National and Regional Stat Leaders

Well, despite our 1-6 start, I thought I would share some encouraging team and individual efforts so far this season.

From a team standpoint, we rank in the top 10 in the nation in the following categories:

Defense points allowed per game (5^th) 58.6 points

Opponents fg% (7^th) 36.7%

Opponents 3pt fg% (8^th) 29%

We also have some players among the national/regional statistical leaders:

Kate - scoring (9^th /2^nd ) 16.4 points per game; assists (16^th/6^th) 3.6 per game; steals (17^th/5^th) 2.7 per game

Rebecca – rebounds (4^th/3^rd) 11.6 rebounds per game; blocks (nr/9^th) .4 blocks per game;

Becky – rebounds (17^th/8^th) 8.6 rebounds per game

Miranda – steals (nr/8^th) 2.3 steals per game

We definitely don't play as individuals, but it is always worth noting when players are excelling in some areas to contribute to the success of the team! Congrats!

Heading into Christmas Break

As most of you know, this has been a first semester of injuries and youth for the Lady Pioneer basketball team. With two starters and all-region players from last year's team, as well as another returner, out for the season with injuries, we are enduring the process of learning and growing together as a team with only two players that were members of the team last year.

Our first semester came to an end Friday night with a 67-50 loss to Grace Bible College. On the surface, it looks like another double-digit loss to send us to a 1-6 record. However, for me, the team, and the great crowd in attendance, it was easy to see much improvement from our past few games. We played with confidence, purpose, and passion from the opening tip. Players are learning and contributing in their roles better, and it's easy to see that this team is improving and enjoying playing together.

We trailed by 3 with about 90 seconds in the first half, gave up a 3, missed a shot, and then gave up two free throws on a 50-50 call that could have been a charge on a Grace player. We then missed a lay-up at the buzzer to trail 33-25 at the half. We turned it over on our first two possessions for easy lay-ups for them to start the second half, and we go from being down three to down 12 in about 2 1/2 minutes of game time. While our team is improving, we're not good enough to overcome multi-possession lapses. They stretched the lead to 20 before we got very confident and went on a run to close the gap to 8 with five minutes remaining. But Grace slowed it down, got quality shots, and pulled away at the end.

Kate led us in scoring with 15 points. She also had 5 assists and 2 steals. While 6 turnovers is a lot, it's not bad considering she played all 40 minutes with the ball in her hands. Brooke added 14 points, including 3 for 3 from the 3pt line, and had 4 assists. Rebecca scored 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. I was probably most excited about her going 5 of 6 from the ft line.

I haven't written about it yet, but we're glad to have senior Abi Sexton join the team. In addition to her being a solid athlete and someone who has already contributed on the floor, she is a great example and blessing of leadership for this young team.

Anyway, we're off for a month before hitting the court again. I think the break is great for the girls, especially the majority of which played other sports in early fall. Thanks for your prayers!

Trust.