Purple Reign
Starter
Last night's game kind of cleaned up some of the Monarchs ills in this early part of the season. Only 16 Turnovers (still way too high) from the 20 plus over the last 4 games. Nicole Powell was good last night, not great but aggressive, shot free throws (missed 2 surprisingly). Ticha in the first half was outstanding. Laura Harper was very good, energetic, aggressive, intimidating.
But in my view, the biggest issue of the game was the Monarchs inability to put Houston (a bad team) away and make the outcome way too close for comfort. For those who were not there or did not listen, the Monarchs built a 16-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game, only to allow Houston to just as quickly close the gap to 25-22 at the end of the quarter, and allow them to hang around , hang around, hang around, TAKE A THREE POINT LEAD IN THE FOURTH, and then the clearly more talented team finally put it away with a barrage of Laura Harper free throws in the end.
The biggest issue with the Monarchs right now is that rotation. Plain and simple.
In my most humble opinion, Coach Jenny plays those rookies and young veterans (Harper, Kelly, Franklin, Smith) way too much together. There were stretches that those four players were on the floor together, with no Powell, no Brunson, no Lawson. THAT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I understand that Brunson was in foul trouble a good portion of the first half, but there is no reason that Coach should continue to pull her best player in and out the way that she does. As long as we continue to see that rotation the way that it is, we are going to see high turnovers, poor execution, missed free throws and leads blown.
There was on point in the fourth where the Monarchs were up by one 7:46 remaining, Rebekkah picks up her 4th foul, stays in the game. Is replaced by Ticha with 4:48 (MIND YOU, BRUNSON DID NOT PICK UP A 5th FOUL), does not come back into the game until less than two minutes remaining. I understand that fortunately the Monarchs increased their lead, but my point is that there was no reason why your best rebounder, your best player is on the bench. FOR WHAT? That is very confusing to me.
But I will take the "W". Don't get it twisted.
But in my view, the biggest issue of the game was the Monarchs inability to put Houston (a bad team) away and make the outcome way too close for comfort. For those who were not there or did not listen, the Monarchs built a 16-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game, only to allow Houston to just as quickly close the gap to 25-22 at the end of the quarter, and allow them to hang around , hang around, hang around, TAKE A THREE POINT LEAD IN THE FOURTH, and then the clearly more talented team finally put it away with a barrage of Laura Harper free throws in the end.
The biggest issue with the Monarchs right now is that rotation. Plain and simple.
In my most humble opinion, Coach Jenny plays those rookies and young veterans (Harper, Kelly, Franklin, Smith) way too much together. There were stretches that those four players were on the floor together, with no Powell, no Brunson, no Lawson. THAT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I understand that Brunson was in foul trouble a good portion of the first half, but there is no reason that Coach should continue to pull her best player in and out the way that she does. As long as we continue to see that rotation the way that it is, we are going to see high turnovers, poor execution, missed free throws and leads blown.There was on point in the fourth where the Monarchs were up by one 7:46 remaining, Rebekkah picks up her 4th foul, stays in the game. Is replaced by Ticha with 4:48 (MIND YOU, BRUNSON DID NOT PICK UP A 5th FOUL), does not come back into the game until less than two minutes remaining. I understand that fortunately the Monarchs increased their lead, but my point is that there was no reason why your best rebounder, your best player is on the bench. FOR WHAT? That is very confusing to me.
But I will take the "W". Don't get it twisted.
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