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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:32 am
TheRock90
Joined: 06 Aug 2007
Posts: 216
Location: Easton
I'll admit I'm no girls basketball fan although I did watch a few games on TV. But I have a question that maybe those of you close to the program like sinclair, maroon or carney can answer.
I was at the ticket office a few weeks ago to pick up tickets for the mens Lehigh game and while I was waiting for someone to showup in the ticket office, I wandered into the gym and the girls were practicing. They had some partitions around the floor but I could see between them and John Leone was coaching the team and the other coaches were standing on the sideline. My question is, is he an assistant coach? And, why isn't he on the bench during the games instead of doing the color on TV?
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:28 pm
carney2
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 1173
TheRock90 wrote:
I'll admit I'm no girls basketball fan although I did watch a few games on TV. But I have a question that maybe those of you close to the program like sinclair, maroon or carney can answer.
I was at the ticket office a few weeks ago to pick up tickets for the mens Lehigh game and while I was waiting for someone to showup in the ticket office, I wandered into the gym and the girls were practicing. They had some partitions around the floor but I could see between them and John Leone was coaching the team and the other coaches were standing on the sideline. My question is, is he an assistant coach? And, why isn't he on the bench during the games instead of doing the color on TV?
I have no idea, but am willing to hazard a guess. John Leone, as most folks know, is the former men's varsity basketball coach at Lafayette. He loves the game. In fact, if you follow him on our football telecasts and the occasional baseball or soccer telecast, you know that he loves any game. If there's a ball bouncing, dribbling, being kicked, being batted or being fumbled, he's there. My guess is that he spends mucho time in the athletic complex under the guise of preparing for his telecasting duties. He is coach without portfolio of more than one Lafayette team. Occasionally, the coaches need to get off to the side, take a long look at what's going on, and put their heads together. I'm betting that the cry "Hey John, can you handle this drill for us?" is heard often on College Hill.
Thanks for grouping me with the real ladies' hoops afficianados. I am an interested but, alas, casual fan whose daughters all played, but not at this level.
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:14 pm
Franks Tanks
Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 532
carney2 wrote:
TheRock90 wrote:
I'll admit I'm no girls basketball fan although I did watch a few games on TV. But I have a question that maybe those of you close to the program like sinclair, maroon or carney can answer.
I was at the ticket office a few weeks ago to pick up tickets for the mens Lehigh game and while I was waiting for someone to showup in the ticket office, I wandered into the gym and the girls were practicing. They had some partitions around the floor but I could see between them and John Leone was coaching the team and the other coaches were standing on the sideline. My question is, is he an assistant coach? And, why isn't he on the bench during the games instead of doing the color on TV?
I have no idea, but am willing to hazard a guess. John Leone, as most folks know, is the former men's varsity basketball coach at Lafayette. He loves the game. In fact, if you follow him on our football telecasts and the occasional baseball or soccer telecast, you know that he loves any game. If there's a ball bouncing, dribbling, being kicked, being batted or being fumbled, he's there. My guess is that he spends mucho time in the athletic complex under the guise of preparing for his telecasting duties. He is coach without portfolio of more than one Lafayette team. Occasionally, the coaches need to get off to the side, take a long look at what's going on, and put their heads together. I'm betting that the cry "Hey John, can you handle this drill for us?" is heard often on College Hill.
Thanks for grouping me with the real ladies' hoops afficianados. I am an interested but, alas, casual fan whose daughters all played, but not at this level.
Ya Carney is right, he is not an official coach but he will help out. I have seen him in the gym working with one or two girls before outside of the season. He just likes to be involved.
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:19 pm
The Maroon
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 459
Location: Bethlehem, PA
I guess I am an "Afficiando". I like the women's game--below the rim, emphasis on good fundamentals.
However, I'm not close to the program---which is how it should be. I know nothing more than the SID wants me to know. So all I can do is guess.
I'm sure this will bring up some bashing, but John did work under the tutelage of one of the all time greats: Butch VBK. There are elements in Tammy's offense that are similar to VBK's. (How many teams weave?) Many times it's good in coaching to offer a second voice--a different approach. My guess is that's what John provides. I'm virtually certain he's not an assistant--he's probably just asked to offer his expertise. I'm sure it's appreciated by all as he's an enthusiastic and fun teacher.
Again--just a guess--but you can tell in his broadcast that John is "coaching" sometimes rather than commentating...."BOUNCE PASS!" _________________ I bleed Maroon
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:22 pm
Franks Tanks
Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 532
What is John's official function with the school? Doesnt he work in the Alumni office around fund raising.
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:41 pm
The Maroon
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 459
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Franks Tanks wrote:
What is John's official function with the school? Doesnt he work in the Alumni office around fund raising.
Yeah--I think he hits up the heavy hitters like Lafalum--not the beer and meatball crowd. _________________ I bleed Maroon
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:04 pm
ps2
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 4
I think that you are on target with the developing the talent thing.But I think you are off base with the amount of talent on this team. This team doesnot have a lot of talent. I think that our first 2 scholarship classes may have netted us 1 legit d-1 player in Wright. The others although in limited minutes have not shown to me that they are ready to take this team to the next level of being considered a good team.What really scares me for next year is defense.Yes we are losing alot on offense.But in my opinion we are losing our best two defenders in VVD and Purr even hurt she was by far our best low post defender.This team next year will struggle to score with no VVD and will probably have to play a lot of zone to hide defensive short commings. I know that we are new at this scholarship thing but our coaching staff needs to do a better job. Wins next year 8 sorry but we are goin backwards.
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:11 pm
The Maroon
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 459
Location: Bethlehem, PA
ps2 wrote:
I think that you are on target with the developing the talent thing.But I think you are off base with the amount of talent on this team. This team doesnot have a lot of talent. I think that our first 2 scholarship classes may have netted us 1 legit d-1 player in Wright. The others although in limited minutes have not shown to me that they are ready to take this team to the next level of being considered a good team.What really scares me for next year is defense.Yes we are losing alot on offense.But in my opinion we are losing our best two defenders in VVD and Purr even hurt she was by far our best low post defender.This team next year will struggle to score with no VVD and will probably have to play a lot of zone to hide defensive short commings. I know that we are new at this scholarship thing but our coaching staff needs to do a better job. Wins next year 8 sorry but we are goin backwards.
I'm LOVING this discussion--I don't know why we waited until the season is over to start it--but I'll roll with it.
Vandy was a great defensive player, and Purr had the best fundamental low-post defensive skills but her body couldn't keep up as she was injured. Still--your point is well taken--we lose more than just points.
Still I thought overall we were a pretty nice defensive team. Garner--IMHO--was the teams best defender and Wright was a darn close second. Spicer stops and pressures the ball as well as anybody. Zavocki is also very capable on defense. Even Tammy's horrid teams rebounded and defended OK. It's always been about scoring.
There are two glaring needs in the offseason: another PG (I know I'm beating this into the ground) to keep the offense going so Spicer gets more rest AND can be even more aggressive on D and not worry as much about fouls. I think Jackson is up to the task and look forward to the return of Jenkins.
Down low....Well that's where the most work needs to be done. Alex Serowsky certainly is going to have a chance to get time and Smith/Niquette will simply need to realize it's "their time." Who works with our post players? I guarantee you if Smith takes a drop-step and cuts strong to the hoop she's gonna draw a foul 9 times outta 10. She's got the range you have to respect, she needs that strong first step to the basket. Pardon me for concentrating so much on her---I'm not trying to be critical---I just think a lot rests on her and I've seen enough to think she can do some good things for us. If I thought she just plain didn't have it---I wouldn't even mention her.
Again---great posts....I was tired of my one-man conversations...People think I'm crazy enough.
While Jackson/Virgin didn't excel as much as Wright (who is a special player, not good...SPECIAL) I saw enough of both of them to think they are certainly "legit D1" recruits. _________________ I bleed Maroon
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:00 am
ps2
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 4
You see one thing I see another. I think that Garner (Iknow she is your favorite) and Zavocki were ok at best defensively. Garner is a very good weakside rebounder but not verygood at taking her player one on one.Zavocki the same good at getting loose ball rebounds but has a tough time one on one. As far as Smith you can tell she is not a low post player she is a 10 to 15 foot perimeter shooter and isnt physical. I dont Know alot about the freshman comming in but if we dont find some low post defense. zone baby zone
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:27 pm
Xboreturns
Joined: 31 Aug 2007
Posts: 231
Let me try to keep this short.
First, the seniors. If you sit behind the bench you know how much leadership Mo Johnson brought to the team. When timeouts were called and the coaches huddled, it was Mo who stood in front of the players sitting on the bench and encouraging them. Its a shame the coaching staff couldn't find a way to get her on the court as the game against Lehigh ended.
We are going to miss VDV who accounted for about a third of our offense. Since we hardly ever subbed for her, I'm not sure we have a clue who will replace her next year. Apparantly its nobody on the roster.
Our offense the last two years did not play to Purr's strenghts. Shes a down low, back to the basket player. Our offense is based on back door cuts and needs to have the low post vacant.
Next, our strenghts and weaknesses.
Amanda Smith is a face up player. She has no drop step moves and does not score moving through the lane. If we stay with the same offense, she will need to need to make the jumper from the elbow to stay on the floor.
Malone came on at the end of the year and was taking the ball to the basket hard but had a tendency to make some bad passes.
Spicer is very steady at the point, can score on the three and going to the basket. Solid on defense
Zavocki is a stand still shooter and needs to be set up, does not shoot off the dribble or drive.
Wright is very aggressive but has hampered with palnter faceitious(sp?) and should be a force next year. But she needs to develope a pull up jumper in the 10 foot range.
I thought Garner regressed the second have of the year when her minutes were cut. I would liked to have seen her used more frequently, maybe for 4 minute bursts to bring energy to the court.
Virgin showed a lot of potential early on but her time also deminished as the season wore on. I think she's the closest we have to replacing VDV but she didn't get much experience.
One thing that bothered me during the season was the number of times we came out of the locker room at the start of the game not ready to play. Those bad first halfs cost us probably four games. Not sure what the problem is here but it needs to be corrected.
Another area I hope we are addressing with the incoming recruits is quickness. We also need to find players, guards in particular, who can shoot off the dribble. Jenkins, if healthy, should help in this area. With three scholarship classes now in the stable, I'm looking for nothing less than a .500 record in both the league and OOC games.
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