Perhaps it was early-season nerves but the Cabrini women’s basketball team played like a different team on Tuesday night. After two games of shaky shooting – the Lady Cavs averaged 27 percent shooting from the floor in their first two games – the Lady Cavs outplayed Eastern with their best shooting game of the season.
On all other fronts, the team operated like a well-oiled machine. They brought their usual stifling defense that held Eastern to just 29 points. They forced 24 turnovers, including 15 steals. If the best offense is a good defense, the Lady Cavs have the formula to operate on that policy.
Still, what stood out was the team aspect. There was constant rotation of players on the floor. All players on the floor touched the ball at numerous times. One of the things the Lady Cavs proved they can do is move the ball around the floor.
The Lady Cavs got 24 points off the bench, 24 points off turnovers and 42 points in the paint. This is a team capable of dangerous things. But they would have to operate as a team the whole way.
“There was contributions from starters, subs, freshmen and seniors,” head coach Kate Pearson said. “We’re just happy that it was a great team win. Everybody did their part.”
Having to play as a team shouldn’t come as a problem to many of these players. They clearly were playing for more than bragging rights. They were playing for each other.
Clearly this is a team with experience. Clearly this is a team that knows their surroundings on the court. They run plays with crisp passes, excellent speed and a controlling pace. Defenses are forced to conform to their style of play and offenses struggle to escape the tight coverage that the Lady Cavs exhibit.
For the Lady Cavs to be the last team standing in the CSAC this season, they need to continue this quality of play. They need to keep the teamwork at high priority. And for a team that is quite familiar with each other – two sophomores, four juniors and three seniors are on the 16-player roster – experience will also go a long way.
