With nine games left in the regular season, girls? basketball Head Coach Steve Roberts says his team is looking to turn their record around.
Lady Dragons have an 8-4 overall record, but are at a meager 2-4 record in Oakland Activities Association (OAA) Red play, as of Jan. 25.
‘As with any team, you always want to have more wins than what you presently have,? said Roberts, noting many of the team’s loses have been by a small point margin.
‘Going into the season, we knew that all of our games would be within a 10 point range and we’re hoping to get on the top side of that,? he said. ‘I think [players] are not satisfied with the results, especially when they have played those tight, close games where the outcome could have been different.?
In their games against North Farmington and Southfield Lathrup, the girls lost 57-45 and 55-46, respectively. Roberts says he’s especially looking forward to playing those teams in the second half of the season.
‘I think we’re getting to a point now where we have players at the varsity level. Returning players didn’t always have the minutes that they’re getting this year. Now they have half a season in their experience.?
In a Jan. 12 game against Troy, the girls came from a 25-17 halftime deficit to tie the score at the end of the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime. Lady Dragons out-scored their opponent 10-1 in overtime to win the game, 52-43.
Alexis Haan led the scoring with 17 points and Jackie Hood added double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Friday, Jan. 15 , the girls lost to North Farmington, 57-45.?
Hood led all scorers with 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Haan had’nine points and Marissa Secontine added eight.
Lady Dragons improved their overall record to 7-4, Jan. 19, with a strong win over Southfield, 42-23.’Dragon defense shut down the Blue Jays offense in the first half, allowing them a mere ten points.??
Secontine led scoring with 10 points. Haan and Jaime Tasco added 10 points each.??
Jan. 21, the girls defeated West Bloomfield. Haan led the scoring with 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Hood had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Secontine scored 11 points. Maddi Gagen made two clutch free throws to seal the victory.
This season, Roberts says his five rotating guards — Gagen, Tasco, Abbe Richards, Alyssa Wesley and Maddie Hutchinson — have played well.
Hood, he added, has been a ‘catalyst? for the team.
‘She sets the tone for everybody and plays an aggressive, good, quality 32 minutes, win or lose. She’s a very scrappy and hustling kind of player.?
The coach notes OAA and district titles are still up for grabs.
‘Win-loss records are not always an indicator of the abilities of teams,? he said. ‘It’s anybody’s game. The best team on game night is the best team. We can’t let our guard down and we have to be sharp on all levels of competition.?
Lady Dragons hosted Clarkston Jan. 26, and will take on Rochester Jan. 28. See next week’s Review for those results.