Next game is Fri., 3/15/2019 at 8:00am at

O'Reilley - Tefft Gym
 1408 E Pythian St
Springfield, MO 65802 (Just south of Evangel)

Please be there at 7:30am ( with your shoes on :) ) so we can be good and warmed up! Let's finish this tournament 2-2.

A few comments about today....

Thurs - Girls, if we could have had 2 weeks of practice and a couple warm up games - this group of girls could have possibly won a Gold Ball! The way you have come together in the last 2 games has been great.

We won today because we did not turn the ball over - hardly at all. What a difference.
Our overall half court defense was fantastic. Our wing coverage was really good and when we couldn't make it to the baseline - our taller girls helped out well. Our rebounding was the best so far - except for a few times where they got long rebounds off of free throws. Make sure you are contacting the girl next to you prior to the free throw will help you in blocking out.

Watching you girls get the ball to the middle of the floor to break the press was impressive. We handled their press just fine and got some easy baskets out of it!

Way to go, girls! Let's finish strong tomorrow!

Wed

First, I can't say enough about your desire and effort! Excellent. There's no quit in you. Each and every one of you are what any coach wishes to have on a team.

Fundamentally, we have some things to work on.

REMEMBER THIS: Three things win more basketball games than anything.

1) Defense
2) Rebounding
3) Turnovers

We were way better today than yesterday - and we will be better tomorrow. From now until tomorrow - focus on how we can improve in those 3 areas. From my perspective:

Defense - Court awareness. Know who you are defending at all times. Be constantly ready to play HELP defense. Whether your responsibility or not, we have to stop letting our opponents have wide - open shots. If the shot goes up on one side of the floor - the OPPOSITE (weak) side guard has to crash the boards to help get that long rebound.

Rebounding - Block out. Weak side guard again - as above - crashes to help with the long rebound. We saw some improvement here today. When we are on offense - when the shot goes up - weak side guard crashes - shooter follows their shot - remaining guard MUST get back on defense to stop the fast break.

Turnovers - When you have the ball - DON'T PANIC under pressure. Make sure your pass is going to get to your player. I don't want you to play scared or too conservative - BUT - any coach should demand of his players to take care of the basketball and minimize turnovers. Nine times out of ten - the team with the fewest turnovers - WINS.

 

A FEW INBOUND PLAYS UNDER THE BASKET