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| Senior West guard Tisha Henderson pushes the ball upcourt in the win over Parkland. |
What a difference a year makes.
Armed with a group of returnees that are both older and wiser after spending a year under the tutelage of coach Keith Pinnix, the Lady Titans have posted five wins in their first eight games. Victories in this week’s matchups against a talented North Davidson team and a struggling Winston-Salem Prep squad would lift West’s win total to seven — a figure they weren’t able to attain until mid-January last season.
“I’m pleased with our start and where we are as a team at this stage of the season,” Pinnix explained. “Our guard combination is solid and we have a 6’5” player in the middle. Add that to the other talent we have and we should be able to play with anyone.”
Thus far West’s only losses have been to an outstanding Carver team (twice) and to the Glenn Bobcats in the season-opener.
Last week West extended its winning streak to three games with triumphs over Parkland and Reynolds. The 51-26 victory against the Demons gave West a 1-0 start in Central Piedmont Conference play and set the stage for a key matchup against North this Tuesday. The Black Knights are 5-4 overall but 0-1 in CPC play after a 10-point loss to Mount Tabor last week.
“North is certainly a dangerous team and they will give us a good indication of where we stand in the conference,” Pinnix said. “Judging from the early part of the season, I would consider them, Tabor and us to be the three frontrunners (in the conference). And considering that they lost their opener, I’m sure they will be especially focused on trying to get a win against us.”
Against Reynolds, West received the bulk of their point production from three of last year’s team standouts — Elizabeth Maas, Amber Miller and Toni Bolar. Maas dropped in eight points in the first quarter and finished with 14 for the game. Miller finished with 13 while Bolar added seven.
“Elizabeth is getting better every night because she is starting to trust her moves,” Pinnix said. “In the past couple of years, people have looked at how tall she is (6’5”) and have expected her to score at will.
“But it usually takes taller players longer to develop the coordination, the footwork and the overall skills needed to be successful inside. This year she is coming into her own.”
As for Miller and Bolar, Pinnix said the returning perimeter players have also stepped up their play.
“Amber continues to be one of the top outside threats around,” he said. “And Toni is having her best year ever. To help the team, she played out of position (as a point guard) last year. But that’s not really her ideal spot. This year she is playing as a two guard and her play has been excellent.”
Pinnix also highlighted the play of Tisha Henderson and Imani Ricks.
“Imani isn’t usually a big scorer but she does so many other things well for us,” he said. “She’s a solid defender and is very aggressive on the boards.” Ricks is currently second on the team in rebounds.
“As for Tisha (a senior point guard who played for Reynolds last season), she has done a great job of running the team. Along with Carrie Farrell, Tisha gives us real strength at the point.”
West has also received strong inside play from Jacqui Urban and Allyson Lunsford. And Pinnix was quick to add that West’s perimeter offense will get a boost when Morgan Smith returns to the lineup. She was sick last week and unable to play.
In addition to the North Davidson and WSPA games this week, West will compete in a holiday tournament at Morganton Freedom next week. The Titans will open up against Charlotte Independence on December 26th at 3:30 p.m.
“We have the ability to win the whole thing,” Pinnix added. “But first we have to concentrate on getting wins six and seven this week.”