Lady Rockets answer the call
SLIPPERY ROCK — Instead of sulking after a recent heavy dose of adversity, the Slippery Rock girls basketball team has adjusted.
Senior guard Macy McCall was lost to a left foot injury in practice earlier this month. Seen in a walking boot Monday night, she watched her teammates win their fourth straight game since her setback, a dominating 75-20 victory over visiting Conneaut.
“It was a big bump in the road for us,” said Rocket coach Amber Osborn. “Macy's athleticism is off the charts, but she also does a lot of things you can't teach. We don't know if we will be getting her back.”
When healthy, McCall does a little bit of everything for the Rockets. This season, she has been good for 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.6 steals and three assists per game.
Freshman Maryann Ackerman has taken McCall's place in the lineup and has since averaged 13 points per game, including 12 against Conneaut.
The Rockets (10-3, 6-1) now have three freshman in their starting five, including leading scorer Anna Kadlubek (13 points per game) and Hallie Raabe.
Senior Jenna Heitzenrater and junior Emma McDermott round out Slippery Rock's starting lineup.
“That's the nice thing about our team. Several players have led us in scoring this season,” Osborn said. “Macy, Maryann, Hallie, Emma .... they have all scored the most points in a game for us.”
“The freshmen who are starting and seeing a lot of playing time, that's a ton of pressure,” McDermott said. “We try to take some of that pressure off of them. We love the younger girls.”
The loss of McCall has not changed the Rockets' approach on defense. Over the last four games, Slippery Rock is giving up an average of just over 37 points per game.
“You probably hear me yelling during the game, but it's because I'm never satisfied,” Osborn said. “I know what our potential is. I feel we should be able to get the steals and convert them into points. We've been able to take teams out of their offense.”
“Our coaches stress working together and that's been the key for us on defense, communicating and seeing the who floor,” said McDermott, who is hoping to see McCall back on the floor at some point.
“We've all decided to play for Macy and take a piece of her and try to bring it to the floor every game,” she said. “We want to get to the (District 10 final). It's going to be tough to get there without Macy, but that would give her a chance to play again.”
CONNEAUT 20
Shelby Davis 1 0-0 3, Emma Stevenson 1 0-0 3, Mya Stone 3 2-2 8, Jaime Decker 2 0-0 4, Sarah Fronce 0 2-2 2, Alyssa Decker 0 0-0 0, Tessa Dilley 0 0-0 0, Bailey Arkwright 0 0-0 0, Tori Lowery 0 0-0 0, Gwynne Fuhrer 0 0-0 0. Totals: 7 4-4 20.
SLIPPERY ROCK 75
Maryann Ackerman 6 0-0 12, Kelly Benson 2 0-0 6, Emma McDermott 6 2-2 17, Annika Peale 1 0-0 2, Hallie Raabe 6 4-7 16, Jenna Heitzenrater 2 2-2 6, Anna Kadlubek 8 0-0 16, Taylor Balint 0 0-0 0. Totals: 31 8-11 75.
Conneaut 8 5 0 7 — 20
Slippery Rock23 27 13 12 — 75
3-point goals: Conneaut 2 (Davis, Stevenson); Slippery Rock 5 (McDermott 3, Benson 2).
Thursday: Girard at Slippery Rock
