MORGANTOWN — Head coach Jason White and the Morgantown girls’ basketball team have punished opponents thus far with a well-balanced approach. MHS (4-0) are scoring 57.2 points per game so far offensively.
This comes after losing three of their four top scorers to graduation last year, something White credited to his team being able to adjust to their strengths.
“This offseason was a complete overhaul of our offensive strategy,” White said. “It’s the best fit for the strengths of the athletes we had returning. Last year was more inside-out, this year is more attack-minded.”
Junior forward Revaya Sweeney praises her teammates for becoming comfortable in their changing roles so quickly from year-to-year.
“We did lose some great talent, but our existing team members have been amazing at stepping into their role,” Sweeney said. “Personally, I know my role has changed tremendously. I feel I need to be more of a key player and make sure our chemistry is as strong as it was last season.”
While offense wins games, they say defense wins championships. So far, the Mohigans haven’t allowed more than 25 points by any of their four opponents this season, giving up only 21.2 points per contest. A strength early on, White says defense has always been a focal point of his coaching strategy.
“This may be my best group yet in eight seasons (defensively),” White said. “We try to limit teams to 40 points or less and through four games are only giving up 21. I think you’ll win a lot of ball games if you can do that.”
Being strong on both sides of the ball is going to help MHS in the long run. An aggressive defensive approach is something Sweeney says can set a spark for her and her teammates to carry them each and every game.
“Our defense helps us keep good energy all game and when we apply pressure to athletic teams it allows us to keep pushing on offense,” she said.
White agrees with his third-year forward, saying his team’s transition game is still a work-in-progress. His team will only be successful if they can score from their defense.
“It’s those sudden changes in possession that we must capitalize on if we want to make a run for a state championship,” White said. “We want to use numbers to our advantage if we can, and if not we can slow down and get the best shot we see in possession.”
The Mohigans will open the G-Force Holiday Classic at 4 p.m. Friday against Trinity at MHS.
By MICHAEL GRIFFITH
