Pierson Suspension

[NorthForty]

What no chatting about the big suspension? All you Tech fans in shock? Let's talk...

[NorthForty]

I'm sorry, I'm a little slow today! Maybe always!

[Press]

Relax, we've all known since yesterday. Not a lot to talk about at this time, could be a positive in the long run.

[Bball Girl]

Pierson was at the game today...as close to the bench as she could get, looking blue, but cheering on the team and intensely watching every play..Kat's mother came and sat beside her and PP cheered up a bit. I even saw Coach Sharp glance over PP's way and nod her head. So, there's hope.

PP's got great potential and enourmous talent, but sometimes she acts like she believes her billing is enough. It's been clear that we're struggling with chemistry this year and I believe PP is playing a part in that struggle.

I saw my preferred starting lineup today: Tarr, Ellison, White, Brown, and Jackson. It wasn't a pretty game, expecially the 2nd half...we are still having way to many turnovers and our FG% stinks. But they gutted it out. Tarr pulled down some important rebounds and Dionne looked great.

Jia...I believe Jia is better not playing point and coming in off the bench. She looked like herself tonight..20something points, 12 boards and played with that spring in her step that's been missing.

I trust Coach Sharp and I can't imagine her suspending PP without very severe cause. This team needs to learn that it doesn't need PP to win...they just need to play like a team and let the game come to them.

There's been a few bright spots with PP this year...a game with 5 or so assists where she was doubled and tripled and she kicked the ball back out. But to too many times, she gets those elbows flaying. The UNM game alone could have been won just by the free throw attempts made...

The LR camp is always very closed mouth about this...not just to save face for the coaches, but to save face for the players too.

Maybe PP will understand how important basketball and this team really is to her..it certainly showed on her face today...you could see the yearning in her eyes.

[swok34]

During halftime of the La Tech/Duke game, Vera Jones announced it and made comment that Marsha Sharp was one of the nicest coaches she had met. She also mentioned that she didn't believe it was a decision that Coach Sharp would take lightly given the amount of time and the investment she puts into her team.

[elfdenmom]

That had to be one of the ugliest games Tech has played in the eight+ years I have been intensely watching Lady Raider basketball . The good news is that they hung in there, gutted it out, and used good defense to defeat a very solid and well coached North Texas team.

There were other bright spots, too. Dionne played well. If she were only 75% or 80% of her physical ability, she would have been a huge force. Cisti got some badly needed experience and she did a good job of rebounding and blocking shots. She was pretty tentative on her shots and still has trouble maintaing her position against stronger, more experienced players, but she has to play to get better. Another bright spot was Kari Jo Simmons.
She did a great job of running point while she was in. There were even brief flashes of the chemistry that was the real secret to the success of this team,

Bball Girl is absolutely right that the starting lineup was just what they needed. The seniors steadied the boat, and although the field goal percentage was right off the polar ice cap, their composure and defence kept the team from turning into the Titanic.

Jia did not start. I think she is much better coming off the bench or at least not starting at point. She struggles so hard trying to distribute the ball that she can't "do her thing" and gets just as many points as an impact player. I can see the argument for wanting your best players on the floor as much as possible, but I opt for having the players on the floor playing their best.

[ChipperF1]

Hey Plenette,

You are too good to act like Paige Sutton. Get your head back into it!!!!!

Marsha "Patton" Sharp made a good call here.