LADY PIRATES SET A NEW COURSE
Starting 4-0 in Big South, HU leaves nonconference woes in rearview mirror
HAMPTON — To start conference play, Hampton University’s women had lost six consecutive games against Division I teams.
Some, like N.C. State and Stephen F. Austin, were quality opponents. Others, like Sacramento State and Elon, the Lady Pirates should have beaten.
But since the Big South schedule began nearly two weeks ago, HU has flipped a switch. Going into Saturday’s game at Campbell, the Lady Pirates are 4-0 and in sole possession of first place. One of their wins came against Radford, the defending champion and preseason favorite.
Two reasons for the improved play seem clear. One, a challenging November and December schedule. Two, players have settled into their roles.
“To learn our style, it’s going to take a little time,” Hampton coach David Six said. “Now they’re starting to understand how to follow a game plan. Once they start to understand what it is we need, they’re more comfortable and their talent is able to shine through.
“But that doesn’t come overnight. It takes time for them to break bad habits and develop good habits.”
Statistically, the biggest difference has been in shooting percentages. In 11 nonconference games, Hampton shot 38 percent from the field while its opponents hit 40 percent. In four Big South games, the Lady Pirates are making 44 percent to the opposition’s 34 percent.
In a 68-54 home win over Radford on Jan. 10, HU shot 55 percent and got a career-high 32 points from sophomore guard Mahaley Holit. The Lady Pirates made 46 percent of their shots five nights later in a 66-40 win over Longwood.
Keep in mind, Hampton hasn’t shot better than 38 percent for a season since 2010-11.
Junior Ashley Bates is shooting 49.7 percent from the field overall and averaging 16.9 points a game. Holit, who scored 2.1 points a game last year as a freshman, is up to 7.9 this year (15.8 in conference games).
“Bates has really worked on her game in
terms of being able to knock down shots,” Six said. “Mahaley has really worked on her footwork and has improved.”
And there's 6-foot-2 center Kaylah Lupoe, who has taken her game to another level the last four games. In non-conference play, she averaged 8.3 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. Against the Big South, those numbers are 15.5 and 6.8.
With 10 newcomers on the roster, it took time for the lineup to jell. That's what November and December were for.
“Starting off the season, our team being so young, we had so much to work on,” Bates said. “Our first scrimmages were not where we needed to be at all.
“Starting off with a tough schedule taught us a lot. Our (new) players got more of a feel how to play college basketball, as far as the speed and how smart they needed to be, compared to how they played in high school.”
A 4-0 start is certainly nice, especially for a team beginning play in a new league. But there are 14 conference games remaining. Six expects his players to keep developing.
“There's a lesson learned each game,” he said. “I think we have so much more potential in terms of how to play and understand the game plan.”