Phoenix optimistic for second half

Tim Rink / Reporter

The true story of this year’s women’s basketball team can be told by a handout that head coach Brenda Paul passed out to her players recently. The handout shows the headline for each of the teams seven wins so far this season, each one highlighting a different member of the team.

The Phoenix has gotten off to a 7-10 start and are 2-5 in the Southern Conference.

“I’m really pleased with the toughness of this team,” Paul said. “Considering the amount of challenges … we’re headed in the right direction.”

Challenges have been in no shortage for the team, which lost stars Robyn Shipley and Kitara McMoore at the beginning of the season and has relied heavily on five freshmen on the oft-injured roster to provide the points, which have been hard to come by for the Phoenix. Despite ranking second in the SoCon in scoring defense, the Phoenix ranks last in scoring and has a negative four points per game average.

The losing record at the season’s midpoint is offset by the quality opponents the Phoenix has faced. Aside from a tough conference schedule, the Phoenix played against University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Kansas State in a Thanksgiving tournament and made the traditional stop in Chapel Hill to face perennial title contender North Carolina.

While it is traditionally viewed as a small conference, the SoCon actually ranks 12th out of 31 conferences in Division I women’s basketball, and it is this high level of competition that is helping to set the Phoenix up for postseason success, says Paul .

“Usually we try to play against tough competition,” she said, “but we don’t have to go very far. It’s a much different league than the Big South was. Tough teams make you tougher physically; they can take you apart and show you your weaknesses. When you play weaker teams early in the season, you may have a false sense of confidence come tournament time.”

But for small-time programs, the true season doesn’t truly begin until February, when conference battles begin and teams reach tournament form. Like any coach whose hope for the postseason hinges on an automatic berth, Paul understands the importance of peaking at the right time.

“We divide the season into segments,” Paul said, “and we need to make sure that we’re in top form.”

Getting into that form will require the team to be together to get the kinks worked out.

“The tough thing,” Paul said, “has been playing without a full team all year. We haven’t been able to develop chemistry or a team flow.” Paul says the team will have to stay positive while they get healthy to be successful.

Senior leader Nikko King will return after missing several games due to family circumstances and the Phoenix look to be healthy for the first time all year.

Regaining this senior leadership will be crucial to this team, which features several freshmen in important roles. Tiffany Davis has split time at point guard with junior Tierra Bumbrey and is scoring 5.6 points and providing two assists per game.

Amber Wall is leading the team with 9.7 points and 7.2 rebounds a game as a freshman and has worked hard to step in where McMoore’s absence has left the team weak.

This progress and combination has Paul optimistic about the end of the season. “You have to stay focused,” Paul said. “You can’t let one game affect the outcome of a season.”

The Phoenix lost to first place Davidson Tuesday night and will play again Saturday night at UNC-Greensboro.