2008 Woodie Awards
New system, new challenges
Josh Goldstein
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Sports
The Scotty Wood Tournament saw some good action from a young Mules team that won its first game of the year over Villa Julie, 73-56. The Mules' up-tempo, quick, and massive-substitution style known as the Grinnell System went to work early when the Mules jumped out to a 19-3 start. The Mustangs from Villa Julie would come back and make the game close at times, but could never get over the hurdle and Muhlenberg proved to be too tough.
The Mules were led in scoring by junior Lauren Boyle who scored 19 points on 6 of 14 shooting, and was a perfect 7 for 7 from the free-throw line. Freshman Sheila Cook led the Mules with 7 rebounds and added 9 points of her own. Senior captain Abra Like led the way with 6 assists as she continued to make the Mules tick. It was an impressive win, but the Mules' weekend was not over.
The championship game for Scotty Wood was a different story as the Mules could not keep the momentum going from the first round. The Lady Royals from Scranton jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead, and never looked back. The Mules were able to cut the deficit as low as 10 early in the second half, but a 12-2 run was just the response the Lady Royals needed to take home a 24-point win (84-60) and the Scotty Wood Championship. Boyle and sophomore Alexis Bates both had good nights, scoring 15 and 16 points respectively, earning them spots on the All-Tournament team. Freshman Shelia Cook once again led the Mules in rebounding with six. However, it was not enough to capture a 5th straight Scotty Wood title.
The Mules had to move on quickly as they finished their pre-Thanksgiving schedule with their first Centennial Conference game against Gettysburg. The Mules spent the first half coming back from a deficit, but were able to end the half up two points on freshman point guard Kelly McKeon's buzzer-beating jump shot. However, the second half was not as friendly to the Mules, as they were outscored by 16 (38-22) and dropped their second straight game and first in the Centennial Conference, 71-57.
Sophomore Kaitlyn O'Malley led the Mules in scoring with 15 points and got some help from Boyle, who finished the game with 12 points. For the second straight game, McKeon led the team in assists, this time with 6, and junior Erin McSherry continued her dominance on the glass against Centennial Conference opponents, grabbing 6 rebounds.
It is early for the Mules team, and they are still learning a new aggressive system. However, they will need to find their groove fast with 5 tough games coming up before they hit the Christmas break.
The Mules were led in scoring by junior Lauren Boyle who scored 19 points on 6 of 14 shooting, and was a perfect 7 for 7 from the free-throw line. Freshman Sheila Cook led the Mules with 7 rebounds and added 9 points of her own. Senior captain Abra Like led the way with 6 assists as she continued to make the Mules tick. It was an impressive win, but the Mules' weekend was not over.
The championship game for Scotty Wood was a different story as the Mules could not keep the momentum going from the first round. The Lady Royals from Scranton jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead, and never looked back. The Mules were able to cut the deficit as low as 10 early in the second half, but a 12-2 run was just the response the Lady Royals needed to take home a 24-point win (84-60) and the Scotty Wood Championship. Boyle and sophomore Alexis Bates both had good nights, scoring 15 and 16 points respectively, earning them spots on the All-Tournament team. Freshman Shelia Cook once again led the Mules in rebounding with six. However, it was not enough to capture a 5th straight Scotty Wood title.
The Mules had to move on quickly as they finished their pre-Thanksgiving schedule with their first Centennial Conference game against Gettysburg. The Mules spent the first half coming back from a deficit, but were able to end the half up two points on freshman point guard Kelly McKeon's buzzer-beating jump shot. However, the second half was not as friendly to the Mules, as they were outscored by 16 (38-22) and dropped their second straight game and first in the Centennial Conference, 71-57.
Sophomore Kaitlyn O'Malley led the Mules in scoring with 15 points and got some help from Boyle, who finished the game with 12 points. For the second straight game, McKeon led the team in assists, this time with 6, and junior Erin McSherry continued her dominance on the glass against Centennial Conference opponents, grabbing 6 rebounds.
It is early for the Mules team, and they are still learning a new aggressive system. However, they will need to find their groove fast with 5 tough games coming up before they hit the Christmas break.