Interviews by Dani Cedeno
The Lady Rams have been hitting the hardwood the last few months in the hopes of building on last season’s 7-21 record, which featured two 3-game winning streaks and a first-round playoff win over the Lake County Lady Cougars.
The team graduated four players from last season, and last season’s second-leading scorer, Tyler Mayne, who averaged more than 12 points a game last season, is healing from an injury, which could sideline her for a significant portion if not the entire season, according to second-year power forward Kaylee Morales.
But the team welcomed around seven new players this season, according to head coach Zapporia Smith, which should fill in any gaps.
The Lady Rams in a match-up against Olive Harvey last season. (Photo: Brady Bauer)
Wright Times freelancer Dani Cedeno sat down with Smith, Morales, and fellow players freshman Siren McDonald and sophomore Destiny Cox to talk about the upcoming season.
What are your expectations for the season, and for yourself individually?
Morales: “To put a banner up in our school. (I want to) average more points and steals and help lead the team to our first banner.”
Cox: “I’m looking forward to getting a head start on winning early. That way we can put our foot down… and set the tone. I want us to get our groove early this year.
Smith: “Seeing my girls work hard, like never giving up…. Last season we took a rough road the first half of the season, struggling, trying to find our groove. Trying to find what piece is missing, what do we need to work on. So, I’m looking forward to this season. Hopefully they can grind it out and work hard so we don’t have to duplicate how the first half of last season went.”
McDaniels: “Out of this group, I feel like I can expect hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of improvement. There are some things we can definitely improve on
What is the team’s strong suit:
Cox: “Passing. We have a good amount of ball handlers (and) a good amount of girls who can finish and drive toward the rim. (Also), leadership… some people have really put their foot down and lead.”
What is one thing that you can still work on?
Smith: “Conditioning.”
McDaniels (laughing): “I was just going to say our stamina.”
Smith: “All summer long we’ve been working hard trying to get these girls in shape. Come November 2, we’ll be there.”
McDaniels: “I agree. I feel like conditioning is what everything comes from: being able to run up and down the court during the game, being able to make free throws and layups when you’re tired.”
Smith: “(Also) transferring (the new recruits) from high school to college… there’s a big difference as far as the court itself, the basketball, the rim height. It’s a big adjustment for the freshmen coming in from high school.”
What do you hope to accomplish this season, as a team and individually:
Cox: “Getting our confidence up and finding out our role on the team. I feel like right now, everyone is still trying to figure out what they want to do on the court, like what they’re good at. For the team and personal, I want to win the banner. And I want to play for a university when I graduate. I feel like I could do D1 if I work hard enough. Transfer to D2 and then D1.”
McDaniels: “Improvement so we can get to our full potential. Improvement on my shot… I feel like that’s a part of my role on the team.”
Smith: “Coaching and teaching these young ladies (and) helping them develop in their craft; having them see that you can go further than what your mind’s telling you (and) to really build that development and confidence… To have these girls compete hard and get recognized as Player of the Week (City Colleges and conference-wide); to get one of our players get nominated as an all-Region player, as well… For the team, graduation is just the top goal for me.”
How do you balance school and basketball?
Cox: “I took mostly morning classes because that gave me enough time to get my homework done, and I try to get my work done as soon as possible… I try to go to sleep early so I can wake up energized, and that way I don’t get sluggish and I have motivation… and I do a lot of homework on the weekends as well.”
McDaniels: “I feel like I have enough time (between class and practice) to look at what I have to do… I do the small assignments (during the week), and then just work on the big assignments on the weekends.”
Lady Rams Drop Season Opener, Look to Bounce Back against Lake County
The Lady Rams started the season Nov. 2 against the Skyhawks at Sauk Valley Community College.
Sauk Valley overpowered the Lady Rams during the first half jumping out to a 21-0 lead, en route to a 67-30 victory. However, the Lady Rams showed unyielding defense coupled with precise shooting in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 of their 30 points during the frame.
The Lady Ram's will face College of Lake County on Nov 7 at 5 p.m.
Game review contributions by Richard Hayes.
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