tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906311502598356810.post4810567561100973282..comments2023-10-31T10:59:17.376-04:00Comments on LIP SERVICE: NB LADIES PUT ON A SHOWKen Lipshezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12765267331754282870noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906311502598356810.post-58184502147660844202008-01-12T23:24:00.000-05:002008-01-12T23:24:00.000-05:00To newbritainite:I cannot totally dispute your com...To newbritainite:<BR/><BR/>I cannot totally dispute your commentary about Symone Roberts' court demeanor, but when you consider the young lady's strengths, I believe Coach Byrne had done a terrific job. <BR/><BR/>And I agree with your assessment about Sideranko. Not only is she the epitome of what you would want a hustle player to be but she puts any personal glory aside for the good of the team. <BR/><BR/>But Roberts' talents must be accentuated in way Piper did and Byrne does. As Sideranko's approach suggests, NB has to find a way for Roberts to use her speed to the team's greatest advantage.<BR/><BR/>In regard to the inside game, Tyler Kimball has been sensational. She had 20 points and 20 rebounds the other night. She may not be the biggest kid out there, and she's just a sophomore, but she has the determination that all great rebounders have.<BR/><BR/>The one area that could cost New Britain, and it's also a shortcoming for likely tournament foe Mercy, is depth. Hopefully young Ms. Heather O'Bright can shore up that area now that she's returned from her injury.<BR/><BR/>I think NB is the most formidable team in the state. The Canes won't see unbeaten Holy Cross (unbeaten in the NVL doesn't do much for me anyway), but I think the only team that can beat them is Bulkeley. NB won the first round but the quartet of Sherece Huddlin, Richelle Anderson, pint guard Evebonee Acosta and big center Samantha Sanchez impressed the heck out of me.Ken Lipshezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12765267331754282870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906311502598356810.post-28481973503758314942008-01-07T15:15:00.000-05:002008-01-07T15:15:00.000-05:00As a NBHS alum, I'm always pleased to hear of a st...As a NBHS alum, I'm always pleased to hear of a strong team. However, as a witness to Friday night's game, I am not as ecstatic as you about the performance of the Lady Canes against Bulkeley. There's obvious skill in Roberts and a few supporting cast-members but there are many things that made me cringe about the NB style of hoops being played. <BR/><BR/>Body language: The most talented player on the court, Ms Roberts of course, had slumping shoulders and tugged on her shorts during every dead ball. It's sad that the only time she showed positive emotion was after a score of her own when her typical reaction was to clap for herself and cheer running down the court. <BR/><BR/>Siderenko, on the otherhand, the true Hustle of the Lady Canes, was relentless on the court and even looked like she could have played another 32 minutes when the game was over.<BR/><BR/>Heart: Should it ever be the case that a team's diminutive pointguard wrestles down more rebounds than the taller superstar? I guess if Symone had crashed the defensive boards she wouldn't have been able to cherry-pick the 10 or so points she poured in by hanging at half-court waiting for a Siderenko outlet pass. Commendable? Not from a purist point of view. Her "fluidity" during fastbreaks is incredible, but inbetween whistles she appears flat and uninspired.<BR/><BR/>Inside game: For a while I wondered why the post players on the NB team had their hands at their sides. The answer became self evident when hardly a single outside-in pass was thrown. Any man of odds would have advised them to rest their arms also - the rock was not going inside.<BR/><BR/>Coaching: Beryl Piper is sorely missed. The atmosphere in the NB gymnasium has changed, and not for the better. But perhaps elaboration of this point is for another comment, another time.<BR/><BR/>In sum, I'll admit that I am guilty of looking at the past with rose colored glasses. But I can't help but think how much better this team could be if there was more than one or two players that possessed an iota of intensity and a game plan that consisted of more than a full-court one-on-one game of a seemingly lazy superstar.newbritainitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15861154182432864413noreply@blogger.com