November 8, 2017 at 1:28 p.m.
Despite experience, Lady Hodags go back to basics
Despite experience, Lady Hodags go back to basics
"It's probably our best 1-to-25 we've had in all five years," he said, comparing the skill level of the approximately 25 players who have come out for this year's squad.
Still, Clark said he wanted to make sure the team got down to basics Monday morning when it held its first practice of the winter season.
When he was the head boys' coach at Northland Pines, Clark said he made the mistake of glossing over the little things early in the season with an experienced roster of players, an oversight he vowed not to let happen again.
"Our varsity could step out and scrimmage right now. They've played a lot together and they'd be OK," he said. "But we'll go back and teach it slow so everyone is comfortable and we don't have any gaps."
The majority of Monday morning's session focused on fundamentals before some scrimmage-like drills toward the end of the practice. Clark said two-a-day practices this week have followed that pattern as the team prepares for its season-opener against Marshfield Nov. 21.
"We have good team chemistry. We have nice kids," he said. "A little rusty, obviously, but we just broke down the basics. I'm excited to be here ... Every year I feel like there's more that I don't know so just take it slow, teach it well and the kids will respond."
The Hodags began to pick up the tempo last year, focusing on more backcourt pressure and scoring in transition. Clark said the team will likely have to double down on those efforts after graduating leading scorer Kaly Kostrova and strong post presence Ali Schickert.
"As long as we stay out of foul trouble, we'll get up and down the court," Clark said. "Our guards are our strength and our quickness is our strength. We're the quickest team in the conference, so we've got to use that to our advantage."
To that end, Clark said the team is also working on conditioning to get ready for the up-and-down style of play.
With numbers in the mid 20s, the team has a bit of a quandary when it comes to splitting its varsity and JV squads. The team could have split the numbers down the middle with a varsity and one JV squad, but they will instead go with a varsity and two JV squads, with anywhere from seven to 10 players in each level.
"We have enough for three teams, but it's just going to make three teams (really tight). Everybody's going to get a lot of playing time," he said. "We have nine (players on varsity), but we have (JV) some kids who may be able to get some rotational minutes on that third half (of eligibility)."
The Hodags also have a change in the coaching staff as Brittany Haakenson comes on board as a JV2 coach. She takes over for Megan Biscobing, who will work more with the youth program this winter. Haakenson played high school ball in Antigo and is already an assistant cross country and track coach at RHS.
"A lot of the kids know her. She'll fit right in with our staff and our team," Clark noted. "Gretta Layman also is going to give us some time this year as a volunteer. She's going to come in two, three times a week, work with our post players. She's another great, athletic presence. We're excited to have both of them."
As they has the last few seasons, the Hodags will travel to JustAGame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells for a scrimmage on Saturday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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