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FHSU women off to 13-2 start; better than 2009-10 after 15 games
1/9/2012
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
Two seasons ago, then-freshman Traci Keyser was a key reserve for a Fort Hays State University women's basketball team that started 13-2. However, that squad struggled down the stretch and finished 15-13.
This winter, FHSU has again opened 13-2. But several differences -- including improved team chemistry, more depth and a stronger defense -- put this year's squad above the 2009-10 team after 15 contests.
"We have a lot more team chemistry," Keyser, now a starter and the Tigers' second-leading scorer at 12.3 points per contest, said. "I think everyone understands their role quite well. Just working together out there, it helps so much. Being compatible on the court and off the court and understanding each other's strengths and working towards those, I think it has helped so much."
Tonight, FHSU will play its fourth conference game in eight days when it plays host to Missouri Southern State University in a 5:30 p.m. start at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers, just outside of the national rankings, are in fourth place at 13-2, 5-2 MIAA. Missouri Southern is tied for last at 5-9, 1-7 MIAA.
"We have already shown that on the road, we can win close games," fourth-year coach Tony Hobson said. "We really struggled with that two years ago. I think we have more just natural leadership."
After 15 games in 2009-10, FHSU had an average score of 72-54, outrebounded opponents by plus-2.1 per contest and had a plus-2.3 turnover margin.
Fort Hays relied heavily on the 3-point shot and senior guard Naomi Bancroft.
FHSU had 27 percent of its offense from Bancroft, a 3-point specialist, and 33 percent of its offense from the trey after 15 contests. One reason for the Tigers' slump in the second half of the season was Bancroft not shooting as well.
This season, FHSU has an average score of 76-54, but outrebounds opponents by plus-11.4 and has a plus-4 turnover margin.
While sophomore transfer Katelyn Edwards (team-high 14.9 points and 8.1 rebounds) has carried the Tigers, FHSU has only 20 percent of its offense from Edwards.
Fort Hays relies less on the 3-point shot this season; only 27 percent of the offense comes from treys.
"I think defensively we are way better," Hobson said. "I think we are better depth-wise and in a long drawn out season -- we play four conference games in eight days -- it's important that you have eight, nine or 10 kids that can play. I think we have a little better leadership."
FHSU is 2-1 in its last three games and has shown it can win without Edwards at her best. Edwards was sick in last week's two-game road trip and then was in foul trouble in Saturday's win against Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University.
Still, several players, namely Keyser and freshman center Kate Lehman, have emerged.
Lehman, who averages six points and five rebounds, has averaged 15 points and nine rebounds in the last three contests.
"It's awesome, Kate really stepped up last week and surprised a lot of people," Edwards said. "I think if we can have that many people scoring, we could be a really good team, because if somebody is off one night, then we have somebody else. Just having her presence in the post made a huge difference."
Most importantly, all of the Tigers are concerned about winning, a key aspect that has helped form strong chemistry. Unlike some coaches, Hobson doesn't do a lot of team bonding activities.
"I think that's one of those things that has to come from within, from the players internally," Hobson said.
"Because you can't force it, because if they don't like each other, then they don't like each other. I think the main thing for team chemistry is that you all have to have one common goal."
"You can't be selfish," he added.
"The common goal is we want to have the best team we can have. If everybody buys into that, then chemistry is very simple, because they all play their roles and if we win, everybody is happy whether you played at all or whether you played 40 minutes. If you lose, nobody is happy. ... There is just a lot of kids that are unselfish and just have one common goal."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |