When UMB closed the fall semester of 2010 and everyone went his or her separate way for the holidays, the Lady Beacons basketball team was

just setting the stage for a promising season. They had eclipsed their

season win total from last year and were showing no signs of stopping.  Now,

there is no greater measure of success that is more motivating than the chance at winning the LEC title.

With four weeks left in the regular season, the Lady Beacons currently

stand at 11-8 overall and 2-7 in the LEC.  Head Coach Mattingly believes

they still have a chance at wining the title, something that has been in the

back of their minds since game one.  

“You play for the title, you always go out and play hard for the win, and that’s what they’ve been doing” Mattingly explained.

The team has grown much stronger over the break. They have come together

as a team and have already made the season a memorable one for

themselves and their coach.

“They are a great group,” stated Mattingly. “They make practice enjoyable, they are all hard workers. This is a pretty special group, and I have a great respect for them.”

One player’s hard work has really paid off.  Sophomore Elisa Ogawa struggled

offensively in the beginning of the season.  Ogawa was not the strongest

shooter and some bad shots really messed with her confidence. But, she took the

necessary steps to improve, taking extra shots after practice, and put

in the effort to improve. Ogawa’s offensive skills as a result have

dramatically improved. Over her last three games, Ogawa’s points per game are in double figures.

The Lady Beacons took a bit of a hit a few weeks ago when starting point guard Shelby Buck was lost for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

Despite the loss, Coach Mattingly is confident that if the girls

execute their plays effectively, the girls can come right back and make a run at the LEC.

Though no matter what happens this season, the squad has come along way

in their own right. Having both improved individually and as a

team, many of the Lady Beacons are freshman. This much early

experience will pay off as the girls juniors and seniors. Coach Mattingly

elaborated on the benefits of this early experience,

 ”Hopefully they will stay all four years and these playing minutes will help them out

immensely because they are playing positions now against more

practiced seniors and juniors so they are working extra hard to be

competitive, in practice and in the games.”

These next few games will determine if the Lady Beacons have what it

takes to bring home the banner or not.  UMB athletics has made great strides this year, none other exceeded expectations quite like these girls did. With a few home games remaining, come out and support them.