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Ramettes head coach Sue Grumley reflects on 2021 season
Going into the COVID-abbreviated, 2021 season, new Ramettes head coach, Sue Grumley, who assisted Mike King in 2019-2020, knew her young team was a work in progress with an eye on the future.
The senior-less team showed improvement throughout the campaign despite finishing 3-11 after going 2-19 the prior season. In the end, the work in progress season does make the future bright.
Grumley and her assistants Abby Grumley (daughter) and Ellie Kocjancic (niece) were all great basketball players at the school. Their guidance helped juniors Tess Kocjanic, Kaci Stelene, Carmellia Pratt, sophomores Annasophia Stauffer, Ella Lindberg, Julia Jones, Emma Myers, Alaina Sherry, and Abby King, and freshmen Maria Casilio and Cadence Brechtel gain valuable experience which should pay off in the coming seasons. A talented group of eighth-graders will also bring enthusiasm to next year’s team.
Grumley talked about the season and the future during a recent interview. Here are excerpts.
I guess first off we have to discuss the fact there was a season despite the COVID-related roadblocks. Wins and losses aside would you agree, making it through was a victory?
“Definitely it was. It was great to get the season in. We went day by day sometimes - week by week. There were times when we were at a game and they told us there’s not going to be school, so that meant no practice for three days but a game coming up we couldn’t practice for. It was a unique season for sure. I think everybody, in the end, was thankful we got the season in and we were able to play as many games as we did.
“Emily (Mitchell, athletic director) did a nice job filling games in for us when teams weren’t able to play. I’m sure it worked both ways but she was able to scramble around and found another game when possible. Despite a lot of people having a lot of stress getting things scheduled I think it worked out pretty well.”
All the coaches I talked to pointed out the lack of practice had a huge impact on their seasons – especially with games being packed in like they were. Having said that, when you look at where you were when things kicked off on Jan. 16 at Elk County Catholic, did you see improvement through the last game in Kane on March 1?
“There was. There were things we would have liked to work on and introduce to the girls but because of uncertainty with the season and having such a short time we tried to keep it basic and build on that. We didn’t want to overwhelm them with too many things.
“There were times when we would practice and plan for a team and we ended up not playing (COVIDrelated shutdown). It was a learning experience for all of us. We had to change and they had to adapt to what we were asking them to do but overall it did work out well. The girls were receptive to what we were asking them to do and what we were teaching them. It’s just going to make us better next year.
Your schedule was tough. You lost to Class 4-A District champ St. Marys twice and Class A semi-finalist Elk County Catholic twice, runner-up Otto-Eldred once, and Cameron County which ECC beat in the quarter-finals three times. Bradford and Kane also participated in the post-season. That wasn’t an easy task for a developing team.
“Everybody likes to win but looking back through films I would have to say except for one of the games at Cameron County where they pretty much had our number in the first half, we were in most ball games until the fourth quarter. We just couldn’t get over that hump to get the lead or if we had a couple point lead, we weren’t able to keep it. It’s not like we got blown out. We were there but it just didn’t come together for us. We were competitive and that’s what we were looking for as well as growth. I think we achieved that this season.
“The top four teams in the single-A district bracket were all teams in the Bubble (Intermediate Unit 9 teams did not play outside Elk, McKean, Cameron, and Potter Counties). The Northern Tier was very competitive. A lot of the teams were senior-laden so I think that just gave us better varsity and game experience. I hope the girls continue to build on that. It’s always a work in progress. I think they want to better themselves and I think now they’re going to be up to that challenge.”
As the season wound down you could see an improvement in all around court-sense, see the team gel. That had to make you happy.
“It did. The last four or five games they started meshing as a team. No matter whom we had on the floor they played well together. I think they noticed that also. There was more talking and looking for the open player. Things started getting easier for them so I think they realize they have a lot of potential.”
Because of numbers, several teams including yours did not field JV teams this year so a lot of the girls don’t get the full game experience they’d get at that level. How tough was it to get all eleven players in at the varsity level?
“Abby and Ellie did a great job getting subs in. They saw who needed a break or when we needed to change some of the positions around. We felt comfortable putting all the girls in. Sometimes we didn’t get them in to give them the minutes you’d like to but they all did get experience at the varsity level. Hopefully, that’s going to help us down the road.
“It’s tough because everybody practices just as hard as the next girl. As a coach getting everybody in can be tough at times. Sometimes you get caught up in the game and you look up and realize there are only two minutes left and you haven’t got everyone in. Most of the girls pretty much got in every game and gained experience. They all had great attitudes and worked hard every practice and in every game, they were in.”
When we talked earlier in the season you said you had each girl write down goals they wanted to achieve. How’d they do?
“I met with them individually to talk about the season, where they are, where they hope to be, and some things we’ll be looking for from them next year. I discussed some of the goals they had. Some were to be a better ball handler, shoot free throws better, become a better shooter, and the fundamental things. We saw improvement in all of them and while we may have not reached some team goals I was happy with how they developed and let them know that.
“They all want to work and it starts with the basics. There are things to get better that are going to help them become better players once they get them down. When you can master the basic things then you can challenge yourself and go to point-B. There is always something to learn. Making those little steps brings confidence and makes you a better player. We talked about those things and they’re all very receptive to what we tell them to help improve.”
As a team grows so do the coaches. You have two good assistants you can lean on. Tell me about that.
Abby kept stats and we always went over game films together to pick up on things we might miss in a game. Ellie was a great extra set of eyes. She’s got a good head on her shoulders for the game of basketball. In practice, I always asked for their opinion and what they have to add. I think as the season went on the girls respected what all of us had to say. They took to heart our input on little things like how to box out better, footwork, and things like that. As a staff, I think we’re good together and I think we’re going to get better right along with the girls.”
I’m going to throw you a curveball – how do you think you did as a firstyear varsity coach?
“It was a learning season for me also. I told the girls I learned along with them. As a coach, you second-guess yourself at certain times. That’s my personality. I don’t know how other coaches handle that. There’s maybe not so much second-guessing as asking the question what could I have changed? Hindsight is always the best (laugh). I’m always learning.”
Let’s look ahead. Do you think expectations are going to rise for next season and are you and the girls ready for it?
“I think we are going to be expected to be better. I’m hoping they’re going to be rising to that challenge. We have a good nucleus coming back and are optimistic for next year. When talking to the girls I told a few of them they might have to have a few more assists, more offensive rebounds, or play tighter defense. Doing little things and improving is going to help them rise to the challenge. I think they’re all willing to become a better player and teammate.
“We want to start having open gyms in mid-April and get into a summer league so the girls can get more experience. We weren’t able to do that last season so it’s going to be a big plus. I think it will be huge playing as a team in the offseason. The more they play the better they are going to get. I think they’re excited to get going and to get better.”
I’m looking forward to next season already. It’s been a pleasure covering the Ramettes and watching you and the girls get better.
“Win or lose you gave us great coverage and it's a big help to the program. You and Joyce (Maletto – The Johnsonburg Press) were great all year and we all appreciated it. We are excited