Wooster finding hope in early going
A year ago, the Wooster High girls' basketball team opened league play 4-0 and in first place in the Ohio Cardinal Conference (OCC). This year they are 2-2 in the OCC, but it would be hard to argue that the Generals aren't ahead of the game.The wheels came off for the Generals after that start as head coach Karen McConnell's first year ended with a 5-16 mark overall and 5-9 in the OCC. Fast forward a year and the picture has a different look to it. Wooster is but one win shy of last year's win total at 4-3 overall and they have been in every game, something that couldn't be said a year ago.
"I guess you are always looking for more if you haven't won them all," said McConnell. "We had a couple of losses that were close games where we felt if we had done a little more, whether that was work a little harder or hit a couple of free throws or something, we could have won.
"We've won a couple games recently, but we probably could have a couple more. We have one overtime loss (46-44 to Lake) and a close one to Senior (45-38). … We've been in some close games that will hopefully help us in future close games."
The loss to Senior was telling. The Tygers are 7-2 overall and tied with West Holmes for second place in the OCC (3-1) behind unbeaten Orrville (7-0, 4-0). Lexington (5-3, 3-2) is in fourth, but the Generals emerged from their showdown with the Lady Lex with a 56-45 OT triumph.
The Generals followed that OCC win with a convincing 65-43 thrashing of Madison, which McConnell called the Generals' best game to date. After losing to West Holmes, the Generals bounced back to pin a 51-39 setback on New Philadelphia for their third win in four games.
They could keep that string going as they face a winless Ashland team Jan. 2, allowing them to build momentum before facing Orrville Jan. 7 in an important game.
One factor that is helping Wooster is its balance. Sophomore Lauren Walker is leading the team in scoring at 15 points a game, while senior Amanda Turner is tossing in 12 a game and sophomore point guard Halle Gallo-Malta is adding 10. It has received a boost from its bench, such as the 19-point outburst from junior Ashley Evans, or in the Madison game "where the whole bench contributed," noted McConnell.
"We're learning to work hard," said McConnell. "We're balanced in scoring – no one person is carrying the load. A lot of people are scoring for us and we're getting help from our bench.
"Consistency is a key," she added. "We have the ability to score a lot of points if we're on. The 3-point shot is a weapon, but we can't rely on that. We need our inside game, too. Lauren Walker has produced; a lot of her points come inside. (Senior) Sabrina Bias is much improved rebounding (nearly five a game) and that's good. We need to improve our rebounding because we're not going to get rebounds because of our size, but because of our positioning and blocking out. It's something we have to work on."
As McConnell knows, a willingness to work is what could make the difference for this team.
"When we are aggressive offensively and defensively, we get ourselves in a better rhythm," said McConnell. "When we get to that point we're at our best overall.
"I think we're learning when we work hard good things happen. That's across the board for any sport, but if the effort is always there, on a night when the shots aren't falling, you can find a way to win."