Lady Bulldogs third in ASC as playoffs draw near
David Thompson
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: Sports
After starting the season with three consecutive loses, the TLU woman's basketball team is making a confident run through the American Southwest Conference schedule.
Roxanne Long in her second year as head coach feels she has her team ready for a strong showing in the ASC conference tournament. "So far I am really proud of how our season has gone and how a lot of players have stepped up for us. We are just starting the west side of our conference, so for us the season is starting over; if we play well down this stretch it will get us into the playoffs."
One of the biggest differences from this year and last year is the amount of depth that the Bulldogs have. The ability to sub players in and out without losing production has made them a feared team around the league. "Depth," says Long, "has added a good element to our game plan. We have a lot of players who can play different positions and add talent to our rotation."
Another improvement to this team has been their ability to get points in the paint. Rising stars Pearl Kafka, sophomore kinesiology major and Candace Mitchell, sophomore kinesiology major have given the Bulldogs much needed presence down low, allowing outside shooters like Jennifer Munoz, sophomore kinesiology major and Kim Hagan, sophomore kinesiology major to light up the scoreboard night after night.
Hagan, who has become one of the leaders of the team, believes there have been successful adjustments made since last year.
"A lot of us played as freshman last year and just to mature and pull out close games has been a big difference from last year. We are a really young team; we only have one senior and two juniors, and since many of us played as freshman, I think the experience has helped us." Hagan said.
When looking for the catalyst of the team, look no further than at the head coach for the Lady Bulldogs.
In just two years after accepting the position as head coach, Coach Long has guided her team to an 8-5 ASC record and 9-7 overall.
Roxanne Long in her second year as head coach feels she has her team ready for a strong showing in the ASC conference tournament. "So far I am really proud of how our season has gone and how a lot of players have stepped up for us. We are just starting the west side of our conference, so for us the season is starting over; if we play well down this stretch it will get us into the playoffs."
One of the biggest differences from this year and last year is the amount of depth that the Bulldogs have. The ability to sub players in and out without losing production has made them a feared team around the league. "Depth," says Long, "has added a good element to our game plan. We have a lot of players who can play different positions and add talent to our rotation."
Another improvement to this team has been their ability to get points in the paint. Rising stars Pearl Kafka, sophomore kinesiology major and Candace Mitchell, sophomore kinesiology major have given the Bulldogs much needed presence down low, allowing outside shooters like Jennifer Munoz, sophomore kinesiology major and Kim Hagan, sophomore kinesiology major to light up the scoreboard night after night.
Hagan, who has become one of the leaders of the team, believes there have been successful adjustments made since last year.
"A lot of us played as freshman last year and just to mature and pull out close games has been a big difference from last year. We are a really young team; we only have one senior and two juniors, and since many of us played as freshman, I think the experience has helped us." Hagan said.
When looking for the catalyst of the team, look no further than at the head coach for the Lady Bulldogs.
In just two years after accepting the position as head coach, Coach Long has guided her team to an 8-5 ASC record and 9-7 overall.
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