 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Early schedule tough on PanthersBy CAREY FREEMAN © St. Petersburg Times, published December 5, 2000 LECANTO -- Ron Allen knew his team would probably have a rocky start, but he never lost faith and he never got down on his girls. The Lecanto coach knew it was more a matter of the situation and schedule than a lack of talent on the part of his Panthers, who started the season with four tough road games and, as expected, lost all four. Allen, though, knew something the impatient may have forgotten. He knew the schedule would eventually ease up and that his team had the talent to post wins. It just had to find itself first. "We've got to get better at what we do," Allen said. "And, as the season progresses, that will happen because they'll get more reps and have more confidence. "Offensively and defensively, we have to understand our roles within the team, who we're going to look at and who's looking to score out of different sets and where supposed to be on the floor at given time. And, we have to find an identity. Are we going to be a pressing team or a running team?" The Panthers are still searching for some answers, but are slowly developing the chemistry and confidence to overcome the hostile environments and the inexperience. After losing four straight to the likes of Venice, Sarasota Riverview, Hernando and South Sumter, the Panthers have vaulted themselves right back into the district race with consecutive wins over Crystal River and Springstead last week. "I think things are starting to pan out," Allen said. "We're kind of a hybrid. We're not a super-great running team, but we do some good things there. "We're not a great pressing team, but we are effective at times. We have get better at those things. But right now, the kids are having fun, and that's the main thing to build on." Two factors, in particular, have led to Lecanto's rough start and may spell even more down times before the team can come together fully. The first is its relative youth. Though the Panthers have their share of seniors (four) and juniors (five) and have no freshmen listed on the varsity roster, the numbers can be misleading. Only two players, point guard Kaylene Colasanti and shooting guard Erin Bailey, return with significant minutes from last year. The second is the schedule. Ten of Lecanto's first 11 games are on the road, which can make for a steep learning curve for a team short on experience. To hear Allen talk about it, maybe this isn't such a bad thing afterall. "I think it helps in a sense in that you have to go out and not only learn to play as group, but you have to do it on the road and in hostile environments," Allen said. "It can make your stronger -- if you let it. That's the key. You've got to learn from what you go through and I think we did that against Riverview and Venice." Things will get tougher before they get any easier. Lecanto took a day off practice on Monday in an attempt to refresh its heads and legs before an crucial three-game stretch that begins with district rival Central on Thursday and ends with Dunnellon on Saturday, with a district game at Leesburg on Friday. "We're playing kickball today," Allen said on Monday. "We're going to have some fun. I need a break too, so we're just going to have fun today. We'll come back tomorrow and get back into the grind. "Leesburg is real good, and then we've got to come back for the third day in row and play a rival in Dunnellon. That's three in row -- and all on road. It's going to be tough, but one way or another, we'll get better and maybe we'll become a decent road team in the process. The good news: Lecanto plays 10 of its last 12 games at home. "Hopefully we'll pick up a win or two in this span," Allen said. "The schedule just worked out that way for the first part of the season. I hope we can do okay. If not, I'll have to talk to the person who made the schedule."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
|
