GIRLS BASKETBALL: The Rams’ coach wants his team to hit the weights, go to camp and play in summer leagues to improve its play in the 2001-2002 season.
By: Neil Hay
A win in their final game of the season last Friday would have left a good taste for the Hightstown girls’ basketball team.
Instead, they can chew on this:
"We have to make a commitment, to get into the weight room, to go to summer camp, and hopefully to play in a summer league again," said coach Gary Bushelli.
These are ways the Rams can get better, and to be able to compete at a higher level, in the future.
Bushelli was discussing his team after it put away the balls and uniforms for the 2000-01 season. The girls hoops campaign came to a close with a 44-40 loss at Nottingham. The setback dropped the Rams’ to 8-16, one win better than the Northstars’ final record.
In a game between two evenly matched teams, either side could have won. But the locals hurt their chances by scoring only 12 points in the first half. The team made a stab at a comeback, but it was not until the final period that the offense (18 points) came to life. Trouble was, Nottingham also scored 18 points to negate the Rams’ late rally.
"We got off to a bad start," recalled Bushelli. "We missed many open lay-ups."
Poor shooting again led to Hightstown’s ultimate downfall. Overall the Rams shot 13 of 50 from the floor, and just seven of 15 from the line. A couple more baskets, a few more free throws, and this game could go the other way.
It was definitely a winnable game," agreed Bushelli.
Laura Boyce (11 points) led the Rams in scoring.
Going in Bushelli did not expect any miracles from this team. With limited experience and even less height, Hightstown would be challenged whenever it stepped on the court against the CVC’s upper crust. Against teams that had similar deficiencies to overcome, however, the Rams could compete and win.
"I thought we had a good year considering the makeup of the team. (Lack of) height and the fact that we started most of the year with two freshmen (Boyce and Alicia Townsend) and one sophomore (Sarah Mitchell)."
The Rams played only three seniors, and they will be missed: Kim Christie, Shannon Scott, and Diane Hampton.
"We won more than I expected going in. At the same time (the Nottingham game) was one we should have won. When the ball doesn’t go into the basket, there is not much you can do."
On most nights the team was outrebounded by the opposition. But it all came back to the Rams’ inability to put the ball in the hoop.
"Rebounding was a serious problem. But shooting was our biggest problem," said Bushelli. "We do spend a lot of time in shooting drills, but it is not the same as game situations."
Bushelli would like to see more and bigger bodies out for the team next year. Hence the need for more time in the weight room. Yet there was competition for minutes among his players.
"This was a year where there were others pushing for more playing time. There was competition for jobs."
While the Rams were unable to make states this year, and the final record is not an aberration, Bushelli believes that good things lie ahead.
"Next year will be a transition year where we will build on what we did this year. In two years we should be a pretty good team."