Navy women’s basketball undergoing ‘baptism of fire’ on the hunt for consistency
This is not where Navy women’s basketball wants to be.
The Mids marched into their worst start since it rose to the Division I level in 1991, dropping all four of its nonconference games. The campaign concluded with a five-point loss to Morgan State.
With the quartet of defeats in tow, Navy, projected to finish last in the Patriot League preseason poll, faces a regional mini-conference slate that includes three opponents listed in the top half of the preseason rankings: Bucknell (first), Lafayette (third) and American (fifth).
Army is the only other Patriot League team than Navy to have played nonconference games. The Black Knights went 2-0.
With that, the Mids are faced with the second leg of their season beginning Sunday. Coach Tim Taylor calls the home-andaway against Bucknell the “baptism of fire.” The firstyear coach wanted this. Navy will play back-to-backs every weekend this season, with all but one — the final regular season games against Army — consisting of travel to away games.
If his team is going to be able to handle that kind of burden, Taylor wanted his team to experience some of the toughest versions of it as soon as possible.
“Probably could have picked an easier schedule. But it’s not about the wins and losses right now,” Taylor said. “It’s more about the preparation. People don’t remember what you do in December. They remember what you do in March.”
Junior guard Jennifer Coleman returned Dec. 18, when she matched her career-high with 25 points against Morgan State and played all 40 minutes. Senior guard Sophie Gatzounas has dodged injury and illness and leads the squad with 74 points (18.5 per game) and in 3-pointers, rebounds, free throws and in minutes played per game.
Despite its record, Navy is trending somewhat positively and is posting higher averages in some categories than last year’s team.
However, Navy is turning the ball over at too high a rate, Taylor said. The team is averaging 23.3 per game, but there are some positives, too.
“We’re making way too many mistakes with the ball and a lot of it unforced. I think it’s taking away opportunities,” Taylor said. “We’re winning the rebounding battle. We’re shooting at a higher percentage at the free-throw line. The keys to this are 3-point attempts and taking care of the basketball. If we take care of the basketball, we could potentially have three more wins.”
A lack of synchronicity between this Navy squad continues to drive a wedge in those hopes. Due to injuries and coronavirus contract tracing issues that continue to percolate as the pandemic rages on, the Mids have still not held a practice where every player was there and able.
Injuries depleted the Mids roster early. Junior guard Kolbi Green, whom Taylor expected to lead the team this year and averaged 11 points in three games, landed awkwardly on her elbow against George Mason Nov. 29. In the same game, another projected playmaker, sophomore guard Mimi Schrader, was also injured. Taylor hopes they’ll return soon, but it’s “day-by-day.”
The remaining freshmen don’t have that consistent experienced guidance as they learn the new coaching staff, new system and new terminology while adjusting to the college level.
“That’s what’s been hurting us more than anything ... and I think it’s becoming a reflection of games,” Taylor said, “but hopefully the last week or so, we’ve been getting a little more consistency with people that will be playing this weekend.
“Unfortunately we’re playing probably the best team on our schedule.”
Most importantly, Taylor aims to make sure his team — the young players especially — don’t lose trust in themselves because of the defeats. After all, it’s all part of their development.
“That’s our job as coaches to keep confidence and trying to build them up each and every day and balance them,” the coach said. “So, that’s kind of what we want to do with our schedule going forward, too.”