It’s been a rough 2018 for the Wilfrid Laurier University women’s basketball team.
Going into the New Year 6-4, they were in good position not only in the OUA West, but also as far as getting time off to continue their momentum. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go the Hawks’ way.
The Golden Hawks would go on to lose 4 straight, falling to 6-8 and the sixth seed of the OUA West at one point.
What can separate the good teams from the bad teams sometimes, is the ability to overcome bad stretches and adversity.
This weekend, the Hawks showed they might possibly be turning things around going into the home stretch of the season. Playing the Algoma Thunderbirds at the University of Waterloo Physical Activities Complex, due to a flooding incident at Laurier’s Athletic Complex, they dominated with ease.
With their confidence no longer wavering after two blowout wins, and seeing what they are really capable of on both ends – especially on defense – the only thing now is being able to put it all together to make the noise they hope to make come playoff time.
The first game on Friday night was an easy win as a close first quarter led to the flood gates being opened in the second quarter. The Thunderbirds would never recover from there, losing 67-50.
Saturday afternoon brought about the second game of the back-to-back as well as a similar storyline: a close first quarter followed by a dominant second quarter.
With their largest lead having ballooned to 30 points as the Hawks won in dominating fashion, behind Morrison’s 31 points, to the tune of a 75-48 final score.
With a rematch in place for their next game against the McMaster Marauders, who they lost to 81-59 on Jan. 13, the Hawks will be tested and they will have to be at their best to compete with one of the best teams in the conference.
When asked about this weekend and what it’s done for them as a team, coach Falco said, “I think as a whole, we had a positive weekend.”
“I think we’ve had a tough stretch in the schedule and we’ve also had a few tough breaks in some games and I think the girls needed a little shot of confidence and I thought they played well,” Falco said.
Now sitting at 8-8 and fourth in their division, the question becomes ‘can they find consistency in what’s been kind of an up and down year?’
Now, going into the final third of their season, they will have to find a balance between improving and finding consistency.
“I think just playing together and playing with confidence and knowing that we’re a good team and we can win by 30 points if we really commit to playing team defense and then just out of that, offense just definitely flows by itself,” Nicole Morrison said.
“So, I think that’s something we definitely need to work on. Just be more consistent that way.”
With their confidence no longer wavering after two blowout wins, and seeing what they are really capable of on both ends – especially on defense – the only thing now is being able to put it all together to make the noise they hope to make come playoff time.
“I think we’re slowly getting better defensively. If we can get more consistency on the defensive end, it’s going to take a lot of pressure off of our offense where we don’t have to get into a shootout and try and score a high number every game,” Falco said.
“I think the second thing is, choices offensively. If we can make better decisions, like we were talking about, move the ball better, wait for a high percentage shot, then that’ll pay dividends down the road.”
With a rematch in place for their next game against the McMaster Marauders, who they lost to 81-59 on Jan. 13, the Hawks will be tested and they will have to be at their best to compete with one of the best teams in the conference.
