At times the principle of Murphy's Law seemed to be in effect for the Tigers. What could go wrong more often than not did.
For openers, first year coach Sondra Chadwick had to play the first 10 games of the season without all-Missota Conference post player Taylor Meyer due to off-season knee surgery. Then another key contributor from last winter's section finalists opted not to return for her senior season.
During the year, injury and illness followed the team like a shadow. It even lost its new assistant coach to a head injury before the season began.
"There were a number of things that happened that were uncontrollable," Chadwick said of her team's 6-20 season (4-10 in the Missota Conference). "Injuries and illness impacted our depth and rotation during the course of the season."
Taylor Meyer
1,301 career points
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Meyer, who returned to action after the holiday break, led the team in scoring (14.4) and rebounds (9.6) per game. The University Minnesota-Duluth recruit ended her career as the third highest scorer in school history with 1301 points.
Sofia Chadwick averaged 10.6 points a game and led the team in assists (96) and steals (75). Isis Alexander averaged 8.7 points while Mariah Mincke scored at a 7.1 points-a- contest clip.
Individual awards will be announced at the team's post-season banquet slated for March 26.
Coach Chadwick said beating Red Wing and Northfield at home and nearly upsetting Rochester Mayo in the first round of section play ranked as the most memorable moments from the season just completed.
"Although it is never fun to lose, I view the growth of this team as a success," she said. "The girls overcame a number of obstacles, never let up and improved dramatically over the course of the season.
"Because of the timing of my hire, we didn't get an opportunity to work together over the summer, so we had a two-week crash course before our first game in getting to know and adjust to one another, learn a new philosophy and set expectations...The girls should be proud of what they were able to accomplish."
With only two players who saw extended playing time--Sofia Chadwick and Gallus--set to return next winter, coach Chadwick said the 2012-13 season could again be one of rebuilding.
Sofia Chadwick led in assists and steals
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
"There is a lot of talent coming up from the younger grades," she said. "Once they start to adjust to the speed and the strength of the varsity game, we will start seeing success...It will be very interesting to see who will put in the time in the off-season in order to compete for varsity spots next year."
Chadwick said she is looking forward to the opportunity of working with the girls in the off-season months. She hopes to instill in them a belief in full-court pressure defense and an up-tempo style of play.
"We need to develop players that are disciplined, fundamentally solid, well- conditioned and willing to accept their roles," she said.
Chadwick said the challenge of replacing this year's large senior class when practice time rolls around next November will be a difficult one.
"It is never easy to come in and prove yourself to a new coach," she said, "But these girls all came in, worked hard and quickly adjusted. They showed great leadership on and off the court.
"They have helped lay the ground work for what this program can be: hard-working, competitive, fun and inclusive."
