Mid-Season Update: Lady Eagles Moving In The Right Direction As Critical Stretch Approaches

Mason Lucas, IV Leader Sports Co-Editor

Twenty-one days into the new year, and the Lady Eagles are back in full swing already playing four games to start off 2019.

While only 2-2 in those four games, the Lady Eagles are 10-8 overall on the season and 2-1 in conference play. Coach Tom Ptak, however, was not satisfied with the performance so far.

He said, “I’m a pinch disappointed; I felt we would be in a better situation right now.”

Ptak noted that after a strong start he figured that Dec. would bring the team challenge. However, he pointed out that every game the team has lost the team has been in, saying the issue is losing games in the fourth quarter.
He added, “Obviously as a coach you always want more… I mean, 10-8 is a good record. 2-1 in the conference is a good start. Obviously, the next 4 to 5 weeks are huge.”

One strength of this year’s team is the diversity of options that contribute to strong team play.A plethora of players lead different categories and every stat is well spread. When it comes to scoring, Maddie Doughtery leads the way with 14.6 points per game (ppg), followed by Blair Bullock at 10.7 ppg, Rachel Moraski at 9.3 ppg, and Lexi Marx with 8.2 ppg.

Rebounding is the where the Lady Eagles dominate with a whopping 50 rebounds per game (rpg). Every Lady Eagle on the team is averaging over five rebounds per game except one. Blair Bullock leads the team in that category with 8.2 rpg, followed by Lexi Marx with 7.5 rpg.

This unit is also strong defensively, the only allow 55.8 ppg, on 34 percent shooting and even better only allowing 23 percent of oppositions’ 3-point looks to go in. Gena Fassino leads the way in the steals category for the team with 2.3 steals per game (spg), while Lexi Marx is second with 1.6 spg. Marx also leads the team in blocks per game (bpg), with 1.1 bpg, with Rachel Moraski following with 1 bpg.

Ptak loves that the team can have multiple options to beat the opposition when it comes to scoring.

When it comes to rebounding, he noted that is due to the team making it a priority and working on it constantly in practice. The team does move the ball well with 16.4 assists per game. However, the team turns over the ball 22 times per game.

Ptak noted that they may be because they are looking to push and lack of an ability to practice plays in scrimmage since the team does not have 10 players. Thus, there are unforced errors due to lack of practice.

With seven conference games left, Ptak knows these upcoming weeks are important as another conference championship is the team goal.