Preseason Notebook: Countdown to Opening Day
11/9/2009 10:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
STATESBORO, GA – After two full weeks of practice, the Georgia Southern women's basketball team is gearing up for opening day of the 2009-2010 basketball season that is just days away.
Defense, Defense, Defense: A much improved team from October 16, the team continues to improve on defense and offense.
“We spend a lot of time on our man defense. With 11 young players on the team, the trust needed for a team defense continues to be built. Once that trust is established, then we will make great strides,” said head coach Rusty Cram. “We've also spent a lot of time reading the defenses to run our motion offenses and give the correct calls based on the way the defense is playing.”
Improving Newcomers: As the team continues to build trust, the newcomers continue to improve on their fundamentals and working out the growing pains of entering collegiate basketball.
“Our younger kids are getting better. One or two have really stepped out of the freshman class who we feel can help us this season,” stated Cram. “There are also one or two sophomore posts who are starting to step up a little bit, which we need.”
Senior Leadership: With over one-third of the team roster being newcomers to the squad, building a team bond was going a task to be conquered early on. As returners, the senior class was looked upon to help guide and teach the underclassmen coming into the program.
“I actually think the seniors are over-helping right now. In the coming weeks, a different level of basketball will be seen by our newcomers,” said Cram. “And right now, our upperclassmen are teaching them instead of preparing them for what is right around the corner. We had to call that to their attention, and that's a good thing,” Cram said. “Our freshmen have to learn to play physical, aggressive and learn to rebound against physical opponents. So the upperclassmen almost have to become their opponents as well as their teammates in practice every day to make them stronger.”
Basketball Countdown: The Lady Eagles open the 2009-2010 schedule Friday, November 13th in Hanner Fieldhouse against Brewton-Parker. Tipoff for the new season is set for 5 p.m.
“We can't wait for the first game and putting it all together. We've got a few pieces of the puzzle that need improvement before then, but we will work extremely hard this week in practice to get there. The biggest thing will be to find our fifth starter, and this week is going to help finalize that.”
Homecoming Events: In preparation for Homecoming Weekend, November 13-15, the Lady Eagles will be participating in the Eagle Rally on Thursday (November 12). The coaching staff and select players will be at the Rally, which begins promptly at 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Paulson Stadium.
In addition, Coach Cram and men's basketball head coach, Charlton Young, will be signing basketball schedule posters in the University Store on Saturday (November 14) from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Will Call: Season tickets for the 2009-2010 women's basketball season are currently on sale at $50 for a general admission pass. A flex plan, which includes five tickets that may be used at any home game, can be purchased for $25. Single-game tickets for adults are $8, while youth single-game tickets (ages 3-12) are priced at $4.
Tickets may be purchased through the Athletics Ticket Office at (912) GSU-WINS (478-9467) or online at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/tickets.
Defense, Defense, Defense: A much improved team from October 16, the team continues to improve on defense and offense.
“We spend a lot of time on our man defense. With 11 young players on the team, the trust needed for a team defense continues to be built. Once that trust is established, then we will make great strides,” said head coach Rusty Cram. “We've also spent a lot of time reading the defenses to run our motion offenses and give the correct calls based on the way the defense is playing.”
Improving Newcomers: As the team continues to build trust, the newcomers continue to improve on their fundamentals and working out the growing pains of entering collegiate basketball.
“Our younger kids are getting better. One or two have really stepped out of the freshman class who we feel can help us this season,” stated Cram. “There are also one or two sophomore posts who are starting to step up a little bit, which we need.”
Senior Leadership: With over one-third of the team roster being newcomers to the squad, building a team bond was going a task to be conquered early on. As returners, the senior class was looked upon to help guide and teach the underclassmen coming into the program.
“I actually think the seniors are over-helping right now. In the coming weeks, a different level of basketball will be seen by our newcomers,” said Cram. “And right now, our upperclassmen are teaching them instead of preparing them for what is right around the corner. We had to call that to their attention, and that's a good thing,” Cram said. “Our freshmen have to learn to play physical, aggressive and learn to rebound against physical opponents. So the upperclassmen almost have to become their opponents as well as their teammates in practice every day to make them stronger.”
Basketball Countdown: The Lady Eagles open the 2009-2010 schedule Friday, November 13th in Hanner Fieldhouse against Brewton-Parker. Tipoff for the new season is set for 5 p.m.
“We can't wait for the first game and putting it all together. We've got a few pieces of the puzzle that need improvement before then, but we will work extremely hard this week in practice to get there. The biggest thing will be to find our fifth starter, and this week is going to help finalize that.”
Homecoming Events: In preparation for Homecoming Weekend, November 13-15, the Lady Eagles will be participating in the Eagle Rally on Thursday (November 12). The coaching staff and select players will be at the Rally, which begins promptly at 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Paulson Stadium.
In addition, Coach Cram and men's basketball head coach, Charlton Young, will be signing basketball schedule posters in the University Store on Saturday (November 14) from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Will Call: Season tickets for the 2009-2010 women's basketball season are currently on sale at $50 for a general admission pass. A flex plan, which includes five tickets that may be used at any home game, can be purchased for $25. Single-game tickets for adults are $8, while youth single-game tickets (ages 3-12) are priced at $4.
Tickets may be purchased through the Athletics Ticket Office at (912) GSU-WINS (478-9467) or online at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/tickets.
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