Piedmont Girls’ Basketball Begins
The new season arrives today for the Piedmont Academy varsity girls basketball team.
The Lady Cougars will open the 2014-2015 campaign against rival Gatewood at home at 6 p.m. Piedmont, who will be led by coach Michael Wilson, has five returning players who gained substantial playing time last season including seniors Cheyenne Galloway and Remington Marsh and juniors Amelia Dodson, Haley Tyler and Matti Smith.
Also returning are sophomores Madison Burnham and Makennah Holifield. Freshman Alexis Dodson moves up from middle school and eighth graders Madison McCart and Lucy Tuggle will also be part of the varsity roster.
“We’ve had a good preseason I think,” said Wilson, who is coaching both varsity teams this season. “I’ve had time to get to know what each of the girls strengths are and we are working on best utilizing each of them to make sure they are not put in a situation where they won’t be successful this season.”
The smaller roster will be a challenge for the team this season.
“One of the biggest issues I’m addressing this year is that each girl on the roster, from the seniors all the way down, has not had the same coach for consecutive seasons,” Wilson said.
“That’s tough on them and it was something we discussed and embraced instead of using as an excuse to fall back on when times are tough. I want these girls to have fun playing basketball and to realize that with effort and hard work they will find themselves in the positions they need to be in on the court in order to have success.”
Setting goals and expectations have been focus points this preseason.
“I’m making sure I do my part by explaining why I want them to do what I’m asking, in order for them to understand the purpose of the instruction,” Wilson said. “So often young people are told what to do and don’t know why they are doing it. I want to develop a mind that thinks basketball, feels as if their opinions are as important, as they actually are, and create a family, which trusts that we will be there for each other when needed on the court and off.
“These girls deserve that in the very least. I know these girls overall don’t view themselves as talented basketball players, but I do, and by the end of the year, they will.”
The Lady Cougar coach said he has been keeping practice “simple” in terms of offensive and defensive schemes.
“Defense is going to be emphasized constantly and it will be imperative for the girls to commit to if they want to contribute this year,” Wilson said.
“We are a very athletic and quick team and I think we can overcome a lot utilizing that skill set. We have a lot of length that will help us out, and the girls are an aggressive bunch and I think we will build to a very good rebounding team as the season progresses.”
The offense, as is typically the case in preseason, is a little behind the defense. With that in mind, Wilson has tried to focus on areas such as taking care of the basketball and not making turnovers in the middle of the court, which leads to easy transition baskets for the opponent.
“We need to be smart with our ball maintenance and understand what each person can do, and not try and do more than each person can do,” the coach said.
Marsh was an All-Region player last year and averaged 12 points a game. She is the 3-point specialist for the team.
“Amelia Dodson is an amazing athlete who is a great rebounder and is someone that is always able to get the ball around the basket,” Wilson said. “She has great speed, length and leaping ability and will the be the focus of our inside game. I believe she’s going to have a break out year and show everyone, herself included, how special an athlete she is. Our other three returners all have solid games and compliment each other very well.”
In analyzing his players Wilson said:
“Cheyenne Galloway is a smart player who will out battle anyone for a rebound and is an above average shooter. Haley Tyler is tenacious and a player who can get the ball in the lane and draw fouls. As long as she stays disciplined on defense, and out of foul trouble, she will be an asset to us. At times, she gets a little out of control and commits silly fouls, but since watching her last year, I’ve definitely noticed a more mature player.
“Matti Smith is a very good all-around athlete who has a very good shot when she gets her feet set. She is someone who gets a lot of rebounds and plays solid defense. These three players will benefit greatly if we are able to run our offense and share the ball the way the offense is intended to do, and get Remington Marsh and Amelia Dodson the touches they need to get.”
Burnham and Holifield will be looked upon to provide quality minutes off the bench, especially with defense and rebounding.
They need to come in with the mindset that they need to give it 100 percent each minute they get, and if they do that the sum of all their minutes will prove beneficial for our success,” Wilson said.
Alexis Dodson is similar is skill set to her sister, but with such a thin roster will have to find her comfort level and trust herself immediately, her coach said.
“Madison McCart and Lucy Tuggle are tall and while it’s tough for eighth graders to play at the varsity level often because of strength issues, these two are both right at 6-0 and have a great wing span,” said Wilson.
“They can shrink a court on defense and take up a a lot of space and block a lot of shots. My hope is they will not be too intimidated when they play and realize that there is a reason I have them with us. Offensively, they have fundamentals that need to be polished but if they will not allow themselves to be pushed around on defense they will give us quality minutes.”
While the 2014-2015 may have a learning curve, especially early, Wilson said being more aggressive on defense will be key.
“We are too timid at times,” he said. “We need to keep our feet active, hands up and communicate. I believe very few of our opponents will be quicker and more athletic than we are so we can’t allow those factors to not be utilized.”
With football season still ongoing, the varsity boys will not begin the season until December.