2008 Woodie Awards
Lady Rangers are improving, becoming 'focused' with a long way still to go
Brian Olson
Issue date:
1/29/08
Section:
Sports
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The OC women got off to a slow start against the Cardinals, but kept up the pressure throughout the first half and went into the locker room leading by five points.
Skagit Valley came out strong to start the second half, but that intensity did not last, as the Rangers soon pulled away and never looked back.
"I was really proud," coach Paul Felker said after the game.
"They played selfless basketball; good, team basketball," Felker added, noting that unselfish play had been a key focus in practices leading up to the game.
Megan Gilbert, who scored 19 in Saturday's win, had expressed the need to "be focused for a full game instead of part," prior to the meeting with Skagit Valley.
That focus, as well as improved defense and precise shooting, could be seen throughout the game, with the Rangers shooting 11 percent more accurately than the Cardinals and taking the ball away almost twice as often as their opponents did.
There are, however, improvements to be made before the Rangers head into the home stretch of this season.
"I would have liked to see us rebound the ball better," said coach Felker.
"We gave up a lot of offensive rebounds," he added, referring to the Cardinals' 31-16 advantage on the offensive boards.
With a record of 7-11, though, the OC women will have to step up in their final eight games, especially against tough teams like Everett and Bellevue, if they want to finish strong.
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