The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“We improved as we went on, for sure”
Young and athletic has its place in sports, but fundamentals are key to success—and the Lady Titans found that out at the Meeker County Shootout December 1-3.
The Lady Titans are flush with potential and coach MaryMike Haley sees it. She also knows it’s going to take some time.
While the Lady Titans lost all three games, there was some progression over the weekend. After scoring just nine points in the first game, they more than doubled that on offense by the final game while continuing to hold their opponent to an average of 39 points.
“We improved as we went on, for sure,” says Haley.
Crested Butte met host team Meeker in the first game and after hanging tough through the first half, the game got away from the Lady Titans, losing 41-9.
“We just couldn’t do much in the second half,” says Haley. “They [Meeker] were really well-balanced and executed well and we didn’t execute anything. We just weren’t there.”
The Lady Titans made a step forward in their next game against Vanguard but their upperclassmen, the three that Haley has, still sputtered some on offense, losing 43-19.
Junior Maddie Stichter led the team with eight points, followed by senior Natalie Bowen with four.
“We’re just not scoring,” says Haley. “If the seniors aren’t productive on offense we’re in trouble.”
Despite dropping two in a row, Crested Butte held their heads high and went into the final game of the weekend determined to prove their mettle.
Led by sophomore Shannon Costello in the first quarter, Crested Butte jumped out to a 14-6 lead over Cedaredge.
But a 12-1 scoring run by Cedaredge in the second quarter drained the Lady Titans’ momentum, and they eventually fell 35-21.
“We just checked out,” explains Haley.
Costello finished with eight points and senior Toni Brown and Bowen each added five.
While the upper classmen were used to the varsity pace, the bench full of sophomores struggled with the faster tempo.
“I think it opened up the younger girls’ eyes as to how quick and aggressive the game is,” says Haley. “The pace of the game really threw them. Hopefully we can build on intensity in practice.”
Ultimately, once shell-shocked by the pace, the fundamentals start to disintegrate, especially among the younger players.
“We’ve got to get back in the gym and start back with the basics,” says Haley. “Once they figure out the technical aspects they’re going to be good.”
The Lady Titans will host their first home game of the season in mighty Mt. Olympus on Monday, December 12. Tip-off for JV is at 3 p.m. with the varsity slated to start at 4 p.m.
“There’s potential for sure,” says Haley. “We’ve got some work to do but we should be able to bounce back.”
