Coach says confidence a problem
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Trying to work against a 3-2 zone defense last week proved to have mixed results for the East Troy High School girls basketball team.
And in the end, the Trojans’ struggles were too much to overcome.
Visiting Edgerton used that defense to its advantage, especially in the final 18 minutes, as the Tide posted a 59-42 Rock Valley Conference victory that dropped the Trojans to 4-10 overall and 1-10 in conference play.
“I know I sound like a broken record, but we did not shoot well again,” East Troy coach Maurya Lomen said. “We did a good job of getting the ball into our bigs in the first half, but in the second half, our guards really struggled with their 3-2 zone.”
Neither team did much offensively in the first half, as the Tide held a 20-14 lead at the intermission.
But in the second, Edgerton (4-10 overall, 2-10 RVC) pulled away with a 39-28 advantage to secure the win.
There seemed to be a number of factors at work, Lomen said.
“We were very fatigued,” she said. “I don’t know if it was (being tired from) finals, and I don’t want to make excuses, but we just got beat down the floor. I was very disappointed with our transition defense.”
Lomen said the Tide’s defense presented her team with chances to work the basketball inside, but the Trojans couldn’t take advantage of that enough.
“The 3-2 zone got to them,” she said. “There were plenty of opportunities for the girls to get to the paint with penetration, but they continued to dribble back out. It was very frustrating.”
Lomen added she didn’t see enough confidence from her girls when it came to getting the ball inside.
“I continually ask them to believe in themselves,” she said. “They need to trust that they can get to the hoop. Erin Rice does a really nice job of it, but I need more than just one player that’s willing to go into the paint.
“With us moving into the second half of our season, I need to see some leadership from my upperclassmen. I know we are young, and eventually that light bulb will go on. I just hope it happens sooner than later.”
Rice led the way with 18 points, followed by Gracie Moker with eight and Jenna Gulig with five. Bethany Oren led three Edgerton girls in double figures with 16 points.
