The NDCL Lions were looking to break a three-game losing streak coming into their contest Jan. 17, and they did just that with a 47-25 win over the Holy Name Green Wave on their home turf.
Game photos click here.
The NDCL Lions were looking to break a three-game losing streak coming into their contest Jan. 17, and they did just that with a 47-25 win over the Holy Name Green Wave on their home turf.
“This year has been a learning experience for our group in terms of our offense,” said their first-year head coach, Pete DeMichele.
The Lions scored just 28.3 points during that three-game skid.
“We have been stressing to them, as a coaching staff, the importance of understanding when to be aggressive versus being patient, when you are able to attack versus when there is a better look” DeMichele said. “Once they finally got into the flow of the game, they started finding easier looks that they were able to capitalize on.”
Right out of the gate, the Lions started the game aggressively. Senior guard Mallory Munko would recorded the first points of the game after a slow start offensively for both teams. Junior Emma Clayton made her presence felt in the paint earlier, recording three points in the opening quarter. When Clayton wasn’t getting a touch in the paint, she was pulling down rebounds and chasing after loose basketballs.
“Offensively, we were able to get up the floor and push the basketball to get to the free throw line,” said sophomore Brynn Munn.
Much of that aggression came from junior Mia Trusso, who recorded four steals in the win. The Lions held the Green Wave to 11 points in the first half.
“Defensively, we stayed composed and were aggressive going after the basketball,” Clayton said.
It felt like Holy Name was never able to establish an offense with the amount of pressure and aggressiveness the Lions applied on the defensive end.
“Based on the film we had watched on Holy Name, they do a great job of pressuring you the entire game,” Coach DeMichele said. “So we made a distinct decision, during our preparation for them, that we were going to embrace that pace rather than fight it. As the game went on, you could tell the girls were able to execute that strategy at a higher pace. We have not really played a game from start to finish using that pace, but they did well in keeping up the pressure and intensity as an entire team.”
The Lions outscored their opponent 26-14 in the second half. Even when DeMichele’s team couldn’t force a turnover, the Lions made Holy Name take a shot well outside of their range.
Senior MaryElise Rispoli scored the lone field goal for the Green Wave in the third quarter. And that’s when the Lions got hot.
Clayton went on to score six points during that span, while Munn added four. Trusso also scored in that quarter.
Both coaches utilized their large bench during the contest, and limited foul trouble for both teams.
“When a team commits to the pace that we wanted to play at, it would be a large ask to only have five or six girls do that, regardless of how conditioned they are,” Coach DeMichele said. “There has to be a distinct level of trust with all of your players coming off the bench. We made sure our team was aware that they would all need to contribute and give us their best effort, even if only for two to three minutes at a time. We believe they all made an impact in some way or another throughout the game.”
NDCL had nine players score in the contest, Clayton pacing the way with 15. Munn added eight, while Trusso and junior Lila Baeslach contributed with seven and six points, respectively. Clayton also stepped up big-time with 17 rebounds and three assists.
Claire Coljohn paved the way for the Green Wave with 13.
With the win, the Lions improved to 4-8 overall. They would next start the second half of their conference schedule with a Saturday afternoon matchup against Lake Catholic, looking to build off their Green Wave win during a season when they’ve been competitive but struggled to finish games down the stretch.
“They are having fun and enjoy competing for one another; they are developing a greater sense of pride for their team and the program,” Coach DeMichele said. “They practice aggressively every day, and it isn’t something that can be turned on and off from practice to a game. To have a team in the middle of January still fully committed to one another and enjoying the sport makes it easier for them to bring that extra effort, which showed Thursday night.
“As a coaching staff, we couldn’t be happier with where they are in terms of their locker room positivity and willingness to give the effort they do on a night-in and night-out basis.”
Added Munn: “We were able to work together really well. That gave us confidence for one another, and that’s going to be good for us going late into the season.”
