News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Van Buren Girls Basketball Coach Tyler Sapp said the team is making a final pre-season push to get ready for opening night.
Last season the Eagles went 18-11, but Sapp said the campaign was filled with injuries and adversity. He said players were forced to take on expanded roles at a young age and now a year later he expects that experience to pay off.
“It made them better and hopefully that translates into this season,” Sapp said. “Other than that, in the summer we played really well, made good decisions. It’s just them getting on the floor and getting as many minutes as possible is going to help them improve and get better.”
Sapp said coaches can try to simulate game like atmospheres, but noted that the best teacher is real, in-game experience. He said while the team has made improvements over the summer, his players will still be grinding for progress throughout the season.
“We want them to play as free and as loose as we possibly can, but in the reins of what we’re trying to do,” Sapp said. “My point guard is a sophomore, so yeah she is young. There’s going to be mistakes that are made, so I just think as the season progresses, like improving everybody. All of our guards and our posts, everybody’s decision making and limiting turnovers will be huge for us.”
Abigail Netherton will take over as starting point guard after as solid freshman season that saw her get some starts and averaged 40% from three.
With her increased role, Sapp said he expects her production to take a dip this season. He said an off-season focus has been putting Netherton in uncomfortable spots and seeing how she reacts.
“Something we do at practice everyday is putting them in situations where they have to make decisions,” Sapp said. “Because if you don’t ever work on it, you’re not going to be a good decision maker. So, I think for her that’s the biggest step she has to take.”
Sapp said while some players never develop into smart decision makers, he can see that his new starting guard is on the right path.
