Motivated by the past few seasons, where they’ve fallen short of expectations, the Lady Beacons stormed out to a quick (4-0) start to begin the year, and remain four games over .500.
Despite their recent struggles (they’ve lost four of their last six after starting 10-3), the Lady Beacons are headed to one of their best seasons in years.
The squad may be young, but it has the heart of a veteran team.
“We are in the process of building our program, so we are still a young team. Other teams in the conference have players that have been together for 3-4 years, and we are still figuring things out. But with that said, we are right there with the veteran teams and I think that says a lot for a young team,” junior guard Shelby Buck said.
“Our team is very young. In saying so we have a lot of time to grow, and with the talent we have and the chemistry we have, our team is going to be unbeatable these next couple years,” standout sophomore center Kristen Morrison said.
Freshman Olivia Murphy has been a nice addition to the Beacons this season. The forward is averaging a double-double (14 points, 10.6 rebounds) per game and has been awarded LEC rookie of the week four times this season.
While the girls go out on the court every night determined to make their season one that they will remember, they receive their motivation and drive from their head coach, Courtney Mattingly, who is in her fourth season directing the sqaud.
“Coach Mattingly is an amazing influence on all of us. She brings out the best in each of us individually and collectively.” Buck said. She added “she pushes us to the limit and that is what makes us relentless in games. No one gives better motivational pre-game speeches than her.”
For the Beacons, basketball is not just a sport. Their 25-game regular season is a war and each game is a battle.
Entering this season, the Beacons have adopted the slogan “The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.”
“We compete in practice everyday so we motivate each other in that way. We are all so competitive and we hate to lose,” Buck said.
Although the season may not be over, the Beacons are pleased to say that they have fulfilled their first goal, and that alone helps them understand that no goal is too small nor too big.
“Our small goals were winning the tournaments (the Key Largo classic and the Simmons tournament) we played in this season and then ultimately we want to be in the LEC championship and win it,” Morrison said. Morrison has had a monster year, averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds per game and is quickly emerging as the emotional leader of this year’s squad.
The ladies have a new gym, a 12-7 record, and a whole new outlook in this 2012-13 season. They are easily the most improved winter team on campus and are shaping up to be major players for the LEC championship.