SORSN: The girls have hit a rough stretch of games. You noted ball handling as a weakness prior to the start of the season and it was clear during Monday’s game with Coalfield that you were right. Has ball handling, passing, etc. become a primary focus in practice?
Shannon: We spend close to two-thirds of every practice on fundamentals (ball handling, shooting, etc.) So it has been a huge part of our practices since I’ve been here.
SORSN: Your girls are getting open shots but just haven’t been able to knock them down. Do you look for the shots to start dropping as the season progresses?
Shannon: We hope they start dropping. We execute our sets fairly well, and do get open looks at the basket. We have to step up and start making some plays when the opportunities arise. We need a couple of the younger guards to become a consistent threat (from outside and on penetration) so that our opponents can’t concentrate solely on Lyndsay.
SORSN: Your Assistant, Amy “I Once Had A RatTail” Woody, has a serious nail biting problem. It’s reported her mom once even placed her in NA, NailBiters Anonymous, which she only made it to step 3 of 12. Has her bad habit ever been a distraction or problem in practices or games (i.e. a hang nail puncturing a ball)?
Shannon: I don’t believe the rat tail rumor, I would need to see pictures to believe it. Do you know where some might be???? If you do, maybe you could post them on the site!! As far as bad habits, nail biting is the least of Coach Woody’s worries.
(The Rat Tail rumor is true and I do have pictures. But in fear for my own life, I will choose not to display on SORSN.)
SORSN: Lyndsay Davidson continues to be your top scorer and is a solid 3-point threat. It appears the team desperately needs a post player to step up. Lacey Davidson has played well in the post making hustle plays and rebounding, but because she’s consistently a full 12 inches shorter than the person she matches up against, she really isn’t a scoring threat from the block. What do you look to do on the offensive end? Work with the post players hoping one of them can step up big or do you mold the offense to run less out of a set offense and more of an up and down game with the guards?
Shannon: Well, we are normally at a disadvantage height-wise. We have had a couple of glimpses of solid play in the post, but not nearly as consistent as it needs to be. We are very inexperienced in the post and that makes the height factor an even bigger disadvantage.
SORSN: The big guy, Mr. Tony Clowers, continues to roll out with the suit and collarless shirt look, losing the traditional coat/shirt/tie combo. Is he really this fashionably knowledgeable or do you think he’s getting outside help?
Shannon: Mr. Clower is a top notch dresser. So is Coach Ruffner. Mr. Clower goes for the John Callipari look while Coach Ruffner goes more for the Pat Riley look. Rumor has it that they go to New York City twice a year and drop a ton of money in Saks 5th Avenue, because Goody’s doesn’t carry their favorite designers……..just a rumor.