WBB: LOOK BACK AT 2008-09
(left: WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves right: First year forward Tracy Kocs)
For immediate release: Fri Feb 13, 2009
Kamloops, BC—The road to a championship team begins with small steps. That’s what Scott Reeves and the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack womens basketball team took this year.
Reeves’ third year at the helm of the program proved to be his most successful yet. The WolfPack notched three victories, the most since he took over. Their record (3-20) is more than misleading. They lost one game (to UFV) in overtime and another at the buzzer (Trinity). They also had nine single digit losses. Add to that the fact that their roster that they had six first year players and five second years, they were arguably the youngest team in not only the Canada West but the entire CIS.
“We have gone from not being competitive to being competitive.” says Reeves. “ That's the first jump in building a team. Other teams had to scout us and prepare which in the past they didn't do as much. ” Many people I have talked to have said, and I tend to agree, that this is really my first year. I have a group that I recruited to play for me and I think it showed. We laid a lot of ground work for building a Championship program in the future. This doesn't happen overnight.”
TRU had more half time and three quarter time leads than in their past two campaigns, which leads the coach to believe that they are on the right road.
The WolfPack had a strong first half, winning two of their first five games. The second half of the season was a little more difficult. Reeves cited his youth movement and a gruelling schedule which saw them play at home only two weekends after Christmas. “The Can West schedule is a grind to begin with, but when you are constantly on the road for the second half with a young group it is all that more difficult,” he says. “ Routines are moved around. Different hotels have different beds, sleep deprivation plays a role”.
Reeves doesn’t like to single out an MVP. But he did point to improvement among most if not all of his players. “We have a team effort and environment that allows certain people to step up and perform in that environment. Diane(Schuetze, post, first year, Vernon, BC) led us in scoring but someone needed to get her the ball. Diane won't lead us in scoring if she did everything herself. Sarah (Cameron, 5 th year, guard, Langley, BC) led us by getting the ball up the floor and hitting key shots at key times. Kait (Kaitlyn Widsten, 2nd year, guard, Tswwassen, BC) is our best on ball defender. Tracy (Kocs, 1st year, forward, Coquitlam, BC) is our best passer and can knock down open shots. KC (Kailey Calonna, 2nd year forward, Invermere, BC) is our best post defender and most improved from last years squad. Jessica Mulock (2nd year, forward, North Vancouver, BC) has really come on tin the second half to hit shots and provide some defence. Lindsay Dekoff (1st year, forward, Chilliwack, BC) is going to be a very good player in this league and probably is my most pleasant surprises. I knew she was a hard worker but after seeing some of her other intangibles, she is going to be very good for us.”
Not only did the players improve this year but so too did Reeves. “I am very proud of our team and believe they are growing as players and people. This is a tough time right now but I hope by the end of their time here, they are going to see how valuable this time was in building their futures.”
Personnel Wise, the WolfPack lose only Sarah Cameron. Reeves admits he’s on the hunt for a future point guard and will be scouting for years to come this summer when he takes the reigns of the BC Under 15 Girls team for a second straight season.
And what about 2009-10? Is a playoff spot out of the question? “
I think playoffs are a real possibility next year. “ he says. “We don't have goals like making playoffs as an everyday focus so I don't think that pressure will be there. We have daily goals that relate to what we can control. At the beginning of the year, we can't control who will be in the playoffs or not.”
FOUL SHOTS: Coach Reeves on handling both the Provincial U-15 team and preparing for the CIS season:” I have great support from my wife and there is no way I could do what I do without her. I live in the moment and prepare 100 % for the task at hand. When I am preparing for a National tournament, I am completely devoted to that. Once that is done, I move towards prep for the CIS season. There is some multi-tasking that goes on in terms of scouting a U-15 team and at the same time asking myself, "could that kid one day play for TRU?" but I enjoy the 15's and love my team.”