SG Basketball: All About the Process

Rosemary Lefebvre learned that she CAN bring up the ball against sustained pressure, as Galt had at least two players pestering our ball handlers full court all game long. Rosema is quicker, stronger and more confident than last year, and trusts herself more.

As a team, we gained valuable experience in playing against a specialty defence, as the Pipers sold out to make sure Rosema and Elisabeth Shane didn’t dominate the game. Although the shots didn’t fall, we created good looks and took intelligent shots from the wings and the high post.

Rosalie Gadoua-Giroux learned that she CAN out-rebound players twice her size, as she grabbed her first offensive rebound of the season in amongst the trees and calmly kicked it back out to restart the offence. Yeah, that was probably my favourite play of the game!

We learned that no matter how many things you do right, you can’t win a game at this level if you get out-rebounded and out-toughed. The Pipers absolutely crushed us on the boards and on loose balls, and that was the difference in the game. When you allow second, third and fourth shots every possession, and every 50-50 ball goes to your opponent, it’s pretty much impossible to win in this league.

Heck, even Galt learned something, i.e. don’t take so long to realize that Mariama Barry really knows how to slither her way to the hoop. It was like Cirque du Soleil out there in the first quarter as Mariama hit crazy circus layup after layup to help her team to a 15-12 lead going into the second quarter.

Player Of The Game Cecilia Fava had her best game of the season. She had already proven herself on defence, but this was her most offensive-minded performance in the high post. Cici is a fast learner, and I can’t wait to see how much more she improves as the season goes on and she becomes more confident.

And finally, as a team we learned the value of not letting officiating affect us. Sometimes you feel like all the calls go against you, but you can’t let that bother you. I thought we did a pretty good job of staying focused and controlling what we can control.

Anything worthwhile is a process. A constant series of trying new things and learning from one’s mistakes, with the ultimate goal of reaching one’s potential. I am thrilled with the progress we’ve made so far. Now we have two home games in a row, this Friday and Saturday. Let’s keep it going. Let’s keep improving. It’s all about The Process.