J-M girls seek offensive improvement
Above: Jefferson-Morgan’s Ashley Faddis (13) looks to pass around the defense of Waynesburg Central’s Michelle Cesa (24) during the second quarter of Friday’s game in the Lady Rocket Tip-Off Tournament at Jefferson-Morgan. Top right: Jefferson-Morgan’s Christina Schamp blocks the path to the basket from Waynesburg Central’s Jenna Bohach (front). Bottom right: Waynesburg Central’s Hannah Gibbons (middle) fights for possession of the ball with some J-M players, including Jessica Taylor (left). (Photo by Holly Tonini)
Waynesburg Central's Hannah Gibbons (middle) fights for possession of the ball with some J-M players, including Jessica Taylor (left) during Friday's game in the Lady Rocket Tip-Off Tournament at Jefferson-Morgan.
Jefferson-Morgan's Christina Schamp blocks the path to the basket from Waynesburg Central's Jenna Bohach (front) during Friday's game in the Lady Rocket Tip-Off Tournament at Jefferson-Morgan.
The Lady Rockets of Jefferson-Morgan have sustained solid rebuilding under coach Ellen Hildebrand, but J-M wants to complete one singular goal, remain consistent and improve in all phases of the game.
J-M went 8-14 in 2010-11 and was led by its tenacious defense that allowed only 37.2 points per game, second best in Section 3-A behind first-place Fort Cherry (33.6).
Despite the stout defensive effort last season, the Lady Rockets did have their struggles with scoring on offense, only tallying 32.7 points per game (fifth best in the section).
Improving the offense has been one of the main things that J-M has been working on this off-season, according to Hildebrand.
“We have to be consistent on offense and with every possession,” Hildebrand said. “Our defense carried us last year and we were really sound in almost every game in the defensive department. You can’t win games if you can’t put points up on the scoreboard.
“We are emphasizing more with winning some individual battles on the offensive side of things. We have been working with our bigs and our guards to help them develop a consistent, offensive game, night in and night out.”
The Lady Rockets lost three seniors from last year’s team and are looking for not only point production from their two seniors, but also leadership. Those two seniors are guard Mariah Hildebrand and center Christina Schamp.
Juniors Ashley Faddis and Katie Shaffer will also play solid minutes for J-M, while sophomores Michelle Milliken and Breanna Smitley will provide added depth and varsity experience to the squad, as the Lady Rockets have some inexperienced freshmen on the squad.
“We are young at some places, but we just need to continue to grow and build our numbers,” Hildebrand said. “We have to get some quality depth from our younger players, because a team is only as good as its bench.”
J-M started the season by hosting the Rocket Tip-off Tournament. According to Hildebrand, the season-opening tournament at home is very crucial for the Lady Rockets to start the season on the right note.
“We need to get a good start for the season,” Hildebrand said. “We are young and we are still rebuilding. We need to establish our work ethic, improve our ball skills and continue to improve with the system that we have implemented.”
JM beat Waynesburg Central before losing to Class AA Beth-Center to open the season 1-1. The Lady Rockets hosted Hundred Tuesday and will open Section 3-A play on Dec. 16 against West Greene.
J-M will also play in the South Allegheny Christmas Tournament on Dec. 27-28.