 04:55:59 PM

Thanks for the info Jack. I'll be interested in your report on the Maryville-Fontbonne game.

And thanks for the info on the SLIAC playoffs. Don't think I'll be able to make it, but Lauren's parents might be able to make it up there. I will be there Feb 3 and Feb 17. Hopefully we'll have better weather than the last trip.